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Cost of Living in Hawaii

For many, the dream of living on a beautiful tropical island is, well, just a dream. Still, some have committed to besting that dream and making it a reality by moving to Hawaii. And while Hawaii will surely be an epic and beautiful adventure, take heed, it is not the cheapest of places to find yourself living.

And if you need help bringing your car or other household items from the mainland to your new island paradise, research some relocation companies that service Hawaii. We’ve shipped hundreds of cars and helped countless families make the difficult move across the pacific. Call us today about your move to Hawaii.

According to a report by Civil Beat, Hawaii has the highest cost of living out of every state in the U.S. Apparently the cost of living in Hawaii is 16-percent higher than the runner up, New York. Let’s break it down and take a look some of these costs and why they are what they are:

Incomes:

For just sheer dollar amount, Hawaii sounds like an economic paradise at first, with the median household income at almost $60k per year: which would put it ninth in the nation. However, once you factor in the high cost of living in this Pacific Paradise, you’re left with a more disappointing figure that puts it in about the middle. Similarly, the amount you’d need to make per hour just to rent a 2-bedroom house would be around $34/hour. Keep that in mind when you consider your move.

Housing:

Hawaii has some of of the most expensive property in the nation. A standard two-bedroom house can go for as much as $600,000 and condos sell for around $315,000: or about $1,600/month for a 2-bedroom.

The fact that these are islands with very real limits on the availability of space, not to mention the desire of living on the island, are all responsible for these prices being what they are.

Goods:

Consider that most of the products you will buy, outside of coconuts, papaya, and Rum, will be imported from the mainland or other countries. This means paying the most in the nation for gas, about $4.25/gallon. This means paying more for milk, about $6/gallon, and virtually anything you’d need.

You’ll have to keep these prices in mind when planning your dream island retirement.

The Emerald Isle has long held a fascination with many American students. A place of rich culture, heritage, geography, and, of course, spirits. Many American students have sought out Ireland as a place to study abroad. But which schools should they be looking at? We’ll break down the best colleges in Ireland for American students in our top list below.

And if you need help getting your golf clubs, furniture, or other goods to and from Ireland, Schumacher Cargo is here to assist. We’ll help you transport your souvenirs or luggage and make your move to Ireland as smooth as a pint of Guinness.

Best Colleges in Ireland for US Students

Best Colleges in Ireland Trinity College Library

Trinity College

Why Trinity College is One of the Best Colleges in Ireland for Americans

Trinity is the Harvard of Ireland. It’s international prestige makes it a top destination for education for prospective students around the world. Established in 1592, it is the #1 school in Ireland and is also acclaimed internationally. While this gorgeous campus in the heart of Dublin might be at the top of many American students Ireland University Wish-Lists, it might not be the most feasible to get into. Unfortunately for applicants, Trinity ranks as one of the hardest on this list to get into. Though if you are accepted, this may be the school to choose.

Trinity College

University College Dublin

Why University College Dublin is One of the Best Colleges in Ireland for Americans

Another top ranked College in Dublin, the UCD is likely a much more promising option for many US students. Also this is still located in Ireland’s most bustling city, Dublin. Tour the old haunts of James Joyce while taking classes on Ulysses or Irish History (which you’ll need if you hope to master that incredible tome). This is one of the best colleges in Ireland for American students because it offers benefits of a top school with a much higher opportunity to attend.

UCD

IBAT College Dublin

Why IBAT College is One of the Best Colleges in Ireland for Americans

IBAT is a great choice for US students looking to study in Ireland. The college prides itself on its international student body, the cultural breadth of which supplies an extra level of education for students. IBAT is a great school for those majoring in business, accounting, IT, or looking to get their MBA. As Ireland, and especially Dublin, is a major international center for business and IT, your education here could take you a long ways in the job market.

IBAT

University College Cork

Why University College Cork is One of the Best Colleges in Ireland for Americans

For something outside of Dublin try the UCC. This school is located in County Cork and surrounded by the luscious geography Ireland is known for. The school caters to both undergraduate and graduate work for international non-EU students. This makes it a great place for US students looking for a quality education in Ireland. The college offers 40 different degrees for their international students and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

UCC

7 Things To Do And See FIRST In Your Move to Australia:

Great Barrier Reef:

This one will certainly qualify as an adventure and might cost a bit but you absolutely have to see the biggest barrier reef in the entire world. Home to some of the most beautiful and fascinating creatures on Earth, the Great Barrier Reef is a sust see!

Drive the Great Ocean Road:

One of the cheaper and yet more stunning sights in Australia can be found simply by driving the Great Ocean Road. This coastal highway offers easily some of the best shoreline driving on the planet. Be sure to watch the coast for the 12 Apostles – 12 columns of limestone jutting out from the waters.

Sydney Opera House:

One of Australia’s most, if not the most, iconic buildings is the Sydney Opera House. You simply must attend something here. It would be like moving to Chicago and not seeing the Sears Tower (yes, that’s right Sears Tower).

The Grampians National Park:

This park in Victoria is home to some of the coolest rock formations in the country as well as some of the oldest Aboriginal rock art. This is the Monument Valley of Australia.

