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This might sound harsh, but if I were you, I would wait until your parents have passed on. This is coming from a guy who is 28 and have already lost both of his parents. My dad died when I was 6, and moms died nearly two years ago. When I moved back to Charlotte, I was excited to be coming home to my mom. However, moms only lived for two more months after my return. I pretty much missed the last 5 years of her life living in other states. Just from reading your post, I sense that you would regret your decision if one of your parents died two years after you moved away.
If you can live with the possibility of being gone when one of your parents passes on, then I say go for it!!! I just know from my own personal experience, I expected more than two months with my mother when I returned home. She had just turned 59. I never would have thought in a million years that mom would not live to see 60. Call me crazy, but I think she waited for me to come home (Charlotte) before she decided to go home (heaven).
I think that is exactly what your mother did, waited for you to come home.
I think you should definitely make a trip to Alaska before packing up and moving there. I also think you have a right to choose what path you follow in your life. None of us know your parents and how they would feel about you making such a move.
From reading your thread I would guess you are rather close to your folks, and that is very important to you. If you moved away how would you deal with that distance from them. Unless you are making a very good salary in Alaska, a plane ticket back and forth could be very expensive.
I lived in Alaska for two years courtesy of the Air Force, not by my own choice. I spent one year at a radar installation on the Artic Circle and the other at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage. I definitely preferred the Anchorage assignment. Alaska is beautiful but fridgid cold and almost complete darkness for 6 months. the other months it is basically bright 24 hours. It is wet and gray with a nice sunny day thrown in but not many. Summer is very short but you accept it and enjoy it. Alaska has a very far away feel to it, at least for me it did. Many live there for that distance away from the lower 48, as the rest of the country is referred to up there.
Please take a trip up there and see if this is what you really want to do before moving there. Do the visit as if you were actually living there and what it would be like. Check employment up there, talk to people, and I cannot stress enough do not depend on Craiglist. I honestly think that website needs some safety measures put in place, if in fact there is even a way to do it.
With all that said. You will do what you feel is right for you, and if you go and Alaska is not for you. Well you always have North Carolina to come home to again.
I have a feeling the "You always have North Carolina to come home to again" is exactly what your parents will say when you tell them about this plan of yours.
Thank you all for your advice. Yea, I sent an email to job poster on craig's list and they never sent me anything back 2 weeks ago.
How many of you that have moved got a job before moving to your destination? This is rare because most of time you have to go for an interview or unless you get transferred. Anyone get lucky?
For the most part I alway moved because of a job transfer. When I was in my early 20's I did move without a job once, and that was enough for me never to do it again. It would be really difficult to get housing in a new area without employment. One would probably end up living in one of those Extended Stay Hotels while they looked for a job. Those places are very expensive, usually alot more than the Apt rental would be.
My dad moved to NC on a job transfer. I moved to Wilmington when I was 24 without a job. I was going to school and had a lot of retail experience and knew I wouldn't have a problem getting a job. I also had a little bit of money saved and would also be living with a roommate. I wouldn't move without a job unless I had some money saved. I would never imagine doing it if I had a family. But if you're young and have the means to get by for a while or don't mind picking up just any job, then I say go for it.
Since your parents are a big deal in your decision, I think you should talk to them - get their advice.
I think that Alaska is so far to go without knowing for sure. Maybe visit there for a week or so? You are talking drastic change!!!
Also, like some others have said, you have no idea how long your parents will live or what issues they will or will not have. Unless there are problems now, why try to predict the future?
Remember, this life is all you have - it isn't a dress rehearsal. Don't waste too much of it wishing, wondering, stressing, etc...
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I just know from my own personal experience, I expected more than two months with my mother when I returned home. She had just turned 59. I never would have thought in a million years that mom would not live to see 60. Call me crazy, but I think she waited for me to come home (Charlotte) before she decided to go home (heaven).
