Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Do you have a question for me?

If you have a question or are curious about some aspect of life in Alaska or about moving to Alaska, please use the comments section below to ask me your question. I will respond as soon as possible.

Elise

37 comments:

  1. hello sir we are intersted in work for snow removal and what is the qualification and what we have do and there salaries details for that job i have completed my graduation can u suggest me some sites or company to come there and work

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  2. I'm not sure if this is a real question or spam...I'm not a "sir" but I can see how someone might be interested in a snow removal job since I live in AK so giving the benefit of the doubt...see question number 7. in my FAQ: I'm a (nurse, teacher, fisherman, insert job here) are there many jobs for me in Alaska? Good luck!

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  3. My husband and I are traveling to Anchorage in a couple of weeks, but seriously thinking of moving to Alaska. One of our questions is how does the cost of living compare with here ( North Idaho). things like food cost, heating, light bills. fuel. etc. just wondering if you would happen to know of a site that gives some of this info that we could compare with before we get there.? any response is greatly appreciated. Julie

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  4. Hi Julie,
    This is the cost of living calculator I usually use:
    http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html

    Good luck!
    Elise

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  5. Hello,

    Could you comment on emigrating to Alaska from outside the U.S.? Is it wrong of me to assume that Alaska would welcome immigrants more readily than other states? Maybe because of the sparse population for instance.

    And do you perhaps know if the Alaskan government has any special programs promoting relocation to their state?

    Thank you very much!

    JJ

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  6. Hi JJ,
    The process for immigrating to Alaska is the same as for the rest of the US. See my comment to number 26. from my FAQ:

    http://www.elisetomlinson.com/faq-alaska.html#immigrate

    Good luck!

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  7. i want to move to alaska but if i get a ticket there ill be broke is there a shelter or a program to help me get a job and on my feet there

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  8. I don't know what part of Alaska you plan to move to but Alaska is not a good place to be homeless. I would suggest saving up for the move and job hunting from where you're at before moving here!!!

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  9. ok, we just moved from EAFB to Kentucky and we hate it we want to come back to Alaska but now I am confused on relocating all off our stuff moving companies and everything else do you have any suggestions??? Any decent moving companies to get our stuff back up there?

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  10. You obviously have internet. What type of internet connections do you have? I work from home but because my business is internet based, I can live ANYWHERE. Is the high speed internet there? ~Suzanne

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  11. Hi Elise, my husband's job is relocating him to Anchorage for 1 year. We now live in Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area. We have a 7 year-old child. We will probably move at the end of October. Are there indoor places to entertain children in Anchorage that you would recommend? Can you give us advice of what a family with a child should be prepared for, or aware of, when moving to Anchorage from a warm area? Thanks, Angela

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  12. My husband and I will be moving to Alaska around the end of October. Apart from U-Haul do you know of any way to secure a truck large enough to move household goods from a 3 bedroom house? Any companies wanting a truck driven North?

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  13. Hi, my na me is Anne-Eléonore, I'm 19 and I come from France. I'm actually studying foreign applied languages (english and german) and I'll have my master degree in 3 years. My dream would be then to live in Alaska, in Barrow (but other cities would be great too), but I know the way of living and the system is completely different compared to France and I'd like to know if it would really be a good idea to move there.
    I love coldness, snow,and mountains so to me Alaska is the best place to live, well I think it is.
    I don't know how I would be welcomed in Barrow as a "foreigner" and I'm scared to be lost.
    Are there much jobs there?
    what kind of budget do you need to live there (and to buy a house)?
    I'm not already fluent in english but I still have 3 years studying so I think it will be better then, but will it be a great problem if I'm not fluent once arriving there?
    There are thousand questions I would like to ask.
    I'm so excited when I imagine how life is in Barrow, but I'd like to be sure I wouldn't have too many problems there.

    PS: Sorry my english is not very good.

