Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

[korygrandy]

I will preface this with the fact that I understand relocating and even more relocating from Mainland to an Island would not be a choice some choose to make.

With that said, me and my wife are contemplating moving from Saint Paul, Minnesnowda to Maui, AKA Paradise Island.

Has anyone here ever done something like this, where they up and move to an island? I have been reading a lot of posts on city-data that are all very informative but I always welcome my fellow iboaters input.

I understand leaving friends and family will be the toughest thing to do, but honestly I do not interact a ton with my friends and family.

People say the cost of living is expensive on Maui, but honestly the cost of living is relative to any individual and how they spend there money. I feel the cost of living is high in wintry climates as is. We spend and save wisely as is. And remember even though gas is expensive, I wouldn't be sitting 1hr in 1' of snow trying to drive 11miles. And the island is only so big, so you can only drive soo much.

My plan would be to relocate with my current job, first feeling out the Maui Job market for my profession. I applied for 2 jobs, I was able to track down plenty more and I've already heard back from one of the places in less than 24hrs so this is looking positive.

We have no kids, but we do have a 80lb Golden Retriever that it might be difficult to get over there. I was also thinking of shipping my newest vehicle, and having a firesale for everything else on CL. Boat, Motorcycle, Tahoe, Monte Carlo etc.

I am talking with the local realtor who seems to be turning out the home sales in my neighborhood and if there is some equity and I won't be taking a bath on my mortgage I would decide to proceed and discuss relocation with the employer. The realtor comes Saturday to run some numbers.

What are your thoughts everyong? I will be giving up 10,000 lakes, and many rivers around here to live the island life where its warm and sunny year round... we are really getting sick of the snow and I am particularly getting sick of the cold and shoveling the snow.

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

I hate you. I mean congrats!

 

[jkust]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

Well my parents did just that a few years ago moving from Minnesota to Oahu to retire. The both lived here their entire lives (except my dad's tour of duty in Nam) and so they were ultimately just sick of cold weather. Its certainly more expensive over there and many sales and specials at stores seem to not apply to Hawaii or Alaska. They sought out a minivan and so bought one here and shipped it there (apparently the selection there was slim) and timed it so it would arrive when they made the move. The difference is though that they kept their summer home on one of the lakes up north and before they left built a 6 car garage to store everything they accumulated all these years. They are not particularly close to anybody in the family and so we go and visit them when we can. My dad has been a lifelong boater and so he notices that there are very small 18 foot boats and smaller at the slips so I'm thinking you can still boat near shore. The two islands are very different however.

Also, we survive winter by snowmobiling and looking forward to snow and also then living by a trail head. I love snow and I love summer almost the same.

 

[JB]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

We lived on Oahu for 4 years back in the 50s. When we moved to Memphis we suffered some culture shock and found our bux went a LOT farther.

We also lived in St. Bonifacius, west of the twin cities, for five years. Really loved both weeks of summer there, but the winters drove us to Texas.

Hawaiian life style and culture are very attractive but even the frugal find it very expensive. I would live there except that 14 of my descendants live in Texas, so my roots go very deep. If you love the sea and fishing I doubt that there is a better place to live on this planet than Maui or Kauai.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

I would go in a minute if it wasn't so expensive. As for the reason of finding nicer weather, you can do that in the states. Fla, Arizona.This way you could at least financially visit the family.Or them to you.
Everything is a comprise Give a little take a little. Just do your research on where in Maui. There are some nice and not so nice places. If you are retired or have the ability to spend time there i would do that before up and leaving and then find out it wasn't what you thought it would be.I spent some time on Oahu some years back in my military days before going to Nam.It was expensive.

Edit:
Think of it this way. A lot of people move to Fla and find out that it wasn't what they thought it was and then moved back to were they came from. I would try it out first before making the commitment.

 

[jkust]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

I have to say we are a bit annoyed at my folks choice to move all the way to Hawaii...they are completely missing their grandkids growing up and they only come back to their summer home every other year or so. Hawaii is absolute paradise but I get sick of it in a week or so. I can understand the idea of Florida because of the easier travel for the family but Hawaii is always warm with very few exceptions. The only up shot for us is that I will get all of their Hawaii properties some day...not exactly a huge plus.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

Visited Kauai and LOVED it. Laid back lifestyle. If you like outdoor activity, it was great. But, I am frugal (wife says cheap) and it was VERY expensive! Everything expensive! Milk $5-6 a gallon. Only things not expensive was the native grown fruit and veggies, which are DELICIOUS!

Talked with many people there who went to visit and ended up buying a home before leaving and came back to the mainland to pack and move. Everyone I talked to said it was the best decision they ever made. So, I guess it all comes down to you and your personality. Can you be away from family and friends? Don't know about Oahu, but in Kuaui everything is VERY laid back ... can you handle laid back, understanding that laid back isn't a vacation, it is a mindset. Some people just can't handle it.

