“Hawaii is my home and it always will be. I’m from Ewa Beach, graduated from Campbell High School, moved to Laie and went to college at BYUH, where I met my sweetheart. I never wanted to leave, and wanted my kids to have the same sort of childhood I did. But after my son was born, the struggle for any sort of financial independence was overwhelming. I had a good job and so did my wife, but still we couldn’t afford to live on our own.
“We made the decision two years ago to leave Hawaii. Now I live in southern Utah. I can pay my rent here for six months with what I paid for one month back home. Sure, it gets cold, but without the insane cost of living, my quality of life and ability to raise my family is way better. I love Hawaii but I don’t miss paying for it.”
Ryker Minks
Cedar City, Utah
