Seeking some advice about moving back (house, job market, high school)

[drichards702]

So I'm in a dilemma. My hubby and I were born and raised in AK. We moved away in 2010 with his job. We have 3 kids. Teenagers. At the time of moving, it seemed like a great opportunity. Cheaper cost of living. Road system. Ready to leave the cold behind. So here we are, 4 years later. My kids and I are homesick for AK. But my husband REFUSES to move back. We miss the family. We miss the snow. We miss the 'small-town' feel. Like I said, we haven't been back for awhile. Is everything still expensive? Has anything changed? Am I being unrealistic? How is the housing market? And the job market? And the schools? Should I move back with a senior in high school? How would that be for adjusting? So many questions. So few answers. What are the pros and cons of AK versus the lower 48? Looking for honest answers.

[1stimestar]

I'd say if you had to force your husband to move back when he really didn't want to, your marriage wont last very long. You know it's cold and dark here long enough that if you don't love it here, you find a way to leave. There's a reason for that. I would at least wait until your kiddo graduates.

[lv2hoop]

U turns in life aren't always productive....but having said that, I understand and have often witnessed the boomerang effect that Alaska has on people who move to the Lower 48. Good luck with your decision!

[riceme]

I don't think much has probably changed since you moved away. Good luck figuring everything out.

[heathen]

Yeah, pretty much the same as 2010, though with ever increasing concerns about oil revenue. Everybody's got to be totally on board in order to make living here a good idea. Maybe think about a compromise? Lots of small cities in the western US that might be a better fit.

[NomadicBear]

Originally Posted by lv2hoop

U turns in life aren't always productive....but having said that, I understand and have often witnessed the boomerang effect that Alaska has on people who move to the Lower 48. Good luck with your decision!

I don't know, my life has been nothing but a series of U-turns, some very productive. I've gone back to a couple old jobs, gotten back with old flames, moved back and forth between a few of the same cities multiple times. I mean, I've moved to two particular cities 3 times each. I've come to the conclusion that I have a hard time settling down.

[6.7traveler]

Originally Posted by NomadicBear

I don't know, my life has been nothing but a series of U-turns, some very productive. I've gone back to a couple old jobs, gotten back with old flames, moved back and forth between a few of the same cities multiple times. I mean, I've moved to two particular cities 3 times each. I've come to the conclusion that I have a hard time settling down.

I am right there with you nomadic bear. About to make my third move back to Alaska in two and half years. I like to call my stints in places "workcations" instead of "moving." Family gives us a hard time moving around a lot because we are slightly nomadic. Looking to stay for good this time though as I have become very disinterested in living in places other than AK. Each time we left we have had a harder time trying to adjust to a normal "lower 48 lifestyle" and begin missing Ak.

[drichards702]

We've also moved around quite a bit with my husband's job. Moved out of Ak for a year, moved back. Stayed in Ak for 2 years, then moved to Henderson, NV for 2 years. After that, we BOUGHT (and sold) a house in Southern California. We only lived there for a year. After being sick of living in the same hot weather, surrounded by fake people, running the rat race, we accepted a position in Washington state. Thought it would be more like 'home' for the kids. Wrong. We are missing Ak more than ever. We feel like outsiders around here. Hard to adjust. Now my kids are older but all they speak of is ALASKA! Now I'm kinda thinking, maybe I should move home and let my kids graduate from high school up there. But is it the right thing to do? If it were JUST ME, I wouldn't move back. I love being on the road system and I the COL is manageable down here.

[Metlakatla]

It doesn't sound as if you value your marriage much. That's probably the real issue here.

[mitgreb]

If you don't want to live here........................... DON'T !!!!!!!!!