alaska

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

We're starting to get snow up at the higher elevations now, but, well, to give you an idea they generally can't open the mountain in Girdwood to skiing until sometime around Thanksgiving, which is actually a pretty comparable season to most mountains outside. Everything will start getting slushy and gross by the "Slush Cup" in late April. (Yeah, I pretty much associate the seasons with the ski mountain. Spent way too much time in that little town.

This will be my frist winter in the Matanuska Valley and I LOVE the wide-open spaces and quiet and dark. Not liking the crazy wind so much, though, and there definitely isn't much going on as far as a social life here!

 

[chickenbottom]

i want a few acres like 5 to 10 thats prob gonna be my most expensive thing. i remember when i was a kid in virginia ide want snow so much even the slushy kind. i find it so beautiful. i cant stand heat. i think its cool how it goes into april. i know my family would love to come visit me up there. all my family is on the coasts lol. i guess a bad thing is i dont drive at all dont like it.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Quote:
I lived in Girdwood for over 2 years just fine without a car. Now that I'm out away from things a bit, I have to have one and drive daily.

It really adds a lot to your monthly expenses! There won't be public transportation in most places you can find 5-10 acres, but if you want to be a total recluse, it might work out! Just make friends with whatever neighbors you have, and don't be afraid to hitch hike!

 

[chickenbottom]

i usually bike. idk about in snow and all but i get in about 50 miles a week. not this week though my tires are flat. cant wait to meet my neighbors lol

 

[Mrs MIA]

I would recommend visiting in Jan/Feb when it's coldest, and do searches for land/housing/jobs here. It's not as easy to live here as people think. I live on the Kenai Peninsula, which is south of Anchorage... about 4 hours south of the Matanuska Valley (Palmer/Wasilla) where the soil is fertile. I haver a difficult time growing a garden here, but others have lovely gardens. A greenhouse is almost a must. The growing season is soooo short. Winter is from, well, now, until about Memorial Day. Spring and Fall seem to last only about a month each. If you want to be outside of the city, you will need reliable transportation, and gas is expensive... ~$3.40/gal in Anchorage, and about $0.30 cents more down here. You will have lots of predators to contend with... moose, bear, eagles, hawks, owls, lynx, ermine... and the cold temps are a challenge for the chickens. But it can be done with careful planning. Just be sure that if you do decide to make the move, do it with clear expectations and open eyes. It is beautiful here, but it can be very challenging.

 

[chickenbottom]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

I would recommend visiting in Jan/Feb when it's coldest, and do searches for land/housing/jobs here. It's not as easy to live here as people think. I live on the Kenai Peninsula, which is south of Anchorage... about 4 hours south of the Matanuska Valley (Palmer/Wasilla) where the soil is fertile. I haver a difficult time growing a garden here, but others have lovely gardens. A greenhouse is almost a must. The growing season is soooo short. Winter is from, well, now, until about Memorial Day. Spring and Fall seem to last only about a month each. If you want to be outside of the city, you will need reliable transportation, and gas is expensive... ~$3.40/gal in Anchorage, and about $0.30 cents more down here. You will have lots of predators to contend with... moose, bear, eagles, hawks, owls, lynx, ermine... and the cold temps are a challenge for the chickens. But it can be done with careful planning. Just be sure that if you do decide to make the move, do it with clear expectations and open eyes. It is beautiful here, but it can be very challenging.

im looking for a challenge. and i will have a green house. bears are what scare me the most. ive got to do a lot more studying before i can even go. maybe i can find a college or something up there and do a symester up there might be the easiest thing to do as of right now get a small apartment. ive got someone who can watch my birds for a while so it might work out.​