“The second-quarter profit report offers a mixed bag of plusses and minuses that added up to an overall picture of not much change for sellers,” ATTOM chief Rob Barber said in the report. “Prices jumped back upward, which was great news for owners. So did raw profits. Profit margins also remained historically elevated.” However, Barber … [Read more…]
Thinking of making the Tar Heel State your new home? North Carolina boasts stunning mountain ranges, beautiful beaches, and vibrant cities, making it a top destination for newcomers. Whether you’re browsing homes for sale in Raleigh, considering renting in Charlotte, or exploring houses for rent in Durham, here’s what you need to know before moving to North Carolina.
North Carolina at a glance
North Carolina stands out with its coastal charm and urban energy. From the serene shores of the Outer Banks to the lush greenery of the Great Smoky Mountains, the state has a diverse range of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Its major cities like Raleigh, Charlotte, and Greensboro enhance its appeal, providing residents with easy access to world-class cultural events, dining, and job markets. North Carolina’s economy is robust, supported by thriving sectors such as biotechnology, finance, and information technology, with major corporations like Bank of America and Red Hat calling the state home.
The cultural landscape of North Carolina is equally rich, featuring historical landmarks like the Biltmore Estate and a diverse arts scene in towns such as Asheville and Chapel Hill. The state is known for its eclectic food culture, including renowned barbecue and distinctive regional specialties like Cheerwine and sweet tea. While the cost of living can be high in some areas, particularly near larger cities, more affordable places to live are available in towns like Jacksonville and Winston-Salem. Whether you’re drawn to its vibrant cities or tranquil countryside, North Carolina provides a multifaceted living experience.
1. North Carolina is divided into three distinct regions
The Coastal Plain, with its flat terrain and fertile soil, features charming beach towns like Wilmington and Morehead City, ideal for a coastal lifestyle. The Piedmont region, home to major cities such as Charlotte and Greensboro, provides urban amenities and suburban comfort. In contrast, the Appalachian Mountains in the west, with cities like Asheville and Boone, provide breathtaking mountain vistas, outdoor activities, and a cooler climate perfect for those who love nature.
2. The weather here is mild
North Carolina’s climate varies, but overall, it enjoys a mild and pleasant atmosphere. Coastal areas, such as Wilmington and Charleston, experience warm, humid summers with temperatures often reaching into the 80s and 90s (°F) and mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below 40°F. The Piedmont region enjoys a balanced climate with summer temperatures in the 80s and 90s (°F) and cooler winters with temperatures averaging between 30°F and 50°F. In the mountain areas, temperatures drop significantly in winter, with averages often falling below 30°F and snowfall creating opportunities for skiing and snowboarding at resorts like Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain.
Travel tip: Visit the Outer Banks in late spring or early fall to enjoy milder weather and fewer crowds while exploring the pristine beaches and historic lighthouses.
3. The Research Triangle is a major tech and research hub
The Research Triangle, consisting of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, is a national leader in technology and research. This region hosts over 300 companies in tech, biotech, and pharmaceuticals, including global names like Cisco and GlaxoSmithKline. The presence of top universities like Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill fuels innovation and attracts talent from around the world, creating a dynamic and forward-thinking community.
4. North Carolina is known for its BBQ
The state’s barbecue culture is a source of pride and rivalry. Eastern North Carolina barbecue is celebrated for its vinegar-based sauce and whole-hog cooking, exemplified by legendary spots like the Skylight Inn. In contrast, the Western style, popular around Lexington, features a tomato-based sauce with a sweeter profile, with restaurants like Lexington Barbecue serving up hearty, flavorful dishes. Each region offers its own take on this Southern staple, making BBQ a true culinary adventure.
Insider scoop: Follow the North Carolina Barbecue Trail, a culinary road trip that guides you through the best barbecue joints across the state.
5. College basketball is big here
North Carolina’s passion for college basketball is unmatched. The fierce rivalry between the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils generates a buzz that lasts all season. Games between these two teams are high-stakes events, drawing crowds and media attention from across the country. This basketball enthusiasm extends beyond just the college scene, with a deep-rooted culture of support and pride throughout the state.
