Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Hawaii
In the Ka'u District on the southern tip of the Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates (HOVE) started out as a planned development by the Crawford Oil Company in the 1950s. It is near South Point, the most southern point in the U.S., and it is usually referred to as Ocean View.
A Rural Place, Sprawling Hawaiian Ocean View Estates is Bordered by Water, a Forest Preserve and Has Amazing Ocean Views
Officially a census designated place, Ocean View is called the world's largest subdivision and spreads across 18 square miles. It is bordered by the water and the Kapapala Forest Preserve. Rural and rustic, it is mostly off the grid. Tourists rarely venture here. Much of the landscape is composed of lava fields, giving the area a somewhat eerie quality when the mist rolls in. Homes sit on overgrown, often bedraggled one acre parcels on either the steep mountainside or on the flat mountaintop. Many homeowners use solar and wind power to generate electricity since this modern convenience has not yet reached all of Ocean View.
The town has a well, and people without running water use it and rain catchment barrels to maintain their water supply. There are no covenants or HOAs, so housing runs the gamut, from tumbledown shacks to nicer ranch ramblers with acreage.
Amenities include two shopping centers, a handful of restaurants, a couple of bars, a post office, a laundry, a community center, some grocery stores and a gas station or two. Public black sand beaches are about 10 miles away in Punalu'u, but some property owners have private access to Pohue Bay, a nearby white sand beach.
Population: 5,000 (city proper)
Age 45 or Better: 47%
Cost of Living: 26% below the national average
Median Home Price: $275,000
Climate: Temperatures are in the 70s and 80s year round. The area receives approximately 20 inches of rain per year.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? No, but Ka'u Hospital in Pahala, 15 miles away, accepts Medicare patients.
At Least One Hospital Accredited by the Joint Commission? No, but Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua, 35 miles away, is accredited.
Public Transit: No
Crime Rate: Below the national average
Public Library: No
Political Leanings: Very liberal
College Educated: 28%
Is Hawaii Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Yes
Cons: Ocean View is remote, and the poverty rate is above the national average. The earthquake risk is 850% above the national average. Kilauea Volcano, which erupted in 2018 and again in 2021, is only 50 miles away. Ocean View residents were given gas masks to prevent ash inhalation.
Notes: This area is known for its double and triple rainbows, and ocean views from the top of the mountain are simply amazing. People who live here are self-sufficient and in many cases have dropped out of modern life. Ocean View has grown 25% during the last decade. Home prices have decreased 5% since last year. Unlike in many Hawaiian villages, the majority of residents are from the mainland. Homeowners pay about $150 per year for road maintenance.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes, for rugged individuals seeking a minimalist, tropical retirement.
Hawaii:
The Aloha State is an isolated volcanic archipelago 2,397 miles west of San Francisco. Although it was annexed by the United States in 1900, Hawaii did not become a state until August 21, 1959. It is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands, and it is the northernmost island group in Polynesia.
Hawaii's islands are known for their lush foliage, rugged geography, as well as their gold, red, black, and green sand beaches. Its Kilauea volcano is one of the world's most active. NASA astronauts trained for moon voyages by walking on Mauna Loa's hardened lava fields.
Of the six major islands, Oahu has the only major city - Honolulu. Climate and rainfall can vary depending on altitude and location. Thanks to trade winds, the north and east side receive higher amounts of moisture than the south and west. The islands experience some tropical storms, but the incidence of a true hurricane is rare. The rainiest city, Hilo, in the United States is in Hawaii.
Tourism and defense are a large part of the Hawaii's economy. The state is the only one in the union to grow coffee. It also produces most of the nation's pineapple and sugar cane. Nearly eight million tourists come to visit each year.
Webwerxx, Inc. Copyright (c) 2006-2024. All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc. Reproducing any original part of this publication without written permission from Webwerxx, Inc. is plagiarism. Numerous attempts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this website, but some information may have changed since each article and/or report went online, and Webwerxx, Inc. is not reponsible for inaccurate information contained in its articles and/or reports.