Where did you live before Alaska? Why Alaska? (Anchorage, Juneau and: foreclosed, homes)

[wildchild_to]

From reading the posts here, it seems like folks come from all over move to Alaska. It is a great state with endless things to do.

What made you choose Alaska?

[Jason28]

I've moved into and out of Alaska a couple of times now but I think I'm probably in the far minority. Immediately before moving to Alaska, this time, I was residing in Indiana. I came back for yet another high paying job and because I previously felt ripped off in my experience of Alaska. This is my opinion but Kodiak is superior to almost everywhere else in Alaska. If it were slightly warmer in the summers it could possibly be the nicest place in the world.

A lot of people may try to make it sound as if they chose Alaska but the reality of the situation is Alaska chose them. Almost all of the people in Alaska were either born here or found a job here, just like most other states. Some people may claim they had an abundance of jobs to choose from and they chose Alaska. The current unemployment statistics and US economic situation right now say otherwise but since I am one of them, there probably are more.

When people try to feed you this fantasy laden magical tale of homesteading in negative fifty degree weather while fighting off bears with sticks, be sure to tell them that drugs are bad for your brain as well as illegal.

[AK-Cathy]

I think Jason28 has it nailed. I came for a job as did my husband many years ago but having many opportunities to leave Alaska, we both elected to stay. It's been 30+ years now. My husband came from California, I came from Kansas. I started in Juneau and if I had been able to support myself well there, I'd have stayed in SE for sure.

[juneaubound]

Originally Posted by Jason28

A lot of people may try to make it sound as if they chose Alaska but the reality of the situation is Alaska chose them. Almost all of the people in Alaska were either born here or found a job here, just like most other states. Some people may claim they had an abundance of jobs to choose from and they chose Alaska. The current unemployment statistics and US economic situation right now say otherwise but since I am one of them, there probably are more.

I would definitely agree with this. I lived in Tennessee and started applying for jobs out west trying for a job in "Big Sky" country. Alaska was not even on my radar until I saw a job advertised in Juneau. Throughout the entire recruiting process I was still not certain that Alaska in general, and Juneau specifically, was where I wanted to be. But I was offered the job, the salary was good, I had been to Juneau for an interview, and it was a beautiful place. I decided that I would make the move and give it a shot.

I love Alaska (Juneau has its issues but is the most beautiful place I have ever lived and has abudant outdoor resources that fit my lifestyle). So yes, Alaska definitely chose me.

Someone I work with has been trying for jobs down in the -48 and told me the other day she applied for a job in NC (she's hoping to move back closer to family) and she was one of 2000 applicants. Tough to stand out when you're one of 2000 people...........

[bongo]

My husband & I are both New Mexicans- we still own a home on the high road to Taos. However, it's hard to find jobs there so we came up here 12 years ago in search of teaching jobs & have stayed. This spring we will retire, sell our Alaska home & return to our home in NM. We dearly love Alaska, the skiing, backpacking, hiking, biking, traveling & camping in our RV. The skate ski trails behind our Anchorage home can't be matched anywhere in the country! But Alaska is expensive for retirees. So back to the southwest we'll go.

[Jason28]

Originally Posted by bongo

But Alaska is expensive for retirees. So back to the southwest we'll go.

This is a big deal for anyone residing in Alaska or thinking of moving here. It is quite expensive for everyone and if you don't have at least a fairly decent income, you will have a hard time "getting ahead". Gas costs more, food costs more, housing costs more. It all adds up pretty quickly and makes Alaska not worth it for a lot of people.

Speaking of retirement, I was just contemplating this the other day. Alaska isn't a great place for people once they get older. It's freakin' cold, it costs a lot to live here, and most people will not remain actively doing outdoor activities into their 70's and 80's outside of fishing.

Furthermore, those people who are into gardening will be miserable here. It is all but impossible to grow a large variety of vegetables here such as tomatoes, which I love. When I retire, I plan on being a highly active gardener and mostly living off what I grow, which Alaska will not be conducive to. The added sunshine and warmer climate will be great as well.

[AK-Cathy]

When I retire, I plan on being a highly active gardener and mostly living off what I grow, which Alaska will not be conducive to. The added sunshine and warmer climate will be great as well.

Jason must be a brother from another mother. I highly add "Amen" to much of what he has posted.

