Posted: 9/28/2013 4:35:22 PM EDT
| So my wife wants to move to Alaska. Her father was a commander in the USCG, and she spent 4 years in Kodiak, 4 in Juneau and 4 in Eagle River. She wants to go back to the MatSu valley. I'm a southern boy born and raised, never lived outside of Louisiana. What am I in for? How is the job market, and to those of you who emigrated to Alaska, do you have any regrets? Figured y'all's HT forum was the best place to inquire, if I'm out of place, please accept my apology. |
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So my wife wants to move to Alaska. Her father was a commander in the USCG, and she spent 4 years in Kodiak, 4 in Juneau and 4 in Eagle River. She wants to go back to the MatSu valley. I'm a southern boy born and raised, never lived outside of Louisiana. What am I in for? How is the job market, and to those of you who emigrated to Alaska, do you have any regrets? Figured y'all's HT forum was the best place to inquire, if I'm out of place, please accept my apology. Jobs are better here than most places in the country except the oil boom in South Dakota. What is your profession? If you can get a job on the slope you will be doing very well. Pat |
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My profession is general management, and I've done a lot of IT work but lack the certifications most employers are looking for. Been working in oil and gas for 10 years, but not interested in working on the slope. I have 5 kids, and would rather my wife dislike the area we live in then not see them much.
Currently managing 2 departments, 19 people in total, and making 80k. If I can come close to that without having to be on 15/off 15, I'll be happy. |
| I moved here two years ago. I love it here and will eventually settle here. I have lived in LA before as well (Fort Polk). Imagine cold weather that is just as oppressive as the humidity in central LA and you will have a good idea of what to expect I interior AK. The one time I went to Anchorage in the winter I discovered I could have gotten by in shorts and flip flops (after spending a few weeks at 40 below temps). Do you hunt? Hunting up here is awesome....more of an odyssey and expedition....no real day hunts". If you like the outdoors and being a little independent, I think you will love the place. |
| just so you know 80K in lower 48 is more like 100K up here, maybe 110. Most expenses are MUCH higher than you are anticipating, hamburger is 4 bucks a lb, milk 3.50 a gallon(okok 3.39), bacon runs like 5 bucks for 8 ounces(i like it too much to actually look at the price). |
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just so you know 80K in lower 48 is more like 100K up here, maybe 110. Most expenses are MUCH higher than you are anticipating, hamburger is 4 bucks a lb, milk 3.50 a gallon(okok 3.39), bacon runs like 5 bucks for 8 ounces(i like it too much to actually look at the price). Thanks for the heads up on that. We live in one of the most expensive areas of Louisiana, and a lot of our prices are comparable to Anchorage. The big unknown is housing for me. Down here, a $2500 mortgage gets you a mcmansion on land. Up there, $2500 in rent gets you a decent 4 bedroom on a tiny lot. I fully realize I'm starting over, and won't be able to just move there and maintain the same standard of living I've spent 10 years building down here, I just don't want it to be too much of a shock for the family. What is there to do in and around Anchorage that isn't too expensive? I love to hunt and fish, what else is there? Last time I was there, the only things I really cared about were tattoo parlors and the Great Alaskan Bush Company. Now that I am married with kids, I look for more family centered entertainment. |
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I was born and raised in Louisiana until I moved to Alaska when I was 18. I was on an airplane up here the day after high school graduation. That was 13 years ago and I've been here ever since. I've never regretted it one bit. There are 3 things that I miss about Louisiana. Family, food, and football games :)
I live in Eagle River. My wife and I used to live in the valley, but we were both commuting in to Anchorage from the valley, but that got old after 4 years so we moved a little closer. |
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Wife is a stay at home mom, 5 kids to home school and feed. Quoted:
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What does your wife do for a living? From the info you provided, doesnt sound like a wise move. Wife is a stay at home mom, 5 kids to home school and feed. You going to need at least 80K to support your family then. Pat |
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Quoted: Wife is a stay at home mom, 5 kids to home school and feed. Quoted: Quoted: What does your wife do for a living? From the info you provided, doesnt sound like a wise move. Wife is a stay at home mom, 5 kids to home school and feed. You better stay where you are. I lived in AK for over 9 years. Anchorage and Kenai/Soldotna.
