Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) housing prices -when will it stop?
Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and Crime rate is something to consider -Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) sits at 232.1 per 100K. Household incomes average around $146,615 in Kailua CDP (Honolulu County). You can expect to pay around $3,068 for rent here. Average temperature is around 76--F, so it's warm year-round. Median household income is $146,615, which feels pretty solid for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Nice parks and trails
- Diverse community
- Walkable downtown
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Limited nightlife
- Sprawl everywhere
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Homelessness issues downtown
What neighborhoods would you suggest? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Christian Chavez
good to know, thanks
40 upvotes
Nevaeh Flores
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Pamela R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely decent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (West) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
38 upvotes
Catherine W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 45, moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Westside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 San Francisco, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
37 upvotes
Skylar H.
facts
33 upvotes
Luke Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 52, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Downtown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
31 upvotes
Nolan Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Hannah Young
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The job market scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Stella Scott
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Roger A.
Came here for family and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The pet-friendliness is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
15 upvotes
Alexa Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Hunter Diaz
Moved here from San Francisco about 13 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to cultural scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Hazel King
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
11 upvotes
Jose Ross
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Westside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
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