Montana to Alaska (Ketchikan, Kenai, Homer: how much, home, employment)

[jsss327]

Any former Montanans living in the SE area of Alaska and how do you like the difference? There's just getting to be too many people around here. Thinking about getting the heck out of Helena and possibly moving to Juneau. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's made a similar move already.

Thanks!

[The Grill God]

Originally Posted by jsss327

Any former Montanans living in the SE area of Alaska and how do you like the difference? There's just getting to be too many people around here. Thinking about getting the heck out of Helena and possibly moving to Juneau. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's made a similar move already.

Thanks!

I know a couple that I work with. One seems to like it alot, the other is getting ready to move back, but he's younger and that's where all his friends are.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by jsss327

Any former Montanans living in the SE area of Alaska and how do you like the difference? There's just getting to be too many people around here. Thinking about getting the heck out of Helena and possibly moving to Juneau. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's made a similar move already.

Thanks!

As long as you bring enough cash with you in case things don't work-out, everything will be fine. Things can be quite expensive around here, so be prepared.

It would be a good idea to read the other posts relating to employment up here, and to having a "plan B."

[jsss327]

Thank you both for your comments, it was very generous to share your time with me. Money is not really a concern, I think I am more concerned about how the two compare... I moved to MT from UT thinking I was getting away from "city snobbery", but I simply found a bunch more of it in MT, except with a lot more cavalier attitudes about drinking and drugs which seems to keep growing as the population creeps up. I guess I'm looking for a cleaner, fresher small town atmosphere with a couple of modern conveniences included (cell phone coverage and grocery store). Any thoughts?

[stiffnecked]

I know a lot of younger people in Ketchikan that go to the university in Missoula. They always come home in the summer. Most of them come back after they graduate. You might try coming to Ketchikan this summer when jobs are plentiful and see how things work out.

[jsss327]

Haha yes, point well taken- there is no information in the world to beat real experience.

Thanks again everyone for sharing your time.

[chiak]

My husband and I moved to Kenai from Whitefish. Sure GNP was beautiful- but nothing -and I mean NOTHING compares to Alaska!! The coolest town on the Kenai Peninsula is def. Homer - absolutely breathtaking- but so small the only major employer is fishing and of course tourism so just a 1 and a half hour drive or so to visit Homer works! Juneau is incredible- but seems like government jobs are where it is at [besides fishing and tourism of course!!] The thing you need to think about is that in Juneau you are pretty much going to be staying in Juneau all winter - can't really take any weekend road trips!! Juneau is also considered more of a rainforest as far as climate so it sure is quite opposite of Helena!! But again, absolutely awe-some!!!!
The bottom line is that Alaska is a huge land with each area being EXTREMELY different from the next!!
The people... well I just can't describe how much nicer and calmer everyone is all over the Peninsula- Juneau would be very similar being that it is such a beautiful land!
I could go on and on about MT and AK. But I will stop there for now.....

[Mt-7]

Originally Posted by jsss327

Any former Montanans living in the SE area of Alaska and how do you like the difference? There's just getting to be too many people around here. Thinking about getting the heck out of Helena and possibly moving to Juneau. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's made a similar move already.

Thanks!

can I tag on and ask about Petersburg? TIA

[Metlakatla]

Petersburg is wonderful.

[Miss JC]

I lived in Homer.
Small town - honest and still innocent for the most part.
Want to move back as soon as I can.