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Long leave of absence. Moved to AK

Aaron1124

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2009
Messages
2,044
Location
Kent, Washington, USA
And wow. Does it feel wonderful. A lot of you might remember me. I haven't posted on this forum in probably over six months. Maybe longer. I moved to Alaska to pursue a career in law enforcement, and I can tell you, it's surely a completely different atmosphere. Society and firearms here are no where near how society views firearms in WA. I mean that in a positive way. Every officer and trooper I have met in Alaska, is very Libertarian in nature. The level of respect that these men and women show toward our Constitution and Civil Liberties is like nothing I have ever seen.

Just thought I'd drop a line and say hello to everyone. I hope things have been going well. I'll take some time to catch up on the WA news feed later tonight!
 
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sudden valley gunner

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
16,674
Location
Whatcom County
Nice to hear from you Aaron! Good luck in all your endeavors I hope life treats ya good. And keep up that libertarian mindset don't let the other progressive officers influence your core beliefs......:lol:
 

jbone

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
2,230
Location
WA
Yes, good to hear from you. I too finished my CJ degree sense we last spoke by PM. But I’ll stick with security, to darn old and set in my ways for the other. On my Dad’s first day on the force in “56” he tells me of the old fart that was showing him the items in trunk, and how pulled out a large heavy piece of hose, my dad asking what’s that for, and the old fart laughed and said “are you f u c & % $ # kidding me Fred”. Hopefully your training officer has no rubber hoses in the trunk.
Good luck in you training, and career.
 

skiingislife725

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
400
Location
Lake Stevens, WA
Good to hear from you again. Must say, I'm jealous...I'd jump on moving to AK in a heartbeat. It actually snows and sticks around...firearms laws are great...and it doesn't feel so damn tame, like if you're not paying attention, grizzlies and moose still come into Anchorage...and wolves into Eagle River. I've just gotta break the idea to the wife slowly...it's my conspiracy with my best friend up in Anchorage.
 

Aaron1124

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2009
Messages
2,044
Location
Kent, Washington, USA
Ha! Thanks guys! It's amazing up here. What's crazy, is the driving distance from the southern most point of the *mainland* area of Alaska, and one of the northern most points (but not THE most northern point) is about 23 hours of driving. That's almost equivalent to driving from Kent, WA to San Diego, CA. Just give you an idea of how massive this place is. That doesn't even count the regions that are non accessible by driving, and the Southeast islands.
 

amlevin

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
5,937
Location
North of Seattle, Washington, USA
Ha! Thanks guys! It's amazing up here. What's crazy, is the driving distance from the southern most point of the *mainland* area of Alaska, and one of the northern most points (but not THE most northern point) is about 23 hours of driving. That's almost equivalent to driving from Kent, WA to San Diego, CA. Just give you an idea of how massive this place is. That doesn't even count the regions that are non accessible by driving, and the Southeast islands.

So have you found the "Great Alaskan Bush Company" yet?
 

amlevin

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
5,937
Location
North of Seattle, Washington, USA
I was thinking of making the move myself. Is it expensive as they say?

According to some "Cost of Living" comparison calculators if you live and work in Seattle, moving to Anchorage to live and work would give you about a $1500 increase in available "cash" each year. Move to Fairbanks to live and work and it will be the other way around.

The big thing in Alaska is what you do for a living. If you have a job that is outdoors, such as construction, there's a lot of down time for which the costs just continue.

I traveled there for 13 years in my business and found that after the "Pipeline" was built and the flow of goods became more inexpensive that there wasn't a ton of difference in prices as long as you stuck around Anchorage. Fairbanks was expensive and all the "Bush Communities" were outrageous for costs.

If one has a steady, year round, job, that pays well any increased costs are more than offset by the outdoor recreational activities that present themselves. Consider too that 30% of the jobs in AK are in Government, one form or another. Another 10% are Energy Production (Oil/Gas).

Get the right job and live in the right place, Alaska can be less expensive than right here in Seattle.
 

skiingislife725

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
400
Location
Lake Stevens, WA
Well yah it varies year to year. I'm just thinking of a couple years ago...best bud lives in Anchorage and got a nice chunk (esp. after his kid was born...along with his live-in gf's portion).
 
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