So I have submitted a few resumes in the Anchorage area and turns out, 2 of the companies I submitted to are interested in speaking with me.
So if things do end up looking promising, I have a few questions for the Alaskans here...I have done some research, spoke with friends in the area (Me and Sarah are TIGHT!!!) and friends who lived in the area in the past.
I know the cost of living is mostly similar to where I am now with a few key exceptions and overall, I shuld expect to pay a bit more but also be paid a bit more comparatively in my field.
What I can't seem to figure out is housing market, whether I would be better off to bring my car or sell and buy when I get there, etc.
Any information would be helpful. Just feel like it is time to make a major change in my life and moving to Alaska seems right up my alley!
Dude This is something I may be able to help with. About your car. It depends on what it is. Front wheel drive is good with 4 winter tires, 4 X 4 is better, and rear wheel drive really sucks. Cars also need block heaters, particularly if stored outside. You can have one installed when you arrive. Used versions of good Alaskan cars, like Subaru's, sell for higher than book here, so if you are going to get a new or used car get it there unless you will have to pay to have it shipped up. Housing is expensive compared to much of the Country but cheaper than CA. I just sold my 1200 sq ft home on 1/4 acre for $190,000. PM me with any questions?
You'll need lots of winter clothing like: cold weather jacket, colder weather jacket, arctic parka; and rubber boots, pack boots, bunny boots.
How the heck are you supposed to come up to bring Toasty to my place on his next round and buy me beers and lunch if you move to Alaska? ??? [cheeky]
Seriously though, it's beautiful up there...
I was starting to feel lonely, after akmnster headed for points south.
Welcome.
I can see you now on 'Deadliest Catch". ;D
[laugh]
My best friend lived in Anchorage for 18 months and told me all about its winter... My recommendation to you is to buy this for the winter.
http://www.amazon.com/Zadro-Sunlight-Personal-Artificial-Therapy/dp/B001AHMN34 (http://www.amazon.com/Zadro-Sunlight-Personal-Artificial-Therapy/dp/B001AHMN34)
F that. . .
Here's all the therapy he'll need [evil]
(http://img.alibaba.com/photo/104510323/2009_Ski_Doo_MXZ_Renegade_X.jpg)
Seriously though, get the sun lamp thing ;)
Quote from: ducpainter on November 30, 2009, 03:31:05 PM
I'm thinking the whiney greenhorn. :P
oh the one that's three shades of green draped over the gunnels [puke] [puke] , yeah I can see that [laugh] [thumbsup]
Quote from: sno_duc on November 30, 2009, 01:13:29 PM
I was starting to feel lonely, after akmnster headed for points south.
Welcome.
I figured you would feel good, after akmnster headed for "points south" :P
And Nate plays the surly pregnant dogy veteran who should have retired 15 years ago... :-*
Car is a front wheel drive with traction control and a set of Blizzaks mounted on the factory rims for winter. Also has a block heater installed already.
Apparently, the snowfall is substantially greater up there compared to here but the average winter temps are higher than they are here. Of course, winter does last longer there than here. hehe. Anchorage is surrounded by mountains and on the ocean...tends to screw with the climate. lol.
I have looked at a few houses here and that isn't ALOT more than here. $190,000 would get you around 2k sf with less land...newer. Of course, old houses are alot cheaper comparatively...
Winter clothing is not a problem. I have a ton of cold weather gear from when I was in the military and also for skiing/snowboard/winter hiking.
I am supposed to get a call from one of the companies tomorrow and the other is tryin to determine if they want to do a phone interview or a face to face...
I think I would end up buying a sled
Quote from: ducpainter on November 30, 2009, 01:35:55 PM
I can see you now on 'Deadliest Catch". ;D
damnit, you beat me to it!!
He is going to be the Greenhorn on the next season
Quote from: ZLTFUL on December 01, 2009, 03:50:51 AM
And Nate plays the surly pregnant dogy veteran who should have retired 15 years ago... :-*
Car is a front wheel drive with traction control and a set of Blizzaks mounted on the factory rims for winter. Also has a block heater installed already.
