Exploring Kauai Before You Buy a Home

One of the first steps in getting to know Kauai before buying a home is the research. Reading everything online and requesting visitor information, and a relocation packet are just the beginning. A site visit will help determine in which part of Kauai you most want to live; equally important is to know what you like and what you don’t.

While it is true that each part of Kauai has its appealing assets, it is important that when making a decision as important as where to live, that you have a general overview of the island. One way to help guide the process is to take a Kauai helicopter tour.

The overview, literally, will allow you to see where the highlights are in perspective of one another. Furthermore, you’ll have an opportunity to see the expanse of neighborhoods, and how much land and distance you have between one home and the next. You’ll also have a chance to hear a pilot sharing information from his point of view, and that will help you as well.

Things to note before buying:

• Commutes
• Shopping areas
• Avoidance of exceedingly tourist areas
• Neighborhood eateries that you’ll enjoy
• How close do you want to be to the amenities you’ll need?
• Do you want a neighborhood feel, or is it more important to you to have space between yourself and your neighbors?
• Do you want to live near the ocean?
• Do you want to have highways and roads easily accessible, or would you prefer more of a country feel?

Explore the four regions, the North, South, East, and West shores. Live like a tourist and then live like a local. Check out the sights, the eateries, and the beaches so you can narrow down on the one that you want as your neighborhood. Adventures, hiking, and a taste of wildly captivating mountains form the backdrop of the north shore and dramatic Napali Coast. Poipu is the main town on the sunny south shore, a resort area with the Koloa Heritage Tail and Old Koloa Town.

The Coconut Coast, Kauai’s east side, is also known for its heritage, and the notable waterfalls, Opaekaa and Wailua. The west side is home to Waimea Canyon, known globally for its massive natural structure, intriguing terrain, and native birds flying overhead.

It’s a lot to consider, but exploring and a helicopter tour might make a lot of sense when you are trying to make a decision about purchasing a home on Kauai. Not to mention, a lot of fun and a great way to get into the Hawaii state of mind.