Given a home in Central,AK planning on moving there (Fairbanks: house, rent)

[mal_flisk]

Powersonic aren't bad. Other good brands are C&D, Power, Enersys. Look up these names on the net, and find a local distributor. Dist'rs can sell well below list price, and will be happy to size your load and make recommendations.

[megensmom]

We are learning and getting wiser. We have purchased a Honda Generator EU model. We will be getting an inverter soon and batteries we will purchase in Fairbanks. I have called around for the phone and also found out about the satalite dish network. Lots and lots of homework being done by me for sure.
We are thinking of buying a woodstove here and bringing it up because they are cheaper here.
We got a 4-wheel drive Tahoe this past weekend to help with our life up there if needed.
I remember seeing a post where someone asked if $5000 would be enough to get started up there and I can answer that NO way. There are deposits for the phone,buying a satalite for TV,now granted they probably were going to be living in a town and have regular power which means another deposit. And then the cost of clothing plus money to live on until a paycheck comes in.
But we are excited for sure. We are leaving at the end of March so that we arrive the first of April. I have spoken to the teacher at our little local school and my kids have shared info with the kids there.

[Wrennie]

There's not much going on in Central. I hope you don't like to shop. Winter food storage is no problem. Milk keeps fine outside. You're going to have to buy alot in Fairbanks when you go, and just store your food. I guess you realize your husband is very likely going to have to do alot of traveling in order to work. Personally, I love the area. But lots of people don't. Good luck to you---what an adventure!

[megensmom]

I do like to shop but I also like to other things. I am pretty aware he will be out of town for several weeks at a time for work. But then again there jobs that might be avab. where he wouldn't be.He used to drive OTR trucks so I was used to it and he also worked out of town for several construction jobs. I can handle it I think. I have 2 older teen boys that I am sure I can count on to help if I need them. We will just have to see. We are very excited though.
Do you live in Central?

[Arcticthaw]

I would consider a wait on the Sattelite TV, only becase you need to be sure you have a view of the horizon and need to know how big a dish you will need. the small ones usually don't bring in enough signal for Alaska. You will also be farther north. SO normally larger is better within reason, maybe your school teacher can point you in the right direction.

[Marty Van Diest]

I don't know how much the TV set up would cost, but you might just get a bunch of books and maybe spend the money on a snowmobile or something that would help get the kids outside in the winter.

I think too many people hole up in front of TVs when there is so much to do outside in the winter. You can go places in winter that you can never get to in the summer. There is winter fishing, trapping, snow fort building etc...

It will be cold there, but get plenty of real good clothes. Lots of fleece to layer under the parkas. Fleece pants too if you can find them.

[Arcticthaw]

Originally Posted by Marty Van Diest

I don't know how much the TV set up would cost, but you might just get a bunch of books and maybe spend the money on a snowmobile or something that would help get the kids outside in the winter.

I think too many people hole up in front of TVs when there is so much to do outside in the winter. You can go places in winter that you can never get to in the summer. There is winter fishing, trapping, snow fort building etc...

It will be cold there, but get plenty of real good clothes. Lots of fleece to layer under the parkas. Fleece pants too if you can find them.

Good idea, a pair of older fan cooled machines is a good idea. Years ago when I was there at the Hot Springs down the road. We snowmachined to Medicine lake to play and there was people ice fishing.

If you get the boys interested in Amateur radio they can get their liscences and use the repeater system they set up for the Yukon Quest.

I attatched a bit of topo map to show hills to south.

Look at ARRLWeb: ARRL Home Page and Welcome to KL7KC - Fairbanks Alaska

[megensmom]

I am not real worried about the Sat. not working as my father in law told us already which size dish he had. My sons love the outdoors they can't wait to be able to have a snowball fight,trapping is all they talk about and all they read about right now. We have always been outdoors people so I think having the chance to be in Alaska and learn and explore they will truely love.
We won't be getting a snow mobile this winter I know but maybe next.

[snkalaska]

I wouldn't go overboard in spending until you talk to people from Central. They will have been there done that with many of your ideas and will know what works. That said, sometimes newcomers will have fresh ideas that they may have missed. As other posters have said, there won't be much paid employment in Central and people will look for work on the slope or in a mine. Maybe even fish seasonally. Mostly, you'll live the subsistence life, hunting, fishing, cutting wood etc.
I am an avid gardener but since I live in Kenai my climate is milder than yours. Go to the U of Ak, Fairbanks website to explore growing in your area. Michele's Garden, http://www.alaska.edu/uaf/ces/publications/

Alternative energy is catching fire with our new Governor's interest. You may want to check into:
REAP: Renewable Energy Alaska Project
Renewable Energy Businesses in Alaska

It's smart to come in March even though it's still hard winter. Job opportunities will be better early.

Good luck!

[Festafarian]

Originally Posted by Wrennie

Winter food storage is no problem. Milk keeps fine outside.

I wondered about that... it seems that with utility bills so high in Alaska, it would be obvious to take advantage of the cold for food storage.

How do you do that and keep the critters out?