Moving from Texas to Alaska

[dwb1959]

So this has been a goal of mine for as long as I can clearly remember. I feel like I have no prospects down here in the South, and am wanting to relocate permanently. I was thinking a city to start with, like Anchorage or Juneau, then eventually getting to a point where I can live semi-off-grid. I have had a lot of tragedy in my life and I am seeking to start over, if you will. I know it will take a lot of work, time, and patience, but I am willing to put in the effort. I was wondering if the people on these boards could possibly help me out with some tips for my quest.

I have lived in many parts of Alaska so for me to choose one place to live in Alaska I can't come to just one place.
From 1989 I moved to Alaska and started guiding fishing then hunting came latter, so I have worked the SE AK areas to the Arctic and up in Western Alaska.
I'm looking to return to Romania where I operate tourism services then I am not coming back to the U.S as much as I love Alaska what am I going to do with fuel cost running a 500hp jet boat that is an absolute must in my AK guiding.
The cost of fuel - food has reached a point to what can I charge for a guide trip then who can afford the prices I charge clients?
In Romania I have 4 people for a tour that pay $3500 each then I spend $1500 to operate the trip for 7 days and I live in $300 per month.
There is Hugh negative issues coming to all Americans which I am going to leave behind from my next move.

 

[dwb1959]

So this has been a goal of mine for as long as I can clearly remember. I feel like I have no prospects down here in the South, and am wanting to relocate permanently. I was thinking a city to start with, like Anchorage or Juneau, then eventually getting to a point where I can live semi-off-grid. I have had a lot of tragedy in my life and I am seeking to start over, if you will. I know it will take a lot of work, time, and patience, but I am willing to put in the effort. I was wondering if the people on these boards could possibly help me out with some tips for my quest.

If you intend on driving to Alaska, do it in late May or April not to get caught in the massive winter storms on the Alcan Hwy.
If you don't know how to can food, you better learn and take with you a pressure cooker because when winter comes the canned salmon or Moose is a blessing you have it.
Finding canning jars is easy in any town in Alaska because most people collets foods from the rivers and wilds of Alaska for winter foods.
Even the worst chunks of tough Moose canned turns into tasty, softened meat for meat - potato's & gravy.
Never trust the commercial butchers they let your wild game rot before cutting it up and when it is ready to pick up the stench of rotted game is all over the packages.
Indian valley meat that cuts up game for hunters lets the game meat stay in trays out on the lawn for 2 weeks before it's cut up.
All of the dumb A holes have a crazy idea that all meats need to be seasoned meaning rotted before cutting up.
Don't make the Hugh mistake that many in the lower 48 make by bring deer guns to Alaska.
The minimum rifle should be a 338-win mag and use only copper expanding bullets.
Your life may depend on the power of a large caliber High energy rifle.
Handguns are worthless against these 1000 - 1500-pound bears.
When guiding brown bear or Yukon moose hunts, I have with me either a Winchester Model 70 in 338 win mag or I have come very sure of my CZ 550 in 9.3x62 Mauser using heavy reloads using the 286 grain Barns TSX bullets

 

[Cheeser]

Feel free to leave and go back to cali at any time.

The LAST thing we need up here is more drugs, more politicians, more homeless, more people defecating on the streets, more criminals let go soon after being caught, more illegal aliens, more people looking for free stuff, they can keep it all!!

Our economy is just fine, or would be if the politicians would stop spending on frivolous crap

If I want to be more like cali I would just move there, I suggest you do the same.

Sorry, but I'm not from CA. I'm from WI hence my login name. Do you always have to make up stuff like that to justify your opinion? Because that's rather sad. Instead, just ask before you make up stuff. It'll save you a lot of embarrassment.

As far as importing some of the talent from CA, again, intelligence is always a valuable commodity. And it's a commodity that is becoming increasingly rare in Alaska because so many up here are afraid of that commodity. That's why those from the outside move up and land most of the quality jobs - employers can't find that commodity among the local employee pool.

Regarding "free stuff", it's hilarious that anyone from Alaska complains about people getting "free stuff" seeing as Alaska is completely dependent on "free stuff" from the feds and other states.

 

[Daveinthebush]

Please no politics in the content guys.

 

[Alaska Bush Hunter]

Actually, I think Fairbanks is a reasonably affordable place as long as you're willing to live simply and don't need all of the toys.

How much do you pay for heating Oil per year ?
How much do you pay in property taxes ?
For me too much !

 

[moose338]

How much do you pay for heating Oil per year ?

A wood stove will go a long way to mitigate heating costs.

