Re: Here we go again!
 

Hi SB, thanx for the response...We have decided 'no' on Hawaii, various reasons, but schools and 'anti military' locals were a couple.

Still waiting on WA to open up, hubby thinks they may well wait till new fiscal year to open it:( I hope not, I'm still keeping my :fingerscrossed:

Re: Here we go again!
 

Things moved pretty swiftly with the SD opening, 4 days after applying, Jay got an email to inform him he would be getting a (phone) interview, they asked a couple of questions, do you still want the job? when can you start? etc.
Today he got a call from the Colonel in charge of the Museum there, he told Jay that he may need to know a couple of things regarding the position, before they did the interview...Apparently, we would have to pay for the whole move ourselves, no expenses paid at all :eek: Also, he told Jay that he would have to resign from the federal position he has now, because the one there is not a federal employee position! (although it was posted on the same site as all the military/civilian openings) :confused:

We had no idea about these conditions, there is no way that Jay would leave the security he has with his employer, or walk away from the benefits etc. So we will just keep :fingerscrossed: that something else comes up soon ;)

On a lighter note, the guy did tell Jay that he had made enquiries about him with one of the Commanders at Jay's base, he told Jay that he had been 'highly recommended' in fact was a 'real jewel' nice!:)

Re: Here we go again!
 

I wouldn't leave the comfort of a federal job if I were you either. Hope something else comes up soon.

Re: Here we go again!
 

Thanx Bev, watch this space :rolleyes: :fingerscrossed:

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Me neither...

:fingerscrossed: for the next one!

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Awww...that's too bad. But hey you can still hold out for the McChord one....;):D

Re: Here we go again!
 

The McChord one is not forthcoming (in the near future) I don't think :frown:

Now Jay is starting to get interested in the Hickham one in Hawaii :confused:

I have been doing research most of the day,
very expensive...but pay should reflect that :fingerscrossed:
Schools...bit confused about these, found one that sounds good (Monalua hs)
Climate...not too bad, but still have to cope with humidity

Jay says his only negative is being 'stuck' on an Island :rolleyes:

Re: Here we go again!
 

You might have the opportunity to travel to other places from HI a lot cheaper than the from the mainland.

Re: Here we go again!
 

That is what I was thinking too...plus the added incentives for family (from uk) visiting there. :huh:

Re: Here we go again!
 

come to missouri then i can meet you!

Re: Here we go again!
 

:rofl: Are you crazy woman!! drive through St Louis? :eek: One of these days I will ;)

Re: Here we go again!
 

Disclaimer: my information is definitely dated, but I'm not sure these issues would be different today. My parents were stationed in Hawaii and found it difficult. It's very expensive to fly to the mainland, etc. so they felt a bit trapped. Locals are not always keen to make friends with someone they believe will be moving on soon. Schools are not known for their quality.

Re: Here we go again!
 

I lived in HI for 4 years and visit fairly regularly. Hawaii is beautiful but definitely different from anywhere else you have likely lived. Having said that I would live there permanently again in a heartbeat. However, with children I would strongly consider other options. As I said earlier the schools are not only quite poor in standards but also suffer from the ever present local animosity that has always existed in Hi to non islanders. It is possible to overcome this and blend in quite well but despite that the issues still remain in the population. And you will be the minority. As a tourist these differences are less noticable because tourism is HI's no.1 business - but living there day to day requires adjustment and acceptance.

As for cheaper flights from the islands to elsewhere I disagree. Hi airlines and others have a captive market and know it. Flights are generally higher than mainland USA to everywhere - just check the interisland prices to see what I mean. Sometimes it can cost as much to travel between islands as to go to mainland USA (uhmmm where have we seen that business model before = UK).

If you decide on HI my personal favourite as somewhere to live would be the greater Kailua area extending all along the coastline. Good luck

Re: Here we go again!
 

Thank you SB, Kaffy. I have been doing lots of research on HI community/schools, etc. Seems like the schools are a fair bit behind the mainland schools, which is a big concern for us, our youngest is going to be a junior and is planning on a very highly specialized career, so he really needs a top notch high school.

Jay has done a bit of digging (deeper) as far as the job opening and he is starting to have second thoughts on applying now :rolleyes: That's his call, there are three of us in this to consider, but for me, the school choice/rating has to a major factor.

A worrying trend seems to be spreading with these recent openings, I noticed that with about 75% of them, they are stating that no relocation package will be provided:thumbdown: That is something else that will be a factor for us, after moving back here in December, our savings have been spread pretty thin!

Re: Here we go again!
 

Hawaii isn't the best place to live. We are treated really bad by the locals and schools are not up to par, a lot of the spouses end up home schooling. Most of the kids when returning to the main land end up droping a grade.
You get a little cabin crazy as well, within 6 weeks you have seen and done everthing you can do. Great for a get away but not to live.