Is there anything better than visiting that paradise otherwise known as Hawaii? As a matter of fact there is. Living there! If living on the island of Oahu is your idea of paradise on earth, give serious consideration to buying one of the downtown Honolulu condos.

Image by quangas

Despite claims to the contrary, you can have it all. Downtown Honolulu combines the convenience of city life with the laid-back ambience of a perpetual vacation. Find condos to fit all budgets, and to satisfy all tastes. At the lower end of the spectrum, it’s possible to find one-bedroom or studio units under $100 thousand. One place where this is possible is at Century Square on Bishop Street.

If your budget is in the $200 thousand to $400 thousand range, your Realtor can show you condos throughout the downtown area. Expect pools, exercise rooms and other amenities. For a cool million, or even several million, the privileged few can enjoy a spacious condo with nearly 3,000 square feet and water views. For these upscale units check out Harbor Court, the Pinnacle or Capitol Place, among others. You’ll find condominium high-rise buildings in various downtown locales, and also along the waterfront. Those with the best views command the highest prices. Some buildings will have on-site restaurants, grocers, salons and shops.

Consider the possibility of buying your downtown Honolulu condo as an investment. Units are managed by real estate professionals and offered as vacation rentals when the owners are not in residence. This can be a good way of defraying the cost of maintaining a second home.

From your home in what is arguably America’s loveliest state capitol city you can enjoy fine dining at restaurants like Indigo’s specializing in Eurasian cuisine. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the upscale Italian Palomino Restaurant. There are numerous others, and no end of casual eateries as well. For recreational shopping it would be hard to beat the Aloha Tower Marketplace mall. There is also an open market in Chinatown where you can find Asian specialties not available anywhere else. Honolulu is home to the expected chains, but has many boutiques and one of a kind shops as well.

Downtown nightlife possibilities are abundant. You can see the shows and indulge in liquid refreshment, then safely walk home without putting yourself or others in danger. Maybe your idea of nightlife is a romantic stroll on a moonlit beach. For that, too, you’re in the right place.

Hawaii is culturally diverse and rich in history. Learn all about the fascinating Native Hawaiian people then visit Iolani Palace, the home of the islands’ last ruling monarch. Asians, too, have made an indelible mark on the state as a whole, and on Honolulu in particular. Included in the more than twenty museums in Honolulu alone, are displays honoring all who contributed to make Hawaii the great state it is today, including the world-changing events of World War II.
It’s easy to see why artists find inspiration here, so it’s not surprising to find numerous art galleries and studios where you can find works with an island theme, along with other art styles. Your kids can attend the Hawaii Pacific University located downtown off Hotel Street. You might want to take some classes there too. After all, you can’t dine, golf, surf or sunbathe all the time. Or can you?

In the unlikely event you run out of things to do in the downtown area, you’re but a short distance from fabled Waikiki with its unparalleled beaches, shopping and dining. Be sure to visit the aquarium. It’s the country’s third largest. Just east of Waikiki is Diamond Head the dormant volcano the Hawaiians call Le’ahi. The name comes from the word lae meaning promontory, and ahi because the ridgeline brings to mind the dorsal fin of the ahi tuna.

Whether you’re looking for a year-round residence or a vacation getaway, you’re sure to find the home of your dreams among the many available downtown Honolulu condos. Now is the time to take that first step toward turning your dream into a reality.

Aloha Tony has lived in Hawaii his entire life and has been a full time licensed real estate professional since 1999. Just this week Tony was honored by being named as one of Hawaii’s Top 100 agents and was also promoted to Vice President of Realty Executives Oahu.