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Old 03-14-2011, 08:38 PM
 
99 posts, read 531,490 times
Reputation: 139

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I know that you guys get this a lot and are probably tired of it, but please stay with me.

I've been browsing places in Alaska that will suit me (or that I will suit), and I've narrowed it down to Kenai/Soldotna/Sterling and Anchor Point/Homer. I've done a lot of Googling and searching this forum, but I would still like to throw my situation out there and see what folks think.
I live in Central WA. I have lived/worked on a ranch my whole life. I also currently work in a veterinary clinic. I hunt for meat and grow a decent garden, root crops are most important. I have horses and cattle, and would like to keep a few. I raise rabbits and chickens for meat, and keep a few hens. I can and dry my meat and veggies. I want to hold on to this lifestyle, I don't like relying on the outside to survive.

I have four dogs. I like bikejoring and skijoring, and would like to upgrade to a sled. I like walking/hiking and horseback riding, but would like access to some musher friendly trails too. Snow machine trails are a plus. Where ever I move would need to have enough snow that lasts long enough to enjoy some winter sports.

I like Anchor Point and Homer because they are right on the ocean. Is Kenai just as accessible from the inlet for tugs/fishing boats? Or would you have to skiff out to open water? My worries are that Anchor Point and Homer are hippie/drug towns or too touristy. I live in a town where one of the biggest rodeos in America takes place, and I hate rodeo weekend. A bunch of drunk out of town idiots take over and cause trouble for a few days. I wouldn't want to live like that year round.

It seems that land in Anchor Point is cheaper than land in Kenai. Here is the place that caught my attention: www.AlaskaRealEstate.com - Property Detail. How is the well drilling situation? In a thread search I read that AP has better water than Homer.

My career goal is to open a pet store with boarding, training, and a small grooming salon. I may only groom on or two days a week and offer self service bathing. I know Homer has a trading post and small dog shop. Can the area support another business like that? There is also a feed store and pet store in Soldotna too.

My weather questions are: Is it boggy and wet? What is the flood risk? (I have looked for maps but can't find anything that I understand) How long does the snow stay?

I know that everyone's first piece of advice is to have a job first. I have a comfortable financial cushion until I get a job or start my own business. Second piece of advice is to visit before you move. I plan to visit several times, just want to get my ducks in a row and gather as much information as possible. I've done a lot of reading on this forum and you guys are a nice group of folks! Thanks in advance!
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Old 03-14-2011, 08:56 PM
 
Location: Anchorage
1,923 posts, read 4,715,922 times
Reputation: 871
Aside from your business ventures, I'd reckon that Willow or Huston would be your cup of tea.
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Old 03-15-2011, 05:31 PM
 
99 posts, read 531,490 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roadfamily6now View Post
Aside from your business ventures, I'd reckon that Willow or Huston would be your cup of tea.
I appreciate your response. I looked up Willow but didn't find anything huge. What are the highlights? The only downside I found was that it is farther from the water than I would like to be.
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Old 03-15-2011, 05:47 PM
 
Location: Anchorage
1,923 posts, read 4,715,922 times
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Farther from the ocean but very close to lakes and rivers.

It suits you because of this..........


Quote:
I hunt for meat and grow a decent garden, root crops are most important. I have horses and cattle, and would like to keep a few. I raise rabbits and chickens for meat, and keep a few hens. I can and dry my meat and veggies. I want to hold on to this lifestyle, I don't like relying on the outside to survive.

I have four dogs. I like bikejoring and skijoring, and would like to upgrade to a sled. I like walking/hiking and horseback riding, but would like access to some musher friendly trails too. Snow machine trails are a plus. Where ever I move would need to have enough snow that lasts long enough to enjoy some winter sports.
Or you could try Wasilla / Palmer. And there will be plenty of snow!
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Old 03-15-2011, 07:01 PM
 
99 posts, read 531,490 times
Reputation: 139
Palmer looks nice. The agriculture is good and thats where the fair is. Sounds similar to where I love now, just cooler in the summer. Winter temps are about the same.

What are the people like? Are most people relatively self reliant? What are the most common industries/occupations? Is it based around ag?

