The Price of
Paradise
We have a saying in the
islands called "the price of paradise". This can mean
different things to different people. Basically you should be
prepared for some trade offs when living in Hawaii. Some of
these trade offs are often referred to as the price of
paradise.
If you have lived your
whole life in Hawaii like me, or even resided in our islands
for a good length of time, there is a tendency to take things
for granted. It seems that the rational becomes "that's how it
is!". (A symptom of "Polynesian paralysis") However, if you
are new to the islands you quickly realize that island life
can be quite different than what you might expect.
Since we live in the middle of the
Pacific Ocean, we are reliant on the importation of most of
the goods that we have become accustomed to enjoying in our
daily lives. You will need to get used to the fact that
merchandise will cost you more in Hawaii! Bulky items like
building materials used in home construction are expensive to
import. Labor costs to build are relatively high and the
average construction cost can range about $100 a square foot
or more, for modest new construction. So remember, except for
labor, almost everything is "imported".
The fact that we are located at such a
great distance from the continental United States, limits us
to some degree and consequently adds to the cost and expense
of daily living.
In the past, we have had a more limited
selection then what you might be used to. However, over the
last decade we have seen the introduction of some big name
stores such as KMart, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe's, Wal Mart,
and Macy's to name a few, but even with the "big names" we
still see some limited selections on certain items.
Our houses tend to be smaller
because we spend a lot of time out-of-doors enjoying our
tropical climate, so you really don't need a big house. We
just don't spend that much time indoors. Many a winter days
are spent at the beach when we can enjoy the large North
swells. Our seasonal changes are modest at best. High land
prices, expensive construction cost, and favorable weather
all contribute to the fact that we are used to living in
smaller spaces.
Land prices are higher that most
people are used to. After all, we live on an island and
there is only so much usable land. The engine that runs the
real estate market is fueled by supply and demand. With
limited supply and a constant demand, our prices can seem
pretty high. But it's all relative and depending on where
you are coming from, our property prices may not seem that
bad. I always ask new clients where they are from so I have
an idea what their price expectations might be. Heck, if a
guy in is coming from the Midwest, the price for a modest
single family dwelling could be more than the family farm
back home! You know what? That's part of the price of
paradise! However, if the client is from Northern
California, boy have we got some deals for you.
Another thing I want to mention is
that things move at a slower pace in Hawaii and even slower
on Maui. That is part of the overall appeal to island life
so you need to be prepared to slow down. People tend to move
at a more casual pace. Don't expect things to get done
quickly. Allow enough driving time and enjoy the natural
beauty our islands have to offer. After all, we live in one
of the most beautiful places on earth, so slow down, enjoy
the colors, take in the scenery!
In conclusion, expensive land, labor,
and shipping are all contributing influences which
contribute to the phrase "the price of paradise" but I can
think of no better place I'd rather live than right here on
Maui! The "price of paradise" is a modest concession for the
lifestyle we've come to appreciate. Come join us!
|