6. North Carolina has some of the best craft beer in the nation
North Carolina’s craft beer scene is booming, with a multitude of breweries crafting diverse and innovative brews. Asheville, known as “Beer City USA,” has a concentration of breweries like Sierra Nevada and Wicked Weed, each offering unique and locally inspired beers. The state celebrates this thriving culture with events like the North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival, where you can sample a wide range of local brews while enjoying live music.
Insider scoop: Check out the Asheville Ale Trail, a self-guided tour that takes you through the city’s top breweries, featuring exclusive tastings and behind-the-scenes looks at how your favorite beers are made.
7. The cost of living is low here
The cost of living in North Carolina is notably lower than the national average, making it an attractive place to settle. Cities like Greensboro, offer affordable living, with median home sale prices around $295,000, significantly less than the national median of $442,479. In Charlotte, while slightly higher, the average rental rates for a two-bedroom apartment hover around $1,800 per month, which is quite reasonable compared to larger metropolitan areas like NYC or San Francisco. Additionally, towns such as Fayetteville provide even more budget-friendly options, ensuring that North Carolina caters to a variety of financial situations without compromising on quality of life.
If you’re planning to move to North Carolina, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of living in the Tar Heel State to know what to expect.
8. You’ll need to prepare for hurricanes
North Carolina’s coastal regions are susceptible to hurricanes, with the hurricane season running from June to November. Residents should be prepared with an emergency kit, an evacuation plan, and a thorough understanding of local flood zones. Staying informed through local news and weather services during storm season is crucial to ensure safety and minimize risk during severe weather events.
9. The people are friendly
North Carolinians are renowned for their warmth and hospitality. Living in North Carolina, expect to be greeted with friendly smiles and a helpful attitude as you settle into your new community. Local customs include a strong sense of community and a welcoming spirit, making it easy to make new friendships and feel at home, whether you’re at a neighborhood BBQ or a local festival.
10. North Carolina is home to charming beach towns
North Carolina’s coastline is dotted with idyllic beach towns that offer a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. The Outer Banks, renowned for its rugged beauty and historic lighthouses, includes attractions like the Roanoke Island Festival Park and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Here, you can explore unique maritime history and stunning natural landscapes. Further south, Wrightsville Beach offers wide sandy shores and a vibrant boardwalk perfect for water sports and seaside dining. These towns provide a blend of laid-back coastal living with distinct local charm, making them ideal for both unwinding and exploring.
Methodology
Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau, while median home sale prices, average monthly rent, and data on affordable and largest cities are sourced from Redfin.
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: older Americans overwhelmingly support aging in place in their own homes, with some recent survey data indicating at or over 90% of seniors supporting retirement living in their own homes.
But sometimes the cost of renovations can exceed the amount of cash that a retiree has access to, particularly for the majority of older Americans living on fixed incomes and relying on benefit programs like Social Security.
To that end, a recent column published in U.S. News & World Report asked a number of seniors aging in place and experts about the best and most effective renovations they can make to meet their goals for remaining in their own homes.
Dak Kopec, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas explained that the age of the property itself is a big determinant of the costs associated with aging in place renovations.
“Widening doorways, enlarging bathrooms and installing stair lifts in an older home can quickly become expensive,” the column said based on his input, but there are still less expensive options that can go a long way. Some of the least expensive additions to support aging in place include grab bars and support railings that are available from major home improvement stores.
While some may be turned off by cheaper additions since they can draw attention to the concept that the occupant of a home is getting older, making targeted changes can help, and it’s not always a given that certain things must be changed in a home. Stairs are often targets of scrutiny, but it also depends on the person, Kopec said.
“Don’t automatically think you have to do away with stairs,” the column said based on Kopec’s input. “In his experience, older adults who continue to use stairs maintain their knee and leg strength longer.”
Home remodeling site Fixr told the outlet that the national average cost of aging-in-place renovations can run the gamut between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on the work performed. More drastic renovations can double or even triple that figure. But a group of retirees were consistent in targeting one room of the home in particular: the bathroom.
