Has Pokémon GO added a new "must have" to your ideal home?  The recent pokécraze has everybody, myself included, obsessively looking for the best spot to catch pokémon while minimizing the amount of walking.  As I've traveled around the island trying to catch 'em all, I've kept track of the most poké-friendly neighborhoods around Oahu to help you cut down on the time it takes to become a Pokémaster.

Should this guide your house buying decisions?  Absolutely not.  It's more of a "bonus" than anything.  But it will give you some good areas to go pokémon hunting.  Just remember not to trespass (unless you see Mew).

We must advise against this kind of decision making

Waikiki - The Pokémecca of Oahu 

The Waikiki area "Stays Lit" as the kids would say with lures, rare pokémon, and gyms that are constantly changing hands. Come to think of it, I've never seen a pokéstop that didn't have a lure attached to it in Waikiki.  It's what I think heaven would look like if I died today and they let me bring my smartphone

If you're tired of catching pidgeys and rattatas, the two best spots for finding the more elusive pokémon are the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium.

The high population and constant influx of new visitors add to the frenzy and make Waikiki the best place to become a pokémaster without leaving your condo.  When it comes to real estate, any condo in Waikiki is almost guaranteed to be teeming with pokémon.  

Pokemon Spotted in the Area

• Gyrados
• Dragonite 
• Vaporeon 

Capital of the Pokemecca - The Bermuda Triangle

When I want to level up really fast I'll usually go to Waikiki to what I've dubbed the "Bermuda Triangle of Pokémon".  If you sit on the grassy area in front of Yard House, you can check into all 3 pokéstops without moving.  Still, the pokémon here pop up faster than a game of whack-a-mole so come prepared with at least 50 pokéballs. 

My Happy Place

Ala Moana - The PokéHub

More specifically, Ala Moana Center and Ala Moana Beach Park.  The gym in the center of the mall changes hands more than a rec center basketball, providing opportunities to earn XP bonuses as you sit in the food court and wonder how your life got to this point.  

If you're vigilant, you can let some higher level players take over the gym then claim it for your team before they can.  Does this help your XP?  Not really.  Is it funny to picture how annoyed the other pokémon player is?  Absolutely.  

Ala Moana real estate is similar to Waikiki with plenty of old and new condo developments across all price ranges.  As with Waikiki, leaving your apartment is optional if you choose the right place.  

Pokemon Spotted in the Area

• Onyx 
• Blastoise
• Magneton 

Hawaii Kai - Rare Town 

This might be the result of one lucky day I had in Hawaii Kai but anecdotal evidence is basically science so take this as fact.  I ran across some rare water and ground types driving around Hawaii Kai (passenger, don't worry) and hiking up, down, and around Koko Head Trail (more on that later).

While it doesn't have the poké-convenience factor like Ala Moana or Waikiki,  it does give you an opportunity to get in some kilometers and hatch a few eggs.  The area is a picturesque waterfront community with a large variety of single family homes to choose from.  Not to mention lots of options for dining, hiking, relaxing, and sightseeing while you play Pokémon GO.

Koko Head Trail Gym

Is there anything better than conquering the 1,048 steps of Koko Head trail then conquering the gym at the top?  I wouldn't know, a Vaporeon there beat me so bad I'm almost ashamed to hike up again.  But if you're looking for a genuine "Rocky" experience, if Rocky had fought Clubber Lang at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art stairs, this is as close as you're going to get.  

Pokemon Spotted in the Area

• Omanyte
• Seel
• Porygon
• Mewtwo (lol jk) 

Kakaako - Electric Avenue 

If you've been to Ward Center or SALT at Kakaako you're aware of how lit this area can get.  Electric pokémon as far as the eye can see!  If you've been looking for revenge on those vaporeons at every gym around town, this is where you find your answer.  

Kakaako is also THE hottest area on Honolulu for new condos.  Affordable to luxury condos and everything in between, no matter who you are you'll be able to find a place you're happy with.  At the very least you can get a table at Dave and Busters and pokéball outrageous.  

Pokemon Spotted in the Area

• Jolteon
• Voltorb 
• Destructoid 

Makiki - The Land of Zubats

If your goal is to have the most powerful Golbat on Earth, Makiki is the place for you.  Don't get me wrong, Makiki is an incredible neighborhood where I just bought my first place, I couldn't love it anymore. That being said, the surplus of zubats and only zubats is starting to wear on me.  I am the Willy Wonka of Zubat candies.

Pokemon Spotted in the Area

What did I do to deserve this?

Bonus Tips and Tricks

• The Silph Road on Reddit is THE best source of Pokémon GO tips.
• PokéAdvisor will show you which of your Pokémon are the most powerful (it's not all about CP)
• You can choose what your Eevee evolves into by changing it's nickname before you evolve it. Remember to close the app after you do then re-open it so the name change hits the servers.  
  • Jolteon - Name your Eevee "Sparky" 
  • Flareon - Name your Eevee  "Pyro"
  • Vaporeon - Name your Eevee  "Rainer" 
• Wait to evolve your pokémon until you activate a lucky egg.  You get 1,000 XP per evolved instead of 500 XP.  
• Learn to curveball.  It gives you a 10 XP bonus and makes Pokémon much easier to catch.   
• Join Team Mystic.  It's by far the smartest, best looking, most talented team on the island.