Did you know that in Hawaii you may be fined for not owning a boat? It's true, but not enforced (so no need to go out patching together your ark!).
Pukalani, Hawaii is a typical Hawaiian neighborhood - which anyone who has been to Hawaii knows is absolutely breathtaking! This town is always photographed with misty-mountain backdrops, aqua-blue water, piercing-blue skies and fluffy white clouds and believe it or not, this is exactly how it looks (give or take a few months of rain)
Did you know that in Hawaii you may be fined for not owning a boat? It's true, but not enforced (so no need to go out patching together your ark!).
Pukalani, Hawaii is a typical Hawaiian neighborhood - which anyone who has been to Hawaii knows is absolutely breathtaking! This town is always photographed with misty-mountain backdrops, aqua-blue water, piercing-blue skies and fluffy white clouds and believe it or not, this is exactly how it looks (give or take a few months of rain). This is a very big city -- by Hawaii's standards -- but there are only around 7,500 people that live here. The houses are big, but they are separated by mounds of green land and towering trees. This makes Pukalani a desirable destination for couples, families and singletons alike.
There are plenty of rental homes and city apartments available in Pukalani, so you're in luck if you're looking to move here. Although the population isn't as large as some of the other cities in Hawaii, there are lots of new apartment buildings popping up every year. However, these properties are in high demand, so here are a few things you can do to improve your chances of getting a house rental or 1 bedroom apartment (or 2 if you desire):
Documents to Bring
As a general rule, bring Identification documents with you. If you're an expat, bring along your passport and visa. These documents are used to identify you and you'll need them to fill out the application for rental. You're also going to need a copy of your ID, bank statements, credit report, pay stubs, letter of employment, references and your personal checkbook in case you want to put down a deposit right there on the spot! These documents will help the landlord run a credit check on you to make sure that you are in good standing and have enough cash to keep paying the rent over the next year! If you have any kind of special situation, such as being in the market for a new job, you might want to write a letter as well, explaining your situation.
While social services do exist here, some properties are not open to section-8, so check ahead of time before signing on the dotted line.
Prioritizing Your Viewings
Some apartment complexes and home rental agencies require bookings before showing a property. Since they don't always publicize this little tidbit (which they really should), it's best to write down the addresses and contact details for each property and reach out to the rental office ahead of time. Ask to book an appointment to view the properties you want to rent the most in the same day, then book the others. Make sure to bring Identification documents along with you, some property managers want to see this before touring you around.
If you fall in love with a property, leave a deposit to secure it. Make sure to ask about the refund policy on the deposit in case you see another property you like better. If you want to pay a deposit or application fee for a property in Pukalani, bring a credit or debit card as cash usually isn't accepted. Most properties in Pukalani won't accept third party checks, either, so plan to write a personal check. Renter's insurance might be required before moving into some of the properties here. You can apply for this insurance after paying the deposit and getting approved.
When to Look
Since Hawaii is a tropical climate, it is a good idea to begin searching for your dream property in Pukalani in the cooler months. If you laugh in the face of Scotch Bonnet peppers and brush your teeth with chilies, then heat isn't an issue to you, so start your search as soon as you're ready.
Well, Pukalani is a little on the large side, but not large enough to have incorporated neighborhoods. In fact, this town is Census-Designated, so it was once part of a bigger picture. (Darn the Census!) However, many of the residential areas in Pukalani are referred to by the villages or apartments within them.
South Pukalani: This area is largely characterized by the Pukalani Golf Course, which draws in a lot of tourists as well as local golfers.
North Pukalani: The north side of town is home to the beautiful Pukalani Park and also to a number of cafes and shops, like the Foodland and the Pukalani Superette.
You won't be lacking for things to do here - this is Hawaii, after all! While Pukalani isn't Honolulu, it's just as beautiful and just as exciting.
Enjoy a few rounds - If you love golf, then Hawaii is your heaven. Pukalani Country Club in particular, is one of the most popular. This golf course is 1,100 feet above sea level and surrounded by the beautiful Pacific Ocean. If you can manage to tear yourself away from the scenery take a few swings. This is a 18 hole golf course (if that means anything to you, which it SHOULD).
Shopping - Shopping isn't a big deal here in Hawaii since there are stores everywhere! Pukalani's pride and joy is the Pukalani Terrace Shopping Center. Here, you will find all of the flagship stores that you're just dying to max out your cards in. You'll also find Starbucks, Subways and a strip of restaurants in the same area. Many of the shopping districts are located near Pukalani Park in the downtown area.
FOOD! - Hawaii is chalked full of fresh seafood and tasty local treats. However, the Pukalani locals are quite fond of burgers. Fatburger and Serpico's are among the favorites. The latter is also also an Italian restaurant and the locals rave about their pasta. Check it out!
