Life in Maui is a dream of many people. Whether it’s a retirement destination, a getaway winter home, or student accommodations, housing is available for all interests and needs.
If you are looking into retirement and have Maui in your sights as your destination of choice, you have the enviable option of being able to choose buying into one of the fabulous retirement communities. Living in a retirement community relieves some of the burden of home and yard maintenance, freeing your time for more leisurely activities. No more lawns to cut, definitely no more snow to shovel, life in a retirement community could be the home you are looking for.
For family dwellings, Maui has plenty to select from. Whether you want beach front property or something close to schools for the kids, whether you are looking for a house or for a condo, Maui has properties for you and your family to live in for years to come. Making the choice to move to Maui is the first step into a unique lifestyle so many others can only dream about. To be a child living and learning in a beautiful home on Maui is such a unique experience, many will grow up to raise their own families on this beautiful island.
If you are a college or university student who has the luck of attending one of Maui’s institutions of learning, you will find plenty of options for student housing, many conveniently located within walking distance of the campuses. Mainland and international students will find excellent accommodations in such privately owned apartment complexes such as Kulanaa’o.
When it comes to making Maui your home, you will have a world of options open to you as far as housing. From simple apartments to luxurious estates, Maui has the place for you to rest your head in surroundings that are amongst the world’s finest.
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There are three ways you can get to Maui, by plane, by boat and possibly by submarine, but so far as we know, the latter is not really offered, so it comes down to plane or boat.
Most visitors arrive by plane, landing at one of 3 airports, either the central Kahului Airport, or one of the two smaller airports, namely Hana on the eastern coast and Kapalua on the west.
Cruise ships are also a popular means to get to Maui, and Kahului is the main port of call for these sea-faring visitors. A smaller port of call can also be found between Lahaina and Kihei.
While on Maui, there are a few options to travel about and see the sights. For a small $1 fare, hop on the Maui Public Transportation System and tour around the island. The cost is $1 per boarding, so carry a few of those greenbacks if you plan to get off and on during the course of your venture.
Another cost-effective mode of transportation is cycling. There are bicycle rental shops on Maui where you can pick up some two-wheel freedom for a small rental charge. Don’t let the wonders of a nice bike ride around Maui pass you by. See the island and breathe the air at a comfortable pace on a fun bicycle tour of the island.
Car rentals are always available for those with a place to be and a time to be there. Perhaps consider a topless vehicle and enjoy your drive with Maui’s spectacular sky all around you. For the most part, Maui can be explored on bike, on foot and by bus, with time to get home for dinner, with no need to ever set foot in a car.
Maui is a great place to visit and an incredible place to live. Take a trip to one of the most beautiful places in the world and experience for yourself what everyone who visits talks about and what those who choose to stay have discovered.
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With volcanoes that reach 10,000 feet into the sky and beaches that walk out into the ocean, Maui’s natural environment is as diverse as the people who visit and live on this beautiful island.
The southern region is hot, dry and without a lot of vegetation, but is home to rare plants, insects and birds. Walk along the most recent lava flow on the dry south flank of Haleakala in the reserve of ‘Ahihi-Kina‘u. With boulder beach communities, dry shrub lands and pioneer vegetation, the southern tip of Maui is a world onto itself waiting for you to discover.
When you find yourself in the northern part of Maui, you will find the wind a little gustier and the skies a little cloudier than other parts of the island, but the temperature is more consistent in this region and features include rare sub-alpine grasslands and forests. Rare plants are present for your photographic skills to capture.
If you find yourself heading up the volcano to view a sunset or sunrise, and it is recommended that you try to do that at least once, pack for chillier temperatures as you get higher up. In the winter, snow will be present on the top of the volcano while sea level is still a warm beach-faring temperature. Do not get caught off guard and find yourself with a chill while enjoying one of the most spectacular views you will ever see anywhere in the world.
It does rain in Maui, but the intensity depends on the area. Some areas can get heavy rainfalls, but most will only ever see a drizzle now and again, and never one that lasts too long. Winds can turn brisk without warning, so be prepared to hold on to your hat when you are hiking along some of the corridors. Turning a corner can put you into a pleasant breeze, but it can also be a trade wind waiting around the corner and then you will find your hat flying through the air.
Maui has a diverse natural environment for fun and pleasure, something for everyone and always with something to discover.
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A primary concern of any place of residence is access to quality healthcare facilities and practitioners. Maui has no shortage of medical centers, hospitals and even licensed spas to help with needed health concerns. Practitioners in all fields can be found on Maui, a destination for those wanting to live and practice in a community environment. In Maui, you can get to know your medical doctor on a personal level as well as a professional, being they will be shopping in the same stores and attending the same functions as you. Maui’s small town community lifestyle will already benefit your health, and the quality of life on Maui could add years to your life, allowing you to enjoy one of the most beautiful places on earth for many years.
When it comes time to visit a doctor, either for regular examinations or due to an unfortunate incident, you can rest assured that the facilities, equipment, knowledge, and abilities are top notch and, as with a new acute cardiac care program found at the Maui Memorial Medical Center, even ground-breaking.
