Moving to Soldotna (Kenai, Sterling, Kasilof: rental homes, mortgage, mobile home)

[desflurane]

Wow..With all of you how can I go wrong? I decided to make the drive. The 13 y/o states he needs a cell phone to text people so he does not get bored. He has no idea...It is good to know I can gather information from this forum. I am a bit overwhelmed right now with getting professional licensing, arranging to move my household goods and all this smack dab in the middle of selling my house here.

Thanks again for all of your input. I will be talking to you regularly as I go through this process, at least you all do not think I am losing my mind. Nobody can understand unless they have lived there or visited there--and not just in the summer!

[desflurane]

Rotorhead- have an appt next week to apply for my passport. Son already has one! Thanks

[RAMFEB31]

I know it is an awful thing to suggest since it can take away your son's enjoyment of the sceneries, but a cheapy small portable TV w/a game controller and, of course, some video games. Small solid state inverters are relatively inexpensive nowadays. It can take away the "I am bored " time. U had better check on the cell phone thing w/your carrier. Verizon, for instance, do have agreement w/some local Co in Canada but not all. Then you will need to sign an agreement w/ your cell Co to get the coverage + reprogramming your cell ph.to be compatible. It can be rather expensive calling from Canada w/o an agreement if you can at all. That is why I try to rely on a computer even I must go to a library. Another thing, no firearms of any sort.

[playcrayon]

Absolutely drive it. I drove from Minneapolis to Anchorage. It was great. No options. You gotta do it.

[HighlandLady]

I truly wish we could drive when we are moving there next month, but alas, the husband has to follow his work schedule on the slopes. The moving company will have our things, trucks included, and my son and I will remain in Wyoming until school finished, living from suitcases. Believe me, I would prefer driving!! Good luck to you, take many photos!

[rotorhead]

We made the drive up the AlCan last fall, beautiful in many spots and memorable in all. The cell phone thing is gonna be dicey, there are still plenty of spots with no cell coverage at all. We had Verizon phones and once past Dawson we lost coverage until we got practically in town in Haines. Of course with other carriers it might be different, but then again there are multiple areas, particularly in the Yukon, where it's posted as "no cell-phone coverage, no 911 service next ___ kilometers". Satellite radio works well, but the further north you go the more important it is to have a good external antenna.

Buy him a Nintendo DS or something like that and get the 12v. car adapter, or better yet, let him suffer like you did in the "old days", builds character, you know. Try to do the stretches through "buffalo country" in the daytime, those things don't think twice of camping out on the highway and they're near impossible to see at night until you're right on them, scary.

I also second the recommendation to get ahold of a small stash of Canadian currency somewhere along the way, the banks on the US side generally have a slightly better exchange rate. It's handy for the incidental purchases like snacks, tips on meals, etc. Do brace yourself for some breathtaking fuel prices, we're paying $4.03/gallon for diesel here in Haines and it's much higher in the Yukon. When you drive through Canada, it looks nostalgic seeing sub-two-dollar prices on the gas stations signs...until you realise that's the price per liter.

[RAMFEB31]

If you have about a couple hundred bucks to spare, buy a GPS especially if you have a poor sense of direction. I believe it is well worth the money. So, at least, if you make a wrong turn, the device will tell you. That will keep your son busy also certainly part if not most of the trip. But, of course, be sure the GPS covers Canada and Alaska. All the maps in the world are useless if you are lost and going the wrong direction.
Credit cards are the greatest if you have the habit of paying fully when they are due each month. It saves carrying a lot of cash.
Also, you get a statement each month on where and what you spend it on. With long trips, they are ideal. But be sure you notify the card company on your plans so they don't cut you off when they see bills away from your general area.

[detroitmama]

Hey,
It looks like we will be making a very similiar move, except we are coming from Ann Arbor, Michigan. My husband will be working at the hospital in Soldotna also.

I am really interested in any info you find out about moving companies, shipping cars, etc. Actually we will be making a 8 week pitstop in Washington State, so I need a company that would also store my stuff. I am really hoping to do one of the self-move companies, as we've done that before and really recommend it.

I would totally do the drive, especially with the age of your son. I grew up in Anchorage, and have made that drive many times as a teenager. It's an experience he will always remember. I wish my kids were older... but I think my baby and toddler would make the drive memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Good luck with all your home-selling, and moving stress. Honestly, the move is a bit overwhelming to me too!

[desflurane]

Hi detroitmama-
Soldotna has ONE hospital so must be one in the same. how cool. what dept is your husband joining? I looked into many shipping companies for household goods. I am going with the u move it yourself type----Move with the Truck Rental Alternative - ABF U-Pack Moving. As far as car shipping, the best quote I had was from FOX auto shipping, but I am leaning towards driving myself.

[RAMFEB31]

Originally Posted by HighlandLady

I truly wish we could drive when we are moving there next month, but alas, the husband has to follow his work schedule on the slopes. The moving company will have our things, trucks included, and my son and I will remain in Wyoming until school finished, living from suitcases. Believe me, I would prefer driving!! Good luck to you, take many photos!

U can still drive since, it appears, your hubby is leaving 1st. All you need is a reliable car/truck, some good maps or a GPS. Do what 'De" is thinking of doing. Of course, if the Co. is paying for the move, it may make a difference.
I've passed through Montana on the way to Alaska a number of times both up and down when I wish to try different routes. The most memorable time there was when a group of volunteers from different United Methodist Churchs, So. Ca included, went to Lovell to help paint the UMC building who were in need. I went alone, breaking a new RV, and arrived the day before 9/11