Grace creates

This evening the thought of relocating to Alaska popped into my head. I am a special education teacher substituting in nyc area and seriously thinking of relocating someplace different. Anyone on the board know about living in Alaska? I definitely need a change.

Chasing Hawk

It's cold, it's expensive and the state of Alaska is beautiful place.
Get used to a wood stove or what they call a Monitor heater which runs off propane or heating oil.
Heating your house with a furnace or electric heaters is very expensive. I heard one's electric bill can run a $1000.00
or more during the long cold months.

I hope someone here can give you more answers than I have.

Onetomatoplant

I have lived in Kodiak, Valdez, and Juneau. We LOVE Alaska, but moved to the lower 48 so we can live more comfortably on our military retirement.

It IS very expensive (but so is NYC) and the weather is extreme, and it's beautiful and wild and the people are absolutely amazing. Feel free to message me if you have specific questions.

0tis

My in-laws live there - if you love the outdoors - its a wonderful place to live. It is expensive - mostly because of shipping costs - some areas are only accessible by boat or plane - due to the increased expense - most people do make more money - also once you become a resident - you get oil dividends - that can be $ 1000 +/- dollars each year for every member of your family. Good luck.

Tartan

If you like things like snowmobiling, sking, skating, hunting etc. then you will probably won't get cabin fever. I hate the cold outdoors so Alaska is not for me. I shouldn't say I hate the outdoors in the winter, it is more I hate what it does to my broncitus.

celwood

We lived in Alaska for 6 years in the 1970's. We loved it. We lived both in Fairbanks and Anchorage. Fairbanks tends to be colder than Anchorage. Yes, it is expensive but the salaries go along with the cost of living so it is not that bad. It is cold but if you have the correct weather gear it is not bad.

MarLeClair

Don't forget the darkness for many a month. That would do me in.

plhooyer

I live in Anchorage. I love it, but I also need an occasional break "outside" (the lower 48). It just makes me happy to come back home. The winters are long and can be dark and cold, especially when we have no snow, like this year. If you like nature and being out of doors, and cold is not a big deal, then this might be the place for you. Anchorage is in dire need of special education teachers. If you are interested I suggest contacting the Anchorage School District. There was a special on our local news, KTUU2, about that earlier this month.

SparkyD

I live in Eagle River, Alaska! I love it here. The winters are cold, but the summers just explode with color. Light is a problem in the summer, but you just get black out shades for the bedroom windows and sleep is no problem. If you have questions, I will try to answer them for you.
SparkyD

llong0233

Hey, what's the worst that can happen? You don't like it...you move. It sounds like you are fairly mobile and ready to try new things so it should be fun and exciting. I notice you didn't say you wanted to relocate to, say, Phoenix or Tampa or Austin so it sounds like Alaska is a good start at finding your new home. And from what plhooyer says you are needed in Alaska. Nice to try someplace where you are wanted! Good luck and let us know how it works out for you.