Broke? Move to Alaska

Honalo · Nov 12, 2008

So Anchorage, Alaska's getting its first Target store, according to the newsletter I just received from the Anchorage Economic Development agency. Do they worry about a dismal economy and not enough shopper turnout?

Of course not. Here's why:

"While the nation feels the pinch of a tightening economy, Alaskans received an Alaska Permanent Fund dividend and an energy relief rebate for a total of $3,269 per resident in September. With a family of four receiving a little more than $13,000, retailers aggressively lured shoppers in with discounts."

So all that oil and energy in Alaska means a nice return to residents. I don't begrudge the Alaskans but, seriously, it would be nice if some of that crude flowed downhill, into the Northeast.

Had to share.

C.bronco · Nov 12, 2008

That's too chilly for me, and too far from the nearest Nascar track.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 12, 2008

Mela said:
So Anchorage, Alaska's getting its first Target store, according to the newsletter I just received from the Anchorage Economic Development agency. Do they worry about a dismal economy and not enough shopper turnout?

You know, I keep hearing about poor shopper turnout and maybe for the premium retailers like Macy's and things like that it's a reality.

But we went to a few stores on Saturday, Target included, and the checkout lines were packed. One store we simply left because we didn't want to stand in line.

Ken · Nov 12, 2008

have had my sights on Alaska for many years, particularly the Aleutian Islands.
Heard the weather is nice and miserable there

Many polar bears about to pat too.

Cranky · Nov 12, 2008

We've thought about it as well. My brother is moving up there with his family next spring. His inlaws already live there.

He's going to be our guinea pig, LOL. But we are thinking seriously about it, though the dividend has nothing to do with it. That would just be the icing on the cake.

Honalo · Nov 12, 2008

C.bronco said:
That's too chilly for me, and too far from the nearest Nascar track.

Yes, we'd have to sacrifice. We'd also get no Yankee games and be forced to invest in a satellite dish.
But $3000 some odd a person? That's every year ... EVERY YEAR.
I think I could adjust - hell, start your own NASCAR event with the money you get in dividends!

Cranky · Nov 12, 2008

That dividend check varies wildly, Mela. The lowest I heard of was $200 per person, so it's not 3k a year per person every year.

Alpha Echo · Nov 12, 2008

Wow. I don't wanna move there...but I don't wanna live here...and wow.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 12, 2008

Mela said:
We'