15 Reasons to Consider Moving to Alaska

Known as America’s last frontier, Alaska is a wildly popular tourist destination. It’s also a fantastic (yet often overlooked) place to live. This stunningly beautiful state is not for the faint of heart. Alaska’s terrain attracts a rather hardy, adventure-seeking crowd with its snowy mountains, cold temperatures, dense forests, and vast tundra. Residents will tell you that their state’s unique beauty makes the cold winters well worth it. Looking for a change of scenery, but not sure if Alaska is for you? Here are 15 reasons to consider moving to Alaska.

1. Alaska will pay you to move there

   Yes, believe it or not, Alaska will actually pay you to move there through its established Permanent Fund Dividend Program. Every year, full-time residents of Alaska (not part-time) receive royalties from the Permanent Fund’s investment earnings. While this varies in size from year to year, it tends to be anywhere from $800 to $1,100, according to SmartAsset. So what is this Permanent Fund? It was put into place back in 1976 to conserve a portion of the state’s revenue from mineral resources. This revenue was intended to help benefit future generations of Alaskans and hopefully attract new Alaskans in the future. This extra bit of cash helps Alaskans save for retirement, college, and vacations every year. It’s a big reason people move to and stay in Alaska for life. https://www.themoveme.com

2. Real estate in Alaska is affordable

   While the overall cost of living in Alaska can be quite high (thanks to the fact that groceries and resources have to be shipped and imported from far away), real estate prices remain rather affordable.

   According to Realtor.com, Anchorage’s median listing home price was $339,000 in February 2022, trending up 7.9% year-over-year. The median listing home price per square foot was $202. Median listing prices for other top cities in Alaska include $270,000 for Fairbanks, $339,900 for homes in Wasilla, and $250,000 for homes in Kenai. For more information about real estate prices in Alaska, check Realtor.com’s housing profile.

3. The cost of living is comparable to some other U.S. cities

   While the cost of living is considered high, especially if you come from a state where it’s inexpensive to live, like Georgia or Indiana, it may not seem that way to someone moving from America’s most expensive cities, like New York City, Honolulu or San Francisco.

   Per Numbeo, estimated monthly costs for a family of four in Anchorage are $4,283.74, not including rent. The same for one single person is $1,225.03 without rent. A one-bedroom apartment in the center of Anchorage is $1,175. A three-bedroom apartment is $2,004.

4. There’s no state income tax or sales tax in Alaska

   Without a doubt, the State of Alaska boasts the lowest taxes in the country. Full-time residents of this great state are not required to pay state income tax, nor are they required to pay sales tax. While residents are still required to pay property taxes (among others), they can save on state income tax and sales tax. Given that they also receive a yearly sum from the Permanent Fund Dividend Program, we’d venture to say that living in Alaska is a great way to save a pretty penny (or several). This program was implemented in 1976 as a way to conserve a portion of the state’s revenue from mineral resources (oil) and disperse it among Alaska’s residents.

5. Few states are as uniquely beautiful as Alaska

   You’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere as uniquely beautiful as the State of Alaska. From the snow-covered mountain peaks of Denali National Park to the awe-inspiring Aleutian Islands, which moversdubai dozens of volcanoes, the natural beauty of Alaska is breathtaking. Residents can see and experience the world’s most beautiful wildlife, natural phenomena and landscapes regularly.

6. The state has a rich and unique history

   From its early beginnings as a land bridge extending to Siberia to its official declaration as a U.S. state in 1959, Alaska boasts a particularly interesting and dynamic history. Major events include the Klondike Gold Rush, the Good Friday Earthquake, and the passing of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which set aside millions of acres for preservation throughout Alaska. Living in Alaska, you’ll find that the state’s rich history is evident through its national parks, artifacts, museums and famed oil industry. Take a closer look at Alaska’s history if you would like to know more.

   Alaska’s Native heritage is especially rich and diverse. More than 180,000 tribal members make up the 229 federally recognized tribes under the jurisdiction of the Alaska Regional Office, from Ketchikan in the Southeast Panhandle to Barrow on the Arctic Ocean and from Eagle on the Yukon Territory border to Atka in the Aleutian Chain. The indigenous peoples of Alaska include Iñupiat, Yupik, Aleut, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and a number of Northern Athabaskan cultures. If you want to learn more about the state’s Native community, visit the excellent Alaska Native Heritage Center, located in Anchorage.

7. Alaska has some of the best hunting and fishing anywhere in the world

   If hunting and fishing are two of your favorite pastimes, you’ve come to the right place. Alaska offers some of the most unique hunting and fishing opportunities in the world. According to the State of Alaska, hunting options include grouse or hare hunting, as well as brown bear or mountain goat hunting in the Southeast rainforest region. Caribou and moose are also widely distributed throughout the state. There are plenty of fishing experiences to be had in Alaska as well. Popular fish you’ll likely find in the state’s rivers and streams include salmon, trout and halibut, plus the famous king crab. https://www.allieddubaimovers.com

8. Wildlife encounters are pretty common

   Living in Alaska can mean braking for moose crossing the road, watching bald eagles soar overhead as you hike or seeing beluga whales from a bike trail. Even when you don’t venture far into the wilderness, there’s a chance you’ll spot some of the state’s diverse and amazing wildlife. If you plan to do a lot of hiking and camping, there’s a chance you might encounter a bear. They tend to avoid humans, but it’s worth taking the time to read up on how to avoid scaring a bear and what to do in the event of a confrontation.

