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+--- Thread: Relocation, have question, and need advise (/showthread.php?tid=2183)
RE: Relocation, have question, and need advise - missydog1 - 05-19-2008
PS didn't mean to sound so depressing in that last post. Was thinking more about it, and the people I know (very small slice of life here) who are doing well here, are not "hired" so much as in business for themselves or working as professionals. I think that's how you get around the problem with finding a good "job."
RE: Relocation, have question, and need advise - Rob Tucker - 05-19-2008
I subscribe to KathyH's last point. If at all possible bring your own job with you. Then you aren't looking for one. The Internet has a lot of opportunities to allow a person to live in the jungle and make a buck in Albany.
RE: Relocation, have question, and need advise - David M - 05-19-2008
Lot's of great advice, even if not exactly confidence boosting. I don't have much of a job perspective to offer other than my BIL moved over last year (as a 50 yo single). He did get a very decent CDL driver job with a local company with pay and benefits comparable to what he left behind. It took him almost two months.
An issue that I think is just as important - what does it take for you to live? Can you track ALL your expenses for the last year? If you can't, I highly suggest you start keeping track of every dime you and hubby earn and spend, log it daily, file the receipts. BTW, I think this is a useful exercise for all of us to do from time to time. You need a detailed record of how you really spend your money, not how you think you spend it. With that in hand you can determine approximately what it will cost you here. Some of your costs will be fixed, like rent, mortgage, property tax, life insurance premiums, car insurance premiums; others will be variable, utilities, food, gas, etc. Use those newly acquired management skills, apply it to this move. Done properly, you'll create a spreadsheet that is not only helpful in your current lifestyle, but will tell you what you need for income or deplete from savings.
Not to be harsh, but if you can't build this comparison with the confidence that you're Hawaii costs are not within 10% of actual, probably best not to move. Don't forget to add in your moving costs and how you'll pay for those. In my own case, I determined living here was less expensive than living in Atlanta. Because we owned in Atlanta and were going to build here, I then evaluated further to determine it made more sense to move even if the Atlanta house didn't sell right away because my fixed costs were constant until house sold, but my variable costs would be reduced if I moved. That also took some lifestyle adjustments we were quite willing to make.
You ask what you can do during your visit - take your usual shopping list to stores and get local prices, when you visit subdivisions log potential commute times and mileage. If doing the touristy is more important, then enjoy that, but if it's moving, then research on site. Even if you'd don't go home with all the answers, you'll probably have more questions. I'd even do some serious job prospective, visit all the agencies in person and talk with the counselors. In some cases, a family makes it work because one spouse gets a job and moves earlier.
Best of luck
David
Ninole Resident
RE: Relocation, have question, and need advise - Guest - 05-19-2008
quote:
Originally posted by David M
...... In some cases, a family makes it work because one spouse gets a job and moves earlier.
Great advice David!
I'm highlighting what you said specifically because this is exactly what I did. My wife's job transferred her back 3 years ago. It has taken me this long to finally quit a well paying STATE job that I had for 10 + years to come home to PUNA and now basically "live off my wifes income" for awhile until I decide what I finally want to do.
I'm fortunate enough to have several options and have a mom that lives on the island that has always bailed me out if push comes to shove....(Thanks MOM!)
However, other people that move here do not have the OHANA (Family) that they can rely upon.
I told Beachboy (check your email for the refresher roger) more then a year ago that he would have difficulty finding employment on the Big Island.... did he listen.... NOPE... so now he finds himself in the predicament he is in by having to commute to/from Oahu just to be employed.
The biggest advice I can give someone who moves here, is lower your expectations and be ready for anything.
-------
Moved
RE: Relocation, have question, and need advise - JayJay - 05-19-2008
My question would be why you're waiting to sell your home? Chances are, unless you live in an area like Bensonhurst in Brooklyn or Manhattan or somewhere like that your home has become a depreciating asset due to the downturn in the real estate market nationwde.
JayJay
RE: Relocation, have question, and need advise - lluberesm - 05-19-2008
Wow that was very interesting and realistic info. I am not discouraged but am definitely shocked to hear just how hard the job market is.
I have to say that as far as what our lifestyle is like here on the mainland goes we are definitely a family that has a pretty expensive lifestyle compared to that of the average family. However all the extras are not things we are "married" to. We live the way we do because we can. We are however the type of people that don't care much for the extras. We are defeated the kind that can live as simple a life as possible and still be happy. So, the doing without part we can manage.
The only thing that concerns me is my children’s education and healthcare like Carey mentioned. Our children are in private school right now, but are putting them in public school for this coming school year. We want them to have a quality education and unfortunately the school they are in is behind in some areas because they focus more on the religious part of their education.
Our healthcare is excellent. We are fully covered for dental, vision and everything else. We know that when we need to use it for them or us we pay practically nothing out of pocket.
Is there a reason why you mention that Carey? How is the healthcare situation there? Do employers provide good healthcare? Is everyone paying out of pocket for their own private plan?
As to employment, we are not interested in working within the service industry.
We are aiming at getting jobs within our individual fields that will allow us to live a simply modest lifestyle. Leaving behind the extras is what we want for our children and ourselves. I would not min working at any of the resorts in some type of management position working with people. My direct customer service, training, and management skills are extensive.
