I know I know, yet ANOTHER question about moving to Alaska (Anchorage: living, prices)

[stiffnecked]

Trident Seafoods :: Join Our Team :: Frequently Asked Questions

They usually pay the state minimum wage. The kicker is the overtime. That can start to add up. That's for entry level shore based cannery work.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

Trident Seafoods :: Join Our Team :: Frequently Asked Questions

They usually pay the state minimum wage. The kicker is the overtime. That can start to add up. That's for entry level shore based cannery work.

What does the work consist of? Can you find this work anywhere, like in Juneau, or is it specific to an area?

[karfar]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

Oh yeah, they're not long-term. I'd get in touch with a realtor about that...
Yes, we are in the middle of a temperate rainforest, and temperatures are mild. We have cooler summers, but the trade off is that we have warmer winters. That's not to say that it never gets hot, it does. The strange thing I've found about Alaska, Juneau in particular, is that like 80 degrees, which is really rare, feels like 100 down south. I can't explain it, that's just the way it is. There are some places to go swimming- Twin Lakes is a good one although it's kind of gross in there. All of the biological scum (in the summer, think rotting salmon) from the bottom of the Gastineau channel gets sucked into Twin Lakes so it's pretty disgusting. I've been swimming out at the glacier, but it has to be pretty warm for that to be worth it. Just remember that no one here has air conditioning, so things get warm pretty fast.
I honestly don't know what a "bratwurst" is in comparison to like a sausage or a hot dog, but our Freddies carries a lot of stuff that you wouldn't expect it to.
We have a ton of cool festivals, including Fourth of July, Alaska Folk Festival, Juneau Jazz and Classics, etc etc, plus First Friday which is the first friday of every month and there are tons of gallery expositions and stuff.
It's not taboo to be a smoker, and a lot of people do it, but we have pretty stringent laws about where you can do it. Basically, no smoking in buildings that aren't your home. You can't smoke in public buildings, in restaurants, in bars, and there's city legislation in the works that would prohibit smoking at private gatherings, like Elks Club meetings. If you have to smoke, you can do it outside. These laws are fairly controversial, but I agree with them fully, except the last one about private gatherings, which I think crosses a line.

Thanks! Man, there is definitely a lot of research to do before moving there. I was wondering about women setting up their own businesses...I don't even know what I would do yet, but what sort of needs is there for certain things? I'm sure opening a bar would be pretty successful, what about computer based things. Do you make a living w/your photography?

[alaskanbadger]

Have you considered Ketchikan at all? It's a small island in southeast not too far from Juneau and it has plenty of charm. I'm a native of K-town but I actually went to school at the University Of Wisconsin (Madison) so I'm familiar with Wisconsin Vs. AK if you have any questions. As far as the winters in southeast Alaska they are tame in comparison to the Midwest -- we do get substantial snow fall from time to time but the ENTIRE time I was growing up we had 2 snow days at school and temperatures only hit zero ONCE.

Ketchikan does have a small Starbucks tucked in the main grocery store and a few little coffee shops around town as well as two decent book stores. The community has a great arts scene so there is usually something going on whether is be art opening, plays, charity walks etc. Kayaking is big but as far as hunting goes it's not nearly as popular as it is in Wisconsin. The fishing industry is huge but primarily just during the summer months so people are often floating through town from the most random places and you meet lots of interesting people. There is a decent night time scene with quit a few "corner" bars that have been around FOREVER.

I could easily go on and on about Ketchikan so I'll try and wrap it up now but PLEASE don't be afraid to ask questions. -- My parents actually both came up to Ketchikan from the Midwest met one another and never looked back.

oh and to answer your question about Palmer it's not too far from Anchorage. --- You toyota would probably do just fine in AK just drive up and catch a ferry in either Washington state or British Columbia.

[akck]

Originally Posted by karfar

Thanks! Man, there is definitely a lot of research to do before moving there. I was wondering about women setting up their own businesses...I don't even know what I would do yet, but what sort of needs is there for certain things? I'm sure opening a bar would be pretty successful, what about computer based things. Do you make a living w/your photography?

I think it would be difficult to open a bar. I'm sure there is a process for getting a liquor license that takes a long time and probably would be opposed by current bar owners. Plus, there are zoning restrictions that would limit locations. Computer based things may or may not work out as there are already several in town. The secret is finding a niche business that is not currently being met by the local businesses. Restaurants might work, depending on location, pricing and type of food. We do have a variety, so it may be difficult to come up with something unique. Tourist shops are another idea, but there is lots of competition, both permanent and seasonal.