In the end it comes down to you. If possible I would do an extended vacation (longer than a week) there to see if it fit your lifestyle or not. If so, GO FOR IT!

 

[sasto]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

Many very good, solid, points here.

Take it from one that has done a little trottin' around. Sell everything you can't do without. Transportation and storage fees will add up more than it's worth....in a very short time.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

Well my parents did just that a few years ago moving from Minnesota to Oahu to retire. The both lived here their entire lives (except my dad's tour of duty in Nam) and so they were ultimately just sick of cold weather. Its certainly more expensive over there and many sales and specials at stores seem to not apply to Hawaii or Alaska. They sought out a minivan and so bought one here and shipped it there (apparently the selection there was slim) and timed it so it would arrive when they made the move. The difference is though that they kept their summer home on one of the lakes up north and before they left built a 6 car garage to store everything they accumulated all these years. They are not particularly close to anybody in the family and so we go and visit them when we can. My dad has been a lifelong boater and so he notices that there are very small 18 foot boats and smaller at the slips so I'm thinking you can still boat near shore. The two islands are very different however.

Also, we survive winter by snowmobiling and looking forward to snow and also then living by a trail head. I love snow and I love summer almost the same.

Ahh okay so retirement...good to know. I'm 31 and my wife is 30, no kids yet, if we had them while on Maui, we would vacate by the time they were 5...

As for storage, and stuff, I would firesale everything except the heirlooms: tools/silverware, some clothes (dress etc) and perhaps a box of personal needs. I would ship my Silverado over or perhaps downsize to a v6 in Cali but I might just take a drive to the port of Cali first I haven't decided... I saw MATSONS Vehicle Parking Lot welded to the back of there container ship and it scares me a bit to think my truck would be shipped over in salt-water high winds on that thing. Boating would be something I would put on pause (or sacrifice) until I got settled in and I would also unload the Glastron...love the boat...but I feel for me and my wife our quality of life (non-stressful busy fast-paced suburban city life) will ultimately be better, and less stressful...as long as the money is there. I doubt my 300k house here would get me much in Maui but I will see. Going to hopefully offload that before I go as well.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

I have to say we are a bit annoyed at my folks choice to move all the way to Hawaii...they are completely missing their grandkids growing up and they only come back to their summer home every other year or so. Hawaii is absolute paradise but I get sick of it in a week or so. I can understand the idea of Florida because of the easier travel for the family but Hawaii is always warm with very few exceptions. The only up shot for us is that I will get all of their Hawaii properties some day...not exactly a huge plus.

Yes I would be missing my niece and nephew...and my folks getting a bit older... but I would like to get back once or twice a year... and if all goes as planned with my job I would need to travel back for business affairs as is...

Curious why you would get sick of it in a week... to me walking on the beach is something I could do 5nights a week...in fact when I lived in Cali and on the Gulf Coast I did it often.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

We lived on Oahu for 4 years back in the 50s. When we moved to Memphis we suffered some culture shock and found our bux went a LOT farther.

We also lived in St. Bonifacius, west of the twin cities, for five years. Really loved both weeks of summer there, but the winters drove us to Texas.

Hawaiian life style and culture are very attractive but even the frugal find it very expensive. I would live there except that 14 of my descendants live in Texas, so my roots go very deep. If you love the sea and fishing I doubt that there is a better place to live on this planet than Maui or Kauai.

Leaving family would be difficult, but I only plan on making this a temporary venture until the misses and I have 4-5yr olds..then we would move back to MN. While there I plan on setting up my retirement home as well, and doing the ole rent the 1.2million property out yearly until I decide its no longer my dream place to retire lol.

The in-laws have been to Maui specifically 5x in the past 14yrs so I know they will be visiting us... and my dad loves Hawaii and the ocean so he may decide to join me out there who knows. I know there education system is not nearly as good as the neighborhood I am sitting in now... but that's mute until I have little ones.

I've done a bunch of income comparisons, I hate to disclose that publicly, but I feel I make enough where my wife could work part time doing something she actually enjoys, instead of running to the ER 3x a week to help very sick individuals. Another reason she is interested is to get away from her work here...yes she could probably find a similar career job EASIER in this metro area... but she will also be looking for opportunities.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

You do realize, your dog will have to stay in quarantine for several weeks, right? I lived on the Big Island for quite a while, it was fun at first, but it was damn expensive, when I was there it was $4 for a loaf of break and $4 for a quart of milk, I got tired of it being summer all of the time, I really enjoy the seasons. Cali and the Gulf coast is way different than Hawaii, stir crazy or island fever is quite prevalent.

