moving into Alaska out of despair (Anchorage, Barrow: employment, movies, schools)

[gobrien]

Originally Posted by aisaum

Bay Area of California. It's very expensive here, I need a degree to be able to get a job that can happily sustain me, and there's just too many people. More people means more competition for everything.

As for getting an education, right now, I'm just waiting on the 18th when there's a counseling session and talk how to get back into college. If not, then I'll have to do what they say, or start in a 2 year then transfer to a 4 year college, or think of another plan. I'll find a way, I have to. Job Corps does not look like a place for someone like me. I will feel uncomfortable dealing with people who do go there.

It's hard when I don't have parents to look out for me and guide me during my younger years. I have to learn everything on my own. It looks like people are discouraging me to go to Alaska and become "homeless", to escape. It gives me a second thought before really going to Alaska.

If you'd be uncomfortable with Job Corp people, trust me you don't want to be down and out in Alaska. There are a lot of seedy places and people in lower income areas, or camped out in parks or wild areas. It's really difficult to just come up here without solid survival skills if you want to do a solo wild adventure like Chris McCandless. You will burn more calories getting the food than you will gain by eating it. But yes, California, especially where you are at is ridiculously expensive!

[Woof]

Alaska's definitely not the place, too many people end up homeless and then corpsicles in the winter. Best to be in a place with decent winters if you think you might end up homeless.

I knew a young Druid once who told me he went from town to town doing temp work at one of those rent-a-bum places like Labor Ready, where they pay the same day you do the work, or next day (in fact that's where I met him). He was at peace with his lifestyle, staying at cheap motels, camping, homeless shelters or whatever ......... learning whatever lessons could be learned at each place, waiting for the right place to settle.

[aisaum]

It's not because I want to do adventures. It's because I'm tired of struggling to live in an expensive metropolitan area like the Bay Area, especially when I'm in unfavorable and unfortunate circumstances compared to other people who are better off here.

[gobrien]

Originally Posted by aisaum

It's not because I want to do adventures. It's because I'm tired of struggling to live in an expensive metropolitan area like the Bay Area, especially when I'm in unfavorable and unfortunate circumstances compared to other people who are better off here.

It's pretty much the same deal here but I will concede that Alaska may be a tad bit cheaper than San Fran but it gets and stays very cold here. It's a whole different animal.

This may sound silly but check out Fayetteville, Arkansas. I lived there for 14 years. They have a good college and fairly good economy with a cheap cost of living, and the people are not what you might picture in your mind as an Arkansan. It's a college town so there is plenty to do and the whole area is brimming with opportunity.

[Woof]

Originally Posted by aisaum

It's not because I want to do adventures. It's because I'm tired of struggling to live in an expensive metropolitan area like the Bay Area, especially when I'm in unfavorable and unfortunate circumstances compared to other people who are better off here.

Well, that's what Oregon is for. Or Sacramento.

[Knukler]

Alaska is full of people with the same stories. But like stated before you must be tough to live up here.

[aisaum]

Originally Posted by gobrien

This may sound silly but check out Fayetteville, Arkansas. I lived there for 14 years. They have a good college and fairly good economy with a cheap cost of living, and the people are not what you might picture in your mind as an Arkansan. It's a college town so there is plenty to do and the whole area is brimming with opportunity.

Arkansas is one of the southern states. How does Fayetteville treat other races?

[Wynternight]

Originally Posted by aisaum

Bay Area of California. It's very expensive here, I need a degree to be able to get a job that can happily sustain me, and there's just too many people. More people means more competition for everything.

As for getting an education, right now, I'm just waiting on the 18th when there's a counseling session and talk how to get back into college. If not, then I'll have to do what they say, or start in a 2 year then transfer to a 4 year college, or think of another plan. I'll find a way, I have to. Job Corps does not look like a place for someone like me. I will feel uncomfortable dealing with people who do go there.

It's hard when I don't have parents to look out for me and guide me during my younger years. I have to learn everything on my own. It looks like people are discouraging me to go to Alaska and become "homeless", to escape. It gives me a second thought before really going to Alaska.

Trust me, you do not want to be homeless in Alaska from about October to May....

[aisaum]

Originally Posted by Wynternight

Trust me, you do not want to be homeless in Alaska from about October to May....

How harsh and cold does the winter months get?

[roadfamily6now]

Snow for 7 months of the year. Cold enough.