Okay…first let me say that there are lots of reasons to live in Hawaii. I don’t think I even need to say that at this time of the year…however…here are a couple of reasons why living in Paradise isn’t as easy as sleeping under a coconut tree (bad idea by the way!)
1. Hawaii once again has the steepest rents in the USA. The top five were Hawaii, California, Massachussetts, New Jersey and New York. In order to rent a dumpy two bedroom apartment, renters had to earn $48,940 ($4078 per month) vs. $33,924 national average ($2827 per month)
2. Renters in Hawaii earn an average of $11.36 per hour vs a national average of $12.64.
Keep in mind that approximately 44% of all households in Hawaii are renters. (including yours truly)
So if you break down the numbers to a quick comparison it means that to live in Hawaii you need to work 359 hours a month or roughly 12 hours a day (7 days a week) if you fall into the state averages.
Compare this to falling into the national average where you need to work 224 hours a month or roughly 7.5 hours a day (7 days a week).
And people wonder why the locals here aren’t out enjoying the sun and surf every day….mainly because they are working.
cd
the rent sudy is available at www.nlich.org
HEY,
HOW DISSAPOINTING, I WAS REALLY WANTING TO MOVE THERE. I did noy expect a free lunch but isn’t it at all possible for a guy who has good smile good health and a desire to help the world live in such a beautiful place?? I was wanting to consider starting as a nurse assistant or something to this nature and grow from there ..are there any possibilities?? let me know.
Donald
Hi Donald,
I’ve thought along similar lines. You can make anything happen if you want it bad enough. In my case I’m waiting until I finish my RN degree, rather than trying to survive there as an LPN while I finish my degree (this will provide me double the salary). I’d rather land on a more level playing field than try to make it on a lower income. In any case, I want it bad enough and that makes a difference.
Blessings,
Ryan
So I wonder if things have changed because now I see 2 bedroom apartments for 1200 a month.
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/search/apa/oah?query=&minAsk=min&maxAsk=1200&bedrooms=2&hasPic=1
You probably don’t want Waianae, Makaha, or even Waipahu to be your first experience living in Hawaii. Leeward Oahu is likely not Hawaii as you’ve imagined it.