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If you had a good job offer in Hawaii, would you move there? Why or why not?
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Anonymous
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I think the being away from family part of your post really struck me. Your family would not be able to travel there because of their age/health. Getting to FL is not so easy and quick. It almost sounds like it would be better for you to move back to FL.
My mom is from an island in the Caribbean and I only got to see my grandparents once a year, if I was lucky twice. They could travel but the expense, time to fly, etc. made it difficult. I lived on the island for a few years but we moved back to the states. My mom couldn't wait to leave the island because she said she always felt trapped. She loves the fact that she can hop in her car and go. On the island she was stuck. My friend is here for a few months from HI and she has told me how expensive she it is and how hard it is to get to see family. As tempting as it sounds, I don't think I would do it. I've moved quite a few times but since having kids, I have stayed put and DH and I agree that with kids a move is much riskier and ours haven't even started school yet. |
Anonymous
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We have gone on vacation to the Big Island several times (and I know you're looking at Oahu, but I can only give you my opinion about the BI). I love it there - it's one of my favorite places on earth. If I had unlimited funds, I would buy a house there and live there a few months out of the year. I would not live there full time due to:
(1) poor public schools (to make matters worse, the state of Hawaii is having a big budget crisis, and they're shortening the school year) (2) the Big Island has had a big meth problem for the past few years, and I think there's probably in general a pretty thriving drug culture on all the islands (3) the intense sun year-round would drive me crazy - you have to be very diligent with sunscreen (especially in the summer - I get pink in a matter of minutes after I step off the plane if I don't have the heavy duty stuff already applied). This seems like a minor issue until you see how easily you (and your kids) can get very severely burned. Imagine having to think about this every day... (4) all the things others have mentioned: island fever, expense, ethnic tension, isolation from the mainland. I think Hawaii is amazing, but having it as a home year-round is something I couldn't do. Totally IMO, of course! |
Anonymous
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OP- Is this something you'd regret if you didn't move? Since you would have the option of returning to the DC-area if you really hated it, I don't see why you wouldn't give it a try. The worst thing that could happen is that you wouldn't like it and you'd move back (yes, it would be inconvenient and a huge expense to move again, but IMO, it's worth it to have had the experience of living in HI rather than to always wonder "what if").
The main drawback for me would be the schools. The deadlines for the private schools have probably already passed, but you never know- they could still have spots available. It's worth a call at least. When I was growing up, my family was planning a move and my mom called a popular private school in the new city and they had one spot open that just happened to be my grade. |
Anonymous
| As much as i would love to live on an island again (originally from the West Indies), the distance from what little family I have here would be a deal killer for me. |
Anonymous
What exactly is island fever? |
Anonymous
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Thanks everyone. I am really really leaning towards going for it. We will probably regret it if we don't try it out. After reading all the posts, and doing other research on my own, the onliy issue left for me as a major concern is schools.
We will try to get DD into a private school (late, so this may not be possible), otherwise, find the "best" public school and live in that zone for next year, and supplement with private tutoring on weekends. Then apply for private after that....that's my thinking right now anyway... Still welcome any additional responses! |
Anonymous
| How about home schooling until you can find a private school for DD since DH is retiring? You also might be able to find a spot in a smaller private school where there is some flexibility. |
Anonymous
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Good luck OP - I'm sure you guys will make it work.
Private school sounds like a good option for down the road. I had a friend in college who lived in Hawaii during high school because of his dad's job - he was incredibly smart and did great at our (not Ivy League, but prominent and well regarded) school. That said, his family was pretty well off based on my visit to their home once, so they likely did private school. I think any place is what you make of it (with some obvious exceptions of course). Surely people have moved from the US and had a good experience there. I would take advantage of whatever resources your new job can provide you to find out as much as you can, but it sounds like a great opportunity, for at least a few years. |
Anonymous
| Glad to hear you are leaning towards going. You really sound as if you will regret it if you don't try it. If the school issue is your largest concern, then sounds like private is your solution to that problem. I wouldn't be surprised if you can still get a slot and if not, one year at a so-so school is not going to ruin your child's life. Sounds like a wonderful opportunity to experience a different lifestyle. |
Anonymous
| OP, I'm jealous of you! You only live once so you might as well take advantage of whatever opportunities that come your way. |
Anonymous
| To 13:31 - island fever is basically just feeling stir-crazy from being on an island. Sort of like being stuck indoors, but in this case you're "stuck" on a relatively small piece of land. |
Anonymous
OP here. Thanks for the suggestions to see if I can get DD into a private school late in the game. I contacted one school today via e-mail, and they seemed like they'd be willing to accomodate applicants from the mainland, even late in the process. Homeschooling is out b/c I work full-time, and I do not feel qualified to teach even very little kids! 
I think I am now officially obsessed with the idea of Hawaii. |
Anonymous
OP here again. I am surprised so many people have read this post...hey people, stop reading...I don't want you all to start applying for jobs in HI -- that means more competition for me and then I will never make it to Oahu! 
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Anonymous
| OP here...I didn't mean it..come back...tell me why I should move there....I really want to do it!! 8) |
Anonymous
| Come on OP, you know it's beautiful and a once in a lifetime opportunity many will never come across. And, like every other place, you know there are some down sides as well. Just take the plunge and go for it! If it turns out to be a mistake, you'll deal with it and can always move back. But if you don't do it, you'll always wonder if you should have done it. |