Those with limited mobility face challenges to their safety and physical well-being when adding water on slick surfaces into the mix, and investing in accessibility fixes there can have a big impact on both safety and mental outlook.
“It was terrifying to get into the shower by myself,” said a 67-year old retiree interviewed for the piece.
Another senior, interior designer Nancy Bean, described the challenges for her older husband — afflicted with Parkinson’s disease — who is afraid of falling in or out of the bathtub due to issues with his balance.
“Low-entry or curbless showers are game-changers for those with limited mobility. But it’s also crucial to have the proper tiling or mats on the floor to avoid slips and falls,” according to input from Bean.
Earlier this year, a story published by the Associated Press (AP) detailed the pivot that some major home improvement retailers were making toward aging-in-place. Some of the chains reporting increased renovation and modification activity include The Home Depot and Lowe’s, two of the largest home improvement retailers in the U.S.
The Home Depot is refreshing an in-house brand with accessibility in mind for things like grab bars and easier-to-use faucets. Meanwhile, in 2021, Lowe’s established a single stop for items including wheelchair ramps and shower benches, the story explained.
By now you’ve heard the news. President Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and paved the way for current VP Kamala Harris to run in his place.
That was big news that shook up the election overnight, and now there is a renewed focus on Harris, including her financial disclosures.
The WSJ ran a story today about how she manages her money, pointing out her penchant for index funds and her ultra-low rate 2.625% mortgage.
I dug a little deeper to see what kind of mortgage she had, along with when and where she got it.
And it turns out it’s an adjustable-rate mortgage, which we all know aren’t for the faint of heart.
Kamala Seems to Really Love the 7-Year ARM
With regard to that 2.625% mortgage Kamala Harris holds, it turns out it’s a 7-year adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).
This is a popular type of ARM these days because it provides 84 months of interest rate stability before the first adjustment.
In that respect, homeowners can take one out and not worry about their rate increasing for many years.
And in the meantime, either sell their property or refinance the mortgage if need be.
Harris obtained her latest mortgage in 2020 and was able to get a very low interest rate set at 2.625% until the year 2027.
It’s unclear what the exact loan amount is, but it was revealed to be somewhere between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.
We also know that the lender in question is Wells Fargo, which has had its share of controversies over the past decade, including improper mortgage lock fees.
What’s even more interesting is this isn’t Harris’ first 7-year ARM. A prior financial disclosure revealed that she took out the same type of loan in 2016 as well.
It featured the same exact mortgage rate, 2.625%. And you guessed it, also came from San Francisco-based bank Wells Fargo.
But wait, there’s more! If we go back to 2012, she took out another 7/1 ARM set at an even lower 2.5%.
In total, that’s three 7-year ARMs in a row dating back about 12 years. Based on that timing, you’d expect a fourth around now, but mortgage rates are no longer cheap.
Unfortunately, a typical 7-year ARM might now go for closer to 5% or higher, making it a pretty terrible deal. So until rates improve, she’ll likely be holding onto the 2020 loan.
She’s Got Another Three Years to Figure Out Her Next Move
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to take out ARMs and refinance them over and over into new ARMs.
The logic is that an ARM is typically cheaper than a fixed-rate mortgage, and if you refinance it before it becomes adjustable, you get the upside (lower rate) without any of the downside (higher rate adjustment).
The one caveat is the closing costs each time you refinance, though a no cost refinance can work if rates remain cheap.
There’s also the time aspect, as it can take about a month to get a mortgage, and it can be a pain to go through the process.
But if you don’t mind all that, you can get a cheaper mortgage and allocate the savings elsewhere, such as an index fund.
You also get a smaller payment over time if you refinance into a new 30-year loan term since the loan amount will be smaller thanks to several years of paying it down.
Anyway, it seems Harris employed this strategy for the past decade while mortgage rates hit record lows and it worked out favorably.
However, it appears her next move won’t be as easy now that mortgage rates have more than doubled in the past few years.
Her Mortgage Rate Could Jump to 4.625% in 2027
Come 2027, her 7-year ARM will see its first adjustment, and that means it’ll likely rise from 2.625% to 4.625%.
