[tevake]

I spent a quite a few years in Kona. mauka as they say, at about 1200' ele just north of Kailua-kona over looking the airport. It is a nice area, a bit cooler than the coast. Nice views until the volcano started erupting in the early 80s. Then the vog set in, that is the air pollution from the volcano. Yuk, very hazy at times, can bother your breathing. Not good for asthmatics.

Some good drives to be had. Hawi at the north end of the island is some nice driving area. Hilo side in dry weather is beautiful.
It is a bit less expensive to live on the Big Island than most of the rest of Hawaii.
Each area of the island is very different than the other areas. It would be a good idea to vacation there and explore. Or go for a season and rent to get a feel for the place.
PM me if I can help with info about a specific area.

I love the Big Island, the vog not so much
I was living on a boat in the late 70s early 80s, and was sailing to kauai for summers. then kona for winters. till the vog started impacting the big island so much. Then settled in on Kauai.
Cheers Richard