So I’m a 21 year old guy that’s always wanted to move to Alaska but never thought I would. The past week or so I started thinking why not. I guess my problem is I just don’t know enough about what it’s like up there. I’ve boiled it down to a couple question for those that have experience there.

What would be the best area to move to? I’m sure everyone has their own opinions but a little guidance would be great. A little research I did pointed me towards Anchorage but I’m by no means set on it. What are pros and cons to other areas?

Secondly, what hunting, fishing, and trapping opportunities are available? Here in NY I’m used to being able to during fall walk out my back door and hunt white tails any time I want to. Or I could take a boat to a few different lakes within a half hours drive and go fishing. It seems like from what I read online that the outdoorsman’s opportunities are great there but are more like taking a weekend or week off and making a trip by boat or plane to very remote areas. It seems like these trips could be a pain and expensive and I end up spending less time in the woods. I guess it boils down to just asking what opportunities are available?

Any input or guidance guys and gals have would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

May want to ask on the wilderness forum.

I lived in Anchorage for a couple years in the mid 80's. Was a big city back then and has only grown a lot since. They call it "Los" Anchorage for a reason. If you love the outdoors and don't need all the big city amenities look to one of the smaller communities in either the Kenai peninsula area or Susitna Valley area. I am sure there are plenty of other areas in the state but I have only been in the areas I mentioned earlier. Moving to Alaska is a lot easier when you are young and before you are married with or without children. Go for it.

Chris

Do you have a degree or trade?

That can open more opportunities then just a strong back and willingness to do physical labor. I agree with move while your young and unencumbered, i had the chance to move up in the mid nineties but the wife said nope. I had friends that had went up just after high school and never came back to live in the states. I was a meat cutter at the time and had 2 job offers for full time work as soon as I said I had experience.

Good luck and go for it you can always move back.

Move. If you like to work you will make it one way or another.

There is times I wished I would have done that when I got out of high school. I have been there on the coast a few times and still think that way. But I am sure things are much different now than what they were 40 years ago.

I was up there about 10 yrs ago and noticed many places where someone went to Alaska to dream the dream, blew their wad, and went back south with their tail between their legs, leaving a pile of junk behind. It can certainly be done with a set of 'nads but there's been alot of failures.

Waggler had a thread looking for help fishing next summer. It would be a good way to get your feet wet (literally) and see if you like it. Sounds like a good opportunity to me.

Having a marketable skill will help a lot. I lived in Anchorage and Fairbanks, owned land on the Kenai. Did a lot of after work and weekend hunting. Usually did one ten day fly-in combo hunt for moose, grizzly, black bear, etc. a year. Sometimes two. Fished like a madman.

Back then you could hunt sheep and goat with an over-the-counter tag. That may be a thing of the past. A small boat, canoe or kayak can get you off the beaten path fast.

I loved every minute of it but the wife got homesick for family and brought me back to Maine. I don't think a day goes by where I don't think of it. By all means, go.

This^^. Not much more to say except stay away from the wild potatoes.

GO

Take a large wad of cash with you. Everything costs more in Alaska. Gasoline for example.We were paying $5 bucks a gallon two years ago. It's double or triple that in the villages if they have any to sell.

Lots of trappers on the road system. Some rivers the fishermen are lined up shoulder to shoulder at times.

Lots of good fishing and hunting but it'll cost you; either money or boot leather, or the most valuable thing of all: time.

Cheechakos come to Alaska every year. I'd guess fewer than 10% don't last a year.

If you’re single and have no kids, GO. Like, right now. Book a plane TODAY. A year from now, if you don’t like it, then go somewhere else. Don’t waste your youth and freedom him-hawing around, GO! I wish I had done more adventuring and exploring before I had children and settled down.

What are you doing still reading this? Go book that plane ride!

Food and gas housing is high there so why go there.

I miss Alaska like mad, I would head up in the spring, Kenai peninsula or the south east would be where I would want to be. Kenai for good paying jobs, South East for fishing and hunting.

Don't overlook Southeast AK. The jobs there are limited to commercial fishing, some logging, and healthcare. There are other opportunities though if you look. You just have to get your foot in the door. I lived in SE AK for a while. I could be fishing within 15 min. I could walk to hunting areas. Granted, the close areas weren't great hunting and fishing but I never cared. It was outdoors in AK. An hour boat ride or an 30-40 min flight and you were in amazing areas that were better hunting and fishing. Honestly I enjoyed the "subpar" areas the most. The places I could go on a random day off. Although planning for the big trips were a lot of fun too.
Don't overlook places like Kodiak, Haines, Valdez, Sitka, ect.
Like Posco, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss it.

It is one of the most amazing places on earth.

I think you would get better advice if you said WHY you want to move to Alaska.

OP, you asked "what would be the best area to move to?"

That's an impossible question to answer. Alaska is huge, if you superimpose a map of Alaska over the lower 48 states, it will stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from Texas to Minnesota.

Do at little more research, pick a region you like and fly up and visit. There are relatively small areas of Alaska that are accessible by road, many residents from the urban areas of Alaska face lots of frustration during hunting season due to lots of competition along the road system. Just take a drive from Fairbanks
To Anchorage during September and you will understand what I mean.

Re-read Oreamnos's post above. He makes some very good points, particularly his reference to "sub-par" areas.

I don't live there but I visit my friend there ever year who does. We hunt and fish and explore...We don't sit around and drink. We talk about location quite abit and we get to various areas. He 's also a trapper.

I've learned a few things (native alaskans feel free to debunk).

Cost of supplies is crazy high (comparatively). Food is more than double (in Anchorage) and triple or quad in the villages than I pay down here. I actually ship food up there much cheaper than I can buy it there.

Some villages are decent...some not so much. Like a box of chocolates thing.

Anchorage is a toilet. Plenty of crap cities in the lower 48 if you want to visit one.

Many "inland" areas of Alaska are really buggy in the summer months. Hard to do things with the bugs at that level. This changes per location but something to think about if setting up shop somewhere.

Trapping may or may not be an option. Depending on the terrain, navigable routes are likely to have someone running that line already....and most don't like company/competition. It's not like down here where all is fair game.

If you really want to hunt and fish, get away from the bigger cites into the "subsistence" areas. Far far more opportunity as far as game "Take".

My buddy is in Kenny lake area. It's a nice area: Not a lot of precipitation or wind (big help in the winter and also for summer bugs).

There are govt jobs available. I'd start there. Or commercial fishing but some of the characters you'll living with on a commercial fishing boat might not be the best for your health.

A lot of people run to Alaska to get away from something or someone....or themselves. Just something to keep in mind when you meet these folks.