thinking of moving to Alaska...some day (Anchorage, Bethel: renting, houses)

[suzannewright]

Wait, do you HAVE to take the ferry. Maybe a silly question, but I thought you could drive the whole way. I am horrible at geograpy, but....Plus, how would I get my household goods up there???

[JavaPhil]

you can drive, but shots are required through the Canadian border. A good thing to have anyway in order to prevent canine distemper etc.

[suzannewright]

Originally Posted by JavaPhil

you can drive, but shots are required through the Canadian border. A good thing to have anyway in order to prevent canine distemper etc.

Oh good. And no prob on shots...They got them all anyway.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by suzannewright

Oh good. And no prob on shots...They got them all anyway.

and then you will need passports, and if only one of you brings kids and dogs through, you need permission from the other parent that they can travel through Canada....moral of the story...Sell whatever you can or give away...only pack what you have sentimental memories to and have to have....ship or whatever that you don't have room for and with a couple kids and couple dogs...couple suitcases and maybe snacks...Hop the ferry and relax a few days...then deal with the rest, plenty for sale until you find what you really want....long, expensive, emotionally taxing, especially when telling little ones they can't bring all the stuff...then the dogs,....the list goes on...we drove after that with whatever didn't get shipped in a 5th wheel....help me, but I would not make that trip with that monster loaded the way it was behind us...good place to eat and sleep,but the weight and no brakes coming around the mountains....called kiss the ground when we got here and I walked across the AK - Canada border...so happy to be back on US soil and was barely a week...but now - would take the ferry...If I went that way again...in a car or van you could sleep in - half decent weather...never the way we came... I have severe issues with that one

[aaron567]

Hi akck,

Thanks for the links, I shall check with them if they have openings at the moment.

Thanks,

[suzannewright]

Well, we've been military so we are used to packing up our stuff and not seeing it for a few months. This isn't going to be as simple as I thought. Thank goodness for the internet. We already have passports cause we were stationed in Germany for 4 years and they are still good for a few more. I knew it would be a rough trip...but geez. Now I know why people spend a year or more planning this move. Good thing we've got time. Thanks, granny

[warptman]

I'd say drive up! Kennewick is a nice area of Washington, been through there a few times, my sister used to live in Walla Walla. It took us 4 days to get there when she moved down and three days back up when she moved back to Anchorage.

[suzannewright]

Originally Posted by warptman

I'd say drive up! Kennewick is a nice area of Washington, been through there a few times, my sister used to live in Walla Walla. It took us 4 days to get there when she moved down and three days back up when she moved back to Anchorage.

We better pack lots of snacks then! Plus, we won't be doing anything till spring/summer when kids are outta school, so the weather should be ok. We are thinking labout iving in Anchorage, so we have all the amenities that we need. Is there a "better" part of town to live in w/good schools and neighborhoods. Plus, Outback is there and I'll be able to transfer. And, isn't Elmendorf close by? My hubby is still in the AF Reserves, so we will want base access. Does anyone know if it's a training base or not. For instance, Vegas is a training base and you can't do you regular Reserve weeekend there, you have to go down to Luke AFB. So, hopefully Elmendorf isn't a training base and he can do his weekends there.

[Glitch]

I am in agreement with Warptman, driving to Alaska will be cheaper than the ferry, just as fast, and your dog will enjoy it more. A 10 foot to 15 foot vehicle runs just over $800 on the ferry during the three day trip from Bellingham to Skagway and berths run $300+ per person. Also, the dog must stay in the vehicle at all times, except during port calls and "doggy calls."

The first thing you need to do is pick up a copy of the Milepost. You can buy the 2008 edition now in most book stores and some grocery stores. The 2009 edition comes out in late January or early February. The Milepost will answer most of your travel questions, and even answer questions you didn't know to ask.

You will need a current rabies certificate (not just the tag) and a health certificate from your veterinarian that is not older than 30 days for your dog to travel through Canada and into Alaska.

If you drive up before Memorial Day, you will be ahead of most of the RVs making the same trek. It is more than 3,400 miles from Las Vegas to Anchorage. So plan on a 7 to 8 day trip, depending on how many hours you want to drive in a day.

Elmondorf AFB adjoins the northern city limits of Anchorage. I do not know if it is a "training" base or not.

Outback Steakhouse
101 W 34th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 562-8787

Considering you have never been to Alaska before, Anchorage may be your best choice, initially. Because it is the biggest city in Alaska, there are more job opportunities and it is culturally similar to cities of the same size in the lower-48. Anchorage also has the lowest cost-of-living in the state, but it is still far more expensive than most lower-48 cities.

[akck]

Another thing to know about in traveling through Canada is having guns in your possession. Many types are restricted from being brought in, so it's can be less hassle to ship them up.