There are typically caps in place that limit initial movement by 2%, and subsequent adjustments by 2%, with a lifetime cap that can’t be exceeded.
So beyond that first adjustment, it could go even higher than 4.625%, perhaps to 6.625% if the associated mortgage index is still inflated at that time.
Assuming that happens, she’d want out of the loan and into something cheaper.
But if mortgage rates are still high then, it might remain her best option, despite being more expensive than her original loan.
This is the big risk of taking out an ARM vs. a fixed-rate loan. With the latter, you never have to worry about a rate adjustment, though you do pay a premium for that assurance.
If all else fails, there’s always the option to sell the property, which solves the adjustable-rate problem.
And if she’s living in the White House, that might work out just fine.
Read on: Are adjustable-rate mortgages finally a good deal again?
(photo: Gage Skidmore)
Before creating this site, I worked as an account executive for a wholesale mortgage lender in Los Angeles. My hands-on experience in the early 2000s inspired me to begin writing about mortgages 18 years ago to help prospective (and existing) home buyers better navigate the home loan process.
Mortgage rates continue to move lower this week even as higher borrowing costs have kept activity subdued across many areas of the housing market.
According to data at HousingWire’s Mortgage Rates Center, the average rate for 30-year conforming loans was at 7.01% on Tuesday, down 5 basis points from one week ago and 10 basis points lower than two weeks ago. The rate for 15-year conforming loans averaged 6.66% on Tuesday, compared to 6.79% a week ago.
HousingWire Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami recently wrote that higher mortgage rates “have increased recession risk by targeting the one sector that always falls before every recession: residential construction workers. And higher rates are also impacting the future supply of homes, as housing permits have been in a downtrend for a while.“
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) showed that housing starts shrank 4.4% year over year in June. But this pullback was led by the multifamily sector, where starts dropped 23.4% compared to June 2023. Single-family starts rose 4.4% during the year. Permits fell by 3.1% year over year, including a 1.3% decrease in single-family permits.
Housing completions also grew by 15.5% during the year, although the bulk of this was tied to multifamily (40.2% growth). There were a record number of apartments delivered in many markets last year, but builders appear to be pulling back to avoid a glut of supply.
Lower mortgage rates are having a positive impact on application levels, with the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reporting last week that applications were up 3.9% on a yearly basis during the week of July 12. Most of this growth was tied to refinance applications, which were up 37% year over year.
Fannie Mae economists project two rate cuts by the end of 2024. In a report released Tuesday, the government-sponsored enterprise anticipated the Federal Reserve would cut benchmark rates in September and December, resulting in the average 30-year rate declining to 6.8% in 2024 and to 6.4% in 2025.
Fannie also upwardly revised its forecast for purchase mortgage origination volume to $1.22 trillion due to home price appreciation that is expected to finish 2024 higher than previously anticipated. Fannie reduced its forecast for refinance originations to $346 billion this year but expects $563 billion in refis next year. In total, Fannie is forecasting $2.11 trillion in origination volume in 2025, up from a projected $1.70 trillion this year.
Survey data released Tuesday by Bright MLS concluded that “affordability is increasingly becoming more of a challenge for potential homebuyers.“ The survey of 1,180 real estate agents across six Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia found that 14% of sellers in June saw a contract fall through due to a buyer’s inability to secure financing, which was up from 11% in May.
The surveyed agents also noted that affordability was the No. 1 reason for a buyer pausing their home search efforts over the past six months, while high mortgage rates were the No. 2 reason. Each of these factors were cited by nearly 60% of respondents.
“With mortgage rates hovering around 7% and home prices continuing to rise, financing is a growing challenge for buyers, and this is beginning to impact a buyer’s ability to make it across the finish line,” Bright MLS chief economist Lisa Sturtevant said in a statement.
Good news, however, came in the form of less competition. In June, 38% of buyers successfully completed a purchase through Bright MLS while submitting only a single offer. That was up from 31.2% one year ago.
While he may not have secured a spot on Team USA for the Paris Olympics, Boston Celtics shooting guard Jaylen Brown is fresh off a legacy-defining season.
