Moving to Alaska?

Question

Thinking about making the move. Wondering what the locals think of the place? What is there to do? and would you ever move if you could?

Answer 1

If I were younger, that's where I would live. My wife & I spent 5 months traveling Alaska in our motorhome. Every turn in the road brings a new sight.

We spent some time in Anchorage, while the engine in our motorhome was replaced, and got to meet quite a few locals. There were diesel techs working at the shop in Anchorage making $150K a year. My trade, electrician, makes $35 per hour. The cost of living is much higher. There's no state sales tax or income tax. There's also no 99 cent menu at Wendys either. We found most of our purchases were close to what we paid in Florida. Property taxes are higher around the big cities, Anchorage and Fairbanks. Don't even consider Juneau, the capitol, you can't drive there.

We like to watch the TV show "Men in Trees". If we knew they had so much fun in bars, we would have gone into some. Really, Elmo, AK doesn't exist. But, there is a lot of fun to be had everywhere.

The winters can be harsh. Fairbanks can go to -50 easily. Anchorage is milder but this winter they had a big snow problem. No where to put all the stuff. It looked comical with the roads plowed and 12 foot high walls of snow beside the road.

Move and enjoy it.

Answer 2

I am a 30year Alaska resident. Put a map of Alaska over the lower 48 and it will explain my answer some.
Depends on where in Alaska you want to live. The interior(like around Fairbanks) can get 90 in the summer and minus 65 in the winter. Down in the SE panhandle winters are much milder. Way up north is very remote and damn cold.
Mosquitos big enough to lift horses everywhere(im kidding about the horse part)
Fishing, hunting, hiking, what ever you like to do is here. Just keep in mind that 95% of SE is accessable only by air or boat. All of Alaska is beautiful but can be very expensive to get around if you are not on the road system.
After 30 years I am leaving with very mixed emotions. It breaks my heart to sell my boat and leave everything I know but I am just simply tired of the cold. I lived in Juneau and Haines for 11 years and in Anchorage for 20. We are having the coldest March on record, was minus 8 at the house this morning. Sucks, but dont let that scare you away. I will be coming back to visit regularly.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I live in Wasilla Alaska, We are here because my husband got stationed at Elmendorf. We do not enjoy it here and hope to move ASAP, we have been here almost 2 years. It is not what we have pictured in our minds of Alaska. The Mat-su Valley , where we live has approximately 80,000 people. The city of Anchorage, approx.40 miles away has 270,000. It is the most CITY life we have ever experienced. Alot of crime and drugs.
My husband wanted to move here for the hunting, but has only hunted 4 days. Seems like a big ordeal to hunt here...need a few $thousand, for pilots etc. We are used to just going in our back yard and hunting (Idaho). There are no Elk or Deer and the only wildlife we have seen is Moose and Bald Eagles. Most of the trees are leaf trees, and I figure they most import the trees for any cabins.
I also find it strange that you can have up to 4 ounces of marijuana, but can not buy a lottery ticket!
The fishing, however, Is great.
Winter is long,long long, daylight of about 4 hours in winter,,,and 20 hours in the summer.
Last summer all it did was rain, and the high got up to maybe 70.
I think Alaska,,is a great place to visit, but not to live.

Answer 4

Living in Alaska is a much harder life, but it is much more rewarding too. I spent a year in south while my wife was in med school. The whole time, I felt like an ant in a ant hive. In Alaska, everyone either hates it or is living their individual deam. It's not mundain. The scenery is great, but realisticaly that's not why you live somewhare. It's an extra benefit. I can't describe the diferance between Montana and Alaska. It's not the scenery, it's the individuality and the love of you " home country". When I was down there I felt for the first time like I was ia America. I never realized it before, but Alaska is very unique.

Answer 5

As you can see from the previous postings; you either love it, or can't wait to leave it.

As for myself, there is no place like home. Every time I have to travel "outside" on business, I just can't wait to get home. Seeing Mt. McKinley as we are on final approach, just seems to put the world back in perspective.

I have spent many years driving the Alaska highway, and I catch myself watching my speedometer the closer to home I get.

As far as things to do... Alaska has something for everyone; but you have to "get out there" to experience it. We don't have the big malls some people have to have, but we have a few that will suffice (at least in Anchorage).

It is an sportsman's paradise; hunting, fishing, camping, skiing (both Nordic, and downhill), or just the basic camping trip (although in Alaska, nothing is basic).

I have spent years showing visitors, Alaska... and to me it is always new and exciting.

Camai!

Answer 6

I live in Alaska. What city are you thinking about moving too?

Answer 7

from what i have heard i would not move there if i were a single male, there just are not many women there per density of males,other than that i have been told it is a wonderful place,i would like to see it some day.good luck.

Answer 8

it can be a astonishing place to seek and fish. however the chilly winters and the extreme cost of residing could make shifting there out of the question. a minimum of, that's what I even have been informed.