Living in Beautiful Kailua

On the windward coast of Oahu minutes away from Honolulu, the community of Kailua is a great alternative for those who love the mix of Honolulu's urban lifestyle and Hawaii's peaceful feel. People have lived here for over 1,500 years, and today nearly 39,000 residents call this town home.

Like the rest of Hawaii, buying a home can be expensive. Even the smallest condos usually go for no less than $250,000, and large luxury homes can run up as much as eight figures. Even so, all the perks of living here are worth the price. Kailua has 11 excellent public schools and several good private schools as well.\

Although this is a primarily residential community, there are some big-box shops and restaurants to be found on Kailua Road in the center of town and on Kaneohe Bay Drive on the north end. Interstate H3 reaches its end along the northwest part of town near the Kaneohe Bay MCHS, so it's quite easy to get around the island.

If you're looking for excitement, there's plenty to be found. On the west edge of town is Kawainui Regional Park, which offers a medium-length trail that runs through preserved sections of forests and hills. Golfers will love the Mid-Pacific Country Club and its challenging course. People also like kayaking to the nearby Mokulua Islands, which showcase many rare species of birds.

The one thing everyone comes here for is Kailua Beach. This is considered the best beach in Hawaii and one of the best in the United States. It's four miles long, and it's shape and the constant trade winds make it perfect for surfing, windsurfing and paddle boarding. People who want more cosmopolitan fare can head down to Honolulu, which offers exquisite museums, high-class shops and restaurants, and plenty of natural beauty at spots such as Diamond Head.