5 Things You Have to Learn Before Moving to Honolulu's Best Neighborhoods

For many people, moving to Honolulu is the equivalent of finding heaven on earth. But, for a large number of those people, heaven starts to lose its appeal after about a year. This is why so many people who move to Hawaii ultimately wind up moving back to the mainland.So, why does Hawaii's charm lose its appeal for so many people? The answer lies in the fact that a large number of people move to Honolulu without learning what to expect while living there. Like every state, Hawaii has its pros and cons. For instance, it actually rains quite a lot on the island. The rain usually comes on suddenly and lasts for ten minutes before the sun comes back out. Wait a while longer and another shower passes through.The weather is just one thing that catches newcomers by surprise. Here are five other things you need to know before you pack your bags and move to Honolulu.

Along with the weather, another common surprise for many people is how expensive Honolulu's housing market is. It's not uncommon for small, single-wall homes to sell for over $800,000 in Honolulu's hottest neighborhoods, like Kalaheo, Waikiki, and Paauilo. More affordable housing is available on the west side of the city in neighborhoods like Ewa, Kapolei, Makakilo, and Kunia. But, you can still expect to pay as much as $500,000 or more for a home in these neighborhoods.

Honolulu enjoys a near-constant breeze, but that breeze brings plenty of salt from the ocean along with it. When coupled with the island's traditional humid climate, the breeze makes the environment inhospitable to metallic items. For instance, it's not uncommon for a bicycle to be enveloped by rust within a year if it isn't cleaned regularly and stored inside.Leave something damp lying around, and it will start growing mold within two days. You will also find yourself painting your house every few years and washing your car quite often.

In Honolulu, you can forget about receiving your mail or online-purchases quickly. Next-day shipping turns out to be two-day shipping on the island. If you need a contractor for a repair, expect a two-week wait. Need a dentist appointment? Your scheduled visit will be a month away.Most people drive 35 mph here. Don't expect instant access to things you can normally find easily on the mainland. On Hawaii, things are in shorter supply and that includes everything from grocery items to service providers so you will find yourself waiting a lot. Therefore, to truly enjoy Honolulu, you must be able to slow down and learn how to go with the flow.

A lot of people think that by moving to Hawaii, their lives will be transformed. While Hawaii can give you a different perspective on life, actual transformation rarely happens. After all, just because you move here doesn't mean that you're not going to have to work and deal with everyday life situations. You will still get sick and problems will still arise.

The information above doesn't exactly paint Honolulu in the same light as the image you might have in your head, but don't let that dissuade you. Honolulu is a wonderful place to live, you just need to know what to expect from your move in order to ensure you appreciate it for the beautiful city it is. As stated earlier, many people who move to Hawaii return to the mainland within a year, but they all share one thing in common – they ultimately regret leaving.If you're interested in moving to Honolulu, then Homes.com can help you find the perfect house on the island. We can narrow down your choices based on your unique search criteria, so the homes you get to compare are those that best meet your wants and needs.