Moving to Oʻahu? Start Here.

It depends on how long you expect to stay, your budget, and how settled you want to feel. Some people rent first to learn the island before choosing an area. Others buy so they only move once. The housing budget and rent vs. buy calculator compares both over 1 to 15 years using sourced Oʻahu numbers and your own assumptions, and Matt is glad to walk through the results with you.

Talk through rent vs. buy with Matt

Start learning the regions and your budget as soon as a move looks likely. Rentals are usually searched closer to your arrival date. Buying takes longer, with pre-approval, touring, an accepted offer, and escrow. If you're bringing a dog or cat, start right away: the State's 5 Day Or Less program has waiting periods of at least 30 days after a successful rabies blood test (FAVN).

Build your moving checklist · Hawaiʻi Animal Quarantine information (opens in a new tab)

Drive times on Oʻahu depend a lot on the time of day and direction, so check routes at the hours you'll actually drive. The State's GoAkamai site has live traffic cameras and conditions, and TheBus and Skyline rail serve some commutes. Matt's commute planner shows typical school-day drive times from Oʻahu neighborhoods to the major bases.

Open the commute planner · GoAkamai traffic (opens in a new tab) · TheBus (opens in a new tab) · Skyline (opens in a new tab)

Yes. Many buyers start from the mainland or overseas with video tours and a trusted inspector. Get pre-approved first, be clear on your must-haves, and ask your lender and escrow company early how signing will work if you're off island. Plan your closing date around your arrival.

Buying before you arrive (PCS and VA guide) · Matt's buying steps

Yes. According to VA, a VA-backed purchase loan often offers no down payment as long as the sales price isn't higher than the appraised value, and no private mortgage insurance. Condos need to be in a VA-approved project, and leasehold properties must meet VA's lease requirements. A good first step is requesting your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

VA purchase loans (opens in a new tab) · Request a COE (opens in a new tab) · VA condo lookup (opens in a new tab) · Using a VA loan in Hawaiʻi

Higher than most of the country, especially for housing. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis measures price levels by state: in 2024, Hawaiʻi's Regional Price Parity was 110.0, among the highest of any state (the national average is 100). Costs also vary a lot by area, home type, and lifestyle, so it helps to price out your own budget.

BEA Regional Price Parities (opens in a new tab) · Talk budget with Matt

Yes, with planning. Hawaiʻi is rabies-free, and dogs and cats must meet the State's import rules. Pets that meet every 5 Day Or Less requirement can qualify for direct release at the Honolulu airport after inspection. Pets that don't can be quarantined for up to 120 days. Documents must reach the Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 days before arrival. Rental pet policies vary, so ask early.

Animal Quarantine information (opens in a new tab) · Pets in the arrival guide

With leasehold, you buy the right to use a property for the remaining term of a land lease, but you don't own the land (owning the land too is called fee simple). Lease rent can be renegotiated and may go up significantly, and the property may have to be surrendered when the lease ends. Read the lease carefully and consider talking with an attorney. VA financing also has its own lease requirements.

State of Hawaiʻi leasehold disclosure (PDF) (opens in a new tab)