So you face the same business problems here that small businesses face everywhere. Add to that higher costs due to shipping everything in. Many businesses thrive for several years then go out of business as sales lag. I'm not trying to discourage you, but if you start your own business, you need to have a plan and financing in order to survive for a long period before you make any profits.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by akck

I think it would be difficult to open a bar. I'm sure there is a process for getting a liquor license that takes a long time and probably would be opposed by current bar owners. Plus, there are zoning restrictions that would limit locations. Computer based things may or may not work out as there are already several in town. The secret is finding a niche business that is not currently being met by the local businesses. Restaurants might work, depending on location, pricing and type of food. We do have a variety, so it may be difficult to come up with something unique. Tourist shops are another idea, but there is lots of competition, both permanent and seasonal.

So you face the same business problems here that small businesses face everywhere. Add to that higher costs due to shipping everything in. Many businesses thrive for several years then go out of business as sales lag. I'm not trying to discourage you, but if you start your own business, you need to have a plan and financing in order to survive for a long period before you make any profits.

I figured as much. But I thought, hey if I make this move I really want to go all the way & start my own business instead of working for someone else. It's a nice dream anyway! Let me know if there's any other areas that people would be interested in something but there's not something currently there for it.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by alaskanbadger

Have you considered Ketchikan at all? It's a small island in southeast not too far from Juneau and it has plenty of charm. I'm a native of K-town but I actually went to school at the University Of Wisconsin (Madison) so I'm familiar with Wisconsin Vs. AK if you have any questions. As far as the winters in southeast Alaska they are tame in comparison to the Midwest -- we do get substantial snow fall from time to time but the ENTIRE time I was growing up we had 2 snow days at school and temperatures only hit zero ONCE.

Ketchikan does have a small Starbucks tucked in the main grocery store and a few little coffee shops around town as well as two decent book stores. The community has a great arts scene so there is usually something going on whether is be art opening, plays, charity walks etc. Kayaking is big but as far as hunting goes it's not nearly as popular as it is in Wisconsin. The fishing industry is huge but primarily just during the summer months so people are often floating through town from the most random places and you meet lots of interesting people. There is a decent night time scene with quit a few "corner" bars that have been around FOREVER.

I could easily go on and on about Ketchikan so I'll try and wrap it up now but PLEASE don't be afraid to ask questions. -- My parents actually both came up to Ketchikan from the Midwest met one another and never looked back.

oh and to answer your question about Palmer it's not too far from Anchorage. --- You toyota would probably do just fine in AK just drive up and catch a ferry in either Washington state or British Columbia.

How long ago did you go to Madison? My parents actually went on a cruise to Alaska in '95, went to Ketchikan, Juneau & Skagway. It's a fairly popular cruise tour. My dad LOVED Ketchikan, I think he would be very happy if I moved there. He'd actually be happy if I moved anywhere in Alaska. He's wanted to live there for as long as I can remember, I'd be living out his dream for him! From what a few people are telling me, I'd find it tough to make a decent living up there, or at least tough compared to what I'm at right now. I would probably move up there in a second if I wasn't so worried about money, but that's the problem anywhere you go, isn't it? I don't know how old you are, but I'm 36 & I still like to go & hang out at bars, meet people, have fun. Because of that, I'm leaning more towards the bigger cities, I think I would feel too isolated in a very small town. How difficult is it to get to Juneau or Anchorage from there, how long is a trip to either place?

[akck]

Originally Posted by karfar

I figured as much. But I thought, hey if I make this move I really want to go all the way & start my own business instead of working for someone else. It's a nice dream anyway! Let me know if there's any other areas that people would be interested in something but there's not something currently there for it.

The only thing I can think of would be one of the cottage industry businesses that make jewery, artwork or pottery that can be sold to the tourist shops or at craftfairs. It would be one of those businesses where you don't quit your day job until you get established. The only other business I think would be neat would be a micro-brewery. We already have one brewery that grew about two steps above the micro level, but it would be neat to have another one. Capital intensive though.

[cobolt]

That is what I was going to suggest....find a job and where you're going to start out, get up there, get a feel for the land and people, observe, and decide what your niche will be from there. When I was up there, there were two businesses my SO and I were thinking of starting..because of his work, etc, we had an inside to the industry, connections, etc, although we eventually parted ways. The other business idea which I also got when I was up there, I might actually do one day.....but my point is, establish yourself first, the rest will fall into place.

[Metlakatla]

Please don't assume that a bar is the way to success. I can't recall the name of it, but only a couple of years ago a longstanding bar in Wasilla closed because of lack of business. Also, the lisences are expensive and the liability is through the roof. One woman I know a bit north of Anchorage got sued for pretty much all she had because someone left her bar drunk and killed another person while driving. It's easy to say you wouldn't let a drunk leave your bar; almost impossible to put that into practise.

Get a bartending job though during touron season---lots more money than working in a fish cannery and you won't get as slimy. Some places you could work would even offer you seasonal housing.