HUGE Decision to Make. Not Sure What to Do.

I woudn't go there without seeing it first. I would also find out how long and how cold the winters are. To me that would be the hardest part.

It doesn't sound like you're very happy where you are so I think I would go for it. Alaskia is gorgeous. I think I would like an opportunity to live there.

As for family, if the money is that much better, you could probably afford a trip to the lower 49 occasionally or help a relative finance a trip to see you.

I say go for it!

Consider worst case scenario / regretting BOTH options

1) Regret moving to AK, you can always come home to O

2) Regret not moving to AK, the amazing job op (see number 1) and bonuses will be gone.

What part of Alaska? We lived there 14 years (Fairbanks and Juneau) and I worked in many parts of the state so I know a lot of different areas. We loved it there, but you do need to go knowing you will not be able to afford to travel to visit family very often. We were lucky bc my husband traveled about once a month for work and so we had a lot of ff miles to use towards plane tickets. Some of our friends hardly ever got to go visit the grandparents and were always a bit sad about it. Many friends there made peace with that though bc they just love living there. You need an adventurous spirit and a big love of the outdoors. If you love any of these things: hiking, camping, hunting, canoeing, boating, kayaking, mountain climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, etc, you will fit right in. We would move back if the right opportunity came up (to our parent's dismay). We are both scientists who spend all our free time doing outdoorsy things so we just loved it there. I did have friends who hated it...they hated the extreme weather, the rain (southeast alaska), the extreme cold (fairbanks), no good shopping, no family nearby. I had some friends who complained ALL the time. I did not feel the way they did - I really enjoyed it although I will say the rain in southeast Alaska did get old. Feel free to PM me if you want to chat more about it.

you'll never regret trying. you may always live to regret not trying.

i say go.

anchorage is amazing :) (invest in light-blocking curtains).

I agree with a previous post. It's been offered TWICE. That's a sure sign that your family should be in Alaska. Good luck!

Make sure you have enough set aside to come back.....But by all means GO FOR IT!!

It's been offered twice....maybe that is a SIGN.

Blessings...

My cousin was interested in a specialty job in Alaska, and they flew her up there for a week to make sure she wanted to live there. She declined going, because she had already lived all over the world and wanted to stay close to family.

Would they consider flying your family there to check it out? Are they helping with moving costs??? Have you looked at the cost of living there compared to your current town? Will you all miss being in close proximity to vacations in the lower 48? Will you feel obligated to spend your vacation times to visit family? How old are your kids? Will they feel ripped away, or would they even notice? Would you be able to enjoy the different hobbies/activities that are Alaskan? Would you be able to handle the sunlight thing?

Wear the idea of moving. What would it feel like to NOT be living where you are? What would it be like living there??

I'm all for fresh starts however, do your homework. :) We moved from IN to MN for a job offer. When we got there we realized the extra money I was making was as low as I was making in IN....the cost of living of MN is MUCH higher than IN.

Good luck!!

Well we made a big move 7 years ago with our family...moved far away from family for a job...lived there for 4.5 years and lost the job we moved for....moved back to where we came from just after that.

Now that the bad is over....I will say this it was one of the BEST things we ever did...ya it sucked when my hubby lost his job but the experience and scenery and well everything else about it was great.

Go live and have fun!!

It's an adventure. Go for it. You only live once. Enjoy!

I absolutely LOVE Anchorage. Alaska is one of my favorite places in the world! Good luck in your decision! :)

Remember that nothing is forever. I say go for it. If you end up really really disliking it, then your husband either asks for a transfer back (at a lower position if necessary) or starts looking for a new job so you can come back.

Go.
You are young.
It's one of the most beautiful territories in America.
Go.
Your hub will be making great money. Set some aside if you decide you need to come back to the continental US after you give it a try.
But Go.
It will be such an adventure and a sight that many of us will never have the chance to see.

I would take the job. Life is too short to not take an opportunity like that.

You never know til you try it. I have family in Alaska including one cousin who moved there sight unseen from Southern California. She loves Alaska and has no plans to ever move back.