 

[Autistic_Deer_Hunter]

There may be more opportunities to explore Alaska based out of the Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley verses Juneau. Juneau is a wonderful city, but the only way in or out is by boat or plane. Completely different weather as well. Obviously your occupation may determine the best location.

I’m good friends with several ex Texans who made the move up here. The said the biggest adjustment they had was getting used to how big everything is in Alaska compared to Texas.

This. 100%.

 

[Autistic_Deer_Hunter]

You do have some valid points. Anchorage having a connected road system might help me adjust better. Also, I was wondering, what would you suggest is the best way to get a real taste of Alaskan life, as opposed to the tourist viewpoint?

Anchorage is going to be fairly expensive compared to some other areas that aren't too far away. Wasilla has more affordable land with cheaper property taxes, and the area of Kenai/Soldotna is pretty decent too if you can find work, and the plus to that is you are close to saltwater fishing and hunting, and you're on the road system and have access to larger grocery stores and supplies.

 

[Chez]

Sorry, but I'm not from CA. I'm from WI hence my login name. Do you always have to make up stuff like that to justify your opinion? Because that's rather sad. Instead, just ask before you make up stuff. It'll save you a lot of embarrassment.

As far as importing some of the talent from CA, again, intelligence is always a valuable commodity. And it's a commodity that is becoming increasingly rare in Alaska because so many up here are afraid of that commodity. That's why those from the outside move up and land most of the quality jobs - employers can't find that commodity among the local employee pool.

Regarding "free stuff", it's hilarious that anyone from Alaska complains about people getting "free stuff" seeing as Alaska is completely dependent on "free stuff" from the feds and other states.

You made a comment about wanting Alaska to be more like cali which is why I said that, guess you didnt quit grasp that little tidbit huh?? If you're so proud of WI why not move back there? Maybe you're not as Alaskan as you want people to think you are?

Please show where I made stuff up.

Intelligence is not rare up here but common sense and wisdom are getting harder and harder to find as more "intelligent" people are moving here. And good employees are hard to find ANYPLACE in the US, not just Alaska, maybe you should get out more and you would see that.

Exactly what free stuff are the feds giving to Alaskans?

 

[Cheeser]

You made a comment about wanting Alaska to be more like cali which is why I said that, guess you didnt quit grasp that little tidbit huh?? If you're so proud of WI why not move back there? Maybe you're not as Alaskan as you want people to think you are?

Please show where I made stuff up.

Intelligence is not rare up here but common sense and wisdom are getting harder and harder to find as more "intelligent" people are moving here. And good employees are hard to find ANYPLACE in the US, not just Alaska, maybe you should get out more and you would see that.

Exactly what free stuff are the feds giving to Alaskans?

My reference was clearly about getting our ECONOMY to more resemble the world's 4th largest economy. Not any other part of AK. Yet again, you have to lie to try to make a point by implying I want more than the economy to be like CA.

It's rather childish to think that anyone needs to meet yours or anyone's criteria to an "Alaskan", don't you think? That's something a kindergarten child says on the playground.

You claimed I was from CA, a complete lie. You could have avoided lying and embarrassing yourself had you have simply asked.

I'm retired and we just got back from 2 months traveling Europe. I also stay in touch with colleagues all over the country who are always involved in hiring. So I'm very confident that I "get out" enough.

I busted out laughing at your last statement. Alaska is the 5th highest state reliant upon federal dollars for its existence. 73% of our state budget is federal dollars. And that doesn't include direct federal spending in AK such as military bases and other federal installations. How you're not aware of that is beyond me but it's a good seque back to my original comment about intelligence being rare up here.

 

[Chez]

Last year the population of AK increased.
A lot of people in AK live paycheck to paycheck, including many middle class workers.
Socialism in AK: Oil, mining, fisheries, military, police, fire, roads, (some) utilities, schools, parks, etc... AK and the US as a whole have had Socialism deeply entrenched in our society and personal lives since day 1. Beyond that, I do not see any attempt at any level of our state government where they want to take over an entire industry (i.e. Socialism). So the "taking over" comment seems to be more make-believe than reality.
As far as CA residents moving up here... CA is about to become the WORLD's 4th largest economy. It sure would be nice to get some of that up here so we can get ourselves out of the economic dead end we're in. Intelligence is always a valuable and marketable commodity.

"It sure would be nice to get some of that up here"

My reference was clearly about getting our ECONOMY to more resemble the world's 4th largest economy. Not any other part of AK. Yet again, you have to lie to try to make a point by implying I want more than the economy to be like CA.

