Thinking of Moving to Alaska^^

Originally Posted by Philosophist

hello Alaska RIU!!

I currently live in AZ, bu ti hate the desert and want to live in the snow and ice.
I am wondering what you would tell a desert boy wanting to move to Alaska?

I hear that weed is pretty much as legal as it can be up there...and that people pretty much leave you alone if you keep you head down. There is good deer meat, good people, and a slower way of life.

I want that, i want to grow, and raise my family away from most people...is Alaska a good place for me??:P

It all depends on YOU.
Do you have skills that can transfer easily from one job environment to another?
Ask specific questions & I'll do what I can to help you get the answers.
GWN

This is an amazing place. If you've never been, you need to come for sure. It's a great place and a lot of people from AZ move here or have two places here and there. Up to an oz in your home is a non-offense, no arrest, no fine. People do tend to leave you alone but there are assholes that have moved up from the lower 48 that do not have the local mentality of "live and let live and stay the fuck out of other people's business". Our deer are caribou and moose and one of each would typically be over 2,000 lbs. There are "regular" deer also but most don't bother when you can have 800 lbs of moose with one shot. AK has millions of square miles where you can get away from people but that is not real advisable unless you've spent a year or so here within reach of facilities and know what to expect and how to deal with the unexpected. i.e. you build yourself a cabin 20 miles from the nearest neighbor. It's -30 degrees and snow is 4' deep and your cabin catches fire; you don't have time to grab anythng but your boots. Your coat is inside, along with everything else. You're fucked. Anywhere except Anchorage would probably be fine for growing; the best would be up in the valley or on the Kenai. PM me and tell me what you do for work; that's a big thing. The cost of living up here is expensive, much moreso the first year; after that you get some breaks and will have learned where to shop. We just moved up on a shoe string this past April; I can tell you how to do it on the cheap.

Well i am retired Military. So i have a fixed income that isnt a whole lot. My wifey works in health care.
I have been through the military's S.e.r.e. training course so im pretty good outdoors etc.
I have a bad back but, will be going to school when i get there for the extra VA money fro schooling.
Why is Anchorage bad for growing?? seems it would be a good place .....

Id like to live the sort of life where i can hunt for some meat, fish some fish, grow some weed, and shoot some guns....All while on a 4wheeler...

Originally Posted by potpimp

This is an amazing place. If you've never been, you need to come for sure. It's a great place and a lot of people from AZ move here or have two places here and there. Up to an oz in your home is a non-offense, no arrest, no fine. People do tend to leave you alone but there are assholes that have moved up from the lower 48 that do not have the local mentality of "live and let live and stay the fuck out of other people's business". Our deer are caribou and moose and one of each would typically be over 2,000 lbs. There are "regular" deer also but most don't bother when you can have 800 lbs of moose with one shot. AK has millions of square miles where you can get away from people but that is not real advisable unless you've spent a year or so here within reach of facilities and know what to expect and how to deal with the unexpected. i.e. you build yourself a cabin 20 miles from the nearest neighbor. It's -30 degrees and snow is 4' deep and your cabin catches fire; you don't have time to grab anythng but your boots. Your coat is inside, along with everything else. You're fucked. Anywhere except Anchorage would probably be fine for growing; the best would be up in the valley or on the Kenai. PM me and tell me what you do for work; that's a big thing. The cost of living up here is expensive, much moreso the first year; after that you get some breaks and will have learned where to shop. We just moved up on a shoe string this past April; I can tell you how to do it on the cheap.

Good advice here OP, you would do well to heed these words.
And we can always use a few more good people.

Edit: I'm retired military as well - FYI, our VA medical facilities in Anchorage are fantastic.
And thanks for your service !

what sort of degree would be good to get if planning on living up there?? Wildlife conservation comes to mind, or something in Energy etc...

Philosophist I think you're all over it man. The S.E.R.E training would come in handy, especially if it included arctic training. Jungle training at Ft. Picket won't help much, LOL. Anchorage is a great place; I live here now, but for growing it's best to be out a bit. I live in a duplex and the next door neighbor is about 15 feet from my house and my place is very small. You get a lot more house for your money in the valley. Just come on up man; I'll do anything I can to help you out on this end. I can tell you the best (cheapest) way to get your vehicle up here, the things you'll need and the things you won't, where to get more "stuff" for next to nothing, etc. Hunting, fishing, 4wheelers, snowmachines, boats, guns, and booze are a way of life up here; that's what I came for too. I figure after 17 vacations up here, and living here two times for a couple of months each time, I figured it was time to make the move. Oh, and the economy is great here. Anybody that wants to work can find work and usually make a good living.

Originally Posted by Philosophist

hello Alaska RIU!!

I currently live in AZ, bu ti hate the desert and want to live in the snow and ice.
I am wondering what you would tell a desert boy wanting to move to Alaska?

I hear that weed is pretty much as legal as it can be up there...and that people pretty much leave you alone if you keep you head down. There is good deer meat, good people, and a slower way of life.

I want that, i want to grow, and raise my family away from most people...is Alaska a good place for me??:P

buy a jacket that seems ridiculous to you now. seriously you will need it.

Holy smokes rents in Anchorage are EXPENSIVE!!! growing in some of those places seems impossible><

Are rents that high outside of Anchorage?

Also can i just go hunt for meat when i need meat?? Thats the allure of Alaska to me, i want to be self sufficient. I want to be able to do man shit, like feed myself, and chop wood hahahahaL;P

Im looking at pictures and im already in love with the whole place....
and i KNOW the 1st cold will just obliterate me...im used to 115 and shit haha:P