I realize that Oahu has a better job market but it's such a city lifestyle that moving there would defeat the purpose of what we are looking for. We have been to Oahu, Maui and Hawaii. We loved Maui the best of all. But really fell in love with the simplicity of Hawaii.
Thank you everybody....
Lenny
RE: Relocation, have question, and need advise - pslamont - 05-20-2008
Lenny,
Resort Management ... this is the OTHER side of the island. Resorts are 2 1/2 hours or so away from here. Finding a job usually takes some months and it is the luck of the draw. There is some racism here and as Haoles, we are on the bottom of that pile. Add to it an acceptance of nepotism and you can see that in a small community it can be tough. It is very unlikely to be hired for a job until you are actually living here. Too many people in the past were hired and then were no shows, or left after a few months. It is expensive for an employer to train a new staff member so they get burned a lot. They are just looking out for their businesses.
As for healthcare, the issue is not really financial, it is availability. Puna is an isolated part of the world as is the Big Island. There is a definite shortage of physicians here. Many current doctors are not taking newe patients. I personally have Kaisser coverage and find they do a good job providing care. They fly me to Oahu for many things (at their expense).
Schools here in Hawaii are in the very bottom of national quality. There are many many factors. Part is culture with families having such very low expectations for their children. Part is the extremely poor salary structure for teachers. (My husband took a pay cut of nearly 50% to come teach here from So. Calif). New teachers come here with bright spirits and excitement to begin their adventure but discover they can not live on the salary and leave after a couple years. This leaves a very young and inexperienced staff that is transient; never good for the kids.
All that said, this is still paradise. It may take a couple years to find jobs you truely enjoy. That is part of the price of paradise. St. Joseph's school (Catholic) has an excellent reputation. However, many of the Charter schools seem to be doing a good job. Besides that, supplement at home is always to the benefit of your children. YOUR expectations will set the pace for your children's education, not that of the schools. Example: we do foster care. We require children to read or do homework 7 days a week for one hour before television is allowed. That is not done in the bedroom but out at the breakfast bar or dining table. We see quality of work done, review math worksheets, discuss books being read. We have a cozy couch in front of the fireplace for nice rainy day reading. YOU set the pace, not the school.
Renting for 6 months to a year while you find your "spot" is a very good idea. It gives you the opportunity to explore the nuances of the different area of the island. Believe me, there are very significant nuances to be discovered! This island is filled with flavor. Taste it all, or at least begin the buffet!!!
You will find many rental opportunities here on the Punaweb classified section. Expect to pay $1100 to $1500 a month for a 3 bedroom. There are soooo many older Hawaiian homes here that renting sight unseen from a more public place (newspaper) might be a little risky. Personally, I would call Jerry and Markie at ART & ORCHIDS bed and breakfast and make arrangements for a week while you take a look at what is around. People I have helped relocate have found the rental agencies to be less than satisfactory. Since we have such great people on here who have gotten to know one another, renting from one of "our own" is a good start.
We are in the process of tearing down and rebuilding our cabin, so I am afraid I do not have temporary housing for you. Wish I did.
So, with me on a project here in So Calif, I am off for timing and sleep patterns. That has made for a long rambling response but I hope it is helpful.
Aloha... be in touch.... Pam
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
RE: Relocation, have question, and need advise - pslamont - 05-20-2008
Saw this ad and thought of you. Definitely hit the tribune/herald classifieds along with the County of Hawaii web page.
www.hawaiitribune-herald.com
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR Full-time position. Non-profit management or comparable experience. Resume should include administrative, financial, and fundraising experience plus leadership skills. Bachelor’s degree. Salary range $2,400 to $2,700 a month plus medical insurance to start. Send resume to: Hilo Medical Center Foundation. Fax: 961-3571 Attn:
V. Peralto or e-mail:
ahamane@hawaiiantel.net. Resume deadline: 1PM Friday, June 6, 2008
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
RE: Relocation, have question, and need advise - Carolann R - 05-20-2008
Aloha Lenny - hey check the county and state listings...always something for an educated professional.
Carrie
http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
http://www.vintageandvelvet.blogspot.com
"Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby's head..." U2
RE: Relocation, have question, and need advise - Jon - 05-20-2008
The wife and I will be moving to Puna on the 4th of July, (currently in Texas).
We took 4 trips at 2 weeks each over a year to find a house and deside to make the move.
As for a House... The big problem we had was geting an agent to listen to us, we looked at dozens of houses, and they all looked the same, even as we told the agent we did not like that style. But on the last trip we found an agent (#3) that would listen and showed us a house we liked. Then came the buying part. Hawaii is not Texas, and we are learing how Hawaii works, some good, some bad, but over all its on the good side.
Prices... from what I have seen, just expect to pay mainland retail for everything, use that for making your budget, than add 25% and you should be close.
Life... I look at living in Puna as living way out on the county... where the nearest city is a few houndred miles away... and you can't drive there. Its also great to see kids out playing, we live in the city right now and we do not see the kids out much at all.
Jobs... There seems to be jobs to be had, but if you don't live on the the island, they don't even want to talk to you. I am lucky in that my current job will let me work from home... at half pay, but even at that the pay is higher than most jobs I have found on the island.
We do have family there, they have only been there a few years but that does make it a little easier.
Texan