Are you happy?

[Fernando]

I could downsize, but don't want the hassle. My home is paid off and I just blow money on ridiculous things like vacations and my classic car. Although, I wouldn't mind owning a second home on the big island of Hawaii. I know it is blue state, but I have never had a political conversation with anyone there. I think they live in paradise and have no worries except the high cost of living. I never feel stressed there.
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Wow, we have something in common I wouldn't mind having a 2nd/vacation home in Hawaii too.
I like Oahu especially near Honolulu because I still like the urban lifestyle.
The weather still too hot for me but for a week or two is fine and I can go back to CA with best weather in the world.

 

[ucbruin]

I could downsize, but don't want the hassle. My home is paid off and I just blow money on ridiculous things like vacations and my classic car. Although, I wouldn't mind owning a second home on the big island of Hawaii. I know it is blue state, but I have never had a political conversation with anyone there. I think they live in paradise and have no worries except the high cost of living. I never feel stressed there.
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Of all the major islands....
What draws you to The Big Island....

 

[Digger88]

I have never smoked anything. Well, I tried a few cigars around a campfire, but they don't mix well with tequila and beer.

That's literally the best time to smoke one lol and maybe the golf course. Don't really care for them though

 

[Mark K]

I think they live in paradise and have no worries except the high cost of living. I never feel stressed there.

I don't know... Last time I was there many of the locals are still btching and moaning about the "overthrow", They think they'd be just fine if they weren't part of the US. I asked them would they rather be part of Japan, China, or Russia because those were the options.

Whiners in paradise.

 

[John Hassler]

I have never smoked anything. Well, I tried a few cigars around a campfire, but they don't mix well with tequila and beer.

Well then, you just didn’t have the right cigar or right tequila. You’re in Texas so I already know you didn’t have the right beer. (I can say that as the wife is from TX and thinks Shiner Bock is a premium malt beverage.)

 

[George Hatch]

Excluding tragic circumstances like health or addiction or pressing poverty, I think a person's happiness otherwise hinges upon their expectations.

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Of all the major islands....
What draws you to The Big Island....

The big island is bigger than all the other islands combined. It is also less crowded than Oahu, Maui and Kaui. It has two distinct sides of the island. The Kona side is arid with lava rock and beautiful beaches. Hapuna beech used to be rated a top ten beach in the world. I saw a whale there in January. It is less crowded and great place to relax. The Hilo side is tropical forest like and has botanic gardens, waterfalls, farms, ranches and beautiful beaches.

The two sides are dissected by two mountains. Moana Kea is a dormant volcano with a international observatory at the top (13000+ sf) with 15 state of the art telescopes from many countries. You need a parka up there. The visitor center is at 9000 sf and you are above the clouds. They have a presentation every night at the visitor center and you can more stars than I can accurately describe how many you can see. You can see the milky way and many constellations and planets depending on the time of year. They will also point out the hubble telescope going across the sky. It is very interesting to see how the Hawaiians and other navigated the seas based on these constellations.

The other mountain is an active volcano in a national park with many trails and site like lava tubes you can walk through. When I was there is July I filmed the volcano erupting.

On the south of the island they have one of the several black sand beaches and one of the only green sand beaches in the world. The green sand beach is off the road (really off road as you have to travel what looks like a motocross track for 3 miles and then climb down and back up a cliff to see the green sand beach.

It will take a full week to see the entire island if you are organized. I have not mentioned the Mauna Lani golf course with a immaculate course and real ocean views through much of it. I wish my yard looked like their roughs. One of my sons friends played barefoot and beat us all. There is also my favorite spot on earth. The Lava Lava Beach Club where you sit at a table on the beach have MAI tais and watch the sun set.

I like Oahu and Maui, I just like the less crowding here. It is only crowded in Kona and Hilo.

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Wow, we have something in common I wouldn't mind having a 2nd/vacation home in Hawaii too.
I like Oahu especially near Honolulu because I still like the urban lifestyle.
The weather still too hot for me but for a week or two is fine and I can go back to CA with best weather in the world.

On the big island you can live in cities that have 80-90 degrees year round, 70-80 degrees year round and 60-80 degrees year round. It just depends how far you want to live up the mountain.

 

[ucbruin]

The big island is bigger than all the other islands combined. It is also less crowded than Oahu, Maui and Kaui. It has two distinct sides of the island. The Kona side is arid with lava rock and beautiful beaches. Hapuna beech used to be rated a top ten beach in the world. I saw a whale there in January. It is less crowded and great place to relax. The Hilo side is tropical forest like and has botanic gardens, waterfalls, farms, ranches and beautiful beaches.

The two sides are dissected by two mountains. Moana Kea is a dormant volcano with a international observatory at the top (13000+ sf) with 15 state of the art telescopes from many countries. You need a parka up there. The visitor center is at 9000 sf and you are above the clouds. They have a presentation every night at the visitor center and you can more stars than I can accurately describe how many you can see. You can see the milky way and many constellations and planets depending on the time of year. They will also point out the hubble telescope going across the sky. It is very interesting to see how the Hawaiians and other navigated the seas based on these constellations.

The other mountain is an active volcano in a national park with many trails and site like lava tubes you can walk through. When I was there is July I filmed the volcano erupting.

On the south of the island they have one of the several black sand beaches and one of the only green sand beaches in the world. The green sand beach is off the road (really off road as you have to travel what looks like a motocross track for 3 miles and then climb down and back up a cliff to see the green sand beach.

It will take a full week to see the entire island if you are organized. I have not mentioned the Mauna Lani golf course with a immaculate course and real ocean views through much of it. I wish my yard looked like their roughs. One of my sons friends played barefoot and beat us all. There is also my favorite spot on earth. The Lava Lava Beach Club where you sit at a table on the beach have MAI tais and watch the sun set.

I like Oahu and Maui, I just like the less crowding here. It is only crowded in Kona and Hilo.

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That was very well thought out and expressed....

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

That was very well thought out and expressed....

It probably helps that I only spend 1-2 weeks a year there. Somehow, I always have a group of family members that want me to take them there as a tour guide. So far, I have taken my grown kids, my high school buddies (too much drinking), my 87 year old mom and my brother, my nieces and their spouses (best trio because they wanted to do everything), a group of my sons friends, etc. I still have three other groups that want to go. Plus, my daughter is getting married there at my favorite place on the beach in January.

However, I still love visiting Europe too. Any questions about there?