First post here. Military spouse here. You can expect to pay around $1,443 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $716,800 on average. Household incomes average around $86,883 in Wahiawa. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Am I overthinking this? Cheers. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
15 upvotes
7 Replies
Clara
This.
38 upvotes
Lillian Reed
seconding this
37 upvotes
Nicholas Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 57, moved here 8 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Oak Park and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
33 upvotes
local_levi50
great question, following
14 upvotes
Brooklyn
accurate
13 upvotes
Ava
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 57, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Greenfield and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Chicago, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K 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.
9 upvotes
Carson
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Oak Park area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
All Countries
