Ok, reality check time about "moving to Alaska" (living, cost of living)

[aquariusmom]

400K houses are the norm for many middle class neighborhoods in pricier parts of the lower 48, you don't have to earn a fortune to get one either, that's exactly why the president was just critisizing predatory lending and discussing debt bail outs- banks have been lending way too much money to way too many people, and that's party to blame for the inflated market.

However there are also MANY parts of this country where you can still find standard 3 br homes in the 100-250K range, in the southeast property taxes are manageable and on top of lower housing costs, monthly housing budgets are not bad. Flipside- you have to live in the southeast

Cost of living in Alaska is not less than most other places (I've lived in VA, PA, MA, RI, TX, CA, HI, NY, and SC...) Most people I know who live in Alaska are here because they want to be, not because they can't afford to live anywhere else.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by aquariusmom

... Cost of living in Alaska is not less than most other places (I've lived in VA, PA, MA, RI, TX, CA, HI, NY, and SC...) Most people I know who live in Alaska are here because they want to be, not because they can't afford to live anywhere else.

You are absolutely right, the cost-of-living in Alaska is the highest in the nation. Therefore, if you can afford to live here then you can afford to live anywhere in the US. The price of paradise isn't cheap.

I moved around from state to state every few years, and it wasn't until I moved to Alaska that I felt like I was coming home. I have lived here 16 years now, and can't even conceive of living anywhere else. My only regret is that I didn't move to Alaska sooner.

[sashaloves]

my husband and I are thinking of making the big move up to alaska from colorado. We both have always wanted to but never have.
whats the best way to move up there...anyone know

[warptman]

Drive!!!!!!

[Rance]

Head north. Once your into Canada turn laft. You can't miss us!

Ok...I vote drive also.

[msina]

Originally Posted by mal_flisk

I have the money and wherewithal to move, but who wants to? Winter might be dark, but it's a small price to pay for the summer. Each to his/her own. If you want to move, a family of four will get $6000 this year from the state, and that's enough to drag up with.

could you explain this to me? I may be dense but I don't understand, the State pays people to move there?

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by msina

could you explain this to me? I may be dense but I don't understand, the State pays people to move there?

I believe mal_fisk was referring to the Permanent Fund Dividend Checks. Twenty-five percent of the oil royalties the state collects goes into a constitutionally protected permanent fund. That fund, which is currently just over $32 billion, gets invested and the dividends from those investments are averaged over 5 years and then distributed to every qualified Alaskan.

In 2007 every qualified Alaskans received $1,654.00. Therefore, a qualified family of four would've received $6,616.00 in dividends this year. Unless the price of oil takes a very serious dive below $50/barrel, which won't happen, the Permanent Fund Dividend Checks should even be higher in 2008.

[Miss Blue]

Oh boy, look out guys, if this gets very widely known there will be thousands coming to Alaska and having babies every 11 months

[warptman]

New record on my dividend, gone in 2.5 days!

[Arcticthaw]

Originally Posted by warptman

New record on my dividend, gone in 2.5 days!

Camera gear?

Great Photos!