Moving to Honolulu? Located in Oahu, Hawaii’s capital city is full of beautiful white sand beaches, elevated Hawaiian cuisine, and loads of fun recreational activities. Check out these five best neighborhoods in Honolulu for singles and young professionals!
Diamond Head-Kapahulu
- Home Price: $551,971 median purchase price; $1,413 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 60% of Honolulu neighborhoods
Not only is Diamond Head-Kapahulu a hot spot for singles and young professionals, but it’s also a popular neighborhood in Honolulu for college students, thanks to the Chaminade University of Honolulu campus. Those looking to settle down in Diamond Head-Kapahulu can find quiet suburban streets with an assortment of charming cottages, Mid-Century Modern and Bungalow-style single-family homes and apartments, and even luxury condos near the ocean. Residents also enjoy plenty of outdoor activities like surfing, swimming, hiking, and more at many of the area’s parks and green spaces like Wa’ahila Ridge State Recreation Area, Diamond Head Beach Park, and Kapiolani Regional Park.
Things to Do in Diamond Head-Kapahulu
See the Komodo dragons, African penguins, and Fiji iguanas after hours during a Twilight Tour of the Honolulu Zoo. Learn about sea creatures while visiting the green sea turtle and Hawaiian monk seal exhibits at Waikiki Aquarium. Practice your chips, hit the driving range, or play a game of 18 holes with views of the mountains at Ala Wai Golf Course. Audition for a role, take dance classes, or attend musicals like Tootsie and My Fair Lady at Diamond Head Theatre. Start the morning with fresh-baked goods and pastries like the Mini Pao Doce, Butter Roll, and decadent Malasadas—sugary Portuguese-style doughnuts they’ve been serving up since the 1950s—at Leonard’s Bakery. Enjoy breakfast all day with the Stuffed Banana and Cream Cheese Enchanting French Toast, Kalua Pork Eggs Benedict, the Epic Breakfast Burrito, and more at Sweet E’s Cafe. Sink your teeth into delicious barbecue like the Spicy Smoked Loco Moco, Smoked Kalbi Short Ribs, and Smoked Duck at Guava Smoked. Or order the Pork Katsu Curry Rice and a bowl of Shrimp Wonton Ramen or Cheese Curry Ramen at Onoya Ramen.
Downtown Honolulu
- Home Price: $481,658 median purchase price; $1,539 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 20% of Honolulu neighborhoods
If you’re looking to settle down in the heart of the city, consider living in Downtown Honolulu! The area has a wide variety of affordable and luxury apartments, condominiums, and loft spaces to choose from. With close proximity to Hawaii Pacific University, students and faculty living in Downtown Honolulu have quick, convenient access. The downtown area is also home to four distinct districts that singles and young professionals will enjoy, and is surrounded by plenty of jobs in the financial and telecommunications sectors at places like First Hawaiian Bank and Hawaiian Telcom. And with a wide variety of entertainment, culture, and historic places in the area, there are always plenty of fun Honolulu attractions to experience.
Things to Do in Downtown Honolulu
Spend the day shopping and visiting historical landmarks along the Honolulu Harbor at Aloha Tower Marketplace. Learn about the history of Hawaii’s last reigning monarchs, and take a guided tour through the royal residence and gallery exhibits at Iolani Palace. Take a break from busy city life by exploring the tropical plants in the conservatory, roaming the outdoor Butterfly Garden, or crossing off the bird-watching checklist at Foster Botanical Garden. Experience Polynesian culture with Samoan fire-knife performances, live music, chants, traditional food, and more at Ka Moana Luau. Get your caffeine fix in the morning with a Taro Ube Latte, Banana Milk Float, or Hilo Honey at Ali’i Coffee Co. Order Brooklyn and Detroit-style pizza like the Sausage and Fennel, Garlic Bomb, and Potato at Pizza Mamo. Try dishes by an award-winning chef like the Smoked Ono Club, Beef Bourguignon Pot Pie, and Market Korean at Fête. Or enjoy date night with elevated Hawaiian dishes like Duck Three Ways, Braised Beef Cheeks, Japanese Eggplant, and more at Senia.
Kaka’ako
- Home Price: $570,458 median purchase price; $1,824 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 57% of Honolulu neighborhoods
Want to live in a trendy, fun neighborhood in Honolulu? Move to Kaka’ako! This area is known for its colorful street art, vibrant food scene, and endless shopping at nearby Ward Village and SALT at Our Kaka’ako. Young adults looking to settle down can find a great selection of luxury apartments, condos, and townhomes near the beach. Honolulu residents can also enjoy plenty of fun Our Kaka’ako community events, like the Honolulu Night Market, ‘Ohana Stargazing, and Bark in the Park. Additionally, students and medical professionals will appreciate living near the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, while those working in the downtown area or nearby Straub Medical Center have convenient access to TheBus transit system and extremely walkable streets.
