Hey guys, just got orders to Hawaii and thought I would say hi and try to get some recommendations of places to avoid when looking for homes out there. I am really curious about how the traffic is and figure this is probably the best place for that kind of info. I am still trying to figure out if I'm going to be able to send the Suby out that way as well, but probably won't know for a bit still.

 

AVOID waianae, kalihi, waipahu, wahiawa....traffic is extremely bad going into town. you didnt mention where you will be stationed at. schofield? pearl harbor? kaneohe? before anyone can give you recommendations, you should probably provide more info....

 

Let me be the first to welcome you here!

Traffic and finding a place depends on where you are stationed and what you are looking for.

If you are stationed at Scholfield, Hickam or Pearl Harbor:

The Ewa area has an abundance of places, but traffic is horrible in and out of there at peak traffic hours. Mililani is a nice place and traffic is not so bad.

If you are stationed at MCBH:
Kailua has places, just have to look for it and the traffic there is almost non- existant. If you are stationed at Pearl or Hickam, Kailua isnt bad either, since the traffic you'd be travelling is opposite of the main traffic congestion.

Hopefully this helps, and I'm sure more people will chime in.

 

Thanks for the tips, and I certainly did for get to mention, I am going to be stationed over at MCBH. I was hoping to find something around the western end of the H-3 just so I'm a bit more centrally located, but not knowing how the traffic is around the area during the rush hour commutes makes me hesitant to even look at anywhere beyond Kaneohe and Kailua.

 

Well, home prices here are really sky high. The windward side (near your base) is very nice area, and convenient, but pricy. Are you looking to purchase or rent? Either way expect to pay $2200+ for a 3 bedroom rental, and home prices in the area usually start around $550k. There really are no bargains to be had homewise, unless you want to live on the Westside (see waianae, ewa beach, kapolei). The median home price right now is $640k, but that factors in all homes on the island, incl. the ones that are $10 mill+.
If a townhome or condo fits your budget, there are many options on the windward side close to work for you. Being that you will get a gov't allowance, it should'nt be too bad. I'd suggest purchasing since you are military, there really are no bad choices to be made in hawaiian real estate market. If you can get in, you will make a profit. Good luck, and welcome to the islands and hawaii impreza club.

 

I would love to purchase, however I might be stuck trying to get base housing because it seems like it will be impossible to find a place that I can keep my 50lb dog. Townhouses work perfectly fine as that's what I'm living in now, it's just finding a community that will allow a dog that is the problem.

 

First off, welcome to the HIIC. As for finding housing down Windward side, I'm not really sure since I live down in Central Oahu (Waikele to be exact). Typically down the Windward side, traffic is not too bad, as compared to Town and the Westside, so that's definitely a +. As for finding housing that allows animals, you just gotta look. There's a bunch of places that do, and a lot that don't. I wish you luck on that one. The good thing is that the weather here is nice and humid and muggy.......just like back home in Florida....hahaha. I Look forward to meeting you.

 

Welcome! I recently got orders to Hickam and I highly suggest bringing your suby as soon as you can if possible. I shipped my wifes car first and regretted not having my car for about 3 and a half weeks.

 

JVILLE is pretty hot. My good friend and her hubby moved to ft walton beach, and she said it's in the boonies by alabama. I want to go to visit, but I HATE SNAKES!!!!

 

You don't want to go to Ft. Walton Beach. I was in Pensacola for a little over a year which is somewhat near there. That entire gulf coast sucks. The Ft. Walton Beach and Destin area is pretty nice, but it's still insanely humid to the point that it makes the rest of Florida seem like a desert.

 

happy salutations!

 

if your going to be at kaneohe i suggest you look for a place on the windward side super beautiful!! not cheap though hardly any traffic nice people (as i live in kailua) haha and just really convenient!! 20 min. to anywhere on island!! oh and a huge pre welcome to jam rock!!!
Warren