Hawaii!!

Catherine - posted on 05/25/2009

We live on base, and totally lucked out. We live on Ford Island (Pearl Harbor) and got a brand new home. Most of the housing is being renovated, so depending on when you get here and what is available it is worth it. We have central air, and all utilities incl. which I have heard the utilities can be pretty steep on the economy. Also, on another note. Don't know if you have an animal, but if you plan on bringing one along, there is the quarantine program, but you can be reimbursed for some of the costs by filing it as part of your travel claim once getting here, so keep your receipts from the vet and the fee to get the animal released at the airport. And, I'm totally with Donna on the support factor of living in housing. It is a hard transition to get used to living on the island, and my husband left for Iraq within 6 mths of getting here. My closest support structure is right next door and across the street in all of my neighbors. Everyone knows exactly what I am going through, and I know that I can knock on any one of their doors at 2am if I needed to. That makes this year deployment seem doable, and it makes my husband feel better about having to leave me here with 3 boys.

Donna - posted on 05/22/2009

you most deffinently want housing.. the housing is great.. I loved Hawaii and would go back in a second.. my husband did 2 tours there on a submarine.. best place I have ever lived..most of the housing on all the bases is updated or being updated.. you have less to worry about in housing and you will enjoy your time there... go out explore and get involved in the communities... the one biggest plus for housing is other military spouses for support...let me know if I can answer any questions for you.. I would have stayed longer in Hawaii but could not talk hubby into 3rd tour on a sub.. imagine that hahhaha you will love it...

Victoria - posted on 05/21/2009

*sigh* We were supposed to get stationed in Hawaii last spring, but we ended up in Virginia instead.

Tracy-Anne - posted on 05/21/2009

Most of Schofield is completely updated, but I say live off post if you dont need a big home. They will take all of your BAH if you live on post, whcih in Hawaii is about $2000. You can find a nice home in beautiful areas with out spending quite that much.

Malia - posted on 05/18/2009

Thanks everyone!! I want to stay on base....but my husband wants to save some money with BAH....we have never stayed on base and have saved money at our past duty stations...but it seems like all of the places out in town are hella expensive and SMALL...so I think we may try base housing for a year and go from there....im sure I will have some more questions!! Thanks so much ladies!!!

Carrie - posted on 05/18/2009

My family has been here for almost 3 years. We live off of post. They were still building the new housing on Schofield and what we would have been offered was not so hot. We have enjoyed living off of post. Shop on post; grocery stores off post are expensive. If you have anymore questions, let me know.

Andrea - posted on 05/17/2009

We are on Schofield and they are renovating and building new houses. Some of the old housing is pretty uugh, but the newer housing and the new housing are great. We have the laminate vinyl wood-look flooring and a two story house. We also have a covered car port with 2 outside storage areas. We also have a fenced in back yard and the fence is being upgrade this week to vinyl fencing and our back yard also has a covered patio. They only thing is here the mud is red and stains red when it is wet. As warm as Hawaii is you still need some jackets and some sweatshirts for days like we had today where it was raining and the wind was blowing it was kind of chilly at time. I know the housing on Wheeler is also getting updated and some new housing is being built. Our BAH that we get is $2,000 a month and I know that some of the cheaper places off post are (if you plan on paying rent) can range between $1250 to about $2750 or so. If you have anymore questions I am more than willing to help. And I hope you enjoy Hawaii once you get here.

Lesa - posted on 05/17/2009

I say get base housing. We were stationed at Barber's Point and loved housing. Like Auri said the maintenance crew were great, I had never worried about anything. One time my water heater blew up and the very next day they came and fixed it. It is very expensive living on the economy so you really have to think of where you live and work.

Auri - posted on 05/17/2009

what base you moving to? i was on wheeler and the houses there arent the newest ones but it wasn't bad. the maintenance crew are great and the best part you dont have to worry about paying for anything they fix it all. my brother (navy) lived off base and he was able to save some money by living off base. just as long as you dont waste so much electricity. hawaii is AWESOME regardless what you do and especially since you have a baby because the weather is great for kids. my daughter was born there and i never worried about her getting sick when we would take her out. good luck. im here if you have questions =)