Telescope Reviews: Considering Move to Big Island of Hawaii

The skies on the island are excellent for the most part from what I saw. The light ordinances truly do a good job in limiting the LP even at sea level. A property just a little inland would have great skies. I have considered moving there for some time though currently cannot. Still hoping to one day and am saving my pennies for just such an occurance. Remember, the expense is in purchasing a place to live (can be cheaper than you might think) and in every day living expenses. These expenses can both be managed. Restaraunts near tourist areas can be very expensive. There are far more affordable places to eat that are also decent places if you get to know the place. Also, once you get established (with an HI drivers licence) you should start getting used to asking for the Kamaina (local) rates when you are going to places that are more touristy. This can reduce the rate some (usually about 10-20%) but it is still expensive. If you go to visit rather than moving there consider places you wouldn't expect for things like souvineers and even just bottled water. Most souvineers can be had for much less money at the local Walmart or at out of the way small local stores and they are also a great place to go for things like bottled water. An example: At the resort I stayed at on my last visit they had bottled water (Hawaiian spring water) at the resort for $19.00. Go to the local Walmart and it was $1.50. Yes, that's a bit of a markup. Another example: picked up a sub from a Subway near the resort for lunch while at the beach for myself and my wife. Same sub on mainland, $5.00, at resort Subway $8.00, at Subway away from tourist area $5.50. Not as big of a markup but if you eat subs ten times a month that ads up to $25.00 more a month if you go to the one near the resort, and they didn't load the sub up as well. Local plate lunch at a local place was $7.50 for a chicken dish, a scallops dish, a scoop of Macaroni salad, and a scoop of sticky rice. Great tasting traditional island meal that was big enough to feed both myself and my wife. Had we gone to a restaraunt near the resort I am sure it would have cost well over $25.00 for the two of us and could easily have gone over $75 or more. Get to know the local people and the local places and you will love it and not go broke doing so. It's very possible to move there if you can get a halfway decent job there.