You already live in Ohio so you are used to the cold! Even if you don't stay there forever, it would be a great experience. Go for the adventure. You are never stuck and can always come back.

Where in Alaska? Cities make a big difference climate-wise!

ETA: Anchorage or Juneau I would do, Fairbanks I wouldn't. My uncle was stationed in Anchorage and his family loved it. Given that you're not seeing family much now, I would do it -- it's a good opportunity, and a family adventure can be really bonding. Good luck, and tell us what you decide!

I have a girlfriend who lives in Anchorage - she loves it. She left there years ago and lived in the deep south (where we met) but after a few years went back and has been there ever since.

Maybe hubby's employer would fly you two up for a meet and greet tour? Give you a few days to explore housing, and whatnot.

Me, I would go. My teen son said "heck yeah, we would". LOL

If the salary is that nice, you could surely afford to fly back to visit family. And there is Skype and such nowadays.

Is the job that permanent? Could he do for it four years or so and then request a transfer?

Wow those can be the hardest decisions, the company should at least offer you a trip there to see if you like it. You have to have time to find a home. What about the cost of living comparasions? Even though you are getting a raise you will want to come home, so will you make enough to visit a few times a year? We just did a BIG move a year ago and have regretted it so look at all sides of it. Follow your peace

My friends daughter just moved there, her husband is in the service so they didnt have a choice. They love it there. I guess there is a moose that comes into their yard and hangs out, very exciting, lol. Im not sure if living there would be for me personally, I hate snow and am even a little scared of the deer that come in our yard. Thats a person to person thing though. The only thing Ive heard is all the groceries have to be flown in so they are a LOT more expensive, like 3 to 5x the price. Thats something to consider in regards to his promotion and budgeting. Really it sounds like it might be a fun adventure, especially if you dont like where you live now.

Well, that isn't a lot to go on. But from what you said, I would be 75 for going 25 for staying. What is the next promotion available to him after that one? How long down the pike would it be, potentially?

I had an aunt who lived in Juno for years. She loved it while she was there.
We talked about moving there once (hubby and I)-- to Anchorage, but decided against it. All of our family is here in the SE and we are pretty happy here.

What would happen if you got there, gave it an honest shake, and hated it? Would he be able to transfer out to somewhere else? If you could go ANYWHERE to live/work, where would it be?

GO. Absolutely. What a fabulous opportunity for your family. A whole new place and a whole new life. Sure, what if you go and you hate it, there's always the chance for that. But what if you DON'T go and it WOULD HAVE BEEN the best thing you ever did? What if you would have LOVED it in Alaska? This will be the "what if" story, "the one that got away" story, of your life. So take that leap and go.

Watch "Sarah Palin's Alaska" on netfix, that place is beautiful!!!!!!!!I have been to Anchorage , tons of fun stuff to do there.If you do not see your family much and do not really like where you are at, why not try?????

http://www.alaska.net/ (about moving to Anchorage)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchorage,_Alaska
http://www.anchorage.net/resources
http://www.alaska.com/moving/

http://ask.metafilter.com/150487/What-do-you-wish-you-had...

If your Husband and/or his family does not like it there... then what? Will his company keep him? Or relocate him? Or just not employ him?

I'd go in a heartbeat with an open mind.

My girlfriend was stationed at Eiselson AFB in Alaska and said it was an AWESOME place to live!!!

My parents went their last summer with their motor home group/club. It was an AWESOME experience.

Both have said that getting used to "not all dark night" in the Summer is hard - but you deal. There is SOOO much to do!! Sooo much to see!!! I would gladly go for you!!!

Rent your home out instead of selling it. That way you won't feel trapped. You can have your "escape route" should you end up not loving it. However, I don't think you will!! My girlfriend and her husband would go back in a heart beat!!

If you can stand the Ohio winters you can stand the Alaska winters. They are just a little longer in Alaska.

I live in Southern California. I was born here, but I've lived in many places. I think our low temperature for the year so far has been 40 degrees where I live. If I'd been given a nice bonus and a promotion I'd move to Alaska in a heart beat.

