Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Retire in Kihei, Hawaii?
Overview: Kihei sits along beautiful Maalaea Bay on the southwestern (dry) coast of Maui. A mellow resort city, it is popular with tourists who enjoy staying in condominiums while on vacation (hotels are few considering the city's size).
Kalama Beach Park is a 36-acre oceanfront park with a rugged tan sand beach with palm trees and the West Maui Mountains in the distance. The water is calm, best for kayaking, paddleboarding and canoeing. During the off season (mid-April to mid-June and September to mid-December), Kihei's beaches are often nearly empty. The city is home to several research institutions, including the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the Maui Research and Technology Park. Just outside of town, the Molokini Crater is a volcanic crater with crystal blue waters and has been named one of the world's top diving spots. Economy
The majority of housing is condos and town homes, which range from very nice to gorgeous. Modest single family homes are available but are still expensive. High-end single family homes top out in the $25,000,000 range.
Population: 23,000 (city proper)
Age 45 or Better: 30%
Cost of Living: 63% above the national average
Median Home Price: $650,000
Climate: Temperatures are in the 70s and 80s year round. Summers are mostly dry. Winters bring about 12 inches of rain per year. Kihei is one of Maui's sunniest towns.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? No, but Maui Medical Memorial Hospital is eight miles away in Wailuku and accepts Medicare patients.
At Least One Hospital Accredited by the Joint Commission? No. The nearest accredited hospital is Molokai General Hospital, 19 miles away in Kaunakakai.
Public Transit: Yes, provided by the County of Maui
Crime Rate: Below the national average
Public Library: Yes
Political Leanings: Very liberal
College Educated: 30%
Is Hawaii Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Yes
Cons: The University of Hawaii estimates that Hawaii has a 9% chance of suffering a direct hit from a mega-tsunami in the next 50 years. Long-time locals complain about traffic increasing with the growth.
Notes: The beach is often windy in the afternoon. Kihei is one of the fastest growing in Hawaii, blossoming by 25% in the last decade.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes, although the unaccredited hospital and population loss should be weighed.
Hawaii:
The Aloha State is an isolated volcanic archipelago 2,397 miles east 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.
Stats:
Population - 1,428,557
Persons 65 years old and over - 17%
High school graduates, persons age 25+ - 91%
Bachelor's degree or higher, persons age 25+ - 31%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin - 10%
White persons, not Hispanic - 22%
Median household income - $69,515
Median home value - $515,300
Social Security taxed? No
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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