Is AK likely the new retirement state? (Anchorage, Hope: income, medical)

[McCallister]

Hello.

I have been wandering around this website for a while and reading up on all sorts of different states and their influx of people or "outflux" (if that is a word)..?

My question is, do any of you who live in Alaska or know a lot about Alaska think that Alaska will become a major retirement/hot spot state in the next few generations or so? Or is it already? I only ask, because I know the western US(Utah, Idaho, etc...) are getting a lot of people moving there instead of the typical FL or CA states to reitire. FL and CA are having horrible housing markets now and I many people have been moving out west instead to UT, ID, MT to "get away" and/or retire. What happens when those places get to be like FL and CA? Go to AK??? Or do you think AK is too cold/remote a place overall for most do deal with?

I eventually want to live in a place where I can; A: Afford it within a reasonable level, B: not have to drive hundreds of miles to find "true wilderness" and C: just not have to deal with people who move to new states to expect life to remain like their previous states.

I know every state will have this to some exent, but I was hoping Alaska would be a state I could likely find this over most others. What do you all think?

I know I may sound like one of these people, but I thankfully am not one who wants to move to another state to change what that state is. I want to live in a state where I become part of what the state already is.

[mal_flisk]

It's possible, but given the distance and difficulty in getting here (plane, boat, or an extremely long highway), and food prices, I am inclined to think it would be a choice for the hardy and relatively well off. Advanced medical help is limited, and unless you are in Anchorage, it is usually distant. SouthEast has an advantage in being closer to Seattle, but flying is expensive. Most of the choices for retirement come down to money, and this makes Alaska a difficult choice at best for retirement. Add in weather extremes in winter, and it makes it less attractive than other choices.

[McCallister]

From what I have read, the cost of living is not THAT horrible as one may think. Yes it is more, but not off the charts unless you live in such a remote place that all goods must be air lifted in. With that said, do you really think that airfare tickets to go back to the lower 48, groceries, etc... would really deter than many people looking to find the next "untouched" place to get away? Hopefully you are right mal_flisk and I am wrong.

[icarian]

Agree with mal...the particular thing that I would key in on is the cost of living up here for most. Most retirees aren't going to move up and offset their cost of living by hunting/fishing/etc enough to make their reduced income stream seem robust enough.

Fuel costs, housing costs in and around the larger towns, food, even buying a new vehicle comes with its "Alaska price" One forgets this until they visit down south and exclaim how cheap things are (in an area considered having a high cost of living in the lower 48). Go figure

[icarian]

posted at the same time I do still think it a deterrence. Oh yeah, "chilly" weather added.

[McCallister]

I can't argue with ones who live there. How do you all make it in Alaska then? Are you retired and well off?

[Dusty Rhodes]

Oh yes, cost of living would enter into the equation, but, suspect the biggest factor would be climate. The majority of the people moving to either Florida, N. Carolina, S. Carolina or S. California are from the north, moving to a warmer climate. Somehow I seriously doubt there will be a mass influx of geezers in Alaska anytime soon.

[McCallister]

Originally Posted by Dusty Rhodes

Oh yes, cost of living would enter into the equation, but, suspect the biggest factor would be climate. The majority of the people moving to either Florida, N. Carolina, S. Carolina or S. California are from the north, moving to a warmer climate. Somehow I seriously doubt there will be a mass influx of geezers in Alaska anytime soon.

Let's hope so. Can you imagine tons of "geezers" on the roads in snow!(hope none of you are geezers!).

Are you all life long Alaskians?

[ASpilot2be]

I have noticed more and more retirees moving here. I dont know if it will be a hotspot, but people will continue to retire here.

[imbobbbb]

alaska has the smallest percentage of senior citizens of any state,i dont see that changing