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You better stay where you are. I lived in AK for over 9 years. Anchorage and Kenai/Soldotna. Quoted:
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What does your wife do for a living? From the info you provided, doesnt sound like a wise move. Wife is a stay at home mom, 5 kids to home school and feed. You better stay where you are. I lived in AK for over 9 years. Anchorage and Kenai/Soldotna. Any reason you suggest I stay here? I don't follow why 5 kids would mean I better stay in Louisiana... |
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Quoted: Any reason you suggest I stay here? I don't follow why 5 kids would mean I better stay in Louisiana... Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: What does your wife do for a living? From the info you provided, doesn't sound like a wise move. Wife is a stay at home mom, 5 kids to home school and feed. You better stay where you are. I lived in AK for over 9 years. Anchorage and Kenai/Soldotna. Any reason you suggest I stay here? I don't follow why 5 kids would mean I better stay in Louisiana... Look, you aren't going to want to hear this, but Alaska is probably one or the most expensive places to live in the US if not the most expensive. I've traveled all over the whole state of Alaska. I've been to villages that most Alaskans never visit. You have 5 children and your wife does not work. You are going to need to make at least 100K to make it if you are at all accustomed to a nice lifestyle. Additionally, you will need 4wd vehicles, sure you can make it without them, but you will need studded tires. Still not as nice as 4wd with studded tires (what I had). If you lose your job, it's a lot harder to make it up there than in Louisiana. There are not as many job opportunities as in Louisiana. There are less than 600K people in the whole state. The biggest populated areas are Anchorage/Matsu, Fairbanks, Kenai Pen., and Juneau. Everything else is very small town, village, or an island. I made close to 100K when I lived there, I only moved because I had to for work. I will be going back as soon as I can. But when I do, my wife and I will be pushing 175K or more. It was a struggle at times making 100K. In order to enjoy your time there, you need snowmobiles and ATV's. Hunting is good, but it costs money, depending on where you are. You better have a secure sure thing lined up if you move your family up there. |
| How old are the kids? I have 2 with one on the way I don't make $70k and the only time I feel pinched is when work drops off (I work construction). I own my house have a car and truck the car is paid off and the truck will be this spring. I also have a snow machine, 4 wheeler and canoe thanks to Craigslist. My wife doesn't work either. If you guys can budget you can make it for less than the 80-100k. Buccaneer is doing exploration in cook inlet right now. |
| If you own your house outright then you aren't paying rent or mortgage. Add in $2,000/month for that (and utilities) and figure you have to make $2600+ to net $2000 after taxes, and that sounds a lot like $100,000/year (($70,000 + no mortgage). Houses for 2 adults and 5 children aren't cheap. And that is assuming gas (for heat and cooking) and electric at Anchorage/MatSu prices, not Fairbanks. |
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How old are the kids? I have 2 with one on the way I don't make $70k and the only time I feel pinched is when work drops off (I work construction). I own my house have a car and truck the car is paid off and the truck will be this spring. I also have a snow machine, 4 wheeler and canoe thanks to Craigslist. My wife doesn't work either. If you guys can budget you can make it for less than the 80-100k. Buccaneer is doing exploration in cook inlet right now. Two of my officers make it on what we pay which is not much around 50 to 60K depending on where your at in the pay scale but they have to scrimp and pinch every penny. I feel bad for them no way I could make it with a family on what I make a lone. I have a house I am paying for and a roommate to help pay the mortgage. My truck is paid off. I make about 65k. Pat |
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If you own your house outright then you aren't paying rent or mortgage. Add in $2,000/month for that (and utilities) and figure you have to make $2600+ to net $2000 after taxes, and that sounds a lot like $100,000/year (($70,000 + no mortgage). Houses for 2 adults and 5 children aren't cheap. And that is assuming gas (for heat and cooking) and electric at Anchorage/MatSu prices, not Fairbanks. Minor correction by own I do not own my house outright I still have a mortgage. I was speaking in terms of own vs rent. I am actually on track to have everything but the mortgage paid off by next summer. It helps that my wife is good at the budget stuff me not so much. I am in the matsu. |
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Quoted: I manage several people making between 45-60k that make it just fine, even living in Anchorage, with kids. It can be done. Some of my employees live in the Valley and commute. 60K if single. But 60K with kids and the wife doesnt work is living in poverty in Anchorage or the valley IMO. |
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60K if single. But 60K with kids and the wife doesnt work is living in poverty in Anchorage or the valley IMO. Quoted:
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I manage several people making between 45-60k that make it just fine, even living in Anchorage, with kids. It can be done. Some of my employees live in the Valley and commute. 60K if single. But 60K with kids and the wife doesnt work is living in poverty in Anchorage or the valley IMO. I see. Guess I should go tell the wife and kids we are poor. Didn't know it till now. |
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Denali Kid Care is available to families of 7 with income of $77,928/yr. Even if you have insurance, DKC may be available with income up to $66,804. And PFDs don't count.
