4 Reasons You Might Regret Moving To Hawaii for Retirement
Written by
Nicole Spector
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Many dream of vacationing in Hawaii; perhaps even more dream of retiring there. Who doesn’t want to spend every late, warm afternoon dozing off in a hammock surrounded by lush rainforests and luxurious beaches after a day of zip lining, whale watching or snorkeling through coral reefs? It sounds like the least stressful existence a human can have, which is exactly what you deserve after working 90,000 hours (the average number of hours the average American works in a lifetime).
But is living out your golden years along the golden shores of Hawaii really the paradise so many imagine it to be? Consider four strong reasons you might regret moving to Hawaii in retirement.
Absurdly High Cost of Living
Getting by is getting tougher all over the U.S. thanks to rising costs of living, but in terms of high prices, nobody has it as bad as folks in Hawaii. The cost of living in Honolulu is 86% higher than the national average. Housing is 206% higher. Utilities are 100% higher. If these percentages aren’t astonishing, consider the dollar amount you need in savings to retire comfortably in Hawaii in 2025, withSocial Security, according to GOBankingRates research: $2,125,029.
Limited Access to Healthcare, Along With Medical Taxes
Fact: At some point, you will get sick and need medical care of some kind in retirement. Another fact: Hawaii is experiencing a healthcare crisis, making it difficult for people to get access to care. There’s a severe shortage of full-time physicians, for one. Additionally, Hawaii taxes Medicare and Medicaid patients for doctor visits and medical products. You could have not only a tough time getting the best help possible when you need it most but also have a tough time paying for what help you do get.
Increasingly High-Risk for Climate Disasters
Like so many of our favorite warm weather places, Hawaii is becoming increasingly high-risk for climate disasters. The state is up against rising sea levels and temperatures, more furious storms and hurricanes, and more wildfires. The Lahaina wildfires in 2023 destroyed over 2,200 homes and displaced 12,000 people. With disasters increasing, home insurance prices in the Aloha State are soaring.
Geographical Isolation
Ever heard of “island fever”? It’s a feeling of claustrophobia, restlessness or anxiety that some people experience when they’re stuck on a literal island. Only 10% of Hawaii is classified as urban. You may be used to rural living if you’re coming from West Virginia or Montana, but are you used to island living? It’s totally different and it can be disorienting, however gorgeous.
Unlike rural parts of Montana or West Virginia, you’re not a drive away from a big, familiar city. You’re totally cut off from the rest of the U.S. Hawaii, the most isolated populated landmass in the world, is 2,500 miles away from the western coast of the continental U.S. The distance may sound idyllic now, but it’s a major commitment and chances are, you’ll be very far away from friends and family and will have to build a local community from scratch. Are you up for that?
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