Been meaning to ask this. With a population of 10,886, Kapaa is a small town.
7 upvotes
7 Replies
Caroline Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Houston about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Donna M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Phoenix about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Alice Flores
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Ian G.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Elena Gomez
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
philly_elena
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Italian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
5 upvotes
wild_violet50
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 9 years. Moved from San Francisco for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are excellent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.