My DH wants to move to AK

Hello! Just a question for you people living in Alaska.   My Hubby just came up with the idea of moving to Alaska spring of 2009.  How is the cost of living up there, jobs, houses, etc.  I figured I'd come here and see what kind of responses I get so I can show him. Thanks for any response.

It all depends on what area you live in and what career path you are in.  Healthcare is booming.  That is why we came, 3 cats, a 15 month old baby, myself, and my husband in a VW bug.  You can check out my blog for photos.  We drove from Denver, Co. in September.  I would be glad to answer any questions you may have as many people did for me on this very board when I was considering the move.  Check out Craigs list for housing and jobs.   www.craigslist.com  and stay far way from any rentals in fairview or anything ending in view as those are the bad areas of town and it is very hard to find a rental with pets or a smoker in your household.  Two major hospitals are providence medical center and Alaska Regional.  There are many job boards that have listings for Alaska too.  There are 2 Wallmarts, several Carrs (safeway) grocery, Fred Meyers, Sears, Jc Penny, Toys R Us, 3 malls (google The Dimond Center, The 5th avenue mall, The mall at Sears), several gyms (google the Alaska Club), several theaters, a zoo, an indoor waterpark (google H2Oasis Water park), and many other business and resturants (Chilis, Applebees, a Mc Donalds with a 24 hour drive thru every few blocks) and most deliver (www.sicilyspizza.com or www.chinagardenAK.com so you can see prices)  You can also google Fred Meyer and put in a local zip code and check the sale ads for that week to see prices of groceries.  Gas is currently $2.99 a gallon here.  I hope all of that helps.  Write me if you need more info or have questions.

After having lived here in Fairbanks for 30 years, I would say bring a lot of money.... especially now that fuel is so expensive. Our heating oil went from 89 cents a gallon just a few years ago to $3.74 a gallon and we are supposed to be on a discount plan! That's at 1000 gallons a year in a 2000 square foot, 9 inch thick wall home. Things just go up and up - now food is really going up as well. If you are a doctor or have a good job that can pay you well, come ahead! We do get cold winters but really nice summers. The ever-changing seasons are my favorite thing. Oh yes, and lest we forget that real estate is ridiculous right now! They say our market is great - we are not doing as bad as the rest of the states - well if you want to soend a quarter to a half million bucks, SURE!! it's a buyer's market with LOTS of homes on the market! Some have been there a long time... and then some like our neighbor's house sold for $355,000! I would NEVER spend that kind of money on that house, but I know better.... SO be forewarmed is all - and expect things to get higher as a barrel of oil keeps going through the roof.... The Annual Permanent Fund Dividend just isn't enough money to keep up with the high prices. Thank God we were able to pay off our mortgage this year!!