Moving from OC to Alaska

[dmills]

Originally Posted by Frostnip

If you're only going to be in Alaska for a year, the best way to move is to put the stuff you really need into the cars and drive them up, and stick the rest of it in a storage facility or whatever.

Another vote for this suggestion. It will be far cheaper, and less hassle. Of course, there are LOTS of people who came here for xx months/years who are still here today? Why are you just coming for a year? Are you sure it won't be longer? If you think there is a chance you might stay, I would ditch the stuff down there. Sell it all or donate what you can't sell. Start over fresh up here, and deal with the return trip when/if the time comes. Storage facilities can get pricey. In the end, you will be paying for stuff you don't really want/need and have to figure out how to dispose of if long distance.

[chickmunk81]

Now, here is just a random question. How would one decide what to bring and what not to bring? I tend to be a "stuff" girl, I need my stuff. It doesn't really mean I need it, but I can't let go. I think about all the big stuff and think I could sell it. But the little stuff could add up. Then I fear I get rid of our table, our couch and chair and then I can't find reasonable priced replacements. Like our pots and pans, and dishes would that be one to take or sell? I am sorry I am just kind of rambling.

[Frostnip]

IMO there are two considerations: One, how often do you really use the particular thing; and two, if you do use it regularly, would it cost more to bring it back and forth, or to replace it?

[dmills]

Originally Posted by chickmunk81

Now, here is just a random question. How would one decide what to bring and what not to bring? I tend to be a "stuff" girl, I need my stuff. It doesn't really mean I need it, but I can't let go. I think about all the big stuff and think I could sell it. But the little stuff could add up. Then I fear I get rid of our table, our couch and chair and then I can't find reasonable priced replacements. Like our pots and pans, and dishes would that be one to take or sell? I am sorry I am just kind of rambling.

As someone else said, load as much little stff in the car and sell/donate the rest. We have plenty of stores up here. There isn't anything you can't replace. It's just VERY expensive to ship stuff up here. It makes it not worth it. I don't know this for sure, but I'd say most peoe who move themselves up here (or leave from here) come with little or nothing. By the way, it is also why a lot of people stay here. There is an expression you'll hear sometimes. We call a person who's lived here a long time a "sourdough." If there were an Alaskan Urban Dictionary, it would define a sourdough as someone who has gotten sour on Alaska, but doesn't have the dough to leave. That is a common joke, but it's true. Moving here or leaving here is. It just a matter of throwing g a few items in the back of a U-Haul and hitting the road. That's why I said you need to consider whether you can really jst come here for a year.