9. Life is one big adventure in Alaska

   Life in Alaska might be cold but, trust us, it’s far from boring. With its spectacular natural beauty, endless recreational opportunities and abundance of wildlife, you can expect plenty of adventure in America’s last frontier. Adventures may include whale watching in Juneau, dog sledding with huskies, exploring ice caves, catching the Northern Lights, hiking through Denali National Park, cruising the Seward Highway, whitewater rafting through Alaska’s many rivers, cruising the coastal waters by boat or taking a flightseeing tour of glaciers. Outdoor activities in Alaska are literally limitless, so make sure to take advantage of these opportunities.

10. Living off the land is a way of life

    Many Alaskans hunt, fish and gather berries for sport, but others do so as part of a subsistence way of life. Living off the land (or even entirely off the grid) is a thriving way to support yourself and enjoy the state’s many riches of flora and fauna. So, if you ever wanted to try it, and this is the lifestyle for you, Alaska is a great state to move to and give it a go.

11. You can spot the Northern Lights

    For your chance to see the aurora borealis, head to Alaska. According to the Smithsonian, the inland Alaskan Arctic, “where skies tend to be clearer,” is one of the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights. Residents and visitors can typically view them between September and late April. The Smithsonian also notes that in order to maximize your chances of seeing them, “head for the more remote northern villages of Coldfoot in the Yukon Territory, or Prudhoe Bay and Barrow in the extreme north.”

12. Enjoy 24/7 sunshine in the summer

    Alaska residents enjoy the ultimate summer. In addition to its ideal temperatures (think daytime highs of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit), Alaska summers offer considerably long, sunshine-filled days. According to Alaska.org, “Alaska’s sky is light nearly all night long from late May to late July… And it’s light past 10 pm for another month on either side of that.” June 21 is known as the longest day of the year in Alaska, with nearly 19 hours of daylight in Anchorage.

13. The Alaska State Fair is one of the best fairs in the country

    If you’re a resident of Alaska, you’ll get to experience the world-renowned Alaska State Fair. Held in Palmer, Alaska, this annual, late-summer event dates back to 1936. https://servicebasketuae.com describes it as the “last hurrah” for Alaskans before summer ends. The fair includes nightly concerts, carnival rides, games and lots of unique Alaskan food. The nearly two-week-long State Fair is Alaska’s largest annual event.

14. A relaxed lifestyle

    When you move to Alaska, you won’t have to worry about keeping up with the latest trends in fashion, for sure. Residents dress for the weather and won’t judge if you wear your hiking books to a fancy restaurant. You can bring your dog to a lot of places, too, and, in general, the locals will be friendly and helpful.

15. Alaska is a great place for working remotely

    Considering working remotely after you move to Alaska? The state does have the infrastructure to support it. You’ll find the 5G network and internet speeds up to 1 gigabyte in Anchorage, for instance, and some cities are investing in fiber optic infrastructure.

    Tips on moving to Alaska

    Unlike moving to some places where you have no choice but to fly over water, Alaska is one of those out-of-the-way destinations that’s also accessible by car. So, should you drive or fly? It depends, of course, on a number of factors, such as how much time you’ve allocated for the move, how many belongings you’re bringing with you, whether you have to move your car, and so on. If you decide to move to Alaska by plane, we have some tips for those moving by plane, plus several shipping options for transporting your belongings.

    If you drive to Alaska, keep in mind that it can be a pretty intense experience, as you’ll be traversing thousands of miles with long remote stretches. It can also be a transforming, beautiful experience because you’ll be driving through some breathtakingly beautiful landscapes.

    Another important thing to note is that you’re going to come up against some potentially tough terrain. While driving to Alaska isn’t quite the scary endeavor that many anticipate it will be, it’s important that you go in prepared. Have a spare tire and tools ready to go just in case, and have your car checked before you go to ensure it’s in good condition for the trip.

    We’re talking long trips from most U.S. cities. Generally, it takes about 37 hours to get from the Canadian border to Alaska by car. This means that you’ll be traveling 4,345 miles from New York City (an about 72-hour drive), 3,548 miles from Chicago (about 60 hours) and 4,932 from Miami (about 78 hours).

    It’s also important to bring the necessary ID and either international currency or a credit card that works internationally and, ideally, some cash. If you’re coming from the U.S., you will be crossing international borders twice — once when traveling from the U.S. into Canada and then again when you cross from Canada back into the U.S. You will definitely need your passport, regardless of whether you drive or fly.

Ready to move to Alaska?

Think you want to make the great state of Alaska your new home? For more information about cities within Alaska, check Moving.com’s City Profile Report feature. Our reports include city demographics, real estate information, quality of life factors and more. Simply enter the zip code or the state and city of your potential move to get a free report at the click of a button. For help finding and booking the best moving company, check Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable interstate movers. Best of luck and happy moving!