Are you thinking about moving to the island of Oahu and want a home with a Hawaiian feel that's very unique? In this episode of Aloha Oahu, I’m going to share three of my top neighborhoods on the island of Oahu that you’ll want to check out. We’ll look at each area’s location, amenities, and pricing so you’ll know which community will suit you best.

 

 

Kailua

The first area you need to check out is the town of Kailua. Kailua is located on the Windward or eastern side of Oahu. While I may be a little bit biased because this is where I live, Kailua is a beach town that has unique and vibrant shopping and dining options—along with the world-famous Kailua Beach.

Here in Kailua, we have some of the best restaurants on the island. Our breakfast restaurants always have a wait—though it’s definitely worth it. One of the things that make this town so unique is our small businesses and boutiques. Each offers unique services and finds. And since we are surrounded by all of this natural beauty in every direction—whether it be the beach, hillside, or mountains—people here are usually laid back and pretty down to earth.

Kailua’s location also lends to easy access to many parts of the island. Honolulu is right over the Pali. For those of you who don't know, Pali means “cliff.” The Pali is the highway that leads right from Kailua into Town. Kailua is also close to the Marine Corps Base as well as a quick jaunt over H3 to Hickam Air Force Base and Pearl Harbor.

As far as housing costs in Kailua go, the average single-family home is approximately $1.2 million and the average condominium is roughly $600,000. If you're looking to rent in Kailua, you can plan on spending about $4,000 to $5,000 a month for an average single-family home. A condo, on the other hand, may cost you roughly $2,000 to $3,000 a month for a two or three-bedroom.

Kaneohe

The second area that's close to my heart is Kaneohe, also located on the Windward side of Oahu and just north of Kailua. Kaneohe feels very residential, and is nestled between Kaneohe Bay and the Ko’olau Mountains.

One of the main reasons people love living here is because it is nestled in the majestic Ko’olau Mountains. It tends to be a bit rainy here and a bit cooler, which keeps all of those lush plants so green. The pace here is a little slower than on other parts of the island. It's also home to a restaurant like no other: Haleiwa Joe’s. Its views, open-air seating, and fresh fish dishes make it one of the most coveted tables on the island. Kaneohe also has easy access to the beautiful North Shore of Oahu. And while you're driving there, you’ll see one of the most gorgeous coastline views.

In terms of housing, the average single-family home in Kaneohe is roughly $900,000 while the average condominium runs about $550,000. If you’re looking to rent in Kaneohe, you can plan on spending about $3,000 to $4,000 a month for a typical single-family home. A condo in Kaneohe Bay will roughly cost you $2,000 to $3,000 per month.

Mānoa

The third area town neighborhood I would like to talk about is Mānoa. This town is located in the Southeastern area of Oahu and is a neighborhood technically located in Honolulu. Mānoa is one of the older areas of Honolulu and is home to the University of Hawaii. It also offers easy access to Town, the business center of Honolulu. Mānoa is about 3 miles east of the business district, which is about a 10 to 15-minute drive. It’s also about 1 mile from Waikiki.

One of the reasons people love living in this area is because of the older homes. If you watch some of my other videos, you will know that I often get giddy over historic homes and unique thoughtful features, like built-in drawers, bookshelves, or even a drop-down ironing board. And I cannot forget to mention the Mānoa marketplace, filled with great restaurants and two amazing bakeries. In addition, this neighborhood is also close to a lot of the private K-12 schools like Mid-Pac, Maryknoll, Punahou, and ‘Iolani.

Housing prices in Mānoa tend to be a little bit pricier. An average single-family home runs about $1.3 million, whereas the average condominium runs about $400,000. However, there aren't many condominium complexes in Mānoa. If you’re looking to rent, plan on spending upwards of $3,500 or $4,000 a month for a typical single-family home.

Living On Oahu

I hope this gave you some insight into a few of the top areas to live on the island of Oahu. This beautiful island has many great options when you're looking for a place to live; you just have to find what works best for you. So, if you have questions about the area, please contact me and I’d be happy to help.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel if you would like more information about Oahu living. Stay tuned to the next episode of Aloha Oahu to see what gorgeous island locations I feature next!