💸 The Amazing Costs of Hawaii
Record the moment I was first shocked by the local accommodation prices while preparing for my exchange in Hawaii, as well as my insights on the dormitory application process.
The First Shock of Staying in Hawaii
A few months ago, I started looking into accommodations at UH Mānoa, and the first question knocked me down:
The prices are really not something an average student can casually afford.
After looking at the types of dorms offered by the school, I felt the environment “needs deep consideration” (very diplomatic).
But when I checked off-campus housing—
I completely brought myself back to reality:
I really can’t afford to live there.
Later, I saw the school’s introduction, which mentioned that upperclassmen would share their dorm experiences with you~
Well, that’s not bad, right? If you don’t have money, don’t be so picky…
I originally thought off-campus housing would be “just a bit more expensive” (estimating a monthly rent of 20,000 to 30,000),
but the actual prices turned out to be:
Monthly rent of 40,000 to 50,000.
At that moment, I really doubted if I accidentally clicked into New York Manhattan.
Oh, but no. Hawaii is indeed that expensive.
I ended up not being very clear about how much the school actually charges…
So now, I can only hold onto the hope of “please let me get a dorm” while praying and tightening my belt to get by.
Dorm Application Process: More Detailed Than Expected
The dorm application at UH Mānoa opens on 11/3,
and the process is surprisingly thorough, requiring you to pay a non-refundable application fee (anyway, that money is not coming back to me).
What surprised me the most is that they ask a bunch of personal information related to roommate matching:
- Your daily schedule
- How often you clean, and whether you can accept messiness
- How often you will bring friends over
- Your preferred lifestyle habits
Seeing these questions I found it intriguing and a bit funny, but the funniest part is:
“No guarantee of a match” ???
Hey, then why are you asking me so many questions? 😇
(But I still obediently filled it out in detail, hoping for a little miracle.)
Attached Dorm Price Information
Off-Campus Housing Investigation: Each Viewing Hurts My Heart
When I seriously looked into off-campus housing, I could only describe it as “shocking.”
The following are all real observations:
- Shared bathroom rooms: $1,000 to $1,300 per month
- Suites: $1,500 to $2,000 per month
- Apartments or entire floors: No need to say, just sky-high
(I just want a private bathroom TT)
Moreover, the rooms are not luxurious; they might just be separated by wooden boards, and having a window is considered lucky.
In the later stages, whenever I saw rental platform notifications, I would just ignore them.
Because every time I scroll, it’s another burden on my heart.
Hawaii is really beautiful, but it is also really expensive.
Why Is It So Expensive? A Brief Background Analysis
I did a quick check on the reasons:
- Hawaii is originally a tourist hotspot
- Limited land and scarce housing
- Goods rely on imports
- Students × Tourists × Short-term renters → Prices all go up
I even heard that many local students choose to study on the mainland U.S. because it’s comparatively cheaper (?).
Anyway, I have no subsidies or allowances, so I can only work hard and save money…
I also hope everyone supports my article clicks (I really need it QQ).
My Little Reflection: The Dream and Reality of Exchange Life
Before I really started preparing for the exchange, my impression was only:
“Ah~ Hawaii! Beaches, sunshine, vacation vibes!”
But the reality is:
The first hurdle of exchange life is not the beach, but housing.
This made me start to rethink living expenses, school systems, and accommodation conditions.
If I can’t get a dorm, I might as well become a monk when I return home…
But despite that, I am still full of anticipation for the upcoming life at Mānoa.
I hope the dorm lottery can bless me 🙏
Tips for Future UH Mānoa Students: Accommodation Tips
If you are also planning to come to UH Mānoa, the following information will be very useful:
(Official website 👉 https://manoa.hawaii.edu/housing/)
Dorm application process:
📌 1. Don’t forget to apply for dorms
Fill it out immediately when it opens on 11/3, absolutely do not procrastinate until the last minute (especially since there is a time difference between Hawaii and Taiwan, making it easy to forget the time).
There is still a chance if you fill it out!! Right? (I hope so)
📌 2. Prepare a deposit
Not much, only $25.
📌 3. Confirm that you have submitted your application
📌 4. Check housing platforms (off-campus is really expensive)
- UH Off-Campus Housing
- Facebook rental groups (but be very careful of scams)
Prepare yourself mentally:
“Taipei City Center × 2 to 3 times”
And the housing options are limited, so you can’t choose too much (most within budget give me a sense of nostalgia).
📌 5. Fraud prevention is important
Rooms that are unreasonably cheap → 100% have issues.
Hawaii also frequently sees fake landlords and requests for upfront payments, absolutely do not send money first.
Conclusion
Finding accommodation is originally just a small step in the exchange process,
but for Hawaii, it directly becomes a “Boss battle.”
Although the prices are astonishing enough that I calculate my savings every day, trying to find ways to earn money…
I am still very much looking forward to officially stepping into life at Mānoa.
I hope the dorm lottery will be successful,
and I also hope that future me can look back at this article with a smile,
saying:
“Thank goodness I checked in advance; otherwise, I would really have to consider jumping into the sea.”
🧭 Further Reading
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