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Old 07-05-2012, 10:21 AM
 
Location: Casper, WY
180 posts, read 215,195 times
Reputation: 339

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I'm going to be leaving the Army within the next year and it's time to start planning for my post-Army career. I'm originally from South East Ohio. Thanks to the Army, I've spent time in OK, TX, LA and SC - and I realize that I want to avoid the hot, sticky and humid south at all costs! lol

So, I'm looking at Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, maybe the Dakotas... I'm not against moving back to Ohio or Pennsylvania as I have family there and am a Pittsburgh fan (mom's from a Pittsburgh suburb).

Mostly I'm looking for the following...

1. Job Availability (going to use ACAP to search for jobs once I settle on an area)
2. Low(er) cost of living (only place I've lived prior to the Army was Columbus, OH - something like that)
3. Cool - Cold climate (I love snow - and I miss not seeing it in the winter)
4. Mountains!!! (something around the 2-4k ft in the Rockies or something would be spectacular)
5. Moderate driving distance to a metro area (within 2hrs drive or so)

I grew up in a small town of less than 1000 people, so I'm not really afraid of the rural aspect - I like space, but I like to be close enough to something big so I can enjoy the benefits that a metro area has to offer. That said, I know it's a bit of a tall order because I hate, HATE country music - and the places I've picked like lots of that. lol

I'm single, 28 and male. I'm mostly looking for assistance so I can research a place to live and then use the Army's ACAP service to search jobs in that area - possibly Gov't to continue the Federal service or some sort of non-corporate private sector stuff (I've done fast food and retail, never again if I can help it... lol)

From the sound of things, CO is crawling with people like me already and makes finding work difficult. WY is too sparse to really offer much in the metro bit I was thinking of and they sent me to you guys. My initial thoughts are of high cost of living due to being so far north. I don't want to be paying $8/gal for milk. Travel back to CONUS to see family would be much more expensive as well.

Honestly, I don't know much about Alaska, so help me fill in the blanks - is it a viable option?

I appreciate your help - please ask if you need me to specify further!

Thank you!
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Old 07-05-2012, 10:32 AM
 
Location: Wasilla, AK
2,795 posts, read 5,615,380 times
Reputation: 2530
There's several areas that would fit your desire for cold, close but not too close to metro area and mountains... The Kenai Peninsula, the Mat Su Valley and near Fairbanks are the most likely.
Jobs depending on your skill and experience.
Is it possible to do a week trip up here and take a look around?
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Old 07-05-2012, 10:35 AM
 
Location: Casper, WY
180 posts, read 215,195 times
Reputation: 339
How livable would those areas be on about $30k/yr? I'd be looking for apartments, like a 1 br/bth.

Thanks for the suggestions on location - now I have something I can google.
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Old 07-05-2012, 10:52 AM
 
116 posts, read 546,405 times
Reputation: 131
You should look into becoming a state trooper in Alaska.
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Old 07-05-2012, 10:58 AM
 
Location: Casper, WY
180 posts, read 215,195 times
Reputation: 339
I'd love to - but I'm getting out of the Army (involuntary) due to disability - left ankle fracture, so high impact activities like running are no longer an option for me. Else that's exactly what I'd do.

On Google it seems like Juneau and Anchorage are exactly what I'm looking for - amazing climate, just about the right size, etc. How "modern" are these cities? How to define Modern... lol What about cleanliness?
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Old 07-05-2012, 12:04 PM
 
Location: Casper, WY
180 posts, read 215,195 times
Reputation: 339
I would most likely be looking at Federal employment since I'd get some sort of point preference for being a Disabled Vet and PH recipient.
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Old 07-05-2012, 12:37 PM
 
Location: Wasilla, AK
2,795 posts, read 5,615,380 times
Reputation: 2530
Anchorage is fairly modern... And so is Juneau. Juneau is smaller and more remote, with less urban extras than Anchorage. Relocation and life in Alaska is a common topic on the forums here, so be sure and give other threads a good read.
Is it possible to take a preview trip up here?
Life in Alaska is more expensive and $30,000 a year would be tight in Anchorage and almost impossible in Juneau. Well, I guess anything is possible, but it would be difficult.
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Old 07-05-2012, 12:41 PM
 
Location: Casper, WY
180 posts, read 215,195 times
Reputation: 339
Yeah, browsing around, lots of folks talking about relocation. Ferries, driving, housing... It sounds like the hardest part is getting established.
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Old 07-05-2012, 02:07 PM
 
Location: Casper, WY
180 posts, read 215,195 times
Reputation: 339
Got a buddy who says Soldanta is a really nice place to go. He says anything outside of Anchorage is affordable pretty much.
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Old 07-05-2012, 05:29 PM
 
Location: Casper, WY
180 posts, read 215,195 times
Reputation: 339
Don't suppose any of you know any Park Rangers or National Park Service folk, do you?...
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