Hawaii is the jewel of the Pacific, featuring sweeping sandy beaches and beautiful palm trees. It's one of the most unique states in the US and is a place where many people dream of living.
In fact, roughly 50,000 people move to Hawaii each year! They're ready to start a new life in this beautiful island state and to live the dream in a gorgeous area.
If you're interested in learning how to move to Hawaii yourself, there are a few things you need to know. Let's take a look at this moving to Hawaii guide to learn more!
Three Months Before Your Move
Three months before you move you'll need to start the planning process in your moving to Hawaii checklist. This includes researching how to relocate any pets you might have as well as looking into local school districts if you're moving with kids.
You should also start researching which islands and which neighborhoods you're interested in living in. You want to make sure you're selecting a place that will feel like home.
Finally, it's time to start gathering your documents. Place all your important moving documents and paperwork into a designated folder so that they're easy to access.
Two Months Before Your Move
Two months out is when things start getting more serious. You'll need to look into car shipping services that will get your vehicle to Hawaii and give you a great rate.
You'll also need to think about what items you'll be taking with you and what items you won't. Think about donating or selling any items you won't need ahead of time so that you don't have to rush at the last minute.
Next, find a household goods shipping service. Confirm your moving date with your chosen moving company so that you can get your belongings out of the house on time.
Then, you'll need to start looking for rental homes in Hawaii. If you plan on starting your rental once you're on the island, start getting in touch with landlords. If you want to look around when you arrive, book a vacation home for at least a week.
If you haven't already, book your one-way ticket to Hawaii. Schedule a rental car service that you can use until your vehicle arrives on the island.
One Month Before Your Move
One month out it's time to start doing some more deep prep work. You'll need to clean your vehicle, remove any items, get service work done, and take pictures of both the interior and exterior. This helps prepare it for shipping.
Then, start packing any items that you don't use on a daily basis. Measure your largest items and take notes of the condition of them before your professional movers arrive.
You should also head to your doctor's office to get medical records. Have copies of any vaccines that you have as well as all prescription medications.
If you're moving with kids, you'll need to get copies of their school records. Ask the school how to go about the transferring process to help make things smoother once you arrive in Hawaii.
One Week Before Your Move
One week before your move it's time to start calling landlords to schedule your showings or make your first rental payment. Confirm your moving date with your auto transport company and with your moving company.
Then, pack up the rest of your items. At this point, you should be living out of a suitcase until the big day arrives.
Next, complete a change of address with the United States Postal Service. This ensures that your important documents will be forwarded to your new place of residents.
Update your address with your insurance companies, banks, and credit cards to avoid any breaks in service. Fill out any paperwork for registering your vehicle and getting a new Hawaii State driver's license.
How Much Money Do I Need to Move to Hawaii?
Moving to Hawaii isn't free, so you'll need to know a little bit about the costs involved with your move. The costs you'll need to make your move involve both your savings and your overall income.
For starters, you should make sure that you have enough savings in place to help you get out to the island. That means having between $6,000 and $12,000 saved up for your long-distance move.
On top of that, you'll need to check out the cost of living in your chosen area. Each island has a different cost of living, although in most areas you'll need an average salary of about $40,000 to help you get by each year.
Think about your current salary and savings before you seal the deal on your move to the big island. It will make for a smoother and easier transition out of your home state.
Tips for Living in Hawaii
Once you've made the move to Hawaii there are a few additional things you'll need to know. Following these tips will help make your move a successful one!
Have a Monthly Budget
While there are tons of fun outdoor activities you can enjoy in Hawaii, there are also tons of places to spend money. And, since it's an island country, Hawaii is one of the most expensive states.
To make sure that you're money is going as far as possible, you'll need to set a monthly budget. Think about food and rent, gas costs, and entertainment to make sure that you're not overspending each month.
Get Your Driver's License ASAP
In Hawaii, locals call a person who lives in Hawaii a "kamaaina". And, if you can prove that you're a kamaaina, you can get access to some fantastic rates and discounts.
Kamaaina discounts are mostly available at tourist attractions, hotels, and restaurants. They're great for people who have just moved to the island and want to explore everything the area has to offer.
When you move to Hawaii, you should get your driver's license as soon as possible. That way, you can start taking advantage of kamaaina rates and discounts right away.
Spend Time Outdoors
Hawaii really is a nature lover's oasis thanks to the gorgeous scenery, stunning sunsets, and beautiful beaches. It's a place where you can, and should, get outdoors to enjoy the natural beauty.
If you really want to get involved in island culture, you should plan on making getting outside a big part of your lifestyle. There are plenty of activities including hiking, surfing, or nature walking that you can get involved in.
You should also be aware of the fact that you'll see lots of different wildlife in Hawaii. Beautiful tropical birds hang out on the island while whales and dolphins dominate the seas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Hawaii
If you're looking for some moving to Hawaii advice and need to get a few extra questions answered, we've got your back. Whether you need tips for living in Hawaii or you're just wanting a little more detail on the big move, let's take a look at a few key questions about moving to Hawaii.
Is It Difficult to Move to Hawaii?
Many people are unsure if it's difficult to move to Hawaii or not. The truth is, while moving to the island state can require a bit more logistics, it's not that difficult to move to the island and start a new life.
Can a Foreigner Move to Hawaii?
If you want to move to Hawaii as a foreign national, you'll first need to get a green card or an immigrant visa. However, once you have the residence card you can live and work in Hawaii without a problem!
Can You Move to Hawaii Without a Job?
Relocating to Hawaii without a job is difficult, but it can certainly be done! You'll just need to make sure you have a couple of months of savings so that when you arrive you'll be in good shape.
Also keep in mind that the job market in Hawaii is mostly focused on foodservice, tourism, and healthcare.
Know How to Move to Hawaii the Right Way
This helpful guide on how to move to Hawaii can help take the stress out of your big move. You'll have no problem moving to Big Island Hawaii or to any of the other beautiful islands in the state.
If you've already got the details of your move figured out and are ready to head to Hawaii, you'll need to make sure you have a car shipping team. Get in touch and we'll help you with shipping a car to Hawaii!
