Thinking of moving to Alaska... (Anchorage, Fairbanks: island, place, job)

[mal_flisk]

I am usually polite, even to people who tick me off. If I feel like answering a troll, I wait, type, wait and re-read, re-edit. And most of the time, I delete my answer. When people ask the forum (in a friendly fashion) for information, most of the people here answer in a friendly fashion. Others who have posted encyclopedias of info on relocation to Alaska, tend to want them to search out the answers posted earlier.

No one is hostile or acts in a proprietary fashion unless the OP hacks at one of our traditional ideas (idiots deserve the fate that karma deals out) or at one of our sacred cows (hunting, guns, privacy). Trolls are traditionally sacrificed to the gods by all and sundry. We pay short shrift to the occasional jackass. But, we are respectful to respect, kind to those in need, and defend the right of others to disagree.

Politics aside - we used to tolerate opposite opinions, but lately politics has become a veritable battleground.

But you singled out people who have posted link after link on relocation. Warpt has been THE guy for people to check with on driving the Alcan or moving to Bethel. Floyd is the guy for Barrow. Rance is the guy for Kenai and Bud for Seward. But throwing out a question like "Where should I move?" leaves people wondering if the OP has even looked at Alaska. Another good question, "What's it like?"

The problem is that it opens up entire books. Alaska has about a quarter of the actual land mass of the lower 48. What's that land like? (California or Nebraska? NY or Oregon) What's the weather like? (Florida or Maine? Great Plains or Rockies?)

Where can I get a job? What about crabbing jobs? (Thank you "Deadliest Catch") These questions and others come off as inane. Without information, the questions are unanswerable. How can we answer these? We can't, and so the only option seems to be sarcasm.

Put yourself in the place of the 30 or so regulars on this forum. These questions come up at least once a month (or more often). How many times and how many ways can we answer these before it becomes like the Ninth Circle of Hell.

Clay, we are usually nice to nice people. And usually intolerant with the rest. And the rest have to work at it to get the full brunt of our ire.

[modifiedancer]

Well this has just become way more of a subject that I expected it to be. I'm so sorry to have been redundant, and I can understand how one could become cynical seeing thread after thread asking you "what's it like?". I know I have been offended by people asking if we had cars yet in Nebraska, and other stupid questions.

We have looked at some larger towns to rent in while we save up some money, and I think we've fallen in love (as much as you can from pictures and stories) with Homer. We like the art culture and the proximity to water and wildlife parks. We still have awhile before we get up there, but I'm looking into attending UAA at the Homer campus, as I want to go back to school.

Thanks for everyone's tolerance of my ignorance, and I'm sorry for any trouble I have caused.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by modifiedancer

Well this has just become way more of a subject that I expected it to be. I'm so sorry to have been redundant, and I can understand how one could become cynical seeing thread after thread asking you "what's it like?". I know I have been offended by people asking if we had cars yet in Nebraska, and other stupid questions.

We have looked at some larger towns to rent in while we save up some money, and I think we've fallen in love (as much as you can from pictures and stories) with Homer. We like the art culture and the proximity to water and wildlife parks. We still have awhile before we get up there, but I'm looking into attending UAA at the Homer campus, as I want to go back to school.

Thanks for everyone's tolerance of my ignorance, and I'm sorry for any trouble I have caused.

LOL. It usually happens around here. I think the clay person is just trying to stir up $hit; he's from Texas so that explains the complex

You'll do fine. You're asking honest questions and you're getting honest answers in return. Do all the research you can before your move.

By the way, Homer sounds like a really good fit for you. It's a pretty neat place. You might be able to do pretty well with a little organic type of farming operation there; I'd think there would be room for someone who wanted to supply some of the restaurants there with fresh vegetables/herbs. From what I've read of the soil there, it's amazing.

[Nephler]

I have a good friend back in Michigan, she's moving back in less then a year, that is from Seldovia, just across Kachemak Bay from Homer, and they did a bit of "farming", as small as it me be, there. So, it is possible. She always said how much she misses that area.

[modifiedancer]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

LOL. It usually happens around here. I think the clay person is just trying to stir up $hit; he's from Texas so that explains the complex

You'll do fine. You're asking honest questions and you're getting honest answers in return. Do all the research you can before your move.

By the way, Homer sounds like a really good fit for you. It's a pretty neat place. You might be able to do pretty well with a little organic type of farming operation there; I'd think there would be room for someone who wanted to supply some of the restaurants there with fresh vegetables/herbs. From what I've read of the soil there, it's amazing.

Yay! Thanks for the hope Metlakatla!

My boyfriend says not to talk about it because he doesn't want anyone to steal our niche, but we've been talking about an organic farm operation, someday including a greenhouse for winter veggies, and selling them to the town. I'm sure the price for imported produce is ridiculous (how much do you pay per lb for bananas? we pay $0.98 roughly for comparison), and I'm hopeful that a demand is there.

Also I paint, quilt, crochet and do my own canning, I'm hoping an art town would welcome my recreational activities and I could make friends faster.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by modifiedancer

Yay! Thanks for the hope Metlakatla!

My boyfriend says not to talk about it because he doesn't want anyone to steal our niche, but we've been talking about an organic farm operation, someday including a greenhouse for winter veggies, and selling them to the town. I'm sure the price for imported produce is ridiculous (how much do you pay per lb for bananas? we pay $0.98 roughly for comparison), and I'm hopeful that a demand is there.

Also I paint, quilt, crochet and do my own canning, I'm hoping an art town would welcome my recreational activities and I could make friends faster.

LOL--no clue what we pay for bananas; I close my eyes at the cash register here.

Your boyfriend has somewhat of a point. I started to DM you with some ideas but then got interrupted. Will try it again sometime tomorrow.

[modifiedancer]

Okay, please do!

[Metlakatla]

Will do so sometime tomorrow--

[Barkingowl]

Make sure you visit The Salty Dog on Homer Spit.

[modifiedancer]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

Make sure you visit The Salty Dog on Homer Spit.

I've seen pictures, will definitely check it out, thanks!