Home > About Hawaii > Moving to Hawaii Tips
Moving to Hawaii Tips
As you plan your move to Hawaii, be sure to review these checklists so that you
don't forget any of the small details before moving to
Hawaii. You'll find tips for finding the perfect Hawaii neighborhood, suggestions
for packing like a pro and we'll remind you of important things you should do before
relocating to Hawaii.
Finding the Perfect Hawaii Neighborhood
Packing Like a Pro
Moving to Hawaii Checklist
-
Moving to Hawaii Tips
Finding the Perfect Hawaii Neighborhood
The neighborhood you choose can have a big impact on your lifestyle—safety,
available amenities, and convenience all play their part.
- Make a list of the activities available near the Hawaii neighborhood you're researching
- movies, shopping centers, health club, beaches (Hawaii boasts some of the world's
best beaches) - you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how
far you would have to travel from each Hawaii neighborhood you're considering to
engaging in your most common activities.
- Check out the local Hawaii school district. The Hawaii Department of Education in
your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage
of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age
children, also consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you're considering.
Even if you don't have children, a house in one of Hawaii's top school districts
will be easier to sell in the future.
- Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) for
local neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but
also the type - burglaries, armed robberies - and the trend of increasing or decreasing
crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near
a retail area.
- Determine if one of the Hawaii neighborhoods you
are looking at is economically stable. Check with Hawaii's city economic development
office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising.
What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don't necessarily diminish
value, but they do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant Hawaii businesses
or homes that have been for sale for months?
- See if you'll make money. Ask any one of our highly qualified
Hawaii real estate agents or call the Hawaii REALTOR association to get information
about price appreciation trends in the neighborhood. Although past performance is
no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good
an investment your home will be. A REALTOR? or the government planning agency also
may be able to tell you about planned developments or other changes in the neighborhood
- like a new school or highway - that might affect value.
- See for yourself. Once you've narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods,
go there, and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet?
Pick a warm day if you can and chat with people working or playing outside. Are
they friendly? Are their children to play with your family?
back to top
-
Packing Like a Pro
- Develop a master "to do" list so you won't forget something critical.
- Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate
to a charity, or recycle.
- Don't throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, ask yourself
how frequently you use an item and how you'd feel if you no longer had it.
- Pack like items together. Put toys with toys, kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils.
- Decide what if anything you plan to move yourself. Precious items, such as family
photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move, should probably stay
with you.
- Use the right box for the item. Loose items encourage breakage.
- Put heavy items in small boxes so they're easier to lift. Keep weight under 50 lbs.
if possible.
- Don't over-pack boxes and increase the chances they will break.
- Wrap every fragile item separately and pad bottom and sides of boxes.
- Label every box on all sides. You never know how they'll be stacked and you don't
want to have to move other boxes aside to find out what's there.
- Use color-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Color-code
a floor plan for your new house to help movers.
- Keep your moving documents together, including phone numbers, driver's name, and
van number. Also keep your address book handy.
- Back up your computer files before moving your computer.
- Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as soon as it arrives.
- Remember, most movers won't take plants.
back to top
-
Moving to Hawaii Checklist (download
PDF)
Fill out
- U.S. Postal Service change-of-address forms
Redirect
- Newspaper subscriptions
- Magazine subscriptions
Advise
- Catalog companies
- Book, music, and video clubs
- Educational, religious, charitable, and fraternal organizations
Arrange to turn off, or change over
- Water
- Gas
- Phone
- Sewer
- Electric
- Cable/Satellite TV
- Garbage
Notify
- Banks
- Credit card companies
Insurance agents
- Homeowners
- Auto
- Life
- Health
Service Providers
- Internet
- Cellular Phone
- Paging Service
Delivery Services
Contact
- Doctors
- Accountant
- Dentist
- Financial Advisor
- Veterinarian
- Stock Broker
- (If you are moving a great distance away, you may need to have records transferred.)
Inform
- City, State, and Federal government agencies
- Income and property tax authorities
Update
- Driver, pet, and other license data
- Voter, vehicle, and vessel registrations
- Business permits
back to top
-
Top Hawaii Neighborhoods
Honolulu Real Estate
Ewa Beach Homes
Kapolei Homes
Pearl City Homes
Mililani Homes
back to top
-
Related Content