I used to travel from ATL to the islands 2 trips a year, 2 weeks a trip. I bought those coach fares at $350 r/t and traded my computer experience for discounts or free hotel rooms while here.

I really got sad having to leave and looked for real estate. I decided to become a resident.

I found a leasehold farm on the Big Island with a house and a view of the mountains and Pacific. The owner was not keeping it up and had to sell. All I had to do was grow something.

It took me a year to get to closing but I was finally able to close 3 years ago. Almost 9 acres and a house (in pretty good shape) for a mere $145,000. The property is worth $400,000 today and rising. I just cleared most of the land for some new little coffee plants over the next few years. Property tax for me is $1200 a year and Leasehold fees are $1600 a year.

I got tired of Atlanta's traffic, hurricanes and tornados. I decided that I would prefer the occasional tsunami watch, earthquake and lava flow. I would not have it any other way.

The hardest part of the decision to move here was explaining to family that I still loved them, but had to move 25% around the world.... Your mileage may differ.