Greetings (Anchorage: 2015, rental, insurance)

[ThorNorthman]

Hello everyone. I am a 26 years old metal fabricator from Finland and I have been seriously thinking about moving out of Finland and the whole Europe due it being a sinking ship. I was just wondering if you fair people from Alaska could give me some pointers and honest answers if its possible or if I'd be a good fit there.

I am generally a pretty big USA fan from childhood cartoons to old US rock bands to my precious Harley Davidson. I read, write and speak english good and had no problems communicating with people from everywhere in online games for example.

Climate is no problem as winters and all phenomenoms there are a regular thing for me. I live in a town with 2500 people in it and I have a hermit nature even though I live with my fiancee and two kids.

I have served finnish army and I really love guns but getting them here is next to impossible.

I currently operate a laser cutter and previously a water cutter, those trades common there?

Few big question marks for me are insurances, schooling and medical/hospital costs.

Thanks for taking the time to read :]

[AKStafford]

I've got some friends here from Finland that are a part of this group: Anchorage Suomi Finland Club - Home

[ThorNorthman]

Interesting. I need to look at that with a more keen eye tomorrow.

[riceme]

I would say that in general yes, you very well might be a good fit here, but if you're looking to escape a sinking ship, Alaska is not the place to come. Our economy is in deep, deep trouble because of the price of oil (90% of our state budget is derived from the oil & gas industry), and as you are very likely aware, the steel industry and the price of steel are both very closely tied to oil & gas.

This is from this morning's paper:

Walker looks at borrowing to balance state budget | Alaska Dispatch News

And here is a recent piece:

Alaska governor proposes to fix budget deficit with income tax, PFD cut | Alaska Dispatch News

I would think very, very hard about bringing a family to Alaska in this economic climate.

Here are couple interesting links.

Alaskan Unemployment Rates:

Research and Analysis Home Page- Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Relocating to Alaska link. Lots of great information on cost of living: food and utilities, rental costs, home purchase prices, CPI, fuel, etc.

Relocating to Alaska

Originally Posted by ThorNorthman

Hello everyone. I am a 26 years old metal fabricator from Finland and I have been seriously thinking about moving out of Finland and the whole Europe due it being a sinking ship. I was just wondering if you fair people from Alaska could give me some pointers and honest answers if its possible or if I'd be a good fit there.

I am generally a pretty big USA fan from childhood cartoons to old US rock bands to my precious Harley Davidson. I read, write and speak english good and had no problems communicating with people from everywhere in online games for example.

Climate is no problem as winters and all phenomenoms there are a regular thing for me. I live in a town with 2500 people in it and I have a hermit nature even though I live with my fiancee and two kids.

I have served finnish army and I really love guns but getting them here is next to impossible.

I currently operate a laser cutter and previously a water cutter, those trades common there?

Few big question marks for me are insurances, schooling and medical/hospital costs.

Thanks for taking the time to read :]

[ThorNorthman]

Do you think this will be better in five or ten years? My goal would've been to move somwhere around five years or so.

[ThorNorthman]

The cost of living in Finland now is way higher than in Alaska though. About 900 dollars per month for food costs alone with a salary less than half in there. Housing is about the same. Cars are only quarter of cost and fuel nearly three times more expensive here. To top that all income tax of about 17-20% out of every penny earned.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by ThorNorthman

Do you think this will be better in five or ten years? My goal would've been to move somwhere around five years or so.

Probably not, though we may still be in better shape economically than most states in the country, and countries in the world.

With your skills, I would look at the mining industry. If you were able to land a job with a mine, you would most likely get good health care benefits, a good salary, and live like a King compared to Finland.

Good luck.

[ThorNorthman]

I have pondered about mining here as well so not entirely out of question. We have a chrome mine here and several orher mines in 200 mile radius. Thanks for tip

[riceme]

Originally Posted by ThorNorthman

The cost of living in Finland now is way higher than in Alaska though. About 900 dollars per month for food costs alone with a salary less than half in there. Housing is about the same. Cars are only quarter of cost and fuel nearly three times more expensive here. To top that all income tax of about 17-20% out of every penny earned.

I am aware of the high cost of living, fuel and income tax in Finland... just giving you the facts. Also, healthcare here is very, very expensive in Alaska. Someone else posted some information on that the other day... maybe that person will see this and repost the information.

[ThorNorthman]

No I get it and its always better to be safe than sorry. So different jobs have different benefits that might make life a lot more easier there.