Prior to September 2011, patients requiring attention to acute coronary conditions had to be flown off the island to seek proper care, but with the cardiac program at MMMC now established and the opening of a new helipad to allow patients to be flown in from remote areas and cared for right on Maui, the minutes sometimes needed to make the difference between life and death treatment are shaved off the travel time, putting those in need in the hands of professionals much sooner, sometimes by as much as 15 minutes, than was possible prior to September 2011.
Maui is the place to be to participate in the best the world has to offer. With professional medical care available right on Maui, there has never been a better time to call Maui home.
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A deciding factor for picking Maui as a place to live and raise a family is the access to quality schools and education. Maui has no shortage of schools to educate children, teens and even adults of all ages. With 20 elementary schools on Maui alone, children never have tio travel far from home to get the quality education that parents want for their children. Once they have graduated from the elementary level, Maui offers a selection of middle and intermediate schools to choose from, many having websites to let you familiarize yourself with their missions and curriculums. When the time comes to pick a high school, Maui has some of the finest to offer with academia and athletics. When it comes to helping prepare your kids for a prosperous future, Maui is established with quality schools and dedicated professionals to see the job accomplished.
Once a student has graduated, the option for continuing and advanced education resides on Maui as well. The University of Hawaii Maui College offers credit and non-credit courses for those seeking degrees or simply to expand their own knowledge. To quote UH Maui College’s Chancellor Clyde Sakamoto: “Your goals for education, career, and life are grounded in learning. Your clarity and passion regarding your goals reflect your learning and experiences. You have learned what you care about, what gets you excited, and what will keep you interested… especially with competing distractions and settings. Our College, faculty and staff are committed to helping you acquire the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that will help you realize your aspirations. Your openness, effort, and perseverance will be keys to fulfilling your ultimate aims.” With such diversity in courses being offered ranging from Accounting to Culinary Arts to Health Care Professional, there is a course to suit the needs and desires of practically everyone looking to advance their education.
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While crime is low on Maui, it is a reality in all corners of the world, so knowing what to expect is the best preventative course of action available. Violent crime is very low, with a murder happening once every few years. There is very little gun crime. There is domestic violence but that is not something that would generally affect a visitor. The biggest problem is bored teenagers who like to cause mischief or petty theft crimes. While no crime seems petty to the individual affected, there is little in the way of crimes against people. If you have a rental car, avoid parking it in unpopulated places and keep valuables out of sight, as car break ins for visible items is probably the biggest concern when it comes to crime on Maui. Another common problem is grab-and-dash of valuables from tourists while they are on the beaches. Typically, teenagers will see the opportunity to grab a camera or purse, and run by, snatch up the item, and be halfway down the beach by the time you realize the theft has taken place. Locking valuables in the trunk of your car or keeping them in the safe of your hotel room are the best ways to make sure they do not get stolen.
Most crimes are of the opportunistic nature, where the criminal sees an item and acts upon it, not having planned out the crime beforehand. Some crimes, however, are more organized and can be the result of a gang or of a drug addict who needs to feed a habit. Ice is the drug of choice on Maui, a type of smokable cocaine that is cheap to buy but requires constant feeding of the addiction, as the drug’s stupefying effects do not last long. Once an addict has a routine set that has proven to pay time and time again, they will revert to the same criminal activities time and time again, until they are caught or otherwise stopped.
Do not buy drugs from people selling them, as all illicit drugs are illegal on Maui and may contain ingredients you were not expecting, some of which can cause serious harm or death when consumed.
All in all, Maui is one of the safest places to live. With a low crime rate and a high sense of community amongst the residents, with a little bit of common sense and keeping aware of your surroundings, you can feel as safe at night as you do during the day.
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Do you spend your winter in Arizona or Maui, that is a heck of a choice to have to make. Warm weather in both places, lots of sunny summertime activities to be had while the rest of the nation is in a deep-freeze, so why would one pick to spend their winter in Maui over Arizona?
Maui is a temperate climate all year round, with winter being no exception. While Maui will get snow in the winter, that snow is limited to being at 10,000 feet above sea level, at the top of Maui’s inactive volcanoes. For a special treat, be sure to make the trip to the chillier airs and watch a sunset unimpeded by buildings or land.
Maui has their best surfing season in the winter, as large swells are popping up all the time, much to the delight of avid surfers. Grab a board and head out yourself, if you have the experience, or sit on the beaches and watch the pros hone their skills, taming the waves while thrilling the crowds.
Winter in Maui also brings pods of whales to the water island, as the ocean giants make the shores of Maui part of their annual migration route. Watch as these massive creatures play and splash about in the water, or take a boat trip and get a little closer. Nowhere else in the world does such a large group of these gigantic animals collect, so for the person who enjoys seeing the spectacles of nature up close and personal, Maui offers the single best whale watching experience a person could hope to witness.
