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Avery Thompson moving

Just moved to Wailuku, any tips?

So, My family moved here when I was a kid. Crime rate is something to consider -Wailuku sits at 232.1 per 100K. Homes are going for about $781,700 on average. It's a a small town city with about 15,754 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
1 upvotes

7 Replies

Valentina Bailey
+1
34 upvotes
Addison Chavez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Greenfield for 14 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have desert landscapes 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 surprisingly good. 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. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Lydia M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.

Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options

Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown

Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.

Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Katherine G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a lawyer, 33, moved here 5 years ago from Houston. I've lived in North and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
27 upvotes
Emma Jimenez
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much growing but now it's average.
6 upvotes
jose_guy
Moved here from New York about 4 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to traffic but No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Hazel Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Cedar Grove for 15 years. Moved from Phoenix for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And school system can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
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