November 8, 2011 was our last day living in Hawaii.
My husband and I packed our two cats in their carry-ons, made sure we had their paperwork for the plane, got our luggage and left our 600-square foot apartment in the middle of Honolulu for good.

Bathroom on the left by the TV, kitchen (out of the picture) on the left. Cozy place for two adults and two cats.
We had been married for about a year and a half and our plan was to purchase a home on Oahu. Though we tried to secure a couple of homes, it just didn’t work out.
We looked at a condo deep in Wahiawa valley:
A tiny plantation house near Lake Wilson, also in Wahiawa:

Old plantation house w/separate studio, both about 600 sq ft each. See how close you are to your neighbor?
We were also in escrow for about ten months for a house in ‘Ewa Beach, but problems with the title and mortgage company had to be addressed in land court, and that prevented us from taking that last step into ownership.
When it seemed that nothing was working out, we decided to move and find a home elsewhere. We visited my sister and her husband in upstate New York and really loved the area, so that’s where we decided to move the first week of November. For the first 4 months we lived in a studio above a garage in a tiny little town called Deposit.

Our rental car and rental home, about 600 sq ft. of the top floor. Bottom is storage for the owners.
There’s a lot I had to learn about living in a colder climate, like driving in the snow:
My husband didn’t let the lack of a garage stop him from working on the car:
Although we started looking at homes while we still were in Hawaii, we were now able to see listed properties in person. There were a few that looked promising, but we happened across a lovely farmhouse that was in a great location and going for a great price!
After a long wait we finally purchased our home in March and were moved in by April. Along with the beautiful house and property, we also got the lady of the house, Trixie:
We started doing some home improvement projects, both inside and outside:
But in addition to renovations, we also had a couple of get-togethers:
And received our first official guests:
New York is great, but I miss my family:

Always lots of food at my parents’ house, especially when my two uncles stop by with their own dishes (pork ribs, smoke meat, poke, sushi, etc.)
and having friends over for dinner:
But I prefer the weather and changing seasons in Upstate New York over the daily dose of sunshine. Granted I’ve only lived here for one year, and the first winter experience has been one of the most mild ones in the area, so maybe the lady at the Post Office was right in saying, “After a few years, you’re gonna MISS Hawaii!” I really do love it here, and my husband does, too. The people are nice, the weather is great, we live far enough away from the city to have peace and quiet, but close enough to head into town when we feel like it. :)
November 13, 2012 at 10:30
Thank you for sharing.:) After visiting Maine, I feel like I have finally found my ideal place in the world. I like how you said you prefer the changing seasons over the daily dose of sunshine. I feel the same here in Texas–too sunny and hot. What a big change to move so far. It is definitely a decision that requires good timing. Glad you have found that.
And love to Trixie.:)
November 13, 2012 at 10:54
Thanks, I’m glad you liked this post! Sounds like you feel just like we do, from hot and sunny to four seasons! And timing seems to play a more important role in our lives than planning! From when my husband and I first met to where we are today, pretty much everything fell into place because of good fortune and timing. I will pass on the love to Trixie, thank you! :)
November 13, 2012 at 11:59
Perspective is always fun. Me, I love the sunshine and hate the cold. Once I get cold, it takes forever to warm up. My feet get cold and I become incredibly uncomfortable. I just hate it. On the other hand, if I get hot, I quickly cool down once back in the AC. If I want to see snow, I can always take a vacation. :) The ONLY thing that prevents me from moving to Hawaii is that my humble abode in Texas would cost me 7 – 8 times (if not more) than what it is worth in Texas and the moving costs would be exorbitant. I absolutely love Hawaii and cannot go there often enough. Glad you found your home. Even though it’s cold, upstate NY is beautiful.
November 13, 2012 at 13:02
If I’m bundled up enough, the cold weather is nice! My feet and hands get cold fairly quickly, too, but if I’m busy in the kitchen I always end up taking off some layers. I agree, Hawaii is SO expensive, and that’s why people either move away or have multi-generation households. It took a month for our cars to ship to NY, even though we sent them a couple weeks early we literally missed the boat so had to wait extra long! Our household goods took one month to get here, but most stayed in storage until we moved from the rental to our current house. I am very glad we found our home, it feels great! :)
November 13, 2012 at 19:24
Isn’t the housing market in Hawaii crazy?? My husband and I are starting to look at places, and especially after coming from Las Vegas where prices are so low, we are in sticker shock! I think we’ll be renting for a few more years until we can save up enough for a down payment.
I’m so glad you’ve adjusted to life in NY! I do miss the seasons since we moved to Hawaii. It’s starting to get a bit cooler in the evenings (but still in the 70s). The farmhouse looks beautiful and what a backyard for entertaining!!
November 14, 2012 at 11:19
Thanks, Maura. :) My sister moved to Vegas around 2000 and they got a HUGE house for a fraction of what a home in Hawaii would cost. I can imagine what you and your husband are going through right now, and it really is tough. But, you never know when you happen across the right property for the right price. Hang in there, and good luck! :)
November 13, 2012 at 20:01
Wow very cool post to see what this past year has been like. Hawaii to NY is such a big change!! I love your attitude about it and how you can see the positive in such different experiences! Your new home looks beautiful!! How fun to do lots of projects to make it exactly the way you want it. Thank you for posting this!
November 14, 2012 at 11:23
Thanks, Cinnamon, moving is always an adventure and filled with all kinds of possibilities. My next project (let’s hope I finish this one) involves a can of high-gloss paint and a door. :)
November 16, 2012 at 12:53
[…] post about her move from Hawaii to New York was one of my favorites from this past week. What an […]
November 24, 2012 at 16:04
Wow, Honolulu to New York state is a huge change – though it looks like you’ve made a beautiful, warm home there. And Trixie looks like an adorable addition to the family.
November 24, 2012 at 19:45
Thanks, Jean-Francois, we certainly have made ourselves at home here in New York. We’re glad to have Trixie, and I think she’s glad to have us, too. :)