It's rather childish to think that anyone needs to meet yours or anyone's criteria to an "Alaskan", don't you think? That's something a kindergarten child says on the playground.

You claimed I was from CA, a complete lie. You could have avoided lying and embarrassing yourself had you have simply asked.

I'm retired and we just got back from 2 months traveling Europe. I also stay in touch with colleagues all over the country who are always involved in hiring. So I'm very confident that I "get out" enough.

I busted out laughing at your last statement. Alaska is the 5th highest state reliant upon federal dollars for its existence. 73% of our state budget is federal dollars. And that doesn't include direct federal spending in AK such as military bases and other federal installations. How you're not aware of that is beyond me but it's a good seque back to my original comment about intelligence being rare up here.

Whew! You are not at a loss of insults directed at me but as I've seen in my years, that's a typical tactic when you cant come up with facts, you just call names and make accusations... And I never claimed you were from cali, read it again but this time a little slower. I was referencing you go there since you like it so much

You missed my point, again, about being an Alaskan. Let me see if I can make it simpler for you to understand.

- You want AK to be more like cali (see above highlighted in red)
- Your handle is "Cheeser" and as you mentioned in another post that means you are proud of being from WI
- You insult all Alaskans by claiming we don't have the intelligence to use as a valuable and marketable commodity
- You spent two months traveling Europe and keep in contact with colleagues all over the Country. I know you think that makes you you some sort of special, but, well, no it really doesn't. I've owned or managed businesses all over the Country and keep in contact with FRIENDS who are currently doing that down there. so I have real life, first hand knowledge and understanding of what's going on,

Do you get many nose bleeds running around on the high horse of yours?

Federal money going to the military or fed agencies is NOT fed money going to Alaskans, at least none in my pockets. Yes it hits the state as second hand income to some but not all.

Do you leave Los Anchorage often? Spend time in the wilderness, outside of cell service? I'm not talking about your trips to Europe but within the State of Alaska.

 

[Louis]

How much do you pay for heating Oil per year ?
How much do you pay in property taxes ?
For me too much !

We have a Toyo stove but heat with wood as much as we can. Go through about 300 gallons of heating oil a year. No, property taxes aren't super cheap here. We paid $3600 this year for a house assessed in the low 200K value.

 

[Cheeser]

<insert a bunch of drivel here...>

Thank you for proving my point. SMH.

 

[moose338]

Alaska is the 5th highest state reliant upon federal dollars for its existence

I have no idea which states they are, but I'd be curious to know who 1, 2, 3 and 4 are.

 

[iofthetaiga]

I have no idea which states they are, but I'd be curious to know who 1, 2, 3 and 4 are.

google it.

 

[Patsfan54]

36% of ALL Federal land ownership is in Alaska at roughly 223 million acres or about the same size as the smallest 16 states combined. 49 other states share the other 64% of ALL Federal lands, some have less than 1% Federal ownership. There are an additional 4-5 reasons that are such low hanging fruit they don't need mentioning. When people do not understand the massive per capita Federal spending in Alaska it's because of willful ignorance and nothing else.

 

[iofthetaiga]

36% of ALL Federal land ownership is in Alaska at roughly 223 million acres or about the same size as the smallest 16 states combined. 49 other states share the other 64% of ALL Federal lands, some have less than 1% Federal ownership. There are an additional 4-5 reasons that are such low hanging fruit they don't need mentioning. When people do not understand the massive per capita Federal spending in Alaska it's because of willful ignorance and nothing else.

The calculation metric wasn't per capita, nor based on acreage of federal managed lands. Many states with some of the highest acreages of federally managed lands are much lower on the list, as are some of the least populous states.

 

[Patsfan54]

The calculation metric wasn't per capita, nor based on acreage of federal managed lands. Many states with some of the highest acreages of federally managed lands are much lower on the list, as are some of the least populous states.

Please inform me what the calculation metric was based upon...states being reliant upon federal dollars, right? Which metrics do you think they are using to evaluate that, could it possibly be federal income taxes and federal spending per person?

Of course the metric is per capita, if it wasn't then Alaska wouldn't even be mentioned since we rank behind 41 or 42 other states and the District of Columbia in the actual amount of total federal dollars spent per state.

Like I said willful ignorance and nothing else.

 

[Cheeser]

The report I used was pretty basic - what percentage of each state's annual budget was comprised of federal dollars.

 

[Alaska Bush Hunter]

I am imagine it’s huge in Alaska with the Fed owning 70% of Alaska. Strings are attached to every dollar that comes from Fed. That they don’t won’t to talk about ……just how and what they can spend the new money on in Alaska.