Planning on the big move eventually, what should i expect for job availability?? (Homer: sales)

[Alaska*Bound]

My family, my 2 daughters, 6 and 8, my wife, and I are planning to move to Alaska within the next 2 years. Planning on the Homer area. Im curious if anyone from there, or close to there, can give me any idea of what job availabilities are there, YEAR ROUND. Im an Auto mechanic by trade, but im highly adaptable. My wife is a dispensing Optician, she knowa ten key, great customer service and sales , ordering, etc...

Also , any ideas what a DESCENT place costs to rent up there? I have several friends in Homer that insist, Mechanics are in high demand. But you never know what you can find till your there, were not looking to get rich , just make enough to live descent , and enjoy a simpler life. I would prefer to get a 3 br , and im hoping to stay away from apts. a cabin, or smaller house maybe. Ide love some advice, and maybe pictures of the different times of year to know what to expect, my friends say the summer is nice, but winter is wet and cold...... sounds like Washington only more snow.. 8)

Im not stuck on homer only as a destination, but a smaller town with descent employment, and LOTS of hunting and fishing is a must! im hoping for a population of 4000 or less. Let me know what you all have to offer as far as info, THANKS a Million!!!!!!


Enjoy the simle life!!!!!

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by Alaska*Bound

My family, my 2 daughters, 6 and 8, my wife, and I are planning to move to Alaska within the next 2 years. Planning on the Homer area. Im curious if anyone from there, or close to there, can give me any idea of what job availabilities are there, YEAR ROUND. Im an Auto mechanic by trade, but im highly adaptable. My wife is a dispensing Optician, she knowa ten key, great customer service and sales , ordering, etc...

Also , any ideas what a DESCENT place costs to rent up there? I have several friends in Homer that insist, Mechanics are in high demand. But you never know what you can find till your there, were not looking to get rich , just make enough to live descent , and enjoy a simpler life. I would prefer to get a 3 br , and im hoping to stay away from apts. a cabin, or smaller house maybe. Ide love some advice, and maybe pictures of the different times of year to know what to expect, my friends say the summer is nice, but winter is wet and cold...... sounds like Washington only more snow.. 8)

Im not stuck on homer only as a destination, but a smaller town with descent employment, and LOTS of hunting and fishing is a must! im hoping for a population of 4000 or less. Let me know what you all have to offer as far as info, THANKS a Million!!!!!!


Enjoy the simle life!!!!!

My friend's dad said that if you can either fix a car or cook, you'll never go hungry. You'll be fine.

[susitna-flower]

I know someone who was working as an A& P assistant for awhile, that is one kind of mechanic needed there, and I am sure any marine application, since it is a port, lots of small boats...

You will love Homer, it is fairly small, and "artistic", "progressive", but warm none the less. Good Luck

[elgusano]

A friend of mine who owns a garage was looking for a mechanic last week.

Year 'round jobs are difficult to come by. Have you looked at the Alaska job bank?

[rotorhead]

If it's possible to expand your skills into the diesel and heavy machinery field, you'll have a lot more options for benefitted jobs. Another place to consider is at the marinas, in which case some experience with modern 4-stroke outboards and seasonal maintenance on outdrives and such would be a big plus. If there's one thing Alaska has plenty of, its engines and machinery. It seems that everyone up here has a car and a truck, a boat with at least one outboard, a chainsaw and log splitter, and perhaps an ATV or a snowmachine or two. Sure, there's also lots of backyard mechanics, but if you really know your trade there will likely always be someplace to find work.

Now, finding year round work with benefits and health insurance, thats another thing entirely. In the smaller towns that generally means working for either the municipality or the state, and there's generally quite a bit of competition for those jobs. As an outsider and a newcomer, you might end up working a couple jobs until you get Alaska residency and some connections. If you stick it out and have the right skills and attitude something might just fall into your lap.

[RayinAK]

Please take my advise with a grain of salt. In my view, it's best to have a job lined-up before coming to Alaska, because the very high cost of living up here, and the harsh winters if you are not prepared ahead of time. With the high cost of fuel and utilities these days, everything has gone up in price, including rent, food, and construction materials. As Rotorhead mentioned, you will have to compete for a long time with the local workers before being able to get one of those jobs, leaving you working two or three part-time jobs to survive. Why more than one part-time job? Because most employers will hire you to work part-time only, thus not having to provide you with insurance and such. This is a widely used practice in Alaska.