Have we mentioned that we are moving to Hawaii? Stephen will be managing a two-year construction project at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH). This December, we visited right before Christmas to search for an apartment or house to rent.
MCBH is on a peninsula on the Northeast shore of Oahu, about 30 minutes from Honolulu. The two closest towns are Kaneohe and Kailua. We chose Kailua, and Stephen found 18 (!) possibilities to investigate. (Stephen made this interactive map on Google Maps, linked to each ad, listed the prices, amenities, and appointment times. So get ready for our most organized House Hunters yet!)
We toured 12 places in 3 days, and here's the top seven:
1: Beach House
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath
Multi-family living- 3 apartments in one house
Fully Furnished, full kitchen
Most Expensive $3750
Drive to work: <10 minutes
Walk to beach: 30 seconds!
A pre-furnished apartment is a pro because we will not be bringing any of our own furniture along. However, as designers, being unable to contribute anything to the look of the apartment is disappointing.
This unit had one of the nicest kitchens and baths. However, it would be difficult to host guests as the only bathroom is ensuite in the bedroom.
But wouldn't you give up everything do have this back yard? Stephen's favorite option.
2: Flexi-Lease Close Quarters
Apartment Building
Partially Furnished, full kitchen, bathtubs in both bathrooms
Several hundred less than Most Expensive $3395
Drive to work: 10 minutes
Walk to beach: 5 minutes (Kalaheo Street)
Coin-op laundry in apartment
The short-term lease term was tempting, but there isn't anything special about it. (Stephen was drawn to the idea of a short-term lease because that would give him more time to find the most perfect place. We switched homes after a year in both RI and WA.) Tiny enclosed backyard would be helpful for Clementine.
Nice sized full kitchen.
3: Historic Cottage
Backyard cottage
About 1k less than Most Expensive $2850
Drive to work: 20 minutes
Walk to beach: 5 minutes (it's a "sandbag beach" - not sand.)
Lanikai Neighborhood
Shared laundry (on the porch - which is normal in HI)
This cottage was a quirky little place in the back of a larger property with several other units. The owner was very hospitable and we liked the idea of having an instant community. The space was much larger than we expected and had vintage teak parquet floors throughout.
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| this is a sandbag beach. |
4. The Cheap One
(When we say cheap, we mean it still costs more than our mortgage in WA)
House in Alley
"Cheap" $2500
Drive to work: 12 minutes
Walk to beach: 15 minutes
fenced yard
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| ORANGE countertops! |
Minor marital conflict over this house: Ginger loves cheap things and Stephen does not. :)
5: Cute Mother-in-Law Suite
Over garage apartment in multi-family living
Similar price to other 1 bedrooms $2700
Drive to work: 6 minutes
Walk to beach: 5 minutes (Kalaheo Street)
We were always a little startled to see Christmas decorations. It was hard to remember what season it was with 75 degree temperatures.
This was when we learned what "Ohana" meant in multi-family living spaces. It doesn't mean you make your family feel welcome; it means you don't give them an oven. This unit at least had a stovetop, and we could always buy some sort of oven.
6: Pomegranate Cottage
Front yard Cottage (larger house up the hill, shared yard)
Slightly more than average 1-bedroom apartments $3000
Drive to work: 17 minutes
Walk to beach: 4 minutes (Lanikai Neighborhood)
The house was full of amazing wood sliding doors and windows (that worked better than modern ones.)
Several nonsense issues in the kitchen: NO oven or stovetop, homeless refrigerator, counter at weird angle, "order up" countertop in window to dining room. We would definitely need permission to change a few things. (Also, to install a bathtub.)
Sliding windows decorate the walls.
Backyard: this door leads to an outdoor shower and the laundry.
7: Super-Flex Lease Apartment Building
2 Bedroom, 2 Bath
Condo complex
About $500 less than most 1-bedrooms $2495
Drive to work: 14 minutes
Walk to beach: 18 minutes
This simple, basic apartment is a condo owned by someone trying to sell it. He preferred month to month renting and wasn't interested in updating anything. There were several A/C units.
For < $500 more per month, we could rent a unit in the same building, with 3 bedrooms and a renovation that looks like a rendering.
Which would you pick? Will you make a spreadsheet like Stephen? Chart the pros and cons? Or did you know the perfect one the moment you saw it? Let us know in the comments!
