I lived in Waikiki on three separate occasions, so I know a little bit about what it’s like to live there – the good and bad, and there are both. The first time I lived on Amana Street, it is behind the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Waikiki. In 1986 I paid $675 for a studio. It was furnished and decent enough. The building had a pool. Quite OK for then. I was 20 years old and stayed there a year or so.
The second time I moved to Kapiolani Blvd by Kaheka Street intersection – near the Ilikai Hotel. Great spot, easy to walk everywhere – we had a pool and a much bigger 1 bedroom for $750 in 2002. I liked that a lot.
Third time I lived on Hobron Lane. 400 Hobron I think it was. Great building, small studio for $800 but with an amazing rooftop pool and barbeque area. Fantastic views, etc. Here, I’ll put a photo of me swimming in the rooftop pool – Google maps must have caught me just after I came up for air: (click on the photo to zoom in and see me!)
OK, that is not me – but, anyway, there is the good and bad about living in Waikiki on Oahu, Hawaii…
Living in Waikiki – the Good
- Walking distance to: beach, restaurants, parks, night life, shopping, colleges, Diamond Head, Walls, Ala Moana Park
- Good places to run or walk – Ala Moana Park, Kapiolani Park, Diamond Head, along Ala Wai Canal, etc.
- Save Gas
- Good public transportation if you have no car
- Ideal for motorcycle, scooter, or even bicycle
- Easy to reach northeast – Makapu’u, Sandys, Waimanolo, Bellows AFS, etc.
- View of Diamond Head and/or the ocean – I always had ocean view, it’s hard to beat that
- Weather is pretty ideal – not too much rain or dryness, not hot for too many months
- Jobs are more common in and around Waikiki and town, it’s the metropolis center of Oahu
Living in Waikiki – the Bad
- Food is more expensive – restaurants, grocery stores, anywhere in Waikiki
- Rent is more expensive and places are smaller
- Parking fees, parking hard to find, parking tickets
- Police standing in side streets to catch you without seatbelt
- Police speed checks
- Traffic is insane during rush hours
- Tensions run a bit higher in Waikiki – people are stressed from the “Bad” things about living in or visiting
- Waikiki
- Rats and cockroaches are found more in Waikiki – (not a fact, just my opinion)
- Air quality can be bad
- Noise can be extreme sometimes – cars, trucks, concerts, idiots screaming at 3am.
- Dealing with crowds of tourists and residents doing the same things you want to do