It is definitely an adjustment to be so far away from friends and family. Thank goodness technology is AMAZING! With things like Facebook, this blog, cellphones and Skype/Face Time I have been able to keep in touch. That is especially important with my young nieces and nephews! Also, on Delta, the Anchorage-Milwaukee flight is one of their cheapest! I've joined the Delta Sky Miles club and will earn a free trip in under three paid for trips. My first trip home will be mid-September. Come visit people!
I've always wanted to visit the state of Alaska....in fact it was on my recently rediscovered "bucket list" that I wrote up several years ago. I just never thought I would end up living here. I don't know if it will be forever or not. I must stay two years, or pay back the moving expenses the State paid to move me here. But I'm not going to put any limits on it until that time.
FAVORITES: it is BEAUTIFUL here! The mountains and water are simply gorgeous. I LOVE the weather. It has typically been 60-70 degrees and sunny. The people I've met at work and friends I've known before are great. The many hours of daylight is a mixed bag. I like it....except when I'm trying to sleep. I first bought two curtain panels....then two more...and finally six total to try to bunch them up more and block out the light. I'm sure I'll figure it out....just in time for the seasons to change.
So why am I here? Sense of adventure, I guess! :)
How exciting! I love it! We didn't do quite the big move like you did but we moved from Ohio to Madison on a whim and figured, we have no kids - better do it now! That was 15 years ago this fall :)
ReplyDeleteSo is it true, do you get paid by the state to live there after a year? Chris was telling me about something that the state pays all its residents for living there... hahahah.
thanks for answering my questions, i can't wait to read about your adventures :)
Oh, and Chris is nosy - how much is cheap for the airline ticket from Milwaukee to Anchorage?
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes, it is true after you've been here a full year you do qualify for the permanent fund (oil money). Last year every resident got about $1200. In addition there is no state income tax and no state sales tax. It sure is different to actually pay what the price tag says! That being said, stuff is expensive. EVERYTHING has to be shipped up here, so that does drive the cost up. I spent a lot of money the first couple of weeks just getting settled in...but now I'm trying to be more mindful of my budget. Round trip tickets are about $525 when you book at the right time. Considering that is nearly 7000 miles, I don't think that is a bad deal. It is considerably more to fly to Minneapolis or Chicago. Don't understand why, but I'll take it! :)
ReplyDeleteI am very proud of you for making this huge decision on your own. I know we both spent hours dissecting every single thing that happened to us in the last 5 years and our conclusion was that we needed something new.... what that something was it was not important... as long as it was truly new.
ReplyDeleteI miss you. I like to read your blog and find out what you're up to and most importantly, to know that you're doing well!!