Why wouldn't you recommend Kenai or Homer?
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Old 03-15-2011, 07:04 PM
 
Location: Palmer
2,519 posts, read 7,033,517 times
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I looked up that piece. It's been for sale since 2006, that's what the 06 at the beginning of the MLS number stands for. The listing says wetlands...which means that there are wetlands on it. Do not buy any land in Alaska without walking on it first. And if you are new to Alaska, don't buy any land without walking on it in the summer.

Usually in Alaska when you see open grassland like that...it's a bog unless it's been cleared and kept in hay, then it's expensive.

Check out the cost of hay in Alaska...very expensive. A lot of it is brought up by truck from Central Washington..or Montana. Horses can be expensive to keep.

Otherwise, you should be able to do what you want in Alaska. You will need a decent sized population base for a business like you plan to have I would think.
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Old 03-15-2011, 08:18 PM
 
99 posts, read 531,490 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marty Van Diest View Post
Check out the cost of hay in Alaska...very expensive. A lot of it is brought up by truck from Central Washington..or Montana. Horses can be expensive to keep.

Otherwise, you should be able to do what you want in Alaska. You will need a decent sized population base for a business like you plan to have I would think.
I have been warned via DM that a business like that won't fly in the places I am looking at. I guess that's ok, I probably don't want to live in a place that will support a business like that. I had thought maybe the tourism would bring in some people with their pets.

I'll have to look at the hay prices up there. I've never bought a bale in my life, we grow our own. This could be any eye-opener.
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Old 03-15-2011, 08:22 PM
 
26,639 posts, read 36,722,762 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cowtown2snowdog View Post
I have been warned via DM that a business like that won't fly in the places I am looking at. I guess that's ok, I probably don't want to live in a place that will support a business like that. I had thought maybe the tourism would bring in some people with their pets.

I'll have to look at the hay prices up there. I've never bought a bale in my life, we grow our own. This could be any eye-opener.
People on vacation tend to not bring their pets to AK.

Someone with a business like yours closed down awhile ago on POW and it's been a very missed service. It's my understanding she closed due to health reasons and not because business was bad.
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Old 03-16-2011, 06:12 PM
 
Location: Anchorage
1,923 posts, read 4,715,922 times
Reputation: 871
What about Delta Junction area? It's also an agricultural center and you can have hundreds of acres of land there to grow hay and have horses.
They still do Ag-land auctions there too. We bought 200 acreas of some really good land for $89,000. 40 acres were already in hay production. No access to power though.

Anyway, i guess it just dpends on what you want. The state is HUGE and I am sure you will find what you are looking for.

By the way, which state are you from? I grew up in the town that had the National College Rodeo Championships every year until the town ran them off due to advertizing issues. I miss it. (Bull riding is HOT!
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Old 03-16-2011, 07:06 PM
 
99 posts, read 531,490 times
Reputation: 139
Quote:
Originally Posted by Metlakatla View Post
People on vacation tend to not bring their pets to AK.

Someone with a business like yours closed down awhile ago on POW and it's been a very missed service. It's my understanding she closed due to health reasons and not because business was bad.
Thats also what the person in the DM said. I'm glad I brought it up in my post, because I would have been in for an awakening. I wouldn't mind finding a customer base, but I'm definitely not willing to sacrifice my lifestyle.

Quote:
Originally Posted by roadfamily6now View Post
What about Delta Junction area? It's also an agricultural center and you can have hundreds of acres of land there to grow hay and have horses.
They still do Ag-land auctions there too. We bought 200 acreas of some really good land for $89,000. 40 acres were already in hay production. No access to power though.

Anyway, i guess it just dpends on what you want. The state is HUGE and I am sure you will find what you are looking for.

By the way, which state are you from? I grew up in the town that had the National College Rodeo Championships every year until the town ran them off due to advertizing issues. I miss it. (Bull riding is HOT!
I will look into Delta Junction too.

I am from Washington. I live at the end of a county road, as far as you can get from anything. The town closest to me is Kittitas. It has a gas station, a grocery store, and two bars. The next town is Ellensburg. Most shopping is done in Ellensburg once a week, and that's where any socialization and entertainment is found.
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