Big move - Take job in Kona? (public schools, living)

[michael49]

My wife and I live in New England. We are in our mid-30's, have no kids and work in the health care.

I have an opportunity to take a postion in Kona. We've been to Maui, but never to the Big Island. My wife and I are very "outdoorsy", fairly liberal people; we love to hike, camp, run and I'm into landscape photograhy.

We are tired of the New England winters and are looking for somewhere we can enjoy outdoor activites all year long.

We have a decent amount of money saved up.

Any thoughts/advice?

[Brav989]

Prob. best to visit the island before making a leap. It can only help in your decision

[michael49]

Originally Posted by Brav989

Prob. best to visit the island before making a leap. It can only help in your decision

Definitely sound advice, although I kind of doubt that I would visit and say "now way; what an awful place!!" - it is Hawaii afterall!

I think one the biggest adjustments would be getting used to Island life. (being "stuck" in one place).

[Brav989]

Yes but from my experience Maui seemed quite flat, the big island is very very hilly everywhere you go really. So there are differences as such.

[michael49]

Originally Posted by Brav989

Yes but from my experience Maui seemed quite flat, the big island is very very hilly everywhere you go really. So there are differences as such.

I love hills/mountains; that's what I'm looking for. I lived in FL for a while and I hated the "flatness"; I missed the hills/mountains more than anything.

[Kohala Coast tennis]

Cons: cost of living, second world government, vog, island fever, public schools
Pros: ethnic tolerance (excluding the Hawaiian seperatists), Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, lots of charitable organizations to join, year round golf, tennis, and outrigger canoe paddling