Who Falls in Love with Hawaii Living?
Is Hawaii right for me? If you're a surfer dude, beach bum, or adventure junkie, you'll live for trade winds, poke bowls, and year-round ocean activities. If you're a Wall Street exec or tech bro, you'll love visits, but the slow island pace may drive you crazy. Homesteaders will find ample opportunity on the outer islands, but struggle on Oahu. Find out who Hawaii is and is NOT for in the list below.
Matt, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Matt was born and raised on Oahu and currently makes the North Shore playground his home. He has lived in four states, half a dozen countries, and more houses across Oahu than he can remember. Each move requires relocating something like 40 surf, foil, and paddle boards and the sobering realization that they all have to fit somewhere. He is an adventure journalist, backcountry snowboarder, rock climber, mountain biker, and relentless swell tracker who loves scouting out obscure waves in far-flung corners of the world. Favorite constants include swell checks, tide charts, and vegan sushi at Tane. At Snappy Scout, Matt edits Hawaii guides with saltwater honesty and local precision.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
Who Fits Hawaii Best?
Ranked by how well each personality tends to thrive here, from can't-miss matches to tougher fits.
Ready to See If Hawaii Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Hawaii guide for the bigger picture.