Byron Bay:

Though a bit of a tourist trap, Byron bay in Queensland is one of Australia”s most iconic beaches. You’ll be doing yourself a disservice by not checking it out once. Might as well get it out of the way while you are still a tourist before setting out to find the hidden gems.

Uluru:

The most iconic sight in all of Australia’s Outback is Uluru. This humpbacked rock is truly a marvel of geography and ancient culture. You must see it!

Kakadu National Park:

While pretty much any of Australia’s national parks should be on your immediate must see lists, Kakadu offers some of Australia’s rarest, most iconic, and most gorgeous sights all in one park.

When most college students think of where they’d like to study abroad, most think of exotic places like Italy, Spain, or Hong Kong. This means they often overlook one of the best places for US students to study in the entire world: Germany. A linguistic cousin of America’s English, Germany is more accessible than many of those other countries and offers some incredible and compelling scenery as well. Here are some of the best colleges in Germany for US students to study.

And if you need some help with the moving process, Schumacher Cargo is happy to assist. We’ve assisted hundreds of people over the years make their dreams of living overseas a reality and we can help you move to Germany with ease.

The Best German Colleges for US Students

Best Colleges in Germany University Skyline

Humboldt University of Berlin

Why Humboldt is One of the Best Colleges in Germany for Americans

With ten percent of the school’s enrollment consisting of international students, US students should feel comfortable in this prestigious university. Ranked 99th in the world, this is a great school for the scientifically minded. They’re top ranking in technology, green sciences, and quantitative economics. After all, what could be be better than researching (and even working) climate science in one of the greenest countries on the globe?

Humboldt University

Heidelberg University

Why Heidelberg University is One of the Best Colleges in Germany for Americans

While many colleges in the US try and imitate a castle-like campus, this one actually is a castle! Formed in 1386, Heidelberg is one of the oldest universities in all of Europe, and one of the most prestigious too. This is a great university for the abroad-dedicated student who truly wants to study someplace out of the ordinary. And you won’t be alone with over 20% of the classrooms filled with international students. Though you should brush up on your German before.

Heidelberg University

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Why LMU is One of the Best Colleges in Germany for Americans

Founded in 1472, LMU is a university with one of the longest running histories in the world. They offer many programs in English which is great for American students. This is one of the most elite schools in the world with over 42 nobel prize winners and also a pope as alumni. With such a huge backing, this school really meets its reputation. Though this is one on the list where American students really need a mastery of German.

LMU

The Technische Universitaet Muenchen

Why Technische Universitaet Muenchen is One of the Best Colleges in Germany for Americans

The Technische Universitaet Muenchen, or Technical University Munich, is the school to be at if your field of study is engineering. Consider this: Germany is renowned all over the world for its engineering, and this is Germany’s most prestigious school for it. The school is so strong in the field that it has partnerships with some of the best schools in America such as Cornell, MIT and Stanford. Imagine coming back to the US and hitting the job market with that under your belt!

Technische University

Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin)

Why Freie Universität Berlin is One of the Best Colleges in Germany for Americans

Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) is a top-ranked university in Germany and is considered to be a good choice for US students for several reasons. FU Berlin is well-respected in Germany and internationally, particularly in the fields of political science, economics, and social sciences. It consistently ranks among the top universities in Germany and Europe, which can be a valuable asset for US students when seeking employment or further education opportunities. 13% of the undergraduates are from abroad, while over 25% of postgraduates are from abroad. This means that FU Berlin may be worth looking into for Americans seeking further education in Germany.

Freie Universität Berlin

Costa del Sol:

Costa del Sol in the Andalucian province is Spain’s most popular retirement destination. Probably because it’s home to some of the country’s best medical facilities, schools and real estate. Meaning you’ll find many other English speaking retirees and professionals to help you make the transition. The lack of sales tax and a low property tax make this an economically feasible move for many.

Costa del Alhazar:

The Costa del Alhazar, or the Orange Blossom Coast, is about an hour’s drive north of Valencia and one of the most gorgeous and as-yet untapped areas of the country you could hope to find yourself. Filled with orange blossoms (obviously), almond trees and white sand beaches. The population is only around 12,000, meaning you’ll get a quiet, small town feel that’s distinctly Spanish.

Spanish Countryside:

As the big cities of Barcelona and Madrid can be very expensive, a retirement in the countryside might be the way to go for many retirees not looking to break the bank. Cities like Salamanca, Granada or Santiago de Compostela, are great spots to get city amenities without paying city prices.

Beach-side:

While the first two locations on this list certainly have an abundant beach life to offer, there are other, cheaper and more off the path places you can retire that won’t upend your bank account. Look at places on the island of Gran Canaria–which will also give you an island retirement inside an international retirement–or the less populated beach town of Menorca.

Schumacher Cargo Logistics utilizes insured, secured and bonded facilities. We provide warehousing, packing, crating, trucking and loading services out of our own warehouses here in the USA - Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, Miami, New York, and New Jersey. All other worldwide destinations are covered by our affiliated organization member companies.