Posts: 39
Threads: 2
Joined: Jun 2014
Just a thank you for your website. We have a lot in HPP that we are hoping to retire to in a few years, although I woud love to do it now! I am encouraged by your piece about availabiity of work. I am a contractor in Monterey, very busy with a good reputation. And I am reliable. If I say I'm going to be there I'm there and I stick to a job until it's done. I also have many years of experience doing maintenance work for local B&B's. What do you think my prospects for work might be in the Puna area? I'm 60 but a young 60 lol and I have lot's of knowledge and experience. I would love to live there and rent while we build our little dream house. What you tink? Looking for honest feedback....
Daniel Hanmer
Daniel Hanmer
Posts: 295
Threads: 8
Joined: Jun 2014
Slim!! However, not impossible. Here's how it goes. You get a bit of work but have no time or energy to do any building of your own or you have no work and loads of time and energy but no money. Things are then put together in a piece meal fashion. It is easy to get used to 'living rough'. There is even a saying "if you can put up with it for two weeks, you can put up with it for two years. If you can put up with it for two years you can put up with it for ever". There are different codes to different subdivisions and other considerations. For example we moved to the forest and were going to live in a tent whilst we built our house. It then rained more than it has ever rained in living history. We ended up with a much (much) smaller, quicker (but cuter) home. We have been here seven years now. We have put together one small cabin, one garden canopy and one small art studio with a big lanei. And hubby is a carpenter. That gives you the kind of time line
think simple. It can be done. I am deliriously happy and the experience of inventing a place to live is exhilarating (at least to me). My aloha to you.
#10048;
#10048;
Posts: 510
Threads: 29
Joined: Nov 2007
Why you gotta work so hard and make us locals look bad? Just kidding!
Come on out and check it out, you may never leave! By the way, I am 65 and never been so busy! Been "retired" 2 years
Posts: 3,188
Threads: 216
Joined: Sep 2007
Agreed - have never been busier - wonder how I got along when I had a job....
as to income ....and working ..... id give it a few years to get established - I'd fund for two years out .....
I am very conservative when it comes to business (one of those social liberals / financial conservative types - seems to fit in well ) .... some may say less
Posts: 510
Threads: 29
Joined: Nov 2007
Birchl: too true! nice post [
]keep working!
Posts: 2,899
Threads: 489
Joined: Mar 2006
My wife and I both retired at 50! 30 years in and out with state government (Alaska) and full pensions. Built and payed for our home during that time.. Been retired here (in HPP) for 9 years and continue to love doing nothing but the things we like to do (gardening, swimming, driving to different places on the island with no time constraints). I can't imagine having to work here and never having the time to really get out and enjoy this island!
Posts: 1,450
Threads: 109
Joined: Mar 2013
You will be working, but you will not necessarily be making any money. The two do not always go together here.
Posts: 39
Threads: 2
Joined: Jun 2014
quote:
Originally posted by birchl
Slim!! However, not impossible. Here's how it goes. You get a bit of work but have no time or energy to do any building of your own or you have no work and loads of time and energy but no money. Things are then put together in a piece meal fashion. It is easy to get used to 'living rough'. There is even a saying "if you can put up with it for two weeks, you can put up with it for two years. If you can put up with it for two years you can put up with it for ever". There are different codes to different subdivisions and other considerations. For example we moved to the forest and were going to live in a tent whilst we built our house. It then rained more than it has ever rained in living history. We ended up with a much (much) smaller, quicker (but cuter) home. We have been here seven years now. We have put together one small cabin, one garden canopy and one small art studio with a big lanei. And hubby is a carpenter. That gives you the kind of time line think simple. It can be done. I am deliriously happy and the experience of inventing a place to live is exhilarating (at least to me). My aloha to you.
Birchl,sounds perfect!
#10048;
Daniel Hanmer
Posts: 39
Threads: 2
Joined: Jun 2014
quote:
Originally posted by mac nut
Why you gotta work so hard and make us locals look bad? Just kidding!
Come on out and check it out, you may never leave! By the way, I am 65 and never been so busy! Been "retired" 2 years
LOL mac nut....that sounds like the plan!
Daniel Hanmer
Daniel Hanmer
Posts: 1,059
Threads: 97
Joined: Mar 2009
Handymen and builders with good reputations and good ethics are always wanted. We actually have a hard time choosing who to use for which job! Be aware, tho, that they charge more like $25-$30/hr here - not sure what you charge in Monterey, but when we lived in Bay Area, you couldn't find anyone for under $60/hr. A guy we used a lot just moved to Maui - what he did was build his house here and from that came into contact with a lot of subcontractors - cement, tile, etc - and sources for materials. Nice way to get acquainted if you can afford it.
