The sharper edge to traveling in Asia

WoWasis book review: Skip Thomsen’s ‘Affordable Paradise: The Secrets of an Affordable Life in Hawaii’

Written By: herbrunbridge - Nov• 06•11

Most of us here at WoWasis either live or have dreamed of living in the tropics. Many countries present problem with that (notably Thailand) unless you’re a citizen of that nation. That’s where Hawai’i comes in. Especially on the Big Island of Hawai’i, and most especially in the city of Hilo, where property is still affordable, and city amenities (a university, art deco-era architecture, etc.) are nearby. And if city life is not for you, country places on the island are affordable, too. In either case, flying to Southeast Asia from Hawai’i is a lot shorter than it is from your home country, if you’re a Westerner. And that’s where Skip Thomsen’s book comes in.

Skip’s Affordable Paradise: The Secrets of an Affordable Life in Hawaii(4th edition, 2011, ISBN 978-0971918504) covers just about everything you’ll need to know to get started.  Thomsen knows his stuff, about real estate, anti-corrosion sprays, shipping, cultural issues, and lots more.  He doesn’t pull punches about crime, and paints a very realistic picture about a paradise that isn’t necessarily a perfect fit for all, but will be for most of us.

Here are some of the issues this book addresses:

Can I afford to buy a house?
What is the REAL cost of living?
How about career opportunities?
Can I bring my pets?
What about the schools? Are there good charter schools?
Am I to believe the blog and forum stories I read?
How do I manage the big move across the ocean?
Will I be able to find work?
What is the medical and doctor situation like?
What about being accepted in the Island culture?
Is the weather really always perfect?
And are there any issues I need to know about that might make me NOT want to live in Hawaii?

One of the WoWasis team has a house in Hilo, and this book covers just about everything, and in keeping with the stated premise, it’s under $15. We’d call this book indispensable for anyone contemplating living on the Big Island of Hawai’i, or anywhere else in the tropics, for that matter. If you want to live in the tropics, owning a place where you actually own your property has some real advantages. Buy the book now at the WoWasis eStore.

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