If you’re active duty military and you’re already living on O‘ahu, or you’re planning to PCS here soon, we wanted to share the experience of many who have come before you. Living off base can maximize your island experience! O‘ahu is incredibly beautiful and most people who get the chance to live here want to enjoy the beaches and the ocean while they’re here. Also, many have found that O‘ahu is a great place to invest in a home.
But let’s start with lifestyle. The North Shore of O‘ahu is the unequivocal surf capital of the world–running from Waialua, through the historic Haleiwa Town, northward past Waimea Bay, the famous Banzai Pipeline, past Sunset Beach, and beyond. There are seven glorious miles of beautiful beaches and epic waves to catch and they are pumping year-round at this fabled location.
View from the water’s edge in Haleiwa
The best part? It’s just seven miles from the gate at Schofield Barracks to the highway exit off 99, descending into the quaint Haleiwa town. If you’re stationed at Schofield Barracks or Wheeler Air Field, then you’ll be working in the center of the island with the North Shore at your doorstep. The commute during peak traffic takes about 20-30 minutes to and from the base to the North Shore– and we think that’s well worth it!
In addition to the short commute, there’s a nearly endless number of lovely beaches, coves, hikes, farmers’ markets, surf breaks, cafés, shops and restaurants to discover. Everything is right there at your fingertips, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the the big city of Honolulu. But if you crave some city life or nightlife, it’s not too far away.
Jenna and Sean step out in Honolulu (Photo credit: Just B Photo)
If you’re at all into the outdoors, the North Shore is a watersports paradise for single and married active-duty service members. Enjoy a quick dip in the ocean after work and find a home that’s walking distance from the beach. Snorkel, dive, surf, and stand-up paddle your weekends away. Also, check out the sky diving lessons at nearby Dillingham Air Field on the North Shore. If you’re into hiking, the North Shore has loads of challenging trails that’ll help give you a new perspective and tremendous views.
Another perk of living off base is that you can keep the balance of your pretty substantial Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). On the North Shore, you’ll also be close enough to work to enjoy a short commute, but far enough to get some privacy and escape the fish bowl for awhile. Finally, let’s talk about investment. Our team will be happy to help you find a home in this neighborhood, where you can happily enjoy the Hawai‘i lifestyle while you’re here, while also making a wise financial decision. After you’ve been given new orders, the Hawai‘i rental market is always thriving due to tourism and the strong military presence here. Hawai‘i property is a great investment because it’s such a desirable location and the property values always seem to be going up.
If you’re still not convinced that living off base is right for you, check out out recent post 14 Reasons to Live Off Base, or better yet, speak to one of our North Shore team. Our Hawai‘i Life agents at our North Shore office are committed to the laid-back lifestyle and small town kindness and aloha found in this beautiful part of the island. They live and work on the North Shore and some have called this part of tropical paradise their home for decades. They’ll be happy to talk story with you, tell you about life on the North Shore, and share their favorite things to do in this unique location.
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