Economy, moving to Alaska...leaving Alaska.. (Anchorage, Kodiak: house, to buy, wages)

[lyoness]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

well I don't know how old you are but....life is too short no matter what age you are take the plunge. We are mid 50's hubby job is ending after 28 years...we have investments and savings but not rich. We are do'n our dream of moving to Alaska. We have always "pot job" to get by. the biggest issue will be health care insurance cost. without a job in hand and I know we will make it, we also have no matter what and life has not been easy!!! You'll will not get any younger!!

So true blue, life is so short and I am definately not getting any younger! I will make it there one way or another, though not near soon enough to suit me (like tomorrow ) I think the mistake I'm making is planning everything out...the past 3 years now, some crisis or another, not of my doing, has taken presidence. I'm beginning to get a complex. I guess I just need to throw a little bit of stuff in my car, close my eyes and jump, it's just a little daunting when you're suddenly 50, never been without a job in your life and want to be somewhere so bad you can hardly stand it. There are several like me on the forum, I think we should just start a caravan

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

I'm getting there this year one way or another (unless I get killed or something like that). Even recently my savings for the trip has taken a slight hit but I'm going for it, thin budget for the move but what the heck, I have to I'll live off rice and beans all year. I figure I'll be better off than Vermont. Here, I'm in a much more precarious position as far as the economy goes: more dependant on the cash economy, I don't own any land, taxes are high, I live in a rented apartment, people close by...

Up in AK, I at least have my land, and no taxes to worry about (yet anyways, but good God if they tried statewide property taxes it'd be a disaster up there in some parts). I can grow enough to survive there even if it comes down to living off potatoes and peas. I've never not had a good crop of those and the climate there is great for them. Better hunting and fishing than Vermont has. All I need to keep my home (land) is less than $1600 a year. The fur market took a nose dive but making that much is still doable. I figure also I can probably find at least a little placer gold around there to help the budget too. As a last resort I know my family would be willing to lend me money to keep the land if I got that desperate (they've already offered to help without any asking when they realized my savings is a bit small these days, they're retired from state jobs so they've got income as long as the government is still around). So times may get quite lean (hey I could lose some weight anyways) but I think I'd rather be there than the lower 48, especially if things get real ugly...there are more bubbles to burst in the U.S., commercial real estate, credit cards, likely treasury bonds, maybe even the dollar or federal government itself if it keeps going...the isolation is a big benefit to Alaskans, live in less than half a day's drive of several major cities and you'll understand why I say that.

Besides all of which I'm going crazy here. People are getting more annoying, more selfish, more aggressive, more crime, as things get real bad here with so many lost jobs and the state cutting jobs and taxing everything it can (and wasting precious time in the legislature on things like homosexual marriage or global warming while the state crashes and burns)...I need to get out of here, to a true rural area!

There's a seed shortage down here with so many people planning to garden, anyone having trouble up there? Seed places all over are sold out or running low, and I've heard in some states seed potatoes are all out. Slightly off topic but not entirely...there better be some seed potato up there when I get there! Can't bring the potatoes I've always saved here.

I haven't looked at seeds yet, as I go overboard when I do, and have quite a few from last year I never got planted. I will take a look tomorrow, and let you know..if you want I can get you some. You need to find a way to get on the ocean and get some halibut, just a few nice ones do wonders for the freezer

[HighlandLady]

Arctic...I've stocked up on seeds, they seem to not be in short supply - for now. Seed potatoes were already available a month ago also.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by HighlandLady

Arctic...I've stocked up on seeds, they seem to not be in short supply - for now. Seed potatoes were already available a month ago also.

That's good, I hope it stays that way, seems demand in some states is overwhelming the supply, lots of panic going on...

Grannysroost: the Interior is a fair distance from the ocean, halibut is good though...I'll just have to make do with salmon...

I save heirloom seeds so have quite a few, but I don't have enough. And it's illegal for me to bring my seed potato into the state...

[mongazid]

Originally Posted by lyoness

So true blue, life is so short and I am definately not getting any younger! I will make it there one way or another, though not near soon enough to suit me (like tomorrow ) I think the mistake I'm making is planning everything out...the past 3 years now, some crisis or another, not of my doing, has taken presidence. I'm beginning to get a complex. I guess I just need to throw a little bit of stuff in my car, close my eyes and jump, it's just a little daunting when you're suddenly 50, never been without a job in your life and want to be somewhere so bad you can hardly stand it. There are several like me on the forum, I think we should just start a caravan

JUMP!!!!!!

Weigh this; going to ALASKA!!, times are tuff. You struggle alittle bit. Your apartment is alittle run down. Rice and beans afew nights a week. But Hey!
on your days off Alaska is yours for the taking!

Or, You lie there on your death bed thinking " Damn it, I can't believe I did'nt even Try!

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

No I won't have net access except when I visit town (Manley, I've been told when classes aren't in session people can use the school's internet). But yeah I'd appreciate that, even if it becomes a bit tricky using email, you could PM it if you want to keep it private...

Umm edited to add: maybe I need glasses, snail address not email address.

Come to think of it that's something I wish I could do but I don't have the money right now; getting an internet connection and ability to use a computer there. It'll have to wait, I think I'll have to use satellite internet out there when I do get that.

When I get back I'll PM you my e-mail address; easier that way than snail mail since you'll have some computer access. That way if you start to starve or something I can send you food.

[kittymama]

My inclination is that people on the whole don't chose to move to or leave Alaska based on economic reasons, but based on either whether they can't stand living here or can't stand not living here.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by kittymama

My inclination is that people on the whole don't chose to move to or leave Alaska based on economic reasons, but based on either whether they can't stand living here or can't stand not living here.

I think a lot do leave for economic reasons, or will be with losing jobs and the cost of living. I agree that some also leave due to the weather, etc., . A lot of people move, don't like it, and move again, but in the -48 that is relatively easy to do. Moving to Alaska, and then leaving is a very costly endeavor as you well know. Most people that come to this forum that are looking to move to Alaska, have been given the advice to have a job or some type of savings to fall back on, which right now savings are fairly hard to come by for many. Moving here, along with being costly, is in my mind also a drawn-out, nerve-wracking experience, if moving a household, children, pets...unless you are fortunate to be single and can move with a suitcase or two, I cannot imagine...

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

When I get back I'll PM you my e-mail address; easier that way than snail mail since you'll have some computer access. That way if you start to starve or something I can send you food.

Thanks Met. I do appreciate that!

[Barkingowl]

Cori do you have a good source in the valley for .223 & small pistol primers?