07-06-2006, 10:42 AM
Hi Lenny,
One easy way of narrowing down where you want to look is what type of weather to you want to live in.The main highways that go around the island are a good indicator for climate.If you like it cold and rainy where you'll need a heater at night look at places beyond the mountain side of the highway.If you want beautiful warm tropical weather look at places on the ocean side of the hwy.the closer you are to the ocean the better the climate.In Puna you also have lava zones to consider, financing and insurance are much higher in zones 1 and 2. Also what school system if any do you want to live near? How about transporting the kids to school the bus system is nothing like the mainland and if you go private you'll have to provide your own transportation.If your looking in Puna and not at large acreage the best subdivision I could recommend is Hawaiian Paradise Park aka HPP (and its zone 3).Its the closest to Hilo and a couple of private schools (Waldorf School).The weather is great,and closer to the ocean theres a lovely micro climate.Realestate prices run the gamut and its known for having lots of professionals living here.The locals say its been taken over by mainlanders so you'll probably have lots of like souls near by.Also a word of warning about prices some listing prices are out of control like ainaloa its always been an undesirable subdivision (police stay there all night ect)But some of the comparative homes are priced higher than in great subdivisions.check land prices first to get a good idea for the residential price.The nicest subdivisions in Puna that I've heard of are Hawaiian Paradise Park,Kehena Beach Estates, Vacationland,Volcano Country Club,and Papaya Farms.These are also the ones that will have less crime and hold their value better in a up or down economy.Let us know when you've narrowed you search and we'll tell you all about it.Tell everyone you meet your looking to buy, there is also renters discrimation here. Try www.hawaiiinformation.com as was recommended its the entire mls for big island also try www.vrbo.com for vacation rentals they are the way to go on the east side. usually cheaper than the hotel.
Best of Luck
One easy way of narrowing down where you want to look is what type of weather to you want to live in.The main highways that go around the island are a good indicator for climate.If you like it cold and rainy where you'll need a heater at night look at places beyond the mountain side of the highway.If you want beautiful warm tropical weather look at places on the ocean side of the hwy.the closer you are to the ocean the better the climate.In Puna you also have lava zones to consider, financing and insurance are much higher in zones 1 and 2. Also what school system if any do you want to live near? How about transporting the kids to school the bus system is nothing like the mainland and if you go private you'll have to provide your own transportation.If your looking in Puna and not at large acreage the best subdivision I could recommend is Hawaiian Paradise Park aka HPP (and its zone 3).Its the closest to Hilo and a couple of private schools (Waldorf School).The weather is great,and closer to the ocean theres a lovely micro climate.Realestate prices run the gamut and its known for having lots of professionals living here.The locals say its been taken over by mainlanders so you'll probably have lots of like souls near by.Also a word of warning about prices some listing prices are out of control like ainaloa its always been an undesirable subdivision (police stay there all night ect)But some of the comparative homes are priced higher than in great subdivisions.check land prices first to get a good idea for the residential price.The nicest subdivisions in Puna that I've heard of are Hawaiian Paradise Park,Kehena Beach Estates, Vacationland,Volcano Country Club,and Papaya Farms.These are also the ones that will have less crime and hold their value better in a up or down economy.Let us know when you've narrowed you search and we'll tell you all about it.Tell everyone you meet your looking to buy, there is also renters discrimation here. Try www.hawaiiinformation.com as was recommended its the entire mls for big island also try www.vrbo.com for vacation rentals they are the way to go on the east side. usually cheaper than the hotel.
Best of Luck