TheBuzz Erika Engle

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Honolulu not paradise for relocating singles

Our fair city, with its great outdoors and the weather to enjoy it, is No. 92 of 100 "Best Cities for Relocating Singles" for 2007.

On the Net: » erc.org

A study released yesterday by two relocation industry firms, Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocation, ranked markets on several criteria including: the local single population aged 25 to 34; male-to-female ratio; diversity and density; cost of living index; rental availability and rates; job growth versus unemployment; higher education costs; restaurants, bars, health clubs, sporting events and concerts; the percentage of the population using online dating services and subscribing to magazines aimed at singles. Oh yeah, and weather.

The top five metro areas are Atlanta, New Haven, Conn., Madison, Wis., Nassau/Suffolk, N.Y., and Raleigh/Cary, N.C.

Worse than the ranking in this year's study -- the groups' fourth -- is our downward spiral since the first survey: from No. 66 to 82 to 88 and now, 92.

"The survey does not weigh the cost of relocating to the region specifically, only individual factors that might influence an individual's decision to move," said Brad Carmony, director of public relations for inferno, the Tennessee-based marketing company for Primacy Relocation.

Data-analysis company BestPlaces was enlisted for this year's survey as usual, and President Bert Sperling said there could be many reasons Honolulu's ranking has dropped -- in spite of strong points such as weather and diversity.

Ranking can change according to the weighting of certain criteria, he said.

Job opportunities are crucial for young singles just starting careers, so rather than moving to Hawaii early in their careers, "they're probably going to suffer psychologically and economically ... by maybe going to New York -- and maybe later move to Hawaii," he said.

Honolulu's affordability hasn't changed much but, "what's happening is, other places are getting to be more affordable."

Hawaii has strong points, Sperling said, "but it has to have a few more ... to really get up there."

Chef Mavro a top 40 hit

Chef Mavro on King Street has been named among the "Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S." by dining and lifestyle guide Gayot.

On the Net: » www.gayot.com

It is the only Hawaii restaurant on this year's list and is welcomed back to the ranking in the annual restaurant issue's letter from the editor.

Chef Mavro made the list in 2004 as did Alan Wong's, which repeated in 2005. No Hawaii restaurants made last year's Gayot Top 40, though Roy's was on its inaugural list in 1990.

The restaurant issue also notes 'Elua Restaurant and Nobu Waikiki as top new Hawaii restaurants. Last year, it honored Son'z Maui at Swan Court as one of the top 10 new restaurants in the U.S.