Moving Cross Border to Honolulu

Crossroads of the Pacific

Links about moving to Honolulu

 Cost Of Living in Honolulu
 City of Honolulu
 Hawaii State Government
 Hawaii NEWCOMERS Guide

 Importing a vehicle from Canada
 USA Visa and Immigration
 US Health Care

 Honolulu Education: Elementary, Middle and High School
 University of Hawaii System

Tips When Moving to Honolulu

   Hawaii is casual. There are lots of outdoor activities and a constant warm climate. Their winter is rainy compared to their dry summer, however outdoor activity prevails. Folks dress and live with casual in mind.
   Taking all your Canadian possessions to this tropical climate may not make sense. Consider downsizing to quality items that you know will have value to your life there. If in doubt perhaps use storage for a later shipment if you really need them or share those items with family members.
   Shipping possessions by container is the most practical option. Packing items to safely isolate weight and objects while firmly arranging them in the container will be key to their arriving in expected condition. This in not the same kind of packing you do when moving to the next neighbourhood so professional packers are often an inexpensive investment.
   Collect your records. You will need health care records, as well as pet records (especially their vaccination records) and document the possessions being shipped for customs purposes.
   Accepting the slower culture of Hawaii, that makes it such a great holiday destination, is key to the long term enjoyment of living there. If after the first year it fits, sell off your items in storage.

Relocating to Honolulu

   "Town", as most Hawaiians and Honolulans call it, is the most densely populated part of Hawaii, its state capital and the tourist hub of Hawaii. It is located on the island of Ohau, a name that means "Gathering Place" where sunshine is constant and temperature in the warm 25c to 32c range. Diversity of peoples, activity and cuisine are its trademarks. Honolulu means sheltered harbour, recognizing its destination in trans Pacific travel. Coincidentally it has also been ranked as the second safest city in the USA as well as being a world wide recognized wonderful place to live.

The realities of living in Honolulu include:
    Island traffic has a reputation that speaks volumes about the nature of the island. Social media rants focus on delays of hours as it is part of the nature of millions of tourists. For example, over 4 million visit Waikiki beach alone each year.

    Honolulu is an expensive place to live, compared to Toronto or Vancouver. Travel back home to Canada is also proportionately expensive, simply based on the distance, although deals are more frequent because of the volume of traffic. Fortunately, for job arrange ahead of time, the salaries will be in keeping with costs in Honolulu.

    There is kamaaina a discount locals give each other. Once you get your Hawaiian drivers license and show the sales clerks you can avoid paying the same as travellers to the island pay. Think of it as a Senior Citizens Discount.

    The nature of the island is to slow down life. For example honking in traffic is viewed as bad manners. None the less, an internal frustration learned and earned in Canadian traffic, may pop up if your not from Vancouver Island, Newfoundland or Prince Edward Island.

    Island life lends itself to running into the same people again and again. A friendly interchange that repeats itself each day, that builds a strong sense of community and respect for one another.

    The slower pace and confined environment impacts people differently. Also there may come a time you miss winter. Island fever (they call it "rock fever") sets in needing a trip back to Canada to regain perspective and release any competitive urges.

    You are moving to the tropics so there will be critters that include insects. Even with great focus on keeping things clean they will be there.

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