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Summary: For anyone seriously considering a move to Hawaii
Review: Affordable Paradise: The Secrets Of An Affordable Life In Hawaii by long-time Hawaiian resident Skip Thomsen is a practical, straightforward book about living economically day-to-day in one of the most beautiful and sunny of America's 50 states. From finding a serviceable house for less than $100,000 to work and retirement opportunities, Affordable Paradise is an indispensable reference to consult for anyone seriously considering a move to Hawaii for the best of what island living has to offer, yet needing to live within budgetary constraints.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty much says it all!
Review: As a local girl from Hawaii, who moved away to the mainland, I can honestly say that Skip does a very good job at letting people "know where it's at", about Hilo, and the Big Island. Hey Skip, thanks for not noting all the good secret surf spots!! Let people figure that out when they move there. Some things just have to remain a secret!!
Rating:
Summary: Pretty much says it all!
Review: As a local girl from Hawaii, who moved away to the mainland, I can honestly say that Skip does a very good job at letting people "know where it's at", about Hilo, and the Big Island. Hey Skip, thanks for not noting all the good secret surf spots!! Let people figure that out when they move there. Some things just have to remain a secret!!
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Summary: SIMPLE PLEASURE
Review: BEING FROM THIS ISLAND, I WAS INTRIGUED. WELL WRITTEN AND WITH GOOD INSIGHT FOR THE VISITOR OR KAMAAINA...I ENJOY HIS TRUTHFUL YET POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE...BOUGHT SEVERAL COPIES TO PASS AROUND.
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Summary: Great Resource!
Review: Great resource for anyone looking to relocate to live in the tropical islands of Hawaii.....gives lots of insider stuff that can cost you tons of extra cash, not to mention more headache! You won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: enjoyable and thorough
Review: I had also bought "So You Want to Live in Hawaii", which i thought had a somewhat pessimistic tone for considering moving to Hawaii.
Affordable Paradise seems to have a very realistic and thorough understanding of whats involved both physically, financially, and mentally for considering making the move. It presents both positive and negative aspects for choosing Hawaii, and what to look for in purchasing a home, shopping, and understanding the locals. Very good book.
Rating:
Summary: enjoyable and thorough
Review: I had also bought "So You Want to Live in Hawaii", which i thought had a somewhat pessimistic tone for considering moving to Hawaii.
Affordable Paradise seems to have a very realistic and thorough understanding of whats involved both physically, financially, and mentally for considering making the move. It presents both positive and negative aspects for choosing Hawaii, and what to look for in purchasing a home, shopping, and understanding the locals. Very good book.
Rating: 
Summary: Fairly informative, but very specialized
Review: I was attracted to this book partly because the authors focus on the same idea I had reached on my own--That the Big Island, especially the Eastern side, is one of the most affordable places to live for those settling in Hawaii.
The book does deliver reasonably good information on that subject, but is of very limited use if you are intent on settling elsewhere in the Islands. It does have two chapters I thought were very worthwhile in a more general sense--One on the reasons NOT to move to Hawaii, including some insights on how to predict if you might be unhappy there, and a chapter on the detailed process of packing, moving, and shipping your possessions.
Overall, a rather limited book. On the other hand, if you are actually considering making the huge leap of moving to Hawaii, the limited cost and short time it takes to read this book may be very good investments, even if you don't fit the model of a settler on the Big Island. I should give fair warning, I have NOT (yet) moved to Hawaii, so my evaluation of the book is based on logic and instinct rather than personal experience with making the big move!
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Summary: Multiply by 2
Review: Just back from a 16 day adventure around the big isle (April '04) and I can easily say that this '01 edition is already way out of date. In most cases you can multiply by 2 on the prices given, so be prepared. Realize that in the last year alone the prices for Hawaii real estate have gone bananas. For example in an article that recently appeared on the Honolulu Advertiser's front page entitled, "Kaua'i housing prices 'insane'" it was shown that the median price for a Kaua'i condo had gone from $227K to $420K in one year! On the big isle, which is the focus of this book, condo prices only went up 38%. Residential property went up 19% As a real estate agent here in Sedona who has already made contacts to be licensed in Hawaii, I was amazed. Using this book and the best guide book of the island, Hawaii, The Big Island Revealed by Doughty and Friedman, we put over 1300 miles on the rental car touring the island. After a week in the the beauty and traffic of Kona (high land prices!), we visited Hawi, Waimea (where I used to live in the 70's), and the Hamakua coast before settling into the constant rain of Hilo. We had 10 inches one day and after 4 straight days of being house-bound we visited Paradise Park and then headed back to south Kona through Volcano for at least the chance of Sunshine.
Affordable Paradise was useful to a point and the author's obvious slant is towards the cheaper housing alternatives found principally in Puna. Even those prices are no longer relevant again by a factor of 2 times for the most part. Just don't get this book and expect to find a paradise home for under $100K that is the value and beauty you may be looking for. That said, we are in escrow now for what we think is a marvelous area - an area this book hardly touches on. The 1/3 acre lots are going for $40-85K and have lots of advantages - 800' elevation, 20-30 inches of rain/year, slower pace. So you can find something and this book will help propel you forward. Also the moving-portion may prove valuable as we are now preparing to relocate. Perhaps the fact that on the next to last day we swam with a dozen delightful dolphins at Hoo'kena Beach makes it easy to see why Hawaii has us ready to return.
Good luck and Aloha!
Rating:
Summary: a pleasure to read
Review: Skip Thomsen writes about a popular Island pastime called "talk story," when a neighbor drops by to talk with you. Life comes to a halt, as you prepare a beverage, & sit down for their visit. AFFORDABLE PARADISE is like that.Skip Thomsen tells you about life on the Big Island, & in particular the Windward side & Hilo. As your tour guide to The Big Island, he covers:
The Dream & The Realities
Finding Your Own Special Place - The Choices
Your Virtual Tour
Making the Big Move - Arranging Shipping; What-and-What NOT-to take
Do I Take My Car?
What About Pets?
Kids and School
Shopping
Income Opportunities
Retirement A pleasure to read, with lots of useful information & honest perspectives.
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