Opinions on Puna subdivisions?

[Cheerio]

Hello all,

My husband and I are former Hilo residents looking seriously at a move back to the island. We have been saving for property for some time. We are very familiar with Puna but are gathering opinions as we get closer to making a decision as to where to buy. Bear in mind we are young and have no family yet, but want to be in a safer place to raise kids and know our neighbors.

If I had more money, I'd buy a bunch of acreage in Opihikao. But I don't, so here goes.

I am mostly concerned about loose dogs and roosters. Since pretty much all Puna is zoned ag, and the cops rarely seem to do anything about these issues, where should we be looking to buy for both safety and sanity? To buy at the end of this year, we would be looking at around $20,000 saved for purchase of land, though if we need to save for a little bit more time for the right location, we will. We've been thinking about HPP, Leilani, Hawaiian Shores Recreational Estates, and maybe Kalapana Seaview Estates. Getting a handle on what CC&Rs are (we are young and new to this). As much as my husband wants to build some rickety jungalow on a chunk of lava somewhere "right now", I am a bit more realistic and would prefer to protect our investment and time by buying and building something that can sustain us for the long term.

A bit about us: he is learning carpentry, I am wrapping up my Masters in Teaching with a focus in high-needs schools.

[dayna]

I would move here and rent in a couple different neighborhoods before committing to buying in one.

We thought we'd want to live in Volcano and purchased property there. When we actually moved here however we realized it's too cold for the parrots and terracores commute would be too far. So we rented in Hawaiian Acres, liked it okay but it was tooo warm. lol HPP is to hot for us too.

So we settled in OrchidLand up on 40th. Yes there are druggies, yes there are roosters, yes there are dogs running around. However I feel safe, and know almost all my neighbors. A good group of people. Very supportive of each other, and we help each other out, share foods, get together, etc etc.

Dayna

www.E-Z-Caps.com

[kalakoa]

If I were doing it all over again: multiple adjacent lots.

Among other things, this allows an intereresting strategy: build the "rickety jungalow right now" on one lot while you invest the 2-3 years for a permitted house next door. (If you do this on the same lot, the jungalow will interefere with the permitting process.)

[rainyjim]

Based off your dislike of rooster and dogs off leashes may I recommend Leilani Estates for you. Leilani like all subdivisions has its caveats, it's CC & Rs are very restrictive. This may work for you and it might not depending on your plans so definitely read the CC & Rs very well before you purchase. I believe their rules prohibit dogs off leashes and "rooster farms".

I'd never buy a property in Leilani Estates.

Goodluck & Aloha!

[unknownjulie]

I personally like HSRE if you want to be "deep in puna", but Leilani is nice too. The volcano is more of an issue in Leilani though. Leilani has high homeowners insurance due to this, and HSRE has fairly small lots. You will have no trouble getting a job with a Master's in teaching, and with familiarity with the area. I ended up in Hilo just out of conveniences for my kids, but I drove all over looking, while we rented. GL

[deserteagle50ae]

Check out Sunrise Ridge in Hilo,its a very nice place to live and no crazies in that neighborhood. Nice homes in a nice subdivision.

[pam jones]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I believe most Puna neighborhoods seem to have a dog issue. Including Leilani Estates!! Not sure about town neighborhoods but police response would certainly be improved. To give you an idea of how lax things are, we have a neighbor whose pitbull climbs the fence and the neighbor is aware but claims there is nothing he can do about so...it isn't uncommon to see the dog outside the fence. As for the police, ha! This summer robbers were casing my neighbors house and even after a description of the uninvited "guests", along with car description and plates the cops couldn't come out here. Oh, and my neighbors refrigerator was stolen. Dogs, thieves and roosters are normal to Puna. Renting where you think you want to buy can't be encouraged enough.

[Cheerio]

Hmm. Thanks for the thoughts, everyone.

Honestly, we're fully aware that it's a crapshoot to buy/build in Puna: I am fully into live-and-let-live on the BI....I just don't want to live next to another cock fighting operation (Pahala, a few years ago) or almost get my face bitten off my a pit or Rott (yes, totally making a generalization about guard breeds, but I have found that the people keeping these breeds on island often encourage their dogs to be aggressive - I can't help but be scared of them after being chased numerous times, in numerous places. Going for a walk with a baseball bat sucks).

Basically hoped to hear about others' experience building/living in different areas in Puna. Why you like or don't like your neighborhood. Keep it coming, this is a great forum for information and discussion.
Aloha.

[dayna]

Hmm, my neighbor has a rooster farm. A big one. The crowing lulls me to sleep at night. And his pitt bulls are sooooo sweet and adorable! They run up to the gate with butts a wagging. Also, he recently (on his own dime) rented some heavy equipment and upgraded our road.....

Dayna

www.E-Z-Caps.com

[Cheerio]

You got blessed in the good neighbor department, Dayna. And to have someone upgrading the bumpy Orchidland roads out of their own pocket is awesome - I'd be bringing that guy baked goods every week.