Economy, moving to Alaska...leaving Alaska.. (Metlakatla: credit, taxi, income)

[Metlakatla]

Is there a cabin on your property or will you be building one this summer?

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Is there a cabin on your property or will you be building one this summer?

Building one...I can definately get something up in under a few months, may not be too fancy or big though with things being a bit tight...

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

I'm getting there this year one way or another (unless I get killed or something like that). Even recently my savings for the trip has taken a slight hit but I'm going for it, thin budget for the move but what the heck, I have to I'll live off rice and beans all year. I figure I'll be better off than Vermont. Here, I'm in a much more precarious position as far as the economy goes: more dependant on the cash economy, I don't own any land, taxes are high, I live in a rented apartment, people close by...

Up in AK, I at least have my land, and no taxes to worry about (yet anyways, but good God if they tried statewide property taxes it'd be a disaster up there in some parts). I can grow enough to survive there even if it comes down to living off potatoes and peas. I've never not had a good crop of those and the climate there is great for them. Better hunting and fishing than Vermont has. All I need to keep my home (land) is less than $1600 a year. The fur market took a nose dive but making that much is still doable. I figure also I can probably find at least a little placer gold around there to help the budget too. As a last resort I know my family would be willing to lend me money to keep the land if I got that desperate (they've already offered to help without any asking when they realized my savings is a bit small these days, they're retired from state jobs so they've got income as long as the government is still around). So times may get quite lean (hey I could lose some weight anyways) but I think I'd rather be there than the lower 48, especially if things get real ugly...there are more bubbles to burst in the U.S., commercial real estate, credit cards, likely treasury bonds, maybe even the dollar or federal government itself if it keeps going...the isolation is a big benefit to Alaskans, live in less than half a day's drive of several major cities and you'll understand why I say that.

Besides all of which I'm going crazy here. People are getting more annoying, more selfish, more aggressive, more crime, as things get real bad here with so many lost jobs and the state cutting jobs and taxing everything it can (and wasting precious time in the legislature on things like homosexual marriage or global warming while the state crashes and burns)...I need to get out of here, to a true rural area!

There's a seed shortage down here with so many people planning to garden, anyone having trouble up there? Seed places all over are sold out or running low, and I've heard in some states seed potatoes are all out. Slightly off topic but not entirely...there better be some seed potato up there when I get there! Can't bring the potatoes I've always saved here.

Bravo!!! I love your spirit and survival instincts!!! you will make it as will we!! hope someday to cross paths with you. we are neighbors now...you VT, us Ma and all headed to Alaska for pretty much the same reasons!!!

[Metlakatla]

Starlite can probably tell you exactly what you'll need.

You will probably not have computer access out there; if you like I'll give you my snail address in case you need anything next winter.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

Bravo!!! I love your spirit and survival instincts!!! you will make it as will we!! hope someday to cross paths with you. we are neighbors now...you VT, us Ma and all headed to Alaska for pretty much the same reasons!!!

Well I hope I make it!

VT is just Northern MA these days, but with better gun laws (for however long that lasts)...yep, I think we both have similar reasons for leaving!

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Starlite can probably tell you exactly what you'll need.

You will probably not have computer access out there; if you like I'll give you my snail address in case you need anything next winter.

No I won't have net access except when I visit town (Manley, I've been told when classes aren't in session people can use the school's internet). But yeah I'd appreciate that, even if it becomes a bit tricky using email, you could PM it if you want to keep it private...

Umm edited to add: maybe I need glasses, snail address not email address.

Come to think of it that's something I wish I could do but I don't have the money right now; getting an internet connection and ability to use a computer there. It'll have to wait, I think I'll have to use satellite internet out there when I do get that.

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

No I won't have net access except when I visit town (Manley, I've been told when classes aren't in session people can use the school's internet). But yeah I'd appreciate that, even if it becomes a bit tricky using email, you could PM it if you want to keep it private...

Umm edited to add: maybe I need glasses, snail address not email address.

Come to think of it that's something I wish I could do but I don't have the money right now; getting an internet connection and ability to use a computer there. It'll have to wait, I think I'll have to use satellite internet out there when I do get that.

certain cell phones can be used as a modem for satellite connection for you computer (laptop) I am fimilar with Blackberry phone set up as and it is reasonable price for the luxury of internet!!!

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

certain cell phones can be used as a modem for satellite connection for you computer (laptop) I am fimilar with Blackberry phone set up as and it is reasonable price for the luxury of internet!!!

I don't believe a cell phone will work where I'll be...

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

I don't believe a cell phone will work where I'll be...

bummer!!! it is worth checking into as it is much cheaper and works better than the satellite dish hook up.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

bummer!!! it is worth checking into as it is much cheaper and works better than the satellite dish hook up.

Yeah, it would be better than satellite, I actually thought about it but I learned pretty quickly it wouldn't really work because of where my property is...