Alaska has all kinds of recreational possibilities and wonderful scenery. The people are nice and friendly. Since Airlines fly there on a regular basis, you are only a few hours from anywhere in the lower 48.

Food and gas are more expensive, but with all the oil severance taxes, I don't believe there are any income taxes on the state level. Don't you wish Ohio was like that?

I'd go in a heart beat. I hope you give it a try.

Good luck to you and yours.

Lets see, its cold in Youngstown without a view. Its cold in Anchorage with a view. Hmm... I would go. But I love adventure and new things. Changes don't bother me.

Have you thought about going for a weekend to look at it? I would think if the company wants your husband bad enough a scouting trip would be in order and they should pay. Go!!!!!

We sold EVERYTHING (home, cars, electronics) and moved to London, UK for two years.

All ex-pats who wouldn't take jobs on local terms after two years are sent back. Maybe they can find a job. I couldn't. NO biggie!

Hubby's job agreed to relocate him there and were thrilled to have him back. He now works for a Fortune 10 company as a high level salesman withOUT a college degree.

What a fabulous opportunity you have without the pitfalls of overseas moves!! Reciprocal income tax filings during and high risk auto insurance pool when we came back because we had no insurance history for two years in the US-UK insurance didn't count.

Will the company pay for once a year round trip airfare for a visit 'home'?

I say GO!

Wow! Well, I dont know too many people that have been to Alaska and didnt love it! We have a friend whose parents live there 6 months out of the year and just LOOOVVEE it! Our friend goes and stays with them sometimes for a vacation and his pics are just gorgeous! What kind of weather do you like? I am a warm weather person through and through. I have a hard time in Colorado winters so would probably not like living there. But you may Love the cold and really enjoy it there. Would you be able to go up there and visit before he gives an answer on the job? Good Luck! I am so eager to hear what you decide!

Sounds cool-I'd go for it! Anchorage is described as spectacular, clean, healthy and vibrant!

Go. You get to see the last frontier of America.

It's a change from Ohio but it is a welcome change. It is cold but it is a dry cold not wet (bone chill cold). You get the land of the Midnight Sun and then of course some darkness. I lived in Quebec for four years (a military assignment) on the same latitude as Alaska.

Yes you get to see moose, deer and bears along the roadway but not all at the same time. Yes you get snow and you learn how to drive in it and go do what you need to do. Yes you buy large size boxes or cans of what you eat so that you can continue when you get snowed in occasionally. Yes you get fresh clean air and wide open spaces to run around in. Yes you get the mountains and camping and hiking. Yes there is a university there to attend and meet other people. Snowsuits or ski suits are your best friend to get around in the winter. Everyone has at least two for the winter. So if one is wet the other is dry and you can function.

So what is holding you back -- the unknown? If the company wants your husband that bad do the scouting trip. Make a list of all the things you want to know about and find them. See the lay of the land and have an idea of what is ahead for you (as in whole family). You say you don't see family that much now so what is the difference only distance. You can always take a flight home to "visit" and go back.

Once a person leaves the home area things change in their lives and in the lives of family members that stay behind. Home is where and what you make it. I have learned this being a military wife. It is an adventure and you take away the good and the bad and make it a chapter in your life. Your kids will have an adjustment period as will you but you adapt and move on.

Let us know what you all decide.

The other S.

PS post me if you have any questions about car battery blankets. It was the healthiest time of my life as all the germs were frozen.

my aunt used to live in alaska and she LOOOOOOOOOVED it!!!! she wishes she never left but her modeling career brought her to chicago so she had no choice. now she is living in FL and HAAAAAATES it big time. If it were my family we would do it what a wonderful adventure and get paid even more hell to the yeah.

Its really not that expensive to fly from Anchorage back to most major cities. Obviously, its up to you, but it sounds like a great adventure and opportunity. Do you feel like your kids are in an ok place for a move? If so, I say go for it.

I would take it. It sounds like a great promotion and the part of Alaska I saw was very nice. If your not living in a good place now and he's not making a lot of money now, you might be able to totally flip it around.

Do you wanna trade? I'd go in a minute rather than being stuck in tired old New Jersey.

