Curious what people think. The median home value here is around $834,100, which is pretty steep. Average temperature is around 75°F, so it's warm year-round. With a population of 346K, Urban Honolulu is a mid-size city. Median household income is $85,428, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Any advice would be great. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development.
21 upvotes
16 Replies
Lydia J.
following this thread
36 upvotes
Jameson Cruz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Mason Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 52, moved here 15 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in South and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
29 upvotes
Ryan Turner
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely solid and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
28 upvotes
Addison Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 34, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 LA, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
22 upvotes
Piper Allen
literally same
14 upvotes
Evan Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 47, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Riverside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
14 upvotes
John R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Denver about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Charlotte M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 3 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are better than expected. 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. Winters are long and cold. Road conditions need improvement. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Weston Brooks
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Nashville it's solid.
6 upvotes
Autumn Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 2 years. Moved from Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Greenfield schools are underrated. 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 high-paying job options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Everett
interesting, hadn't considered that
3 upvotes
Clara Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Chicago 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 Meadowbrook. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Joseph Sanders
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Miami it's underrated.
1 upvotes
Lily White
This.
0 upvotes
Jeremiah Nelson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
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