Moving to Alaska

[SwampBone]

Everything is cheaper in the lower 48. I made the move a couple years ago. The more stuff you can bring the more money you’ll save in the long run. I dont think i seen it mentioned but I would bring a tire plug kit and a way to air up a tire. (12v compressor, or generator and a pancake) something. Also have 10-15 gallons of emergency gas/diesel

 

[johnnycake]

I’d bring some low mileage snowmobiles.


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I dunno, there are a ton of cheap ditchbangers up here.

 

[chasewild]

I have noticed that there does appear to be more four wheelers side-by-side for sale up here than down in the lower 48.

The cost of living is much higher up here. I’m trying to think of ways where you could offset that for the first year. I’ll PM you if I have any other thoughts


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[Snowwolfe]

Disagree about everything costing less in the lower 48. Some things yes, trailers and boats for certain.
Don't forget Alaska has no state sales tax. When I lived in TN I would of been required to pay 9.5% on a ATV.
As I mentioned before, Lowes pricing is the same for Alaska (not sure about lumber) as it is for the lower 48. And Costco has mostly similar pricing. When you factor in no sales tax the items actually cost less up here.
We paid an extra $100 shipping for a Costco 4 piece living room set ($4,500) to be delivered to Anchorage. If we still lived in the lower 48 sales tax would of been much higher than $100. That is just one example.
As far as Lowes go when we moved here I purchased 2 new tool chests, miter saw, compressor, etc. All cost me less in Alaska due to no sales tax.
Just do a little homework and decide for yourself and buy accordingly.
MSRP for new vehicles is the same in Alaska as it is in the lower 48, including the shipping charges.

 

[chasewild]

Disagree about everything costing less in the lower 48. Some things yes, trailers and boats for certain.
Don't forget Alaska has no state sales tax. When I lived in TN I would of been required to pay 9.5% on a ATV.
As I mentioned before, Lowes pricing is the same for Alaska (not sure about lumber) as it is for the lower 48. And Costco has mostly similar pricing. When you factor in no sales tax the items actually cost less up here.
We paid an extra $100 shipping for a Costco 4 piece living room set ($4,500) to be delivered to Anchorage. If we still lived in the lower 48 sales tax would of been much higher than $100. That is just one example.
As far as Lowes go when we moved here I purchased 2 new tool chests, miter saw, compressor, etc. All cost me less in Alaska due to no sales tax.
Just do a little homework and decide for yourself and buy accordingly.
MSRP for new vehicles is the same in Alaska as it is in the lower 48, including the shipping charges.

Note: you CANNOT order everything you want from Lowe’s or Home Depot as you could in lower 48. Same for Amazon. Hawaii and AK are islands.

No matter how you cut it, it costs more to have the same quality of life up here. Nature of the beast as far as I can tell.


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[Snowwolfe]

I agree with you. It does cost more once you average out everything. Was just pointing out that not everything costs more.
My math says we spend $300 more for utilities (during winter), $100 more for fuel, $150 more for auto insurance, and $100 or so for food each month. Labor is also more such as plumbing, electrical, etc.
Property taxes were the biggest increase going from $1000 a year to approximately $8k in Alaska. But once we meet the requirements it will drop to $5k or so.
The lack of sales tax is a HUGE savings in Alaska. And since the wife and I are both seniors our 2 vehicles we register are basically free.

 

[*zap*]

good luck with your move.

 

[WRO]

I dunno, there are a ton of cheap ditchbangers up here.

High mileage and btf typically.

You can get super low mile sleds cheap in the lower 48 comparatively.


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[AKSandman]

For a winter alcan trip with a trailer here is my list (what I’ve actually used and/or needed on the trip)

A cell phone plan that allows unlimited talk and text in Canada (rogers wireless)

Spare tires: one for the truck and one for the trailer. If you are on a budget and don’t own a spare trailer tire, buy one at Walmart that is mounted and ready to go. If you don’t need it on your trip, return it at the Walmart nearest your destination. (Kenai)

Spare serpentine belt for your vehicle (and know how to change it w/o a YouTube video bc Murphy says you probably won’t have cell service when you need to change it)

Shovel: a collapsible snow shovel or two for if you go decide to go ditch diving…

Basic truck repair tools: fuses (large and small for both fuse panels) sockets, wrenches, pliers, tire jack, sockets that fit your trailer lug nuts, basic electrical connections (for trailer lights), rtf silicone, electrical tape, Allen keys, etc.

Tow strap: if you are on a budget, buy 35’ of Amsteel blue stiff lay line and splice an eye in each end = ($10 tow strap that is rated at 15k instead of the standard 10k)

Tire chains: v bar, standard or my personal favorite for Hwy use - cable chains!

