07-01-2005, 12:33 PM
Hi Kobe - You really need to visit before you consider moving over. While some love the area (like myself) it really isn't for others. Puna is a unique area filled with open minded individuals peacefully co-existing. OK, that is stretching it a bit. But there is a good mix of folks from all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religious affiliations, political leanings (will I ever find a place I can just be with far left liberals? I thought this was supposed to be paradise
economic backgrounds and personal agendas. You will meet tons of retirees, young families, old hippies - just about any label you can put on a person can be found in Puna. You will also find drunks, ice heads and petty thieves. Not much serious crime. If you have children just know the schools in Puna are horrible. There is a new grocery store, an awesome natural foods store, a Mexican place that really sucks in my opinion but everyone else likes it, Pahoa Village Cafe (yum) and Subway. Hopefully Subway will be the only fast food place. You can snorkle in tide pools filled with turtles, sunbathe on a black sand beach, hike to a new land on the flows, see more stars in the sky than you ever knew existed and enjoy the sunrise everyday. It is sunnier down by the coast but also more remote. There are lots of neighborhoods and each has it's own flavor. You should take 2-3 weeks to stay in the area and get to know it. Stay a week in HPP, a week down by the shore (I know of a great rental service if you need it) and maybe a week in another neighborhood in your price range. Remember that prices are going up fast. I bought my lot 3 yrs ago for $12K with all SSPP paid and right now lots in the 'hood are $95-125K. Get an agent that specializes in lower or upper Puna, depending on your preferance. Buy "So You Want To Live In Paradise" and The Big Island Revealed. Be sure to post on here before your move. I am sure some of the folks here would be happy to meet up with you to talk story.
Atlanta/Pahoa
economic backgrounds and personal agendas. You will meet tons of retirees, young families, old hippies - just about any label you can put on a person can be found in Puna. You will also find drunks, ice heads and petty thieves. Not much serious crime. If you have children just know the schools in Puna are horrible. There is a new grocery store, an awesome natural foods store, a Mexican place that really sucks in my opinion but everyone else likes it, Pahoa Village Cafe (yum) and Subway. Hopefully Subway will be the only fast food place. You can snorkle in tide pools filled with turtles, sunbathe on a black sand beach, hike to a new land on the flows, see more stars in the sky than you ever knew existed and enjoy the sunrise everyday. It is sunnier down by the coast but also more remote. There are lots of neighborhoods and each has it's own flavor. You should take 2-3 weeks to stay in the area and get to know it. Stay a week in HPP, a week down by the shore (I know of a great rental service if you need it) and maybe a week in another neighborhood in your price range. Remember that prices are going up fast. I bought my lot 3 yrs ago for $12K with all SSPP paid and right now lots in the 'hood are $95-125K. Get an agent that specializes in lower or upper Puna, depending on your preferance. Buy "So You Want To Live In Paradise" and The Big Island Revealed. Be sure to post on here before your move. I am sure some of the folks here would be happy to meet up with you to talk story.Atlanta/Pahoa
Atlanta/Pahoa