Not sure if this has been asked before, but Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 5.0%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $92,062 in Kahului. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Has anyone dealt with this?
1 upvotes
7 Replies
Arianna Clark
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Austin about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Jordan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 48, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in West and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
24 upvotes
Everly Ramirez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
22 upvotes
tulsaguy2023
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 47, moved here 3 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Miami, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
19 upvotes
Jacob Cook
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much growing but now it's surprisingly good.
6 upvotes
Brooks Edwards
same here
3 upvotes
Mason T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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