Someone who is determined to live there, can only experience it for their selves. I know I won't do it again.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

Ok, living in St. Paul I can understand why you would want to leave.. The thing I couldn't get used to is the Christmas tree without the snow.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

Ok, living in St. Paul I can understand why you would want to leave.. The thing I couldn't get used to is the Christmas tree without the snow.

I Couldn't get used to sitting around on Christmas day in shorts and flip flops, it was just not normal.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

Many very good, solid, points here.

Take it from one that has done a little trottin' around. Sell everything you can't do without. Transportation and storage fees will add up more than it's worth....in a very short time.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

Thanks Sasto! Yepp, I am going to firesale everything. We don't own a ton, but anything I cant get rid of I will leave up to the ole man to sell...he has plenty of storage room....I might need to make a deal and trade my boat or something... cuz his deals are tough... but at least I know it would be in good hands.

I figure selling all of our 2000 sq ft of "lightly decorated" belongings will yield us enough to cover moving expenses... lots to figure out but I like a challenge.


My next post is going to be "has anyone done a CL firesale? " LOL...wondering if I can nail 7-10gs in less than 3months... I have money saved but I am more worried about getting rid of stuff...

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

You can drop the Golden off here in Montana as you go through if you want!

LOL

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

You do realize, your dog will have to stay in quarantine for several weeks, right? I lived on the Big Island for quite a while, it was fun at first, but it was damn expensive, when I was there it was $4 for a loaf of break and $4 for a quart of milk, I got tired of it being summer all of the time, I really enjoy the seasons. Cali and the Gulf coast is way different than Hawaii, stir crazy or island fever is quite prevalent.

Someone who is determined to live there, can only experience it for their selves. I know I won't do it again.

Interesting... I do want to know more about your why-nots. I am a bit concerned about this island fever I hear about... but I just don't think it will hit me for a few years... You just need to stay busy, work out, enjoy the scenery, make some good friends...life is really what you make of it... to leave it all behind might seem crazy...but I am a little crazy. My wife is not a risk-taker at all.. I will be honest the more I talk about it she gets scared, but she also knows she married a man that is confident and knows what he wants and also sets the goals and gets it. And of course I still need to let it sink in with the in-laws... but they would visit us a lot.

I think its something I should do at least once and if the opportunity feels right, it feels right. If we get island fever, my wife has seen NOTHING of California and I have many friends that would love to see us in all parts...


I understand there is risk in island fever. Some people want to get in a car and drive. For that I will drive up to Paia or Jaws... or take the wife walking on the beach at sunset...or hike up the mountain...or do some snorkeling. I am probably going to do some hiking as well... If its family she misses I will remind her that the next trip home is very close and everyone will be happy to see us.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

You can drop the Golden off here in Montana as you go through if you want!

LOL

It would be a deal breaker if we can't bring Buddy. He's our kid...if he has to sit in quarantine for a month that is fine... I think I can find a quicker way to get him to Maui one way or another.

On the point of cost of living, I can imagine its quite cheap in Montana vs Maui... but I shell out roughly $4000/month to live in MN right now... Do you feel that would be enough to enjoy myself there?

I've heard the grass is greener on the other side... Usually that phrase is true, at the time was the grass greener for you...I know it will be for me but Becky might get homesick...if that happens my fun is over... for that reason I will not be super committed to living on the island indefinitely.

I am a natural entrepreneur so if I can get a nice moonlighting gig even better.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

Buddy is going to have to sit in quarantine, that is the law, it will depend on what they say when you get there, but I would fully investigate before making a commitment, we lost a cat in quarantine, because she caught a virus while in quarantine and they put her down, I can honestly say, there is no way to smuggle him into the state, there are enforcement agents the meet every single plane that lands. They even went through out shipping container as well as our car when it arrived. There is no quicker way to import an animal into Hawaii.

$4000 was barely enough to live on, when we lived there and that was back in the early 90's Hawaii is very expensive, it was fun for about 6 months, but to be honest with you, I was happy when I was called to duty and had to fly around the world.

I didn't read all of the messages, but have to ask, have you ever been there? I would take an extended vacation and see what is going on, before I commit to move there, it is a completely different culture and culture shock can be very difficult, they treat main landers completely different when they are visiting, than those who move there.

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: Uprooting mainland life for island life in Maui...any experiences?

Ya that is what I have heard too. The Hawaiian natives don't like outsiders living there. I have to have the change of Seasons and interesting change in the weather. I would not do well in CA either. I start freaking when we have dry sunny days here for a month or when it rains for long periods of time(more than 2 days of rain in a row is rare in SC). I need warm fresh water Lakes even though I love the Ocean. Surrounded by Volcanoes wouldn't be too comforting either Couldn't afford to live Hawaii anyway but I would love to visit the place someday