We just got back from our Alaskan hoenymoon and the country was as great as I thought. I would love to move there the logistics just seem like they would be tough as some places are fly-in only. Anyone that has moved from the states, with any suggestions would be much appreciated. When I say the states I mean the lower 48.

Thanks in advance.

I spent two glorious years there courtesy of Uncle Sam and visit a buddy there occasionally. You are spot on about hunt logistics, but there are plenty of opportunities on foot, with an ATV, with a river boat, or with an open water boat. Big question up front is...what's your job skill set look like?

Most of my work has been in comercial contracting. I'm finishing a BA degree in History in December.

Try posting on this forum, or one of its sister forums, and you'll likely get some good advice.

AK Forum

I moved to Ak 40 years ago so what I have to say about recent moves, wouldn't be useful. If you have skills, you can make it.
Hunting is usually expensive here. Most of the road areas are hunted hard. You need to get away from them to have a good hunt.
That particular forum is heavily censured. You will not hear any negative comments there. they are deleted. Also full of advertisements. I no longer post there.

Housing is expensive if you want to buy, luckily right now its a buyers market. Alot of decent jobs right now, especially since the slope seems to be spooling up along with alot of the mines.

Only advice I can give is to do it. I moved up here about 12 years ago and it was the best decision I made.

go to www.state.ak.us and click on jobs. as for housing we have all the major realestate companies up here so you can search to find out what your in for. if your looking at anchorage there are some areas to stay out of.

It's not a buyer market everywhere.

Thank Goodness

For me I was happy. we just bought and it worked in our favor, now when we go to sell, I hope its the reverse.

If California counts I moved up from the lower 48.

We've been up here 10 years, and like Joel, the best decision we've made.

We also came up for our honeymoon, fell in love with the state, and moved up 3 years later.

There is a slight catch 22, where you'll have to live to work most likely won't be where you'll want to hunt and fish. The key is getting a job that pays enough and has enough time off to allow you to enjoy the state.

As many have said, the cost of living is high because it's worth it. I tend to agree


Most of the jobs are concentrated in the Anchorage, Mat-su and Fairbanks areas. Unless you're indepentantly wealthy or are hooked up with a great gig, I'd suggest not dreaming of living off the road system. Social conditions make many of those areas a nightmare, and financial considerations will crimp you as well.

We bought a 14' wells cargo trailer, and drove all our earthly posessions up with us. Caveat about transfering firearms through Canada, check out the regs and ship to yourself what you can't legally transport.

It was cheaper to buy and sell the trailer than to rent a u-haul trailer. U-haul only rents gas burning moving vans, and they are serious gas hogs, so run some numbers and research how you'll move yourself up. The less you have to move the better. You can find anything you need up here, and there are plenty of moving and garage sales to reasonbly re-furnish your digs.

if you're getting your b.a. in history, then you might try for a teaching position in the bush. hunting is the best out here. the downside is the higher cost of living, but there is teacher housing and you can offset your grocery costs by living off the land (ducks, caribou, moose, etc).

hunting from the road system/city can be a hassle and expensive.

there are great job opps in hub towns like kotzebue, nome, bethel, and dillingham in construction. we're always building things out here.

let me know if you have any specific questions. i'm a teacher out here in bristol bay. the hunting is the best i've experienced. good luck!