Hawaii’s Big Island has so much to offer the homebuyer. Where else can you go skiing and sun bathing all in the same day? While the leeward side of the island is typically sunny and dry, the windward side, where Hilo is located, is lushly tropical from the vast amount of rain the area receives – an average of a whopping 129 inches per year.

If you’re aim is to live in a rural atmosphere, removed from the bustle of downtown Hilo, North Hilo may be to your liking. You’ll find residential settings that range from farmland to stunning cliff-side living. Secluded? Yes, but close enough to downtown Hilo to make it convenient.

The average price of a home in North Hilo in 2011 was $310,200. If you are planning on selling your North Hilo home you’ll need lots of patience, as most homes stay on the market for anywhere from four to six months, although it could take 30 days to almost a year to sell.

If you’re shopping for a North Hilo home plan on paying between $34,900 and $3,150,000, depending on what you’re looking for. Lot sizes vary, from 6,820 square feet to 99 acres. 

Like most areas of the Big Island, North Hilo has an abundance of vacant land for sale. If you plan on building your dream Hawaii home, you can just about pick your price point. Current vacant land listings run from $109,000 to $930,000.

Popular areas in North Hilo include Honomu, an old plantation town. Here you’ll find quaint shops and galleries – the ideal stop when you have Mainland friends visiting. Akaka Falls, both a tourist and local favorite, is located in the area as well. To get to the falls requires a short hike through an amazing rainforest. Once there, watch the falls plunge over 400 feet into the pool below.

Hakalau, another popular area in North Hilo, is home to the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. A little further removed from the town of Hilo is Laupahoehoe.

If you prefer living a bit closer to town, check out the real estate offerings – if there are any -- in Papaikou. Located 4 miles from Hilo’s downtown area, this one-time plantation village is full of folks whose ancestors also lived in the area. It’s not an easy place to find a home, as they are typically kept in the family, so if you find a Papaikou house for sale, grab it. 

If you enjoy lots of rain and country living, real estate in North Hilo should suit you just fine.