March 26, 2009

Moving to Maui

Moving to Maui
Are you planning on moving to Maui? Maui locals will tell you “Maui no ka oi” … Maui is best. Although many people think of Maui as a vacation or holiday destination, there’s something magical about this place that drives people from all over the world to move here. There’s truly a fascinating blend of opposites throughout Maui; from the large, sandy beaches, to the city, to the farms, to the mountain tops rising into the sky. There are even lush, tropical rain forest areas and some of the best whale watching can be found here. Moving to Maui is like moving to a completely different world.

Plan Ahead
Making a plan is important when you’re moving to Hawaii. When do you plan to move? Typically speaking, September or October is prime time to make your move. Travel expenses are normally cheaper around these times of years and you may even get breaks on food when you’re eating out (restaurants often run specials around the slower times).

Maui Weather
Life on Maui will vary according to where you decide to live. Where do you plan to live? There are many communities to choose from which offer their own special benefits. No matter where you choose to live, at least you know the weather is almost always friendly and welcoming. During the winter, the average temperature in Maui is 71 degrees and during the summer it’s usually about 78 degrees. Don’t panic if you hear tsunami sirens sounding off on Mondays. Monday is the day that they test them to ensure they’ll work in the event of the rare storms.

Driving on Maui
If you’re moving to Maui and plan on driving, you should know that honking your horn in traffic is very much frowned upon. Here are a couple of terms that you’ll need to get used to; “mauka” means “toward the mountain” and “makai” means toward the ocean. These words are usually used in place of north or south. If you’re driving down a road that is close to the beach, don’t assume you can swerve around an obstacle by making use of the sand. Although it may appear safe, many unaware drivers end up stuck in the sand!

Island Fever
While moving to Maui may be exciting and a step into your new life, some people find it difficult to adapt. Have you heard of island fever? Not jungle fever, but island fever? There is such a thing, and it’s something that sometimes happen to newcomers. If you’re used to living on the mainland then you you’re used to having pretty much everything you could want within reach. You can jump in your car and drive to the next town or state to visit family or get something that isn’t immediately available in your area. When you live in Maui that isn’t possible, though. Island fever is basically that feeling of being isolated on an island creeping up inside you. Some people go through this and some don’t, so it’s something to be aware of.

If you decide to relocate to Maui you may want to get several moving quotes to make sure you are getting the best possible price. It is also a good thing to check out references as well. Maui is truly a great place to call home.