Apparently, the snowfall is substantially greater up there compared to here but the average winter temps are higher than they are here. Of course, winter does last longer there than here. hehe. Anchorage is surrounded by mountains and on the ocean...tends to screw with the climate. lol.
I have looked at a few houses here and that isn't ALOT more than here. $190,000 would get you around 2k sf with less land...newer. Of course, old houses are alot cheaper comparatively...
Winter clothing is not a problem. I have a ton of cold weather gear from when I was in the military and also for skiing/snowboard/winter hiking.
I am supposed to get a call from one of the companies tomorrow and the other is tryin to determine if they want to do a phone interview or a face to face...
I think I would end up buying a sled
Sounds like you've got it cover. Add about a half dozen pairs of skis and you'll have everything you need. There is a good Duc mechanic, Mike, at the Motorcycle shop. They also sell Triumphs, Kaws, and BMWs. The owner is a moody dick so just ask for Mike L. if you need work done. Check out the Leather Shop on the corner of Spenard and Minnesota. The owner is a woman named Barb and she is awesome. She did me many special favors. She sells all sorts of bike gear, parts, and does tire changes. As Sno-Duc said, I migrated South for a while, but my heart is still up there. Stay out of the Bush company, but if you do go in say high to my Father-in-law. He will be the old guy with the grey mustach getting lap dances in the corner.
Quote from: ZLTFUL on December 01, 2009, 03:50:51 AM
And Nate plays the surly pregnant dogy veteran who should have retired 15 years ago... :-*
<snip>
If you were a good son you'd take care of your dad. :-* ;D
Quote from: MrIncredible on November 30, 2009, 03:50:13 PM
I figured you would feel good, after akmnster headed for "points south" :P
Dude. I've been thinking about this post and how to respond for a while. The truth is I have left Sno-duc with a tremendous burden. Now that I am gone and he is the only Alaskan on the DMF and it is up to him alone to represent the largest state in the union. This isn't one of those little states, like Texas, that has many members to report on what is going on. It is now entirely up to sno-duc to carry on with wrestling brown bears, catching salmon with his teeth, driving huskies, coming up with Sarah Palin jokes, scraping the pegs on his duc in Turnagain Pass and in general spinning lies about the Alaskan lifestyle.
Sno-duc, I'm sorry to abandon you up there. Wish we had been able to get together for that ride.
Zltful, I hope you make it up there. If you do, I'm sure that you will carry on the tradition of the hard living, hard riding, and adventurous Alaskan Monster riders. Toughest breed and biggest BSers of them all. [clap] [clap]
Good luck man!
I'd love to move up there....even looked at several jobs (well paying jobs for what I do)
The wife ended up vetoing me on it though....she doesn't like her feet to get cold [laugh]
Quote from: Le Pirate on December 07, 2009, 09:18:14 AM
Good luck man!
I'd love to move up there....even looked at several jobs (well paying jobs for what I do)
The wife ended up vetoing me on it though....she doesn't like her feet to get cold [laugh]
Christmas is coming. Get her a fashionable pair of bunny boots. They will keep her feet warm. Bunny boots
are like Levis in the far north, always in fashion. And after she opens the present, tell her your moving north and she will
never have cold feet.
Just get her a gift card from 'Army Navy' on 5th Ave. She can pick out her own arctic gear. ;D
Well the first phone interview went well...hard to judge reactions over a phone but we will see.
Just kind of buckling down and seeing what happens now...
Quote from: ZLTFUL on December 08, 2009, 07:18:43 AM
Well the first phone interview went well...hard to judge reactions over a phone but we will see.
Just kind of buckling down and seeing what happens now...
Damn, wish I'd know you were about to have the interview. There were a few pointers I could have passed on; like, bring up how much you like Salmon and look forward to fishing (you insert the salmon topic where in a normal interview you would discuss golf). And the space where you would normally talk about football you talk about the Iditarod. A little research in those areas would go a long way in your next interview. Well, I'm sure that you did well even without those tips. Hope you get the job.
Quote from: ZLTFUL on December 08, 2009, 07:18:43 AM
Well the first phone interview went well...hard to judge reactions over a phone but we will see.
Just kind of buckling down and seeing what happens now...
Good Luck!
[thumbsup]
it's hard to read people's faces when you answer questions over the phone