Things to Do in Kaka’ako
Support local and shop for fresh meat and seafood, local artisanal food options, and unique handcrafted items at Kaka’ako Farmers Market, one of the best farmers markets in the U.S. Take a dip in the ocean, go paddle boarding, or rest and relax with an outdoor picnic underneath the palm trees at Ala Moana Beach Park. Check out over 50,000 pieces of artwork throughout the expansive galleries, or express your creativity with a wide variety of art classes at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Attend a comedy show, play, or concert from artists such as Iam Tongi, Old Dominion, and Janet Jackson at Neal S. Blaisdell Center. Try sustainable, local farm-to-table dishes like the Taro Ravioli, Duck Tacos, and Braised Lamb Shank at Moku Kitchen. Enjoy live music while indulging in the Lobster “Pot Pie,” Wagyu Umami Burger, and Garlic Roasted Wild Shrimp at Merriman’s Honolulu. Wash down Chorizo Empanadas with a pint of Mellow Waves or Aloha Blonde at Aloha Beer Company—and treat your pup to a dish off the dog menu! Or enjoy bay views while having creative meat and seafood dishes like the Ginger Scallion Crusted Eggplant and Seafood Coconut Curry when you make reservations at 53 By The Sea.
Manoa
- Home Price: $911,800 median purchase price; $1,603 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 83% of Honolulu neighborhoods
Not only is Manoa one of the safest neighborhoods in Honolulu, but it’s also a good neighborhood for singles and young professionals! The area offers great housing options filled with plenty of Hawaiian Bungalows, Mid-Century Modern houses, and charming, renovated historical homes. Situated near the base of the Ko’olau Mountain Range, residents can enjoy a slower-paced, active lifestyle surrounded by Manoa Valley views, loads of hiking trails, waterfalls, and vibrant plants without being isolated from city life. This Honolulu neighborhood is also home to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, making this an ideal place for college students and those working in academia.
Things to Do in Manoa
Hike through the lush rainforest toward the 150-foot cascading waterfall at Manoa Falls Trail. Explore nearly 200 acres of tropical plants in the botanical gardens, and listen to the different species of singing birds on the walking trails at Lyon Arboretum. Catch a mainstream or off-broadway play or musical like Sweeney Todd, Clue, and Death Of A Salesman at Manoa Valley Theatre. Learn about Hawaiian culture and natural heritage with a guided walking tour through the gardens, get a close look at the ancient temple, or take traditional cooking workshops at Manoa Heritage Center. Start your morning with a Sucker Punch, Espresso Soda, or Ginger Latte at Morning Glass Coffee. Enjoy breakfast and lunch by ordering the Banana Macnut Pancakes, Curry Chicken in 1/2 Papaya, and BLTA at Waioli Kitchen & Bake Shop. Find classic Mexican food in Honolulu like the Pork Carnitas, Steak Picado, and Chilaquiles Con Carne at Serg’s Mexican Kitchen. Or try the Chicken Parmigiana and Ravioli, Veal and Shrimp Piccata, and finish off with Homemade Tiramisu at Paesano Ristorante Italiano.
Waikiki
- Home Price: $460,290 median purchase price; $1,702 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 51% of Honolulu neighborhoods
Known for its iconic surfing scene and popular tourist attractions, Waikiki is one of the best Honolulu neighborhoods for singles and young professionals. Jam-packed with world-class shopping, vibrant nightlife, delicious restaurants, and tons of entertainment, you’ll never run out of fun things to do. Residents can spend the day resting, relaxing, or watching yearly competitions like T&C Grom Surf Grom Contest and Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival at Waikiki Beach, the birthplace of modern surfing. Waikiki residents can also party with their neighbors at yearly community events like Waikiki Hoolaulea and Honolulu Festival. Additionally, those looking to purchase a piece of Honolulu real estate right in the center of the action can find plenty of high-rise apartments, condos, and condo-tels for sale!
Things to Do in Waikiki
Shop luxury brands like Valentino and Jimmy Choo or even local goods along Kalakaua Avenue at outdoor shopping centers International Market Place and Royal Hawaiian Center. Learn about military history in the Pacific with exhibits like Hawaiian Warfare, Defending An Island, and Hawaii On Defense at the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii. Go bodyboarding, catch the gnarly waves, or encounter different species of fish while snorkeling along the shore at Queen’s Surf Beach. Enjoy authentic Hawaiian music, hula dancers, and performers at the Kuhio Beach Hula Show. Order brunch items like the Charcoal Buttermilk Pancakes, Pork Belly Fried Rice, and Maple Glazed Honey Ham Eggs Benedict at Basalt. For some of the best seafood in Honolulu, try the Poke Tacos, Coconut Ginger Braised Seafood, and Furikake Ahi Steak at Duke’s Waikiki. Meet up with your friends for happy hour to try craft cocktails like the Dark Cherry Mojito, Waikiki Sunset Punch, or Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita at Waikiki Brewing Company. Or enjoy Honolulu skyline views over dinner while sharing Hawaiian Plantation Ribs, Spicy Kauai Garlic Shrimp, Fried Branzino, and more at Sky Waikiki Raw & Bar.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes