[BBMW]

When I was there in December, it was low 70s during the day, low 60s-high 50s at night. While not all the casino pools were open, those that were (that I saw), had people in them-

Originally Posted by ElleTea

It was cold when I was there in December. I would have preferred it much warmer

[Honolulu21]

Originally Posted by Clarkcty

Can the locals afford such expensive real estate? Can the wages in Hawaii afford the price of homes in the area or are there many renters in Hawaii? In Clark County NV nearly half of residents are renters and the other half home owners or have a mortgage.

This is a link shows the percentage of home ownership in Hawaii from 2010 which is 56.1 compared to Nevada which is 59.7: http://www.census.gov/compendia/stat...es/12s0992.pdf

One thing I was surprised about Las Vegas is how the low wages were so similar to Hawaii, although this is offset by the much lower cost of living.

So in answer to your question, the average wages in Hawaii will not make it possible to afford a home here. People cope with this by employing different strategies. Some adults live at home rent free until they have saved up enough for a huge down payment. Others work two or three jobs, some build ohana (Hawaiian for family) housing which is explained in this link: What is an Ohana Dwelling Unit on Oahu? | Hawaii Life

Others like myself are fortunate to have a good federal job. In Hawaii federal jobs are much sought after because in addition to being paid the basic GS (General Schedule) salary, federal workers here get 25% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) which is non-taxable at the federal level, but is taxed by the State of Hawaii. So if the basic annual federal salary is $80,000.00, $20,000.00 more in COLA for Hawaii federal workers is added to make the total salary $100,000.00. Other states, areas also receive COLA, link: Cola/Locality Pay

This COLA is now slowly being phased out and replaced by locality pay: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-overs...chedule/hi.pdf

So in a nutshell, either your family helps you out if they have the means to, or husband and wife both have good federal jobs, or one has a good federal job, while the other spouse has a good state job, or both people work 2 to 3 jobs, or do what a lot of primarily Filipino immigrants do which is to have the entire family (father, mother, and all the adult children including their spouses and their own young children) crowd together in a home where every adult contributes to paying the mortgage. Other than those options, being a successful doctor, lawyer, or business owner like L & L drive-inns where your income is high enough to buy a home.

This is why of lot of family homes are kept within the family and not sold because of lot of people in Hawaii who do own homes now, wouldn't be able to if they had to buy it at today's prices. Finally, many people who do own homes that would sell for $700,000.00 or more bought those homes back in the 1970s or earlier when those same homes were only $100,000.00 or less.

[lvoc]

We complex this unnecessarily.

Cost of living in Hawaii is 42% more than Las Vegas.

Salaries are 10% better in Hawaii.

So Hawaii needs to be a hugely better place.

And for some it is not.

[Clarkcty]

Originally Posted by Honolulu21

This is a link shows the percentage of home ownership in Hawaii from 2010 which is 56.1 compared to Nevada which is 59.7: http://www.census.gov/compendia/stat...es/12s0992.pdf

One thing I was surprised about Las Vegas is how the low wages were so similar to Hawaii, although this is offset by the much lower cost of living.

So in answer to your question, the average wages in Hawaii will not make it possible to afford a home here. People cope with this by employing different strategies. Some adults live at home rent free until they have saved up enough for a huge down payment. Others work two or three jobs, some build ohana (Hawaiian for family) housing which is explained in this link: What is an Ohana Dwelling Unit on Oahu? | Hawaii Life

Others like myself are fortunate to have a good federal job. In Hawaii federal jobs are much sought after because in addition to being paid the basic GS (General Schedule) salary, federal workers here get 25% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) which is non-taxable at the federal level, but is taxed by the State of Hawaii. So if the basic annual federal salary is $80,000.00, $20,000.00 more in COLA for Hawaii federal workers is added to make the total salary $100,000.00. Other states, areas also receive COLA, link: Cola/Locality Pay

This COLA is now slowly being phased out and replaced by locality pay: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-overs...chedule/hi.pdf

So in a nutshell, either your family helps you out if they have the means to, or husband and wife both have good federal jobs, or one has a good federal job, while the other spouse has a good state job, or both people work 2 to 3 jobs, or do what a lot of primarily Filipino immigrants do which is to have the entire family (father, mother, and all the adult children including their spouses and their own young children) crowd together in a home where every adult contributes to paying the mortgage. Other than those options, being a successful doctor, lawyer, or business owner like L & L drive-inns where your income is high enough to buy a home.

This is why of lot of family homes are kept within the family and not sold because of lot of people in Hawaii who do own homes now, wouldn't be able to if they had to buy it at today's prices. Finally, many people who do own homes that would sell for $700,000.00 or more bought those homes back in the 1970s or earlier when those same homes were only $100,000.00 or less.

The reason why even with low home prices many locals still could not get into home ownership here in Clark County and add the fact many from out of state and country are getting into the mix edging out the locals.

It's common for Asian families to help their own and it is very common for Asians to own a home or have a mortgage rather than renting. My mother's relatives from New York who moved and purchased a home in Hawaii are well off so they have no problem purchasing their retirement home in cash.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by BBMW

When I was there in December, it was low 70s during the day, low 60s-high 50s at night. While not all the casino pools were open, those that were (that I saw), had people in them-

This past December?

I was pretty chilly for most of my trip then, with the exception of the first night when I was on Fremont Street in short sleeves and all the locals were in sweaters and coats. I got asked a lot if I was cold and I said "Nah, I'm from Iowa."

[irishspy]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

This past December?

I was pretty chilly for most of my trip then, with the exception of the first night when I was on Fremont Street in short sleeves and all the locals were in sweaters and coats. I got asked a lot if I was cold and I said "Nah, I'm from Iowa."

You and I were the only two who were not cold I wore a sweatshirt and I was sweating lol. At Christmas we were out on our patio most of the evening it was nice. Winter weather here in LV is like the last 2 weeks in October in the Adirondack Mts. in NYS.
I am sure folks who visit here in LV feel the dry air real fast but keep in mind you are in the Desert. The nice thing for you tourist is when you come back again their will be more new and exciting things to see and do it will not be the same old stuff. The word Ghetto is used incorrect here in LV if you have ever been to the real deal like Detroit,Syracuse,NYC,Boston and etc you could not compare it to them. I believe what people are trying to express the people who live in the Low income low real estate areas act like Ghetto people and have that mentality. The area of LV is populated by about 2 million people so a city this size will have bad areas. I asked a local lv resident where they go on vacation and he said Hawaii makes sense so I guess the grass looks greener NO the Sand is NO the food is NO well Both places Las Vegas and Hawaii are top vacation spots for all so enjoy them as much as possible

[BBMW]

No, this was a few years ago.

Originally Posted by ElleTea

This past December?

I was pretty chilly for most of my trip then, with the exception of the first night when I was on Fremont Street in short sleeves and all the locals were in sweaters and coats. I got asked a lot if I was cold and I said "Nah, I'm from Iowa."

[Reno Joe]

Originally Posted by BBMW

Then don't go in the dead of summer. Go at Christmas, and get the most beautiful early fall weather you'll find.

Or just stay in the casino or the pool.

I don't have that option cause I live here. But I am not complaining about the heat. It doesn't bother me that much.

[BBMW]

Didn't realized you live in Vegas. I read your comment, and was picturing someone walking out of baggage claim @ McCarren, on their first trip to Vegas.

Originally Posted by Reno Joe

I don't have that option cause I live here. But I am not complaining about the heat. It doesn't bother me that much.