Thank you all for your input! I’ll give some more of my story to help show what I’m working with. I am single and without kids or anything like that. As crazy as it sounds in todays world I really want to go into law enforcement. It looks like I’ll be starting academy here in NY for one local department or another in the next six months. I have started wondering if I really want to start a career in NY. I would really be hoping to do the same job there. If I decide to go I would have to figure out if it’s better to forget starting anything here and go in the next year or less or if it’d be better to go through academy get a year or two of experience and then go. Anyway that’s stuff I’ve got to figure out. I also have quite a bit of experience for my age as an electrician. My dad is one and I have worked with him part time since I was twelve and full time for a few years now. It’s definitely nice to have as a backup plan or side gig if I want it.

I guess I’m just looking for adventure and somewhere I can enjoy the outdoors as much or more than here… and get out of the politics of this state.

Shortage of electricians here. Union electricians do well here and retire well off.

^^^^^^
If that is the case, Alaska is begging for State troopers, and if you want a really challenging (and un-appreciated job) you could fill one of the many vacant VPSO (Village Public Safety Officer) positions.

Come on up and check it out.

Yes you could pick the town or village you want to be in and have a job waiting in many places if law enforcement is your thing.

Keep in mind many/ most smaller villages dont have housing to buy or rent, and the land that surrounds it might be private.

There is a reason that most Alaskans live in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Thats where the road is, and the jobs, and restaurants and most businesses are located.

The smaller pretty coastal towns along the road system are crazy expensive for housing or land.

The rest of the smaller towns and villages are fly in only and things get real expensive then.

Take a year of college at Fairbanks and go from there.......jk

Spent five summers up there from 1985 thru 1990.

Went up blind with my backpack, duffle bag,
and a couple of fishing rod tubes and my airline ticket.

Got there in Early May and ended up in King Salmon
on the Alaska Peninsula.

Worked the next four years summers as a fishing guide on the
Naknek River.

Naknek River has all five species of Pacific Salmon plus
Rainbows, dolly varden, some grayling, whitefish, burbot, etc.

Some of the largest Red (sockeye) runs in the world in Bristol Bay and good
job opportunities.

Cannery and commercial red salmon fishing boat work available also.

It's all right there on the Naknek in and around Naknek & King Salmon, AK.

Opportunities for caribou moose hunting around King salmon or short
bush plane ride south.

Trade experience as a welder, plumber, carpenter, electrician or
heavy equipment operator a big plus for steady employment.

Spent my last summer on the Kenai and Kasilof rivers
rowing a driftboat & Jet sled for kings & silvers.

Kenai River was a rat race in 1990 and probably worse now.

I wouldn't waste my time in Anchorage unless you like crowded cities.

Good luck.

walleyed

Just got back from there. Fished the south coast several times. Buy the best rainsuit you can. Not gortex either. Incredible place.

Go for it! Don't end up like me! I am too old to follow my dreams now.

If I were in your shoes I would first get licensed as an electrician. That will always give you something to fall back on. Over the years I have several times paid an electrician a thousand bucks a day plus room & board for his work on different projects.

BUT, if you really want to be a trooper then that's what you should pursue. Alaska is usually looking for new recruits. I think.....even if you go through the academy in NY you would still have to attend the academy in Alaska.

Be aware there are two different divisions of AK State Trooper. Blue shirts and Brown shirts. The brown shirts are the wildlife troopers...game wardens. Many are pilots and stationed all over the state. They also deal with criminal and civil stuff in the outlying areas.

The blue shirt guys are mostly on the road system and deal with the everyday crap cops have to deal with.

Whatever appeals to you is where you will do best. I would NOT consider the VPSO slots available.

I would absolutely avoid Anchorage. It's no different than any other large city. But I would encourage you to do it now before you get too entrenched in everyday life........especially in NY. I'd consider almost anyplace if I lived in NY.

I suspect that over time a guy would make more money, see more country and have more free time as an electrician than as a trooper. Especially if you were to specialize in electronics like aviation and marine communications and navigation.

^^^^
Maybe a lineman??
Pilot Point flies out two or three linemen a few times a year, to replace transformers, etc.; costs lots of money.

Been there half a dozen times, here are my take aways...

Yes, go while you're young.

Yes, it's expensive...very.

If you live very remote, I hope you have a strong work ethic.

If you do live somewhat remote, I hope you're a jack of all trades. From canning food, to cutting firewood, to wrenching on a snow-go, and building a cabin/house. You'll need it all, or you will get your arse handed to you.

US Coast Guard paid my way up there in 85 ( Kodiak) and I spent a total of 5.5 years over the next 10 years. at different Stations like Tok and Port Clarence.

If you have a Trade or valuable skill when you get there will it will make things easier.

A seasonal job like Waggler was offering earlier will keep you from eating Salmon heads from the cleaning station seasoned with road salt and washing your stinky butt with icy sea water. If you choose to stay, ( Many don't!! )

Fishing Boats and even Cannery work can be a carrier or a Foot in the Door.
Construction and Union Trades will make it easier yet.

Go Give it a try while you are young.

Came here with a backpack and a dream when I was 21. Never looked back. Best decision of my life. My advice is do it. Doubt you will regret it

At 20 years old you could apply for the electricians apprenticeship program. You would probably get right in. You would make enough money that you could afford all the toys and money to enjoy Alaska!

Horn,
Who did you tick off to get sent to Port Clarence? If that's not the end of the earth, you can certainly see it from there.

I have a question to ask in this thread. After I graduate I would like to move up to Alaska as well. I own quite of collection of trapping gear now and this won't happen for a while but would you guys buy gear up there and sell your gear in the lower 48 or move it all up there? Won't happen for a while like I said but just curious on what some people who actually live there would do.

Things seem to cost more in Alaskan due to shipping. May be better to take it with you.

I've been here since 1978. 21 years old and wanting to live in the wilderness. Living in the wilderness full time wasn't practical so worked summers. Eventually had to get a decent paying career and became an aircraft mechanic.
I agree with White. If you have any opportunity to get into IBEW and like that work, do so. Very good pay in that field. If the law enforcement is more your interest then go for that. Lots of opportunity to work in different areas of the state with that career. Aviation is another good line of work up here.
I've lived in Nome, Unalakleet, Ruby (on the Yukon river) and Fairbanks. I like Fairbanks. Wife has property in Kenny Lake and we like that place also. Would not even consider Anchorage. Crime, homeless, druggies. Democrat city with all the problems any lib city has. Kenai is a great place to visit. Southeast climate doesn't interest me but obviously plenty like that area.
Keep us posted.

Alaska is hunting, fishing, trapping, hunting fishing trapping AND the land of churches and bars.
If the Mrs. and I had discovered it earlier in our lives, we'd be there full time.

I wear this shirt in Texas on occasion for all the Lonestar bravado types. Most think it is cute but some don't believe AK is bigger than TX.



Blessings,
Mark