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More than 955,000 people agree: Oahu is the place for them to live. If you’re thinking about moving to Oahu, we’ve got some must-knows for you based on our extensive moving experience.
Our expert team of movers have compiled these tips to give you a sense of what to expect when you move to Oʻahu, help you settle in quickly once you arrive, and smooth the way for an easy transition to Hawaii.
#1: Yes, Oahu Is That Beautiful
It’s easy to look at all the pictures of Hawaiʻi on social media and think that there’s no way Oʻahu could be that gorgeous, but every time a customer completes their move to Oahu they always agree it is that gorgeous.
Between the island’s postcard-perfect white sand beaches, turquoise waters, majestic waterfalls, picturesque hikes, and serene forests, you’ll find jaw-dropping sights almost everywhere you go on Oʻahu.
If exploring the outdoors and appreciating the natural beauty around you are the kinds of things that make you happy, Oʻahu is the place for you to move to.
#2: Honolulu Is Hawaii’s “Big City”
Alongside Oahu’s spectacular natural landscapes, you’ll find Honolulu—the most populated urban area in Hawaiʻi. Each year we move thousands of people to Oahu and a large percentage move to Honolulu. Approximately 350,000 people live in urban Honolulu, among the city’s tall buildings, shops, bars, restaurants, office buildings, music venues, museums, art galleries, and more.
If you’re a bit of a city person at heart, you’ll love all the cultural resources in Honolulu—including its burgeoning food and cocktail scene. And even if you’re not a city person, living on Oʻahu means you can duck in for a taste of city life every now and then, which can be a definite perk.
#3: The Cost of Living Is High
Living in paradise comes with a price, and Oahu is no different.
Hawaiʻi is consistently ranked as the most expensive state in the U.S., so you can expect a high cost of living when you move to Oahu. Those coming from more expensive urban areas on the mainland might not feel the pinch as strongly. When we move people from from a low-cost-of-living area on the mainland, they often are surprised, especially by the cost of electricity and groceries.
Real estate is one area in which you might catch a break, relatively speaking. Where it comes to average home values, Oʻahu has the second-lowest in the Hawaiian Islands, according to Zillow. (The Big Island has the lowest.) With single-family homes averaging a bit over $1,100,000, we’re not saying you’re going to find a bargain on Oʻahu. However, you may find something to move into that is more affordable than you’d find on Maui or Kauaʻi.
#4: Downsizing before Moving to Oahu Is a Great Idea
As professional and honest movers, we recommend thoughtfully downsizing, if you can. If you decide to ship all of your belongings to Hawaii, they’ll travel thousands of miles over the ocean. And, since your move will ultimately be priced by weight, the more you ship, the more your move will cost.
Before moving to Oahu decluttering and downsizing may be in your best interests. In other words, make sure you’re only moving the things you love or that might be more expensive to replace on-island.
And all that fancy, formal clothing? You won’t need it in Hawaii. For men, a nice aloha shirt and a pair of pants works for most occasions. For women, you’ll probably never need those heels again, although a nice wedge sandal might be welcome for a special meal out.
#5: You’ll See Some Similarities…But Leave Your Expectations Behind
After you move to Oahu and as you drive around the island, you’ll see a lot of sights you’ll recognize from the mainland: multi-lane highways; big box stores like Target and Costco; fast food outlets like McDonald’s and Taco Bell; and a huge mall, Ala Moana, that could easily be mistaken for one in California.
In some ways, these can offer some comfort during a big transition. Walk into Target, and you’ll pretty much know what to expect.
However, keep in mind that things in Hawaii operate a little differently. The cashier at Costco may pause to talk story with someone in line. People may stop unexpectedly along a busy Honolulu street to allow another car to exit from a parking lot.
So while you’re welcome to take comfort in the familiar things you’ll find, leave your mainland expectations behind. You’ll settle into Oʻahu much faster if you go figure out how things work out here, and go with the flow.
#6: Know Your Hawaiian History
Even though Hawaiʻi is now a U.S. state, it wasn’t always. Prior to annexation, the island chain was an independent monarchy known as the Hawaiian Kingdom. The transition from self-governance to U.S. rule caused a significant amount of hardship for the Native Hawaiians, who still struggle today to ensure that their culture endures.
Before you move to Oʻahu, take some time to get to know Hawaiʻi’s history. Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen, written by Queen Liliʻuokalani is a great place to start. Once you arrive, make time to appreciate Native Hawaiian culture and traditions. The Bishop Museum in Honolulu is a rich resource that covers several periods of Hawaiian history and culture. It’s well worth a visit, and it will offer you an excellent foundation for respecting the culture of Hawaiʻi’s first human settlers.
#7: Selecting the Right Moving Company to Oahu is Important
Moving to Oahu from the Mainland means all of your belongings will be traveling across the ocean in a shipping container.
What does that mean? That picking a trustworthy and experienced mover is very important. Moving to Oahu involves the challenges of normal moving, but the additional complexities of navigating ocean shipping, unloading and the incredibly unique terrain of Oahu. Ensuring the team you select is able to simplify and reduce the likelihood of anything going wrong is very important.
The right movers for you move to Oahu, no matter your budget, should be experienced, licensed, thoughtful and honest. The best movers will be able to offer you honest advice and several options for your move. Having a team with on-island crews, trucks and experience ensures they can solve any challenge that might arise, typically before it even does.
