The HONEST Pros and Cons of Living on the Big Island of Hawaii

Here's the honest pros and cons of living on the Big Island of Hawaii. I've lived here for over 28 years, and today I'll share the good and not so good of what it's like to really live here.

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Kristi Cotton (RS) 73020 | Compass
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#realestate #bigisland #hawaii

Thanks for watching The HONEST Pros and Cons of Living on the Big Island of Hawaii

[Random_Number]

The vog has been really good ever since Puʻu ʻŌʻō shut down in 2018, better island-wide than it was even in South Maui when Puʻu ʻŌʻō was still active (lived Maui for 7 years, moved here in 2016).

[xenwithapen]

Probably the best Hawaii living video I've seen. The information was accurate, and it didn't come across as just another tourism video. A+ 💯

[TheOriginalMarimoChan]

Another thing that MUST be taken into account living on the Big Island is the fact the specialized surgery and medical care must be done on Oahu, so you will be flying back and forth between the islands depending on your health/age/medical status and what kind of specialty services you need which can be limited on the Big Island (I speak from experience and I work in a hospital), and this is true if you are getting older/aging and/or have special medical needs like cancer/elective joint replacements/need for heart surgery/pacemakers/trauma.

If you live in a remote area like Paauilo or more-exposed area like Na'alehu (still rural), the medical care/education for children will still be limited, so if you have young school-aged children, you may think twice about moving to a remote area w/ limited educational resources, or think about home-schooling most of the time.

Specialized jobs are also limited, so if you are a surgeon, therapist, attorney, etc who cannot work remotely, you'll be limited in your choices of work unless you are in the real estate, hospitality, agriculture or retail business.

Foods grown will be limited to tropical fruits like papayas, bananas, lilikoi, lychee, soursop, citrus, etc. and mostly fruit in your own back yard. You may be able to grown some tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, daikon and squash but for serious agricultural crops like coffee/taro/macadamia nuts, you will need a large-scale operation, and some crops simply do not do well here in Hawaii, like plants that need a cold snap like apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries.

Yes, Hawaii is a Blue Zone, but how many of the Blue Zone people factored into the equation for longevity are Okinawan? Or Japanese? - a LOT! A majority of Hawaii's centenarians are Okinawan or Japanese, so ethnicity and race must also be factored into the equation, and not only the 'Hawaiian lifestyle'.

Despite the high cost of living here and the gas prices $4.74 a gallon at Kona Costco last week, it's worth living here, but it's not for everyone, and it's not for the aging/young with medical/health/educational needs.

[TripsandFeasts]

Just wondering: within the past 15 months, I’ve spent about 3.5 months on mostly Maui. I quickly became aware of the ‘general’ feelings of the average Hawai’ian as regards their history, and in particular the events in January, 1893. Most native Hawai’ians I met do not consider themselves American and do not consider the islands of Hawai’i as part of the USA.

Did that sort of thing ever cause you a problem? Did you ever feel any sort of ‘tension?’

[jameswulzen]

They don't say anything about the southern part of the Island, Ocean View. You can get into a very nice place for
$300, 000.00 on one acre with great views. Kona is a 45 mile drive on the mountain road, very nice with very low traffic
to deal with. Hilo is close to 90 miles away. It's rural and is close to Costco, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, to name a few.
This area has a country hospital in Pahala and in Ocean View you'll find, auto repair, building supplies, Ace Hardware,
places to eat and shop. Not many stores but it's growing. I've been here for 15 years.

[JustinHight-pysw]

Its rains over 200 days a year in Hilo

[benrolaff]

You're the best I've been watching you for years you have more knowledge than anybody I've ever seen about Hawaii I just wanted to thank you

[omardeveraux]

Great video and good, helpful information. I've learned a lot of new stuff. Mahalo for sharing!

[webodo]

Very good video. My spouse is local (Hawaiian) and we both agreed that you did a great job. Thank you for being thorough and honest! For those considering moving to The Big Island, keep in mind the caveat that health care is less advanced on the Big Island than on Oahu. Thanks again for a very good video! Mahalo!

[jhona]

Very good video. I might be moving to the big island in a couple of months so I'm doing my research. Thanks for the information.

[Feed-My-Mind-Not-My-Ego]

Thank you for sharing. Your video was helpful.

[blakedewberry]

Awesome info Kristi!!! Thank you, I look forward to coming and making a decision on where to retire!!!

[Michael_Skinner]

There are no negatives to living in Hawaii. Spent three years in the Navy there. I miss it everyday.

[kormrright]

I've visited Big Island for a week 5 yrs ago. Your video reminds me of good memories. I am dying to revisit the island. Thanks for your helpful informations.

[MRSTEEL]

They really need to start construction on better highway roads, like West to East from Kona to Hilo with off road Exits to nearest

[jesyberg]

Such a great video Kristi. Very informative, thank you! Seriously thinking about a small farm on the big island, my greencard is a few months away.

[mindyourplants]

I so cant wait to move back home to the Big Island.... Been in BC, Canada for too long and the cost of living is actually cheaper now in Hawaii than BC so my mum said I can come home... SO stoked

[untalentedthe]

Love this video & looking forward to visiting Hawaii soon. Apparently there are two breed of snakes in the the state; the Brahminy Blind Snake, and the yellow-bellied sea snake.

[evelynkrull]

Ive lived in S. Oregon and Norcal and it seems like a blend of those two plus nice weather.
Smoke, mold, etc

[BigIslandbbadd]

Aloha. Good video. The thing that is most irritating to me, is how Ebay and Amazon don't ship here. I tied to buy some weights, a solar generator etc...Even cologne sometimes will have the red letters that say, No shipping to Hawaii or Alaska. It's not contiguous, but we either are part of North America or we aren't.
Btw...I will have a 3 bedroom house for rent in Honoka'a very soon. If anyone is interested.
Clear view of the ocean across the street. Big mango tree in the back.