Best apartments in Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) under ?
Not sure if this has been asked before, but Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $3,068/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $3,068 for rent here. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Let me know your thoughts. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
7 upvotes
26 Replies
Lucy Clark
Came here for school and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The cost of living is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Olivia Sanders
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
39 upvotes
Steven T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Elizabeth Rivera
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Jonathan Foster
lol so true
34 upvotes
Madelyn Long
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
Virginia K.
glad someone said it
30 upvotes
Isaac M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
30 upvotes
Cora Miller
I've lived in Highland for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- The housing market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Silas
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
26 upvotes
Amelia Patel
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
Savannah King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 41, moved here 2 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. better than expected 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 Miami, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
21 upvotes
Evelyn Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from New York about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Peyton Turner
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The outdoor recreation is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Hailey Howard
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Charlotte about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Hannah S.
exactly what I was thinking
12 upvotes
Mia Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Carson W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Everett
bump
12 upvotes
Allison Long
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Elizabeth G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 8 years. Moved from LA for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Logan E.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Ellie
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Kayden Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 47, moved here 12 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Midtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Raleigh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.