While Hawaii is a part of the United States, moving there is quite different from relocating from one state to another on the mainland. The distance makes it impossible for most people to travel back and forth to form arrangements. The following tips will help you plan ahead to make your move easier.

4 Tips for Moving to Hawaii

1. Plan for Higher Living Costs

Whether you plan to buy a home or rent, expect to pay considerably more for a home in Hawaii. In most areas, housing in Hawaii is nearly triple the cost that it is elsewhere in the United States. You’ll likely need to live in a smaller home to stay within your planned budget. You can always upgrade later as you become accustomed to the higher cost of living.

2. Ship Only What You Need

With the high costs of shipping, you can often save money by buying most items new on the islands. While you may want to ship some belongings, like antiques and sentimental items, try to get rid of or sell anything nonessential ahead of time, especially bulky items like kitchenware, tools, and furniture, to save space and shipping costs.

3. Look for a Job Beforehand

Jobs can be hard to come by in Hawaii in spite of the higher cost of living. Even if you’re a skilled professional, your salary in Hawaii may be lower than the wages you would earn elsewhere in the country. To minimize the amount of unemployment time, try to find work on LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job opening sites long before getting to the islands. Networking with professionals in your industry in Hawaii can also give you an idea of the outlook for your career. Hawaii’s fastest growing industries include health care, construction, tourism, and engineering.

4. Prepare Your Pets

Moving with pets to Hawaii involves a lot of preparation since the islands have strict animal quarantine laws to prevent the spread of rabies and other diseases. You must provide detailed and up-to-date vaccination records for each pet. Your dog or cat must have a minimum of two rabies vaccinations administered within 90 days of each other. Additionally, the most recent rabies vaccination must have been administered within 30 days of importing the pet to Hawaii. If you don’t have proof of vaccinations, your pet will be quarantined.

If you're getting ready to move to Hawaii, let M. Dyer & Sons help you with the transition. They’ve served Oahu communities like Honolulu, Kailua, and Hawaii Kai in addition to the entire state for over 50 years. Whether you’re a local moving away or a newcomer to the islands, their trained and licensed movers will help you store and ship your belongings to the new home on schedule. Learn more about their services on their website, or call (808) 456-4200 to request a free quote.