Home » Best Places » Hawaii active adult retirement communities » Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona : Hawaii

What it's Like to Retire in Kailua-Kona

Kailua, often referrred to as Kailua-Kona to differentiate it from the city on Oahu of the same name, is located on the west coast of Hawaii, the Big Island. It is the center of the tourist industry on this island, popular for its beaches, scuba diving, fishing, etc. The famed Alii Drive is the big shopping district. Kona is famous for its coffee. The coastal area is flat with plenty of evidence of lava flows from the dormant volcanoes in the center of the island. As you go away from the coast you go up, up, up. But there are many nice neighborhoods tucked here and there. Kailua-Kona is home to the Ironman World Championship. This part of Hawaii was the home of Hawaiian royalty, their castles and vacation homes were built here. Photos courtesy of Wikipedia; Kona Bay by Travis.Thurston, and oceanfront near Hulihee Palace by Calbear22.

Where to Retire in Kailua-Kona and Home Prices

Real estate is expensive, with the median home value at $491,100, according to Zillo. Property taxes are very low, less than $1000 on average. There are resorts that have condos and homes. Then there are nice neighborhoods down by the coast or up in the hills to choose from. There are a number of little towns near here in the Kona District.

What is special about Kailua-Kona

Did we mention Kailua is in Hawaii? The weather is about perfect year round. This is the drier side of the island so there is plenty of sunshine. Great beaches, tremendous golf courses, postcard scenery. Some of the nice golf courses include Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani and the Hualalai Golf Course.

What is not special about Kailua-Kona

It is expensive to live here on Hawaii's largest island.

Who will like retirement in Kailua-Kona

People who want to live in wonderful year round climate near the beach will like it here. If you have too many connections to the mainland, however, such as grandchildren, frequent travel off the island could be wearing.

Local economy is driven by

Tourism and agriculture.

Climate and Physical Environment

The climate does not change much from month to month. The average low and the average high only differ by a few degrees by month - usually from the high 60's/low 70's to the low 80's. Kailua is on Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, since it is by far the largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Kailua is located on the west coast.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

As a tourist destination there is no shortage of interesting restaurants to try. Culture is less important here than the enjoyment of nature and the outdoors, but there are things to do.

Crime

The crime rate in Kailua-Kona is about the same as the national average.

Medical facilities

Although there are medical facilities here and in Hilo, the largest city on Hawaii, the Big Island, the mainland is where you want to go for more serious medical care.

Transportation

Kona International Airport serves the island, although there are also passenger boats to the other islands.

Valuable Links

Konaweb tourist and other information

What people are saying about Kailua-Kona
No Comments

To comment you must be a registered member of Topretirements.com

Login Here

Username:
Password:
Remember me on this computer.

Create Your Free Membership Account

Suggest a community we want to know about your top retirement spots

Please note that all contributions to Topretirements may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you don't want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then don't submit it here. By submitting content and/or photographs here you agree to give Topretirements.com the rights to use them in any manner without cost or attribution.You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Project:Copyrights for details). DO NOT SUBMIT COPYRIGHTED WORK WITHOUT PERMISSION!

Kailua-Kona Active Communities

Facts about KAILUA-KONA

State: HI
Environment: Coastal,Outdoor Oriented,Resort Community,
City Population: 10,000-25,000
Median age of Population: 25-44
Avg Jan Temperature: 61 +
Avg July Temperature: 60-80
Median HH Income: 60,001-80,000
Average Home Price (MLS): $500,001+
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
Total Crime Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
Cost of Living Index: 111-120 (high)
Culture Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
State Sales Tax: Yes
State Income Tax: Yes
Name of the Guide: boomer1

Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on Edit these facts

Add Your City Photo here

Vote on the Ratings for Kailua-Kona

Update Your Ratings

1. Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

Currently 4.67>/5
1
2
3
4
5

1. Rating: 4.7/5 ( 3 votes cast)

2. Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury Discuss

Currently 0.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5

2. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

3. Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive Discuss

Currently 0.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5

3. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

4. Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan Discuss

Currently 0.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5

4. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

5.Recreation:
None to Summer camp Discuss

Currently 0.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5

5. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

6. Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub Discuss

Currently 0.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5

6. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

7. Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox Discuss

Currently 0.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5

7. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

8. Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent Discuss

Currently 4.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5

8. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 2 votes cast)

9. Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal Discuss

Currently 0.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5

9. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

10. Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green Discuss

Currently 0.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5

10. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

Find the best retirement communities, active adult communities, and places to retire