Should I Move to Alaska Quiz

Moving to Alaska is absolutely worth it if you’re seeking adventure, pristine natural beauty, and a sense of close-knit communities. However, it heavily depends on your lifestyle preferences and ability to adapt to harsh circumstances and remote locations.

Sean and I value outdoor activities, independence, close proximity to wildlife, and privacy in our home life, which is why Alaska quickly became our favorite place that we’ve ever lived.

However, if you think you’ll be missing your strong internet connection, ability to hit some bars on the weekend, or even a yard that you don’t need to worry about moose crossing through on the daily, then you’ll want to consider these challenges before making your decision.

The pros and cons of moving to Alaska are completely subjective according to each person, however, we’ve drawn up some of the most obvious ones for your consideration below!

Pros:
➡ Stunning natural landscapes
➡ Abundant wildlife
➡ Endless opportunities for outdoor activities
➡ Tight-knit communities
➡ The chance to see the northern lights
➡ Beautiful winter wonderland scenes

Cons:
➡ Extreme weather conditions
➡ Free-roaming wildlife
➡ Isolation from the lower 48 states
➡ Higher cost of living
➡ Limited access to goods and services
➡ Potential difficulty in finding employment
➡ Poor internet services throughout much of the state

Living in Alaska can be challenging due to its extreme weather conditions, including long, harsh winters and short summers as well as the unpredictable availability of goods.

The isolation might also be tough for some, as many areas are remote and far from family and friends. Additionally, the higher cost of living (particularly gas and accommodations) and seasonal depression can pose difficulties for new residents.

Personally, I didn’t find myself succumbing much to the seasonal depression that we were warned about, but Sean definitely noticed a shift in his emotional steadiness by the third month of almost complete darkness.

We also found living in the northern part of the state during winter to have its own unique challenges since we had to outfit our car to be able to start in temperatures dropping as low as -50°F. To get air in our tires, we had to go to indoor mechanics since any and all outdoor pumps would freeze, now allowing the air to flow into our tires.

We also had to choose to shop strictly at stores that had charging stations so we could keep our battery heater on while we shopped. Otherwise, we risked our car not starting after we returned with our groceries!

These were just a few of the difficulties we faced while living in Alaska, but we didn’t mind them too much. If these challenges sound like too much of a con to look past, then add them to your list of reasons not to move to Alaska.

The cost of moving to Alaska can vary widely depending on your current location and lifestyle. On average, you might need between $3,000 to $10,000 to cover moving expenses, including transportation, housing deposits, and initial living costs.

It’s also advisable to have a financial cushion to sustain yourself for a few months as you acclimate and potentially secure a job if you don’t have one prior to your move.

We were able to make the drive from New England to Alaska for about $2,000, but we had to pay over $7,000 in upfront accommodation costs to ensure we had somewhere to live on arrival.

Finding a job in Alaska can be challenging, particularly in remote areas where job opportunities are limited and the locals are given first priority.

However, there are some industries that offer more openings, such as tourism, fishing, healthcare, and oil. Networking and doing thorough research on job availability in your desired location can greatly increase your chances of employment.

It’s usually best to apply to some areas of interest before deciding to move to Alaska, so you’ll have an official start date with a guaranteed income before setting yourself up for such a big change.

We were fortunate enough to have remote jobs set up before we decided to leave New England, but after we spent a few months in the state and made some local friends, people began offering us local work in the fishing, tourism, and construction industries.

Thus, from our experience, it is definitely possible to make work connections after you arrive, but since it could take some time, you’ll likely want to have a job lined up before you decide to move to Alaska.

Yes, Alaska offers the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), which provides annual payments to residents who meet certain eligibility requirements.

One of these requirements is incoming residents must spend at least one full year in the state before they will be eligible to apply for the PFD. You can read more about these requirements here.

However, this should not be the sole reason for moving as it certainly will not cover all the additional costs associated with living in Alaska. Some communities and industries may also offer relocation incentives, so it’s worth exploring these options when considering a move.

After we spent a few months living in Alaska, we realized that there were a myriad of things nobody ever told us (including our online research) about moving to the 49th state.

The money we saved on cheap rent would be spent on expensive gas and groceries.

➡ Ingredients aren’t always readily available and meal planning is practically impossible.
➡ In a state as focused on the outdoors as Alaska, simply walking our dog would become a dangerous adventure that we had to navigate daily thanks to the large population of predators.
➡ It would be difficult to find someone who hadn’t had a scary run-in with a wild animal.
➡ No amount or quality of photos could ever do this state justice – it is ALWAYS more beautiful than you see online.
➡ The seclusion and darkness feels cozier than most people will lead you to believe.
➡ Traveling to and from the state does take more time and is often more expensive than the traveling between the lower 48, but it is still very easy and uncomplicated to manage.