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  14. Hi Elise,
    my family is thinking about moving to Alaska because of a job offer. We live down south, near Indiana and Kentucky. Our family would be staying behind. Between this and the utter culture shock of change, we've been really nervous.
    Itseemed like you've had a lot of experience with moving and change, and I was wondering if you had any advice for us?

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  15. Hello Elise,
    So my buddy and I are planning on moving to Alaska for a year or so just for the fun and experience of the beautiful place and will most likely be renting out a place in Kenai, AK. We will obviously come prepared moneywise but how much do you think would be a good amount to bring in order to start a living there.
    Also I hear that you get paid for living there... what can you say about that?
    Any info would be help. Thank You

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  16. Hi Vitaliy,
    I would look at how much it costs to rent in that area, also, the food etc. will be more expensive, I can't really say how much because cost of living is really different on the Kenai than in Southeast Alaska where I live.
    As far as the dividend goes, you have to live in Alaska for a year before you can apply, then you'll get the dividend the next year. So, you'd have to be here at least two years to get one and they can range in value. Google "Alaska Permanent Fund".
    Good luck!

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  17. Thank You so much Elise, your such and amazing help =) Would you also please tell me your personal opinion on how the living is in your area? Is it a nice area to go if I'm more of an extreme outdoor guy? Is it good for fishing, hiking, hunting...? Are there any beautiful mountains and water features? Does it have a nice little city like a downtown? I just cant even imagine it there since it is so different here in Everett WA where I live.
    Again thank you so much for all your help and taking time to answer all these questions!

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  18. Hi Vitaliy,
    I live on Douglas Island, part of the City and Borough of Juneau. We do have a very cute downtown area (Go to Google Images, and search for Downtown Juneau in order to see some photos of our downtown area. As for fishing, hiking, hunting, YES YES YES...this area is an outdoors lovers dream. I went skiing today at our public ski resort (Eaglecrest) and the powder was incredible. I would seriously suggest coming up for a few visits. Air fare from SeaTac isn't bad, you can see what it's like in the summer and winter...get a feel for it. It does rain (and snow) a lot, but I love it!

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  19. Can you tell me anything about living in McGrath? I have an employment opportunity there. Would appreciate it.
    Tks. Perry

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  20. I will be moving to Juneau in August with my wife and three kids for 18 months. How hard is it to find a decent 3 bedroom place to rent? I have been looking on the internet and not found too much. Will I be able to find a house in the fall?

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  21. Hi Elise,
    Are there many horses in southern Alaska (Anchorage to Juneau) and are many people involved in horsemanship there?
    Thanks!
    -LR

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  22. I live in New Jersey. How much higher is the cost of living in Alaska on average?

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  23. I am thinking about relocating for a job opportunity. Are there any apartment complexes in Junuo? I looked at a apt web sites but nothing was listed for Jueno. If one were to work in the downtown area,is there housing nearby?

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  24. hoi elise wij willen supergraag emigreren naar alaska alleen weten we niet goed hoe we aan echte informatie komen ik heb je site gelezen maar daar stond ook het antwoord niet tussen kan je ons verder helpen?

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  25. Wat is jou spesifieke vraag? Alaska is 'n deel van die Verenigde State. Immigrasie na die Verenigde State is nodig ten einde te skuif na Alaska.

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  26. Hi, Elise. My husband and I are nearing retirement age, and I'd like to know what the senior community is like, in Anchorage. Retirement homes? Apts. for the elderly?

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  27. Hey Elise,
    Nice website.
    You said you studied in Hawaii for a bit. I am in Hawaii now and am considering moving to Alaska. One thing I love about people in Hawaii is their 'Aloha' spirit. How would you compare the people of Alaska to Hawaii?
    Thxs,
    Perry S.

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  28. We are highly considering moving to Alaska from Ohio and I want to know what the cost of living is and the likely hood of job placement in a music teacher and hairdresser are?