Pet health certificates for the boarder crossing if you are bringing pets

Do Not Bring: guns, ammo, reloading components, etc. ship these to AK using Carlisle Connect (google it) and pick it up at the depot on bridge access rd. In Kenai.

No beer or booze: it’ll be a headache at the boarder

Buy in Canada: gas cans! (at Canadian tire, if you know, you know, if you don’t, you will!) Canadian gas cans don’t have the ******* nozzles mandated by CA… **fill the gas cans so you have a bit of extra fuel, the shot between ft Nelson and Watson lake is long if toad river gas station is closed or out of fuel**

Road-trip stops: Tim Horton’s for breakfast and laird hot springs.

If you make it to Alaska with a wife and a pickup truck that both work… then you are living the Alaskan man’s dream!

 

[HoneyDew]

Maybe I missed it. Did OP say what month he was making the drive? I did it first week of May and got 24” dumped on me outside Haines Junction. After multiple cars got stuck and I saw how the semis were driving I don’t think I’d make that drive Nov-April.

 

[Redthies]

I’m pretty sure I can bring ammo through Alaska up to 50,000 rounds as long as I declare it. Not sure about the powder and primers though.

Importing it temporarily is ok as long as it is declared, as are long guns (I wouldn’t risk “assault rifle” style guns as some are ok, and some not). Don’t bring your hand guns across in the truck. Ship those. And frankly, you best check with the ATF regs on exporting ammo etc. ITAR comes into play for even reloading components. I cross the border almost daily and shoot and hunt with both Canada Customs officers and US CBP officers and we discuss the laws regularly. It’s easy to get something wrong with all the stupid laws, and all it takes is one idiot at either side of the border to mess up your crossing.

 

[Beef]

dec

Maybe I missed it. Did OP say what month he was making the drive? I did it first week of May and got 24” dumped on me outside Haines Junction. After multiple cars got stuck and I saw how the semis were driving I don’t think I’d make that drive Nov-April.

december

 

[HoneyDew]

dec

december

I would assume you’re driving into a snowy hell. Prepare for the worst hopefully don’t need any of it. Studded tires, vbar chains, recovery boards, shovelS, winch, come along, sand, chains/cables/straps, extra gas, spares for the vehicle AND the trailer, flares, sleeping bag, winter clothes, enough to survive stranded in a Canadian snow drift for a week. I jest but only slightly. Seeing what I did I really wouldn’t want to be stuck in that weather. When visibility is near zero those semis still don’t slow down. I don’t know the Canadian road laws so do your own research on what’s allowed and when. Also bring a radio that you have preprogrammed to the NOAA/Canadian weather regions you’ll be driving through. Check the weather every couple hours and if it sounds dicey stay over another night where you are or get to the nearest town to wait it out. I was also using my inreach to keep in touch with my wife so if something did happen she could help coordinate any mechanical/other help. In the end you’re on your own so your knowledge and capabilities are key. If you don’t tow a trailer much read the manual twice and load it up for a practice drive. Practice swapping a spare. Bring chocks. Might need to buy tire ramps or a better Jack to get enough clearance. Just my $0.02 good luck and hope it goes smooth. Also just me but I flew all my guns and ammo up. That won’t work for the powders but you couldn’t pay me to go through that border with anything firearm related. I dealt with solid border agents and an asshole or two.

 

[Rossn5]

A good satellite phone in case of emergency

 

[Kronos]

You can save a bunch of money by bringing big items up to here cost a lot to transport. Vehicles, trailers, boats, etc. Most of the small stuff you can get around here or online for a similar price as the lower 48.

 

[z987k]

Ive driven it a number of times and would choose something like February over any summer month. The roads are considerably better up north with all the potholes filled in.
If it goes white out stop somewhere.

 

[AKSandman]

@D S 319

Keep an eye pealed for snow covered buffalo sleeping in the middle of the road. It’s a northern alcan hazard.

You will be fine if you have a decent sense of self preservation. The Alcan is a mental barrier more than a physical one. Send it… and then tell us the story!

 

[Marbles]

Good winter tires. You are moving to a coastal area that sees ice, so studs are also good.

I really like Nokian Hakkapeliitta's are a solid choices. Conditions were going over 45 mph feels very unsafe with Falken Wildpeaks the truck still feels glued to the road at 65 with the Hakkas. You can drive pretty normal in conditions that are hard to walk in without ending up on your ass.

Chains are good to have for deep snow, but having to drive 25 mph on a 2000 mile drive would make me want to claw my eyes out.

BC driving conditions in early January, pretty eas drive. Though the week before it hit negative 60, so have a plan to keep your block from freezing.

 

[Chumsnagger]

I believe studded tires are still illegal in Canada

 

[z987k]

I believe studded tires are still illegal in Canada

That's not true. First it's by province, much like it's by state in the US, and second every province he'd be in this time of year, they're legal.