#8: Shipping a Car Can be a Necessity for Many People
A lot of the people we move to Oahu ask us if they should ship their cars to Hawaiʻi or buy a car once they arrive.
First of all, you should know that you’ll definitely need a car if you want to explore all that the island of Oʻahu has to offer. The Bus can be useful, but it has its limits.
Next, shipping your car or not comes down to one important question: How long do you plan to keep your car? With car prices increasing it is increasingly more efficient to ship your car vs. buying a new one on Oahu.
#9: Traffic Can Be Tough
Although Honolulu was once declared the worst in the U.S. in terms of traffic, it’s fallen significantly in the rankings since then. (A good thing!)
However, there’s still plenty of traffic on Oʻahu. Ask anyone driving into town in the morning hours or out of town in the late afternoon, and you’ll hear tales of bumper-to-bumper traffic.
When you choose your Oʻahu neighborhood, choose carefully. If you’re following the same route as many other commuters, you can expect traffic at the usual times. This can significantly impact your quality of life and even turn paradise into a nightmare. Working remotely or engineering a reverse commute can add hours back into your day and reduce your stress level.
#10: Learn to Drive with Aloha
Not everyone you’ll encounter on Oʻahu’s roads will be a courteous one. However, there’s a certain joy in encountering the Oʻahu residents who drive with aloha—and learning to embrace that spirit yourself.
You might find it in stopping to let a pedestrian cross in a parking lot, even when you don’t technically “have” to. It might mean letting someone into your lane on the highway, even if it means tapping your breaks. It also might mean throwing a shaka when you’re on the receiving end of someone’s kindness.
Most people don’t move to Hawaiʻi to speed up their lives but to slow down. Take that attitude to the streets, and you’ll find plenty of rewards.
#11: Moving with Pets Takes Some Preparation
In the last few years, Hawaiʻi has relaxed its quarantine rules for pets. Quarantine for all cats and dogs used to be mandatory. However, if you’re able to meet the state’s entry requirements, your cat or dog can go home with you right from the airport under the state’s Direct Release Program.
You’ll find all the requirements for direct release on the state of Hawaiʻi’s Animal Industry Division website. With a little assistance from your vet—and a little paperwork on your part—you’ll be able to avoid quarantine for your beloved cat or dog.
Our advice: Start as early as you can, and email the Animal Quarantine Station staff at rabiesfree@hawaii.gov if you have any questions.
#12: Not Everyone Surfs, but It Might Feel Like It
If you believe the Hollywood images of Hawaiʻi, you might expect to be greeted at Daniel K. Inouye Airport by a woman wearing a coconut bikini top and a grass skirt holding out a lei to place around your neck.
We’re sorry to disappoint you on that one. (Although you can order a lei greeting service!)
However, there is one Oʻahu myth that sometimes feels true: Everyone surfs in Hawaiʻi. Certainly not everyone, but you’ll find plenty of people who surf regularly or even just occasionally.
You’ll find waves practically year-round on Oʻahu, although the best spots will change with the day—and with the season. And in addition to surfers, you’ll find plenty of people with a passion for watersports, like stand-up paddling, scuba diving, spearfishing, snorkeling, foiling, and much, much more.
In summary, if you relish the idea of being able to enjoy the ocean year-round, you’re going to love living on Oʻahu.
#13: Leave Your Shoes at Home
We’ve got one more Hawaiʻi “myth” to share that’s actually pretty true—almost no one wears closed-toe shoes.
“Slippers,” or flip-flops as they’re known on the mainland, are Oʻahu’s footwear of choice. You’ll meet plenty of people who don’t own a pair of closed-toe shoes—and can’t remember the last time they put on a pair.
Of course, you’ll see plenty of people going to work in closed-toe shoes. (OSHA rules still apply out here in Hawaiʻi, of course!) But on weekends and days off, you’ll find most people in slippers of varying styles and colors.
All this is to say: If you’ve got an extensive collection of real shoes, you might want to leave them behind. Hawaiʻi’s heat and humidity isn’t kind to leather, and you probably won’t wear them that much, anyway.
Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to move to Oahu.
And just like there’s no “right” reason for making the move to Oʻahu, there’s no one “right” way to move. Some people buy a one-way ticket, pack a few suitcases, and go. Others have a few special pieces they want to send, sell the rest, and buy what they need when they arrive. Still others ship their entire household to Hawaiʻi.
If you plan on shipping your belongings to Hawaiʻi, look for a moving company who can offer a solution tailored to your needs. If you don’t need a full container, many companies do consolidations, in which your belongings are packed into sturdy, wooden crates called lift vans. Those lift vans get packed into containers with other lift vans headed to Oʻahu, allowing each person to pay just for the space they need, instead of a full container.
As you investigate your options, know that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Keep looking until you find a provider who fits your vision for your Oʻahu move.
Oʻahu Is Waiting
Moving can be stressful—especially when you’re relocating thousands of miles to a new destination. Now that you know a little more about what to expect when you move to Oʻahu, you’ve got the information you need to set your expectations and prep right for a simple, easy move to the island known as the Gathering Place.
At DeWitt Move Worldwide, we handle Hawaiʻi moves of all sizes. We’ll put together a simple and affordable solution that will get your most precious belongings to Oʻahu, safe and sound. Just reach out for a complimentary quote to get started.