I don't see why you wouldn't do it. I don't know anyone who has gotten a sweet offer like that, and I especially don't know anyone that would turn something like that down, especially when perfectly good workers can't find a job.

You never know how it will be until you take a leap of faith. How would you guys feel if he turned it down? You'd wonder what might've been if he'd taken that job, wouldn't you? The good things about jobs & living situations is that nothing has to be permanent or set it stone.

Do it :) Alaska is amazing!!!! I was there for 2 weeks and would have stayed forever!

One of my coworker's sons lives in Alaska. He really likes it there and enjoys the nature aspect of it. Really, this is only a decision you can and your husband can make. Do you see yourself staying where you are now? If not, then I'd say go for it.

GO!!!!! What an awesome adventure! Once in a lifetime.....

I personally would probably do it just because in this economy I don't think offers like that come around too often. However, the more realistic thing to do before I'd jump on the offer (which is what I'd do), is take some time off and go see what its like up in Alaska. Good luck and congrats on the promotion opportunity!

I have lived in AK for almost my whole life (I'm in my 40's). What type of questions/reservations do you have? as for the grocery comment, things are not 3 - 5 x more expensive here. If you live in the Bush communities (off the road sysytem, or all the way North - Barrow) they are quite a bit more expensive, and that has to do with travel and electricity in those remote areas. In fact, when we travel we are always amazed that prices in AK and 'Outside' are quite similar. We live in Fairbanks. And travel to Anchorage about 5-6 times a year. The weather is damp in the winter (you are on the ocean) and can have a late heavy snow fall. In the summer the average temp is in the low 70's. Anchorage is beautiful and you will NEVER tire of the scenery. Tickets to fly in and out of Anch are not expensive, when compared to flying in the 'Lower 48'. Your friends and family will be so excited for you to move to AK that you may need to purchase/rent a house with a spare bedroom! Anchorage is very modern and you have nothing to be afraid of. Water park, world class down hill skiing 30 minutes away, zoo, museums, malls, private & charter & public & home school options, discount stores, box stores, trendy shopping stores, University campus, fishing!, hinting, hiking... Good Luck!

I personally couldn't do Alaska, I just can't handle that kind of cold. If you can handle it go for it! It's not like you have to live there forever. If you don't like it, move again. Just make sure you bank some of that extra money so that if and when you decide to come back to the lower 48 you have the money to do it.

Consider it an adventure.

It looks like you have already decided to go. Which I believe is a great thing. Think of all the things you will get to do or see that we here won't. I have a friend who comes from Alaska and friends that have been to visit - they love it. You will be surprised at family and friend you keep in touch with will want to vacation with you. Remember you can always come back or go somewhere else. But alaska has no income tax that's a plus I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Go with a sense of excitement not trepedation. Best of Luck to you and your family.

Alaska is beautiful. And Anchorage isn't as cold as other areas and has a pretty warm summer. I have no idea about schools and that sort of quality of life. Those are the things I would check on before moving. But the whole thing sounds like a great adventure and good timing for your family.

I think I would try like Lesley said and see if they will send you and hubby up there to at least scout it out. Just from what you said, I am guessing the company would do at least that. But I would definitely do it.

I'd go, if the money was good enough. What a fun adventure!

i hate cold.
but no way would i be able to resist an adventure like this. and with a sweet bonus as well?
this would be a no-brainer for me.
:) khairete
S.

I have a friend who's job reloacted them in Alaska and they loved it! They were so happy up there! The only thing they were sad about was the company closed and reloacted them back to SE Minnesota. They are going to try to save up and move back there on their own now.

I also have a friends who's daughter moved to Alaska to go to school and she chose to never come back to IA she loves it up there so much.

Her mom goes up there for a week to visit each year and she comes back "home" for a week also. Its not much, but atleast they do get to see each other twice a year.

I think its a chance of a lifetime. If it was offered to our family and it would be a great chance for a new adventure we would take it!

Have you compared the cost of living to the pay? Make sure it is worth the move and trouble.

I hear it is beautiful there, however I can imagine quite a few adjustments.