Hi all, I'm originally from San Francisco and With a population of 10,242, Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) is a small town. Median household income is $89,268, which feels pretty solid for the area. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Should I be concerned? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
2 upvotes
7 Replies
Dylan Ross
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 8 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Madeline R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
stl_brooks
big facts right here
13 upvotes
Isabella Morgan
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Asian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
9 upvotes
Elijah Phillips
I'm a HR manager and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
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