I chose to live in Hawaii for several reasons.
Number one? The climate. All year long, every day, the air is at 70 to 85 degrees. That ’s perfect for a human beings and a host of animals and plants that we humans enjoy.

There are beaches from white to black. Some are miles long, others hide in tiny coves. Long, white waterfalls tumble down precipitous cliffs and slip quietly into the sea. Yes, I came partly because of the beaches. I also came here because the people here are made of the same stuff as me and make up a culture friendly to children and older folks like me.

I have still said little about those nitty-gritty things that need your attention before you make a life-changing move to Hawaii. Because I came to Hawaii as a student rather than a tourist, I had to deal with the mundane stuff before I could do much looking around at the beauty.The University of Hawaii Campus, as beautiful as it is, is definitely not a beach. I was not a tourist. When I could get away from the campus, the enchantment began. I finally decided to life on the island of Kauai.

You will probably first be attracted, but I advise you to remember that you take stock of the many things that make you comfortable on the Mainland. You will have to relearn some of these things when you move to Hawaii:

Consider, for example:How will your cost of living compare to what you are used to? Can you afford the move itself? Hawaii is about as expensive as San Francisco, New York, Miami or Seattle. Some things, like heating, are actually cheaper.

Will the beautiful, even climate satisfy your love for the the change of seasons? You may miss bundling up on a chilly fall day or watching the crocus and daffodils push up through the snow in spring.

How much will you miss your family and your friends?
They may not be able to visit often. When you live in Hawaii, can you afford to visit them?

Living in Hawaii is slower than urban mainland living. ( Honolulu is probably an exception). It is also the most expensive place to live in Hawaii. Except for Honolulu, some folks from mainland cities miss the stimulation and nightlife. I once interviewed a job applicant who flew to Hawaii from New York City. I was assigned to show him around and interview him.After about an hour and a half he said he could never live in Hawaii ( actually, he said, "in a place like this”).He got on a plane back to his New York City apartment that very night!

There is something called “Rock Fever”. It's real.
The islands are not tiny. Neither are they Texas. If you live on Kauai, you will want to visit other islands. This means airfares.Until you know someone there, it will also mean paying for lodging.

You can do lots of research but there are many flights to many cities. The cost is comparable to flying across the continental US. You are, in no sense, marooned. So, if you want to retire in a beautiful, gently warm place, living in Hawaii may be right for you. Take your dream seriously. Visit Hawaii. Live there for a few months. You will feel like a child again. If all this suits you, make the move. Live in Hawaii.Go ahead, think like a child, act like an adult. Can't do it now? Plan now, and retire in Hawaii when the time is right..

How about the cost of living in Hawaii? You may have friends or other sources that tell you that Hawaii is outrageously expensive. Many are talking about the cost of being a tourist. You won’t be sleeping and eating in a luxury hotel every day. Real estate is expensive. Do you need a big fancy house? When you retire on the mainland, will you spend as much as when you are working?