For me, retiring in Hawaii was like the beginning of a new incarnation and every morning's dew nurtured perceptible growth in my joy at being alive. The idea to retire in Hawaii, far from any place you are likely to have been living, always has it's seeds in emotion. It is like falling in love. It's not rooted in earth and practicality, but when all is said and done, it depends on both. When you find yourself enchanted this way and thinking of living forever or for a long time in it's spell, I encourage you follow the advice you would give a young person in love; get to know the place, the people and the personal cost of indulging yourself. I chose to live in Hawaii for several reasons. Number one? The climate. All year long, every day, the air is at 70 to 85 degrees. That's perfect for a human beings and a host of animals and plants that we humans enjoy. There are beaches from white to black. Some are miles long, others hide in tiny coves. Long, white waterfalls tumbledown precipitous cliffs and slip quietly into the sea. I also came here because the people here are made of the same stuff and make up a culture friendly to children and older folks like me. I have still said little about those nitty-gritty things you need your attention before you make a life-changing move. Because I came to Hawaii as a student rather than a tourist, I had to deal with the mundane stuff before I could do much looking around at the beauty. The University of Hawaii Campus, as beautiful as it is, is was not a quiet beach. I was not a tourist. When I could get away, the enchantment began. I finally decided to retire to Kauai. You will probably start with the beauty, but I advise you to remember that you take for granted the many things that make you comfortable on the Mainland. You will have to relearn some of these things when you move to Hawaii: Consider, for example: How will your cost of living compare to what you are used to? Can you afford the move itself? Hawaii is about as expensive as San Francisco, New York, Miami or Seattle. Some things, like heating, are actually cheaper. Will the beautiful climate fail to satisfy your love for the change of seasons? You may miss bundling up on a chilly fall day or watching the crocus and daffodil push up through the snow in spring. How much will you miss your family and your friends? They may not be able to visit often. Can you afford to visit them? Hawaii life is slower than urban mainland life. Honolulu is probably and exception. It is also the most expensive place to live in Hawaii. Except for Honolulu, some folks from mainland cities miss the stimulation and nightlife. I once interviewed a job applicant who flew to Hawaii from New York City. I was designated to show him around and interview him. After about an hour and a half he said he could never live in a “place like this” and on a plane back to his New York City apartment that very night! There is something called “Rock Fever” . It is real. The islands are not tiny. Neither are they Texas. You will want to visit other islands. This means airfares. Until you know someone there, it will also mean paying for lodging. You can do lots of research on the internet, in travel guides and in books. I heartily recommend that visit Hawaii and actually live here for a few months before you sell the ranch in Texas. How about the COST of living in Hawaii? You may have friends or other sources that tell you have Hawaii is outrageously expensive. Many are talking about the cost of being a tourist. You won't be sleeping and eating in a luxury hotel every day. Real estate is expensive. Do you need a big fancy house? when you retire on the mainland , will live spend as much as when you are working? Many regular folks to live happily in the Hawaii economy. How? These thousands of people aren't tourists. Anyone living in Hawaii learns how to manage in its economy just you do in yours. Make some adjustments and you really can live in Paradise. If you can spend $2500 a month, you can do it. You will have to budget, eat out less, live in a smaller place, in a beautiful quiet place like the Big Island or Kauai. At $4000 a month you will have no struggle. It is a long way from Hawaii to the mainland, but there are many flights to many cities. The cost is comparable to flying across the continental US. You are, in no sense, marooned. So, if you want to retire in a beautiful, gently warm place, Hawaii may be for you. Take your dream seriously. Visit Hawaii, live there for a few months. You will feel like a child again. If all this suits you, retire in Hawaii.