Metro and the Downtown Core

Metro is typically a large area that is comprised of Waikiki, Ala Moana, Pacific Heights, Manoa, Salt lake, Punchbowl, University, Chinatown, Kakaako, Punahou, Old Pali, Kalihi, McCully, Nuuanu, Makiki and of course, Downtown.  Other neighborhoods also form part of the Metro, although it is not likely that people remember them, even for the locals. Honolulu is really a vast area, especially when we speak about its population. It is considered Hawaii’s most densely populated area.

People who are inclined with the life in Town are generally known as a “townie”.  Since there are literally hundreds of condominiums and town houses in Metro Oahu, it is strongly advised that you take note of the condominium/house location anytime you are looking to buy one.  Real estate prices in these areas are typically much more expensive as compared to other areas of the island since the town area is more conveniently located near business/entertainment areas and other places of interest.  When you are on Oahu, travelling just 5 miles instead of 20 miles is quite a lot of time saved.  Houses in the Pearl City, Ewa, Aiea, Mililani and Kapolei area may be less expensive, although being stuck in traffic is one of the situations who will need to get used to.  

From Downtown, a 30-minute drive will take you to a tour of some of the most exquisite Honolulu real estate, which is owned by celebrities and other prominent figures.  Truly, Oahu is one of a kind; a place where everyone from all walks of life can have a really great time.

Like any other big cities in the United States, Oahu has pretty much everything you can ask for, although it has yet to have its own professional sports team.  Despite this, Oahu is still visited by professional teams every once in a while for pre-season and exhibition games such as those from the NFL and NBA.

Older neighborhoods such as Old Pali, Manoa and Punahou are a haven for mature trees and the best place to find old-style charm – a perfect gift if properly taken care of. These neighborhoods are quite hard to find if you don’t know your way around the area.  If you really wish to find properties here, you will need to enlist the help of a local to guide you through your search.

Downtown

If you try to go around Downtown, you might say that the number of condominiums here could be around a million. True enough, anyone looking for a genuine city experience will be thrilled to reside here. Downtown seems much a much more peaceful area when compared to New York, and avoiding people is easily accomplished by travelling across the freeway or Pali highway. Many of the condominium units here offer a breathtaking view of the ocean. From there, the Diamond Head can also be seen from a distance, as well as surfers riding the waves.