Renting in Honolulu-isn't that expensive?

Finding a place to rent is always stressful but it seems it's even worse in Honolulu. Space is limited, demand is high and landlords know it. So why live here? It's beautiful and once you are settled in, you can enjoy some of the best beaches, shopping and activities in the world.

It's not just that the prices are high in Honolulu but some condos and apartments for rent, even the expensive ones are in bad shape; old buildings, old appliances, excessive mold, mildew and rust in the bathroom, stains in the kitchen. So how do landlords get away with this? Again, limited space and high demand. The good news is that there are nice apartments and condos to rent in Honolulu, you just might have to search a bit to find them. (A quick note about mold, mildew and rust. In a humid, tropical climate like Hawaii, they are a fact of life. It takes constant attention to keep them under control so if you see more than a few small spots here and there, you know the apartment has not been cleaned properly.)

The best resources to use to begin your search are newspaper ads and online listings. When you call or e-mail, you will talk with either the owner or a realtor managing the property. They will usually have one or more viewing times set up when anyone interested can come by and take a look at the place. Sometimes it will be an exact time such as Tuesday at 1pm or more flexible such as Tuesday from 1pm-3pm. The viewing times are not always convenient and it's possible the place will only be shown once and on a day you can't make. Making the phone calls, getting to the viewings and selecting a place to rent in Honolulu can easily take a few to weeks to a month so allow yourself plenty of time.

As we mentioned, rents are high and so are the security deposits. Most are equal to one months rent, which is the maximum by law a landlord can collect for the deposit. Parking may be included in the rent or extra and some buildings have no parking so if you have a car, make sure you find out about parking right away.

With its beautiful beaches and lovely weather, Honolulu really is a great place to live. The downside is that it's expensive. Get more information on renting and buying property in Honolulu and Waikiki at www.honolulu-insider.com.

About the Author

www.honolulu-insider.com is an online guide dedicated to Honolulu and Waikiki.