This is a clue. Alaska ain't cheap. And I salute the OP and (especially) his wife. Raising, caring for and home schooling 5 children would be hard. |
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More flaming bullshit in this thread than GD.
No one "Needs 100K annual to live ANYWHERE" Some of us live succesfully, and very comfortably withOUT brand new 50,000 dollar pickup trucks, financed snowmachines, 9000 dollar ATV's, motorhomes, riverboats with 35,000 dollar jet outboards, etc. . You can find work, and raise your happy wife and 5 kids here there, or ANYWHERE on this planet that you want to live. |
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More flaming bullshit in this thread than GD. No one "Needs 100K annual to live ANYWHERE" Some of us live succesfully, and very comfortably withOUT brand new 50,000 dollar pickup trucks, financed snowmachines, 9000 dollar ATV's, motorhomes, riverboats with 35,000 dollar jet outboards, etc. . You can find work, and raise your happy wife and 5 kids here there, or ANYWHERE on this planet that you want to live. Sorry but your out of touch. I don't have a 50K pick up no snow machines. I do have a home and 65K is ok since I am single with a roommate to help pay half the house payment. I could not imagine having 5 kids and a stay at home wife on what I make. I guess it depends on what you define comfortable as. Romin noodles perhaps and no shooting. Pat |
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More flaming bullshit in this thread than GD. No one "Needs 100K annual to live ANYWHERE" Some of us live succesfully, and very comfortably withOUT brand new 50,000 dollar pickup trucks, financed snowmachines, 9000 dollar ATV's, motorhomes, riverboats with 35,000 dollar jet outboards, etc. . You can find work, and raise your happy wife and 5 kids here there, or ANYWHERE on this planet that you want to live. Exactly. The missus and I are doing pretty decently on my 20k a year in fairbanks. We just live as we can without any retarded spending. I set aside 10% of each check for meds and gun fund (shared) and I just afforded a new (and only) AR. ETA: Just have to live smart. We sold the house and moved into fairbanks to save 300 a month on gas driving from north pole. Now I just walk across the street and I'm at work.  Downside is if they need me in the ER in a hurry, I only live across the street 
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Exactly. The missus and I are doing pretty decently on my 20k a year in fairbanks. We just live as we can without any retarded spending. I set aside 10% of each check for meds and gun fund (shared) and I just afforded a new (and only) AR. ETA: Just have to live smart. We sold the house and moved into fairbanks to save 300 a month on gas driving from north pole. Now I just walk across the street and I'm at work. Downside is if they need me in the ER in a hurry, I only live across the street Quoted:
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More flaming bullshit in this thread than GD. No one "Needs 100K annual to live ANYWHERE" Some of us live succesfully, and very comfortably withOUT brand new 50,000 dollar pickup trucks, financed snowmachines, 9000 dollar ATV's, motorhomes, riverboats with 35,000 dollar jet outboards, etc. . You can find work, and raise your happy wife and 5 kids here there, or ANYWHERE on this planet that you want to live. Exactly. The missus and I are doing pretty decently on my 20k a year in fairbanks. We just live as we can without any retarded spending. I set aside 10% of each check for meds and gun fund (shared) and I just afforded a new (and only) AR. ETA: Just have to live smart. We sold the house and moved into fairbanks to save 300 a month on gas driving from north pole. Now I just walk across the street and I'm at work. Downside is if they need me in the ER in a hurry, I only live across the street 20K a year is $10 an hour. The average apartment in Fairbanks when I left a long time ago was going for about $800 for a one bedroom. That is 9600 right there in a year just for housing. IF you can live on 20K without help from parents, church, government my hat is off to you.. Pat |
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20K a year is $10 an hour. The average apartment in Fairbanks when I left a long time ago was going for about $800 for a one bedroom. That is 9600 right there in a year just for housing. IF you can live on 20K without help from parents, church, government my hat is off to you.. Pat Quoted:
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More flaming bullshit in this thread than GD. No one "Needs 100K annual to live ANYWHERE" Some of us live succesfully, and very comfortably withOUT brand new 50,000 dollar pickup trucks, financed snowmachines, 9000 dollar ATV's, motorhomes, riverboats with 35,000 dollar jet outboards, etc. . You can find work, and raise your happy wife and 5 kids here there, or ANYWHERE on this planet that you want to live. Exactly. The missus and I are doing pretty decently on my 20k a year in fairbanks. We just live as we can without any retarded spending. I set aside 10% of each check for meds and gun fund (shared) and I just afforded a new (and only) AR. ETA: Just have to live smart. We sold the house and moved into fairbanks to save 300 a month on gas driving from north pole. Now I just walk across the street and I'm at work. Downside is if they need me in the ER in a hurry, I only live across the street 20K a year is $10 an hour. The average apartment in Fairbanks when I left a long time ago was going for about $800 for a one bedroom. That is 9600 right there in a year just for housing. IF you can live on 20K without help from parents, church, government my hat is off to you.. Pat I'm clearing about 1800 a month at the hospital. With the apartment next door to save on gas, and a roomie (albeit quirky) we are doing a lot better than we were as homeowners. Just have to be careful with money. Still, with the help of my PFD and selling some misc junk pre move, I manage to get a damn nice AR ordered  Pics will be up when she gets here. Mind you, I still need to get a rear sight, mags, etc. Plus find some keymod rail covers I like.
