[oliveplantmom]

So tell me some of the differences.

[Giesela]

Not experienced but my understanding that comment may be attributed to the low population, lack of infrastructure etc. Very empty, drive and drive and not see many people or towns. Lots of trees. So for most people that makes it very different than any place else in the lower 48. Probably the same in the immediate area of WI but its not a named placed like the UP.

Iron Mt is 5 hours and a few minutes from Minneapolis and a few more minutes than that to Chicago. Marquette is about an hour and a half further away from all the big cities. Not a big deal I guess. I also think sometimes though it is more convenient to be able to just go west on trips then when you live in the mitten or eastern UP to not have to drive around the lakes to get anywhere. Should anyone in your family need truly specialized medical attention an extra hour and a half one way might start to add up.

[HannahTravels]

Originally Posted by oliveplantmom

So tell me some of the differences.

Some differences are: scenery, isolation, medical care, cost of living, and crime. I'd be happy to elaborate on those if you'd like more information. Just wasn't sure how in-depth you were looking to get. Also, if you have any specific questions about the similarities/differences I would be happy to answer them.

[oliveplantmom]

I'd love for you to elaborate on each thing, if you could. As a reference, we lived in the Fairbanks area, but vacationed in Homer and Seward, so I'm pretty familiar with the southern Alaska scenery there. Where did YOU live?

[oliveplantmom]

I do know the cost of living in Alaska is ridiculous. I have thoughts on the other differences you mentioned, but I'd like to hear your thoughts since you have lived in both places. I'd also like to know what people there pay to heat their homes. I know it depends on the method but would like an idea of the monthly charges, if possible. Again, I so appreciate your willingness to let me pick your brain. :-)

[HannahTravels]

I'm happy to elaborate! I've lived a few different places in Alaska over the years. Originally, I lived in a bush village out in western Alaska and then I moved to Juneau. I should preface this by saying that if you've always lived on the road system in AK you might not find the differences to be as pronounced as I do.

-Scenery. The scenery in the UP is gorgeous, particularly fall. However, IMO Alaska and the Yukon have some of the most incredible scenery in the world. If you're used to the interior and have spent time in Homer I don't think the scenery will feel as spectacular as you are used to it being at home. Still, it is pretty beautiful and peaceful in the UP.

-Isolation. To me, the isolation in the UP is nothing compared to Alaska, but again, I've never lived on the road system. The Alaska that I am used to it costs $1,000+ and up to three days of travel to make it to Chicago to see family. The UP is simply a car ride. Now, I have lived on Beaver Island in Michigan and find that to be the closest in terms of isolation to Alaska. Still not quite as bad, but definitely has the same challenges and benefits because of it.

-Medical care. In the UP if you get sick you can drive to a hospital or be transported by ambulance. In Alaska, if you live outside a hub, you are going to have to shell out $500 to fly to Anchorage or Seattle. The UP definitely wins on the medical care front.

-COL. This is something you mentioned you are pretty familiar with so I won't go into much detail. Just know that the UP is CHEAP compared to Alaska. It will seem fantastic!

-Crime. Alaska is, unfortunately, riddled with violent crime, while the UP has very low crime statistics in comparison and the crime culture isn't as prevalent. I believe that AK has 6X the national average of child abuse. The violence against women and children is a huge, state-wide, problem.

-Food (just thought of this one). All of Michigan has waaaaay better access to fresh foods than AK. No more picking through previously frozen apples with no flavor, no more spending $10 on a gallon of milk. Restaurant qualities always seem better to me in the lower 48 too.

Hope that helps a bit!

[oliveplantmom]

It helps tremendously! Excited the produce is better! Can you give me an idea about what people pay there for utilities? One year in AK, we paid $1000/mon for utilities, and that was with a small house, half of it heated by wood. We do NOT want that surprise again! :-) Any thoughts on that? Also, do people grow gardens there or have livestock like chickens or sheep?

[leebeemi]

Originally Posted by oliveplantmom

It helps tremendously! Excited the produce is better! Can you give me an idea about what people pay there for utilities? One year in AK, we paid $1000/mon for utilities, and that was with a small house, half of it heated by wood. We do NOT want that surprise again! :-) Any thoughts on that? Also, do people grow gardens there or have livestock like chickens or sheep?

Here's some info on cost comparisons for Marquette.Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site


A lot will depend on how you heat--supplementing with wood/pellet stove will make a difference. We're on a budget plan, so we pay an equal amount each month, summer & winter. Since we don't heat (much!) in summer, it works out for those really cold months. Not many homes have central air--for the few really hot days a year, we put a window unit in & spend a lot of time in the lake!

Gas (for your car) can be high--we're at the end of the pipeline. Gardens are big, although the growing season can be short. There's a house down my street that keeps chickens. I keep hoping they'll be selling eggs, but not so far! Sheep aren't big here--there are a LOT of sheep farms on the eastern end of the UP, though. There are many small farms, and we have an active farmer's market, as well as a great food co-op that features local foods, and several restaurants that are now focusing on local foods farm to table. But I'm sure there are people who do keep all sorts of livestock that I don't know about, living in town.

I was in a meeting at work today with 7 professionals, and talk turned rather quickly to berry picking and canning--it's not a lost art up here by any means. And that translates into a lot of activities that are akin to self-sufficiency. Hunting, fishing, foraging (mostly mushrooms & berries), gardening--it's all done up here and is sort of the norm. You don't think it's weird if your neighbor has 3 raised beds of greens on the porch. Nor is it odd to find your coworker has a small apiary. We're pretty fascinating.

[michmoldman]

Marquette is awesome!!!

[Podo944]

Originally Posted by michmoldman

Marquette is awesome!!!

Yes it is!

Love the Keweenaw area too... so beautiful! The road to Copper Harbor!
Actually love all the UP... now I'm craving a pasty!

OP do you know about pasties?

Pasty... it rhymes with nasty, which it aint!
but doesn't rhyme with tasty which it is!