From snow-covered mountain top sunsets to warm water beaches, from whale watching to surfing and swimming, Maui has a wide variety of activities to keep the warm-loving winter venturer excited, inspired and confident they made the right choice in where to spend their winters.
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When deciding between a winter home in Maui or a winter home in Florida, there are a couple things to consider. When on Maui, you are on an island and to get to the mainland is a plane trip away. In Florida, you will be on the mainland but may find yourself dreaming that you’re on an island. Living in Maui for the winter is how to make that dream come true.
With beautiful weather all year long, Maui has something for everyone, from snow on the mountain peaks to warm water for swimming in the valley. There are plenty of activities for the winter homesteader on Maui, and everything you will need is either a short walk or bicycle ride away. The cost of driving around is a little more expensive on Maui than it would be in the mainland of Florida, but there really is little use for a car with the exception of sight seeing.
If you enjoy surfing, the winter is the best time of the year to catch the big waves off Maui. Huge swells are world renowned and people travel from all over the world for an opportunity to catch one of the big waves. If surfing is not your activity of choice, you may still enjoy watching those who do it, as their skills and feats are outstanding and sometimes as breathtaking as the crests they ride. If you do want to get in some water time, there are plenty of spots for wonderful activities like snorkeling or swimming.
Winter in Maui is also the best time for whale watching, as the ocean’s gentle giants find their way to the waters off Maui every winter as part of their annual migration route. All you need to do is pull up a chair on the beach and watch as the whales breach and frolic, a word that seems almost out of place when considering the size of these magnificent creatures.
Living on Maui for the winter months is a fantastic choice for the discerning person who wants the best life has to offer.
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A short sale refers to a type of real estate sale that allows the property owner to sell the property for less than the remaining balance owed to the property’s lien holders. While short sales do not necessarily absolve the property owner from having to pay the remaining balance at some point, some short sales can have such a factor included in the agreement. The upside of a short sale is many fees and additional costs are not required to be paid. The downside of a short sale, beyond having to sell off the property, is that it will result in the property owner receiving a negative credit report.
While a negative credit report can weigh heavy on some people’s shoulders, one should not become burdened with a sense of failure and deep concern for how a short sale will affect their future purchase capabilities. After a three year waiting period has expired since the short sale, a former property owner can once again qualify for an FHA loan for a new home. Those 36 months of waiting may seem like forever and a day when you are on the starting end of the cycle, but like all adults know, time flies and, before you know it, the waiting period has passed and a loan once again becomes a possible reality.
The best way to impress potential creditors is to have spent the previous three years paying bills on time. Making certain your finances are in order so they are well presented when the time comes to apply for another loan will increase the chances of getting the loan. Do not let surprises throw your plan for a loop. Keep records and keep your bills up to date, and you will find the financing will be there for you.
Beyond FHA loans, there is the option of getting a conventional loan, usually offered after a two year wait instead of the FHA three year requirement. If you plan for a non-FHA loan, you will need to have 20% to put down against the value of the home loan. If you wait 4 years, you will only need 10%, but you would also qualify for a much lower interest rate FHA loan at that point.
The three year rule is a guide, it is not a hard set reality. A good argument of extenuating circumstances that forced the short sale, such as flood damage or being relocated for work, may allow the wait to be reduced before you qualify for an FHA loan. The factors that would qualify as extenuating circumstances would be up to the discretion of the lender.
All told, there is hope for the property owner who had to do a short sale to once again find themselves in their own home. Do not despair, simply wait the time required and make sure you pay your bills on time, and you will once again find yourself being handed over the keys to a new home.
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The time has come to make a decision on where to retire and spend some golden time relaxing and enjoying the leisure life. You have narrowed it down to two choices, Arizona or Maui. You love open spaces, which both Arizona and Maui will offer, but you also love the ocean and only one of the options brings that to your front and back yard. You used to enjoy long drives and camping trips, which staying on the mainland would allow, but you find yourself less keen on the idea of traveling and even less interested in sleeping in a tent anymore. Long hot dry summers were once the staple of your holidays, but now you prefer a more steady climate with no winter chill or summer inferno. Looking at the two last options for your retirement, the choice stands out: You will be retiring to Maui.
With its dormant volcanoes forming 10,000 foot high peaks for watching the sunset (and maybe see a snowfall, the only place on Maui to get snow) and deep seated valleys to enjoy hikes and explorations, Maui is a world unto itself that brings those seeking the best from life. People statistically live longer on Maui, its stress free lifestyle lending itself towards good health and well being. Whether you are whale watching in the winters or playing with the grandkids at one of the many kid-friendly lifeguard-supervised beaches, Maui is the destination of retirees who deserve the best and know where to find it. Leave behind the car-centric world of the mainland and find everything you need within walking or biking distance. World class golf courses and community events are certain to keep the active retiree busy day in and day out.
A tropical island paradise that lends itself to the person who wants the finer things out of life, Maui is a retirement destination that will open its beauty and fabulous sights to all those who come, and will quickly feel like home to those who decide to stay.
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