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I'm clearing about 1800 a month at the hospital. With the apartment next door to save on gas, and a roomie (albeit quirky) we are doing a lot better than we were as homeowners. Just have to be careful with money. Still, with the help of my PFD and selling some misc junk pre move, I manage to get a damn nice AR ordered Pics will be up when she gets here. Mind you, I still need to get a rear sight, mags, etc. Plus find some keymod rail covers I like.Quoted:
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More flaming bullshit in this thread than GD. No one "Needs 100K annual to live ANYWHERE" Some of us live succesfully, and very comfortably withOUT brand new 50,000 dollar pickup trucks, financed snowmachines, 9000 dollar ATV's, motorhomes, riverboats with 35,000 dollar jet outboards, etc. . You can find work, and raise your happy wife and 5 kids here there, or ANYWHERE on this planet that you want to live. Exactly. The missus and I are doing pretty decently on my 20k a year in fairbanks. We just live as we can without any retarded spending. I set aside 10% of each check for meds and gun fund (shared) and I just afforded a new (and only) AR. ETA: Just have to live smart. We sold the house and moved into fairbanks to save 300 a month on gas driving from north pole. Now I just walk across the street and I'm at work. Downside is if they need me in the ER in a hurry, I only live across the street 20K a year is $10 an hour. The average apartment in Fairbanks when I left a long time ago was going for about $800 for a one bedroom. That is 9600 right there in a year just for housing. IF you can live on 20K without help from parents, church, government my hat is off to you.. Pat I'm clearing about 1800 a month at the hospital. With the apartment next door to save on gas, and a roomie (albeit quirky) we are doing a lot better than we were as homeowners. Just have to be careful with money. Still, with the help of my PFD and selling some misc junk pre move, I manage to get a damn nice AR ordered Pics will be up when she gets here. Mind you, I still need to get a rear sight, mags, etc. Plus find some keymod rail covers I like.If your room mate doesn't work out let me know lol, working on moving up to Fairbanks myself. Aiming for mid June. |
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If your room mate doesn't work out let me know lol, working on moving up to Fairbanks myself. Aiming for mid June. Quoted:
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More flaming bullshit in this thread than GD. No one "Needs 100K annual to live ANYWHERE" Some of us live succesfully, and very comfortably withOUT brand new 50,000 dollar pickup trucks, financed snowmachines, 9000 dollar ATV's, motorhomes, riverboats with 35,000 dollar jet outboards, etc. . You can find work, and raise your happy wife and 5 kids here there, or ANYWHERE on this planet that you want to live. Exactly. The missus and I are doing pretty decently on my 20k a year in fairbanks. We just live as we can without any retarded spending. I set aside 10% of each check for meds and gun fund (shared) and I just afforded a new (and only) AR. ETA: Just have to live smart. We sold the house and moved into fairbanks to save 300 a month on gas driving from north pole. Now I just walk across the street and I'm at work. Downside is if they need me in the ER in a hurry, I only live across the street 20K a year is $10 an hour. The average apartment in Fairbanks when I left a long time ago was going for about $800 for a one bedroom. That is 9600 right there in a year just for housing. IF you can live on 20K without help from parents, church, government my hat is off to you.. Pat I'm clearing about 1800 a month at the hospital. With the apartment next door to save on gas, and a roomie (albeit quirky) we are doing a lot better than we were as homeowners. Just have to be careful with money. Still, with the help of my PFD and selling some misc junk pre move, I manage to get a damn nice AR ordered Pics will be up when she gets here. Mind you, I still need to get a rear sight, mags, etc. Plus find some keymod rail covers I like.If your room mate doesn't work out let me know lol, working on moving up to Fairbanks myself. Aiming for mid June. He's on the lease till October, but if anything happens you'll see a looking for roomie thing in that HTF. |