What You Need to Know Before Moving Alaska

Are you considering moving to Alaska? We can tell you right now, that Alaska is a top-notch place to live. Whether we’re lifelong Alaskans or new to town, we’re proud to say that Alaska’s quality of life is higher than any other state in the Lower 48. So if you’re here scouting the state in your Alaska car rental, there are some things you’ll want to know before making any final decisions.

Get finances in order

While it’s true that the satisfaction of Alaskan residents is much higher than that of other states, the economy is Alaska is also much different. Cost of living is considerably elevated in comparison to other states. Everything – fuel, groceries, goods, equipment – is more expensive in Alaska than it would be in Ohio, for instance. You’re likely to notice this even just by traveling around in your Alaska car rental.

That being said, the economy didn’t crash with the rest of the states. Jobs are always available to those who want them, and wage is much higher to match the heightened cost of living. The state quite literally will pay you a permanent fund dividend (PFD) for every person in your household once you have lived in Alaska for more than 12 calendar months. This is to encourage a larger population in a generally low-populated state, and to help assist residents with the inflated cost of living.

If you’re already visiting in your Alaska car rental, you may also know that the flights in and out of Alaska are pricey. Alaska can be isolated, and if you have family outside of the state trips to visit for the holidays are going to be hefty.

The best of both

Many Alaskans are proud to admit that Alaska is almost like a country and culture entirely its own – separate from the Lower 48 in mentality, hobbies, environment, and history. You’ll be able to find modern cities snuggled alongside sweeping landscapes and omnipresent wilderness. It’s not uncommon to see wild life roam the cities. Most of the moose are friendly and human-tamed, but keep your distance to be safe!

Because of this, Alaskans have adjusted their lifestyle around the environment of the state. Fishing, hiking, water sports, winter sports, and hunting are hobbies that everyone in Alaska enjoys. Residents and visitors alike bond through festivals and competitions that focus on these activities, and you’ll find yourself welcomed in if you take part. You will quickly discover this if you take your Alaska car rental around the state in the summer.

Your daylight hours will change

Daylight is a bizarre concept in Alaska. In the deep winter months, daylight only comes to visit for 5 hours a day at most. Even then, daylight is never full – it remains partially dark and dim, even at noon and the sun never full rises in the sky.

During the summer months, daylight is your only companion. At 1 a.m. you will still find a dim, dusky light in the sky that looks closer to dawn than the darkest hours of the night. For anyone who has experienced this for a short period of time, you’ll know that these arctic daylight hours can take some getting used to. If you need extreme dark to sleep, you’ll want to invest in black out curtains before you make your big move.

Strong family community

Because Alaska is so isolated, the people in this state know how to build a strong community and to adapt. They understand function over fashion in their clothing (if it isn’t good for the outdoors, it isn’t good for an Alaskan), and keep their loved ones close – but are always willing to welcome newcomers into the fold. Dogs are everywhere in the city, trotting beside their humans with wagging tails. Many Alaskans can make anything out of anything, and know how to survive with minimal daylight in the largest snowfalls. There’s no doubt that in Alaska, you’ll learn a new kind of living that will become almost addictive.

Once you’ve reserved your Alaska car rental from Avis, we’d be happy to offer you tips on scouting the state for a possible move. Once the move is complete, we can then help you find the perfect permanent vehicle to travel the state.