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Message: [QUOTE="spudzj6, post: 3664105, member: 6812"] Long Post Warning! TL;DR - Hawaii has some negatives, and can be expensive. But when you learn how to navigate it, you will have memories and stories for a lifetime. Hawaii is worth the price of admission if you can find the right people. Edited to add: yes timezones are tricky, but theres nothing like drinking at a bar with delicious local breakfast food at 6 am for the noon NFL kickoffs! For all the responses showing the negative side of living in hawaii, or Oahu (honolulu) - what they are saying is 100% true. Traffic is brutal, food is relatively more expensive, beer scene is lacking - especially if you are a foodie, the gastropub type places and casual dining in Hawaii is something that I loved, but not cheap. Grocery store food is a bit more expensive as well. However, every negative characterization can be negated. The biggest and most upfront way to enjoy Hawaii - go out and meet the right people. Quick story: When I was living there, i would research and venture off on hikes by myself. One day i was on top of the Stairway to Heaven (famous stairway climb), which i hiked from the backside through the valleys and mountains. I saw an obscure path down towards a very steep section, figured it wasnt a path at all and started my way back. Out of nowhere, a couple of guys came climbing out of the brush from the steep section. I was dumbfounded how anyone could of navigated that path. Those guys ended up taking me on adventure after adventure, exploring every inch of that island and the amazing wonders it holds. Those guys are now lifelong friends who we plan out adventures and try to top each other. Oahu is full of these types of young twenty somethings that are exploring the world and stopping in Hawaii for months, and most end up making Hawaii their travel "hub" as its between the pacific and mainland US. The vibe between this group of people is absolutely welcoming. Those fun adventures that the tourist industry makes you pay $150-200, are free if you know what your doing. Want the beach? Free. Want to swim/snorkel out to swim with the wild dolphins? Free. Want to go hike the mountains, rock climb, ravine mountaineer, repel down 800 ft waterfalls? All Free (minus the gear). Want to snorkel at the famous Hanama Bay? Free (if you know how the right time to go). If you want a place to stay for a few months, airbnb will get you a somewhat expensive rental, but those groups of "travelers" are always groups of people looking to rent out a room for a month or two. Scooters are sold between friends for cheap as they come and go. You can get one for less than 1k and sell it for the same when you leave. But honestly, if you meet the right people, you find transportation. The bus system in Honolulu isn't hard to learn either. Yes, there are negatives to wanting to spend some time adventuring in Hawaii, but as long as you know what they are, you can find ways to negate them and enjoy your time without worrying about the negative. As for pros/cons of Maui vs Oahu - Maui will be more touristy, but less people if that makes sense. It has pretty much everything you have on Oahu, with about half the people. You wont have to wait in line at stores or restaurant (could depend on time of year). - On Maui, you have less access to cheaper food options, as it's more of a getaway vacation spot than a Oahu (i.e. more permanent residents on Oahu = more affordable food options). - You might be able to find a better living situation on Maui for cheaper, again depending on time of year. Lots of condos on south side of Maui that owners are looking to fill for longer periods - most people that travel there are week long vacations, so if you want to rent for longer, your more likely to get a good deal. Of course on the south side your farther away from the main hubs of food/attractions) - for reference, they play the Maui invitational on the north side. - Both islands have great adventures to go on, but Oahu I feel has those adventures more accessible. Maui adventures you will need a vehicle for and more often than not are in deep secluded areas. - Biking is infinitely better on Maui though. Oahu will give you trouble trying to bike, navigating roads around the island with plenty of traffic and such. Although, i do have some cycling groups out there you can reach out to if you end up on Oahu. Maui just provides a better biking experience (youtube the vegan cyclist and his Maui volcano climbing adventure - talk about epic). Lots to unravel in my long winded post, so apologies there. Hope this gives some insight. But think the main take away is this - any place you go will have negatives, but the time you spend is only as good as you make it. Yes, Hawaii will be more expensive, but if you know how to navigate it, you'll enjoy it. The wife and I spent 3 years out there, and thats all it took to know we will most likely move back out to one of the islands before we get too old to continue adventuring. Good luck on your travels and let me know if you need help/more info! [/QUOTE]

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