Source: wikiHow
Alaska is a beautiful state with so much to offer for its residents, including outdoor adventures, breathtaking views, and prosperous job opportunities. If you’re thinking about living in Alaska, you’ll want to consider the cost of moving, how well you’ll adjust to your new home, and the benefits of living in Alaska.
- 1 Visit Alaska to scope out potential places to live. The best way to decide if you’re ready to live in Alaska is to visit. If you’re interested in Alaskan cities, visit Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau, which have plenty of housing options and job openings for professionals. Smaller towns like Homer, Ketchikan, Skagway, Nome, and Haines are great if you prefer the wilderness.[1]
- Suburbs are normally slightly less expensive and have more houses available than the inner cities.
- Commuting into the city for work is common in Alaska, and traffic normally isn’t a concern.
- Renting is more expensive in the cities, but is a good option for students and people who are just moving to Alaska.
- 2 Use the Multiple Listing Service to view homes currently on the market. Visit http://www.alaskarealestate.com/ to access a database of all of the homes on the market currently in Alaska. You can narrow your search by location, price, and number of beds/baths.[2]
- The website also provides contact information for the real estate agent who lists the house. If you find one that you like, simply contact the agent to schedule a tour for the next time you visit.
- 3 Secure a job before making your move. Unemployment rates tend to be high in Alaska, so make sure you have a job before you move.
If you don’t have a job, make sure you have enough money saved for a ticket home in case your job search turns up short.[3]
- Big cities have a lot more jobs than smaller towns, and many people choose to commute so they don’t have to pay city living prices.
- Some seasonal work might be available at hotels or parks, but you should try to find a permanent position as soon as possible.
- 4 Consider Alaska’s high cost of living before deciding to move. Because Alaska is so far from the rest of the United States, items like groceries tend to cost more due to shipping. Utilities are also relatively expensive in Alaska because of the remote location of most homes.[4]
- However, to offset the cost of living, Alaska has some of the lowest taxes in the U.S. and doesn’t have a sales tax.
- Additionally, the government pays each Alaskan resident, including children, about $1,000 per year from the Permanent Fund Dividend.
- 5 Pack light for your move because shipping can be expensive. If you do decide to make the move, your best option is to get rid of most of your belongings, such as furniture, and purchase new items when you arrive. Stick to items you can fit into a suitcase, and avoid shipping things if you can.[5]
- If you’re planning to drive to Alaska through Canada, be aware that there are certain items that aren’t allowed through Canadian border control,…
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