The eight-year NBA veteran made his third All-Star team, won Eastern Conference finals MVP and Finals MVP, and helped the Boston Celtics win their first NBA championship since 2008.
And while he’s winning big on the court, he’s hoping to bank a personal win too. He just listed an industrial-style penthouse with a historic vibe he owns on Melcher St. in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood for $4,750,000.
One of the highest-paid small forwards in the NBA, Jaylen lives in a sprawling 7-bedroom mansion in Wellesley, bought back in 2020 for $7.8 million. So he likely hasn’t lived in the Fort Point condo for quite a while.
Nevertheless, the Melcher Street penthouse reflects the sartorial icon’s style and features open-concept, industrial-yet-warm interiors that perfectly complement the building’s historic appeal. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
Set in a Fort Point building on Melcher St.
Photo credit: Surette Media Group / Douglas Elliman
The stylish 2,964-square-foot penthouse sits atop a 1916-built brick building at 49 Melcher St. in Fort Point, the former industrial district along Fort Point Channel filled with historic lofts, art studios, and galleries.
The building is also home to a popular local steakhouse called Mooo…. Seaport.
It has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms
Photo credit: Surette Media Group / Douglas Elliman
The unit consists of 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and 1 half-bath, and a spiral staircase that leads to a generously sized rooftop deck.
It has a luxurious primary suite with a walk-in closet, and an en-suite bathroom with a double vanity and walk-in shower.
The MVP of townhouses
Photo credit: Surette Media Group / Douglas Elliman
“It’s the MVP of town houses. It really is,” real estate agent George Sarkis — who shares the listing with Manny Sarkis of The Sarkis Team at Douglas Elliman — says of the $4.75 million Fort Point penthouse.
“The open concept, the feel of it, the brick and beam,” Sarkis told Boston.com. “To see this at about a 3,000-square-foot scale is very hard to come by. Having one of Boston’s steakhouses in the building is a big bonus.”
The unit retains many of the building’s original features
Photo credit: Surette Media Group / Douglas Elliman
Much like the other historic homes and converted buildings around Fort Point, the building retains its most coveted original features.
Brown’s penthouse has exposed brick walls, oversized factory windows that flood the open floorplan with natural light, and a 12-plus-foot ceiling with the original wood beams.
Open-concept penthouse living
Photo credit: Surette Media Group / Douglas Elliman
The historic elements are beautifully complemented by modern additions throughout the open-concept floor plan, particularly in the kitchen, which has been equipped with top-of-the-line appliances and an eat-in island.
The large living area — comprised of living, dining, and kitchen — can easily be configured differently, should the future owner choose to do so.
The penthouse has a generously sized rooftop deck
Photo credit: Surette Media Group / Douglas Elliman
Heading up a spiral staircase, future residents and their guests can enjoy a private 400+ square-foot roof deck to take in the bustling city life below.
See also: Michael Jordan’s house is still on the market, 12 years after it was first listed for sale
Nowadays, Jaylen Brown lives in the suburbs
Photo credit: Surette Media Group / Douglas Elliman
As for where Jaylen Brown is heading next, we’re guessing he already made his choice years before listing his penthouse in the city.
Brown has been famously living in the posh Boston suburb of Wellesley, Massachusetts, known as one of the most expensive towns in the country.
Where he owns a 7-bedroom mansion bought in 2022
Photo credit: Surette Media Group / Douglas Elliman
Back in 2020, Jaylen Brown scored a $7.8 million deal for a massive 10,099-square-foot home in Wellesley that had previously been listed for $11 million.
Sitting on 1.53 acres of land, the mansion has 7 bedrooms, 9 baths, and boasts a farmhouse style with modern aesthetics.
His Boston penthouse is now on the market for $4,750,000
Photo credit: Surette Media Group / Douglas Elliman
Since he’s nice and settled in the suburbs, Jaylen is now parting ways with his Melcher St. penthouse, and has hired Douglas Elliman top producers George and Manny Sarkis of The Sarkis Team to help him offload the city residence.