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  29. i've applied to UAA and if i get accepted, and i were not to get a dorm on campus, i would need to get a job and an apartment or a roomate. is that an easy thing to do. go to school, work and will i have enough from what i make working part time?

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  30. Hello Elise the one thing I wonder most is how hard is it to relocate a family to Alaska? I have three vehicles, two dogs, wife and two boys that are 12 and 6 years old and of course rooms full of items to bring. My two sons are really excited with the idea but my wife is nervous about the move and conditions. I graduate from The University of Alabama this coming May and my wife is graduating next December. Obviously we are from Alabama which warrants the question. What should we expect financially and would we fit in there. I plan to take your advise on taking a trip there, hopefully this summer if all goes well, but my wife told me that I will just be showing her Alaska at its best.
    Your site is awesome and very helpful. I have been looking at everything such as all the pictures, newspapers, and even the winter survival guide. Ha! Big difference in weather there. It will be 70 degrees here this Wednesday. Anyway I got to get back to some last minute school work. Oh does the University of Alaska have an online Masters program?

    Thanks J.J. Mason

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  31. Hello Elise the one thing I wonder most is how hard is it to relocate a family to Alaska? I have three vehicles, two dogs, wife and two boys that are 12 and 6 years old and of course rooms full of items to bring. My two sons are really excited with the idea but my wife is nervous about the move and conditions. I graduate from The University of Alabama this coming May and my wife is graduating next December. Obviously we are from Alabama which warrants the question. What should we expect financially and would we fit in there. I plan to take your advise on taking a trip there, hopefully this summer if all goes well, but my wife told me that I will just be showing her Alaska at its best.
    Your site is awesome and very helpful. I have been looking at everything such as all the pictures, newspapers, and even the winter survival guide. Ha! Big difference in weather there. It will be 70 degrees here this Wednesday. Anyway I got to get back to some last minute school work. Oh does the University of Alaska have an online Masters program?

    Thanks J.J. Mason

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  32. hevelen patricia versatiDecember 14, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    ola sou brasileira e gostaria muito de obter informaçoes sobre viver no alaska, eu sou tecnica de enfermagem, e meu esposo é motorista de bitrem ( caminhao). como é a demanda de trabalho ? e o custo de vida ? o salario nessas area de trabalho daria pra sobreviver e qnto a sermos brasileiros isso implica em algo, e sobre a documentação ??



    hello I am Brazilian and would love to get information about living in Alaska, I'm nursing technicians, and my husband is bi-train driver (truck). as is the demand for labor? and the cost of living? Salaries in the work area to survive and would be the Brazilian qnto that means something, and on the documentation?

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  33. How do I get to Alaska from Fayetteville North Carolina?

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  34. I enjoyed thumbing through your site. Are there any good kosher delis in Alaska where someone can get a good pastrami or corned beef sandwich?

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  35. I am a chef by trade.but i also have a cdl and know how to run equipment in the woods(logging operation).I was wondering with the diverse and very different abilities i have would i have a problem finding work in alaska and what region should i attempt to move to i love the cold and the snowy winter months -50 below is music to my ears.

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  36. I am planning on moving to Alaska and living in the wilderness. I was just wondering if driving a bus up to Alaska from Iowa would be a good idea. I could modify the bus to be like a home and wanted to ask you if that would be a good idea. Also I wanted to know where in Alaska I could live in the wilderness without having to buy the land.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Calvin,
      I am not aware of anywhere that you can live in the wilderness without having to buy the land. If you brought up a bus, it would have to be on a road system which would mean the land belongs to someone, whether private, state, or federal. On my FAQ page I discuss why it's not a good idea to assume you have the skills necessary to live off the land in Alaska (search Living in Alaska FAQ). I would not suggest it. Also, I'm not sure what you mean by "wilderness"...there are many smaller communities in Alaska surrounded by wilderness where you could still live and work without having to live off the land...which is pretty impractical for most people. Anyway, good luck to you!

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