We are retired and have been for a few years. We struggle constantly with the issue of climate in regards to aging and gardening which is a passion for both of us. While we do very well with our gardens and experimental fruit trees, we are constantly rubbing up against the limitations of growing season length, the unpredictability of summer weather (will we have one or won't we) and the affects of near 24 daylight on plants with a tendency to bolt or not properly prepare for cold weather.

As far as aging goes, I find that we have gotten more reluctant to engage in winter sports or even going out too much when it's very icy as time marches on. Being active people, that chafes us a bit. After a few broken bones and ruptured tendons that were the result of falling on ice over the years, we both are much more inclined to caution in the winter and get cabin fever as a result. And we find that we physically tolerate the cold more poorly with each passing winter which leads us to spending part if not all of the winter outside which gets costly in a hurry. This has led us to question our long term residency here, not because we don't love Alaska but rather it is becoming more than we can handle as the years march onward.

[roadfamily6now]

I am originally from Montana and my Husband is originally from Washington State. We met in the Navy while stationed on Adak, Alaska.
We took a few trips into Anchorage for R&R.
We then were stationed in Washington, at Whidbey Island for the next 2 years. Hubby was medically retired after just 6 years in the Navy. They said they would pay for a one way move anywhere in the US. We just looked at each other and said, "A L A S K A !"
So with all our belonging and all our money, (about $2000) we set out on the adventure of our lives. Landed in Delta Junction with $150 left in our pocket. Carved out quite a living for ourselves over the past 14 years. Went from being homeless and broke to making over $100,000 a year and owning our own home.
We really fell in love with the Interior! It was the most amazing place full of wonderful people and so much more freedom than we had ever dreamed possible.
Too bad life took over and our love of adventure lured us away from Alaska. We took a job in San Francisco for a year, the job stress landed my husband in the ICU from a complication with his Diabetes. He quit that job and headed back to Alaska. His old company rehired him and we found a job in Anchorage. Been here ever since.
Unfortunately we don't like Anchorage. Not very happy here and are looking to move out of state.

I agree with all the above posts.
Especially this quote from above.

This has led us to question our long term residency here, not because we don't love Alaska but rather it is becoming more than we can handle as the years march onward.

[SityData]

I am from Boston - which is a great place - to leave !

I first came here in 1976 Dec. to find work on TAPS

Trans Alaska Pipeline Service(s). I fell in love with the arctic in Prudhoe Bay. when the job finished -I had to go back to Boston; I cried; I didn't want to leave.

1981 I returned as Alaska was in my blood. I had to go back.

I was working @ the airport as a forman electrician, they needed me to go to Point Hope just for 3 weeks to wire two construction camps.

When the job finished; I quit the company and I stayed for 30 years !

I retired 12 years ago. I have four very handsome pensions that allow me to stay and live here.

All of my friends; are Inupiaq. Those are the only people I constantly interact with. This is what has kept me in the Arctic. I can't wait to get back to Barrow.

[dradiin]

My family is from Kelso Washington (2 hours south of Seattle 1 hour north of Portland OR.) My wife went to a Alaskan teachers recruitment seminar in Seattle had several interviews and Barrow AK gave her the best offer.

So we foreclosed our home sold our cars packed our crud and flew to Barrow.

Son still misses his friends from WA. but has made quite a few new ones here, Daughter loves the adventures shes had here and has made more friends here then she ever did in WA.

I left a very good job, one that i was quite adept at, but i do not regret it one bit. Barrow has shown me so many things i was just oblivious to in the few short months i have been here, i would not trade these experiences for anything.

Its funny, at work (Local AC Overnight Stock lead) everyone asks me where i am going for this Christmas break. I tell them all i am gonna go home, they ask me where that is... i was kinda like duh.... its over in the 8 plex off of Herman street . I dunno this is my home now, and it will be for the foreseeable future, as a family we never really traveled that much for vacations, so the idea of packing up for the Christmas break is semi foreign to us.

Regardless, Alaska was always a destination i wanted to end up in ever since i was 12 years old reading about the Alaskan frontier, my wife was adamantly against moving to "That cold place" so i never really pushed the idea on her. Who knew she would end up being the catalyst that allowed me to follow my childhood dream ? I so love my wife

Oh, umm the only thing i miss anymore is trees, so i might go visit southern Alaska sometime just to see some trees again.