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Companies around the globe — from airlines and hospitals to banks and even courthouses — had operations grounded or disrupted by what was supposed to be an uneventful software update pushed out early Friday by CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm whose software is used by some of the largest corporate and government agencies in the world.
“This was not a cyberattack,” CrowdStrike said in a statement. “The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed.”
The CrowdStrike issue came on the heels of a widespread outage involving Microsoft’s cloud platform, Azure, on Thursday night. Microsoft said the issues were unrelated. The CrowdStrike update affected customers running a version of the Windows operating system.
NBC News called the outage “arguably the largest global information technology outage in history.” At least five U.S. airlines — American Airlines, Allegiant Air, Delta, Spirit and United — issued ground stops on Friday, leaving airports around the world with crowded terminals and endless customer service lines. (Some flights have resumed.) Hospitals that experienced issues with their computer systems had to cancel non-urgent surgeries. In several states, 911 emergency lines were down.
Downdetector, a website that employs user reports and online indicators to report technical outages, detected user issues at dozens of U.S. companies. NerdWallet was not directly affected by the outage.
As of 1 p.m. ET, Downdetector was still reporting spikes in potential user issues at these companies:
The MAA said adding the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act to the NDAA would mark a “critical step towards curtailing the consumer harm resulting from firms seeking to confuse and/or deceive mortgage applicants by inundating them with phone calls or direct mail solicitations.” Its message urged members to contact their Senators and lobby them to cosponsor … [Read more…]
The new office will offer various reverse mortgage services, including traditional home equity conversion mortgages (HECMs), HECM for purchase, and proprietary reverse mortgage products with higher lending limits and greater flexibility. The team of certified reverse mortgage specialists at the Miami office is dedicated to helping retirees strategically access their home equity. Additionally, the office … [Read more…]
Considering making the Aloha State your new home? Hawaii offers residents a stunning array of natural landscapes, vibrant urban centers, and a growing tech industry, making it a highly desirable destination for newcomers. Whether you’re browsing homes for sale in Honolulu, considering renting in Maui, or exploring houses for rent in Hilo, here’s what you need to know before moving to Hawaii.
Hawaii at a glance
From the majestic peaks of Mauna Kea to the pristine beaches of Waikiki, the state caters to those who love nature as well as city living. The largest cities in Hawaii, including Honolulu, East Honolulu, and Pearl City, are bustling centers of cultural activities and economic opportunities. Hawaii’s economy thrives in sectors such as tourism, technology, agriculture, and healthcare, with major companies like Hawaiian Airlines, First Hawaiian Bank, and Hawaiian Electric headquartered here.
The state’s cultural scene is rich and diverse, featuring world-class museums like the Honolulu Museum of Art, renowned music festivals such as the Merrie Monarch Festival, and a culinary heritage that includes a fusion of Hawaiian, Asian, and American influences. While living costs can be high in places like Honolulu, more affordable places to live can be found in areas like Waimalu and Waipio, making Hawaii an enticing choice for those seeking both quality of life and economic opportunity. Whether you’re exploring the lush landscapes of the Na Pali Coast, hiking the trails of Volcanoes National Park, or immersing yourself in the local culture, there is a lot to learn and love about the islands.
1. Get ready to embrace the Aloha Spirit
The Aloha Spirit is more than a simple greeting; it embodies kindness, respect, and a sense of community. You’ll find that locals are welcoming and eager to share their culture, whether through hula dance, traditional music, or local festivals. Engaging with this spirit will enrich your experience and help you connect with the community. Embrace it by participating in events like the Aloha Festivals, which celebrate Hawaiian culture through music, dance, and food.
Insider scoop: Don’t miss out on the chance to learn hula or ukulele at local community centers—many offer free or low-cost classes where you can immerse yourself in Hawaiian traditions and meet new friends while you’re at it.
