I want to move to alaska...

[Wolf-Kim]

LOL. This would certainly qualify as random, but I have some questions and I know we have a few members from Alaska on here..

So I and my newly wed husband have contemplated moving to Alaska. It is way too crowded here for us and it literally makes me sick. I've always wanted to visit Alaska, but now recently we've had this cool idea of MOVING there. Just spend a few years there before we officially settle down somewhere. We are young and newly wed and have had this nagging curiousity.

What is the average pay for an entry level job? We're both college students and he's working on his nursing degree, me on my Veterinary. Unfortunately AK doesn't have a veterinary school that I can find, but it hasn't dampered my thoughts.

With a young couple working in entry level jobs, is life comfortably surviveable? I know that was worded weird..

The property prices on Craigslist were crazy. Are they the norm? Is there something that balances this cost out?

My husband and I are both hunters and gardeners and we have a bit of a homesteading spirit, so out in the woods doesn't phase us. We'd like to be an hour and a half or less from "civilization" and we would like to be able to drive home in our vehicles! LOL Noticed quite a few properties in Alaska for sale that were accessable by 4-wheeler or float plane..

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

 

[redhen]

I loved Alaska. I would go back there in a second. It was just beautiful! The people were all very nice.. I'd move there too.. *sigh*

 

[Mahonri]

I would have trouble getting used to sun less winters and darkless summers.

 

[WriterofWords]

I've wanted to move there for quite a long time and have had several offers to teach there. The problem is even single I couldn't live on a teacher's wages there.

 

[maplesky7]

...with your wormies redhen?

hey kimmie.... I also have a friend that lives there and I could see what advice she may have, if you like. My sis has a friend that lives there too.

seems like some workers go there for the "seasonal" jobs...like college students when the tourists hit. my sis was thinking about doing that as she's a hair dresser and thought it would be a neat adventure after her kids are all in college... couple more years to go for her. She's had adventures with her friend like traveling down that one road with the big gas pipe and camping and hiking.

my friend is an older woman who has a summer plot where she has a pop up camper and her and her friend spend their weekends there with their cats and kayak and fend off bears and then go back to the drone of their everyday work lives after the weekend is over.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

I would appreciate any help and advice.

I'm feeling adventurous and I figure what better time than now? I've heard that the in-school college tuition is free(at least in Homer), still have to look into that. The rest of the family is on the internet now of course too, so computer is too slow to check out the college websites.

Hubby is a little... iffy on the whole idea, so I'd have to do my homework before I really push it.

Right now we are living with his parents and I'm ready to get out of this city. I love his family dearly, but this city is just too much for me. Too busy and crowded, too many ill mannered people. I never ever feel relaxed here, even at home.

I figure it's one heck of a move, but like I said, it'd definately be an adventure and a story to tell later.

 

[Judy]

I'm a retired nurse, old and stuck where I am.

In your shoes, I would do it in a heartbeat. I hope you will hold off on kids for a bit, til you get more settled, just so you can more easily change direction as you see fit.

Hopefully you will find that the economics balance out; the whole picture is evidently quite different there, and it does not sound like you will require any huge amount of cash flow.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

I live in Southcentral Alaska.
We get a good 6 hours of sun in the dead of winter, per day. Its not all dark because we are below the Circle.
Weather here is much like Northern MN.

If neither of you have bought a house before, and would like to live rurally, you can do what we did.
We went throught a Bank, Rural Development, and also got a grant through HOPS.
We were granted $30,000 downpayment, and 80% of our mortgage is fixed at 1% interest through Rural Dev.
The rest is through the bank, and is fixed at 5%.
The grant is fully ours as long as we live here a certain number of years, which we intend to do, of course.
So, all in all, our 30 year mortgage is under $700 per month.

We live off the land somewhat. Fish, hunt, garden, gather wild berries, etc. We are also part of a raw milk co-op.
We have a very nice home, with chickens and hopefully, a couple of goats next year.

Food co-ops through Azure are easily accesible, as well as grain depots.
Lots of organic farms, CSA's and U-Picks.
Anchorage is only 1 1/2 hours away, but the Valley has everything one can possibly need.

Feel free to pick my brain about other things if you like

Paula

 

[ChicknJ]

Good post wolf-kim, I too would very much like to move to Alaska. Right now I am looking at traveling positions as a nurse in Alaska. They are generally 12 week assignments, so maybe when your hubby finishes nursing school, you guys can go without making a huge commitment.

I am an outside person, don't get to crazy if the house isn't clean, just let me go for a walk in the woods and I'm happy. I'll be watching this post to see the responses. Maybe I'll see ya there .

 

[English Chick]

Don't miss any opportunity to broaden your horizens....do it!..... good luck and I hope all goes well for you.and dont forget to keep everyone posted as to whats happening............