2. The cost of living can be very high
The cost of living in Hawaii is notably high, driven by its isolated location and limited resources, which can pose a challenge for newcomers. For example, in Honolulu, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment reaches $2,000. On the other hand, areas like Hilo offer slightly more affordable places to live, with average rents at about $1,726. Additionally, the price of groceries and everyday necessities can be significantly higher than the national average. In fact, the overall cost of living in Honolulu is 83% higher than the national average. This elevated cost of living necessitates careful budgeting for those considering a move to the islands, but the breathtaking scenery and unique culture can make it worth the investment.
If you’re thinking of moving to Hawaii, you’ll want to consider the pros and cons of living in the Aloha State to help you decide if this state is right for you.
3. Hawaii has diverse climate zones
Each island boasts its own unique climate, offering everything from tropical rainforests to arid deserts. For example, Hilo on the Big Island is known for its lush greenery and frequent rain, while the leeward side, like Kailua-Kona, experiences more sunshine. This climate diversity allows residents to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking in cooler highland areas to sunbathing on beautiful beaches. Be prepared for sudden weather changes and pack accordingly for different environments.
Travel tip: Always carry a light rain jacket and sunscreen, as conditions can shift rapidly, especially when transitioning from the mountains to the coast. This way, you’ll be ready for any adventure, rain or shine.
4. Plate lunches and poke are island favorites
Hawaii’s food scene is a delicious blend of cultures, with plate lunches and poke topping the list of local favorites. A plate lunch typically features rice, macaroni salad, and a protein such as kalua pork or teriyaki chicken. Poke, a dish made of marinated raw fish, is often enjoyed as a refreshing meal and can be found in numerous restaurants and even at local grocery stores. To experience the best of Hawaiian cuisine, visit local spots like Helena’s Hawaiian Food in Oahu for authentic flavors that showcase the islands’ culinary heritage.
5. Each Hawaiian island has its own special attractions
From the vibrant nightlife of Oahu to the stunning landscapes of Kauai, each island offers something unique. Maui is famous for the scenic Road to Hana, while the Big Island boasts active volcanoes like Kilauea. Exploring different islands through inter-island flights can provide a richer experience of Hawaii’s natural beauty and cultural diversity. Don’t forget to check out local events and festivals on each island, which highlight regional traditions and community spirit.
6. You’ll need to prepare for the potential natural disasters
Hawaii is susceptible to natural disasters such as hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. Understanding the local emergency procedures is crucial for your safety. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes and have an emergency kit ready, including food, water, and first-aid supplies. Regularly check local news for updates during hurricane season, which runs from June to November.
7. Transportation is very limited outside large cities
Public transportation options are scarce outside urban areas, with TheBus being the primary service in Honolulu. If you plan to live in more remote locations, owning a car will likely be necessary for getting around. Traffic can be heavy, especially during rush hour, so factor in travel time when planning your day. Consider carpooling or using rideshare services for longer commutes to save time and reduce costs.
8. Protect and respect the Hawaiian islands
Hawaii’s natural beauty is fragile, and it’s vital to practice responsible tourism. Always follow Leave No Trace principles, such as disposing of waste properly and staying on marked trails. You’ll also want to be mindful of the delicate ecosystems, such as avoiding stepping on coral reefs while snorkeling and using reef-safe sunscreen to prevent harm to marine life.
Insider scoop: Consider attending a workshop at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, where you can learn about local conservation efforts and volunteer opportunities, allowing you to contribute to the protection of Hawaii’s unique wildlife while connecting with passionate locals.
9. Hawaii has a unique time zone
Hawaii operates on Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HAST), which is two to three hours behind the mainland U.S., depending on daylight saving time. Living in Hawaii can affect scheduling phone calls and video chats with friends and family on the mainland. Be mindful of the time difference when planning your communications and make necessary adjustments to your routines.
10. You’ll be living on island time
The concept of “island time” embodies a more relaxed pace of life that is typical in Hawaii. Expect a laid-back attitude toward time and schedules, which can be refreshing but may take some getting used to. While this means you’ll enjoy fewer stressors, it’s also essential to remain punctual for work and important commitments. Embrace the slower pace by taking the time to savor sunsets, explore nature, and build relationships with your neighbors.
Methodology
Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau, while median home sale prices, average monthly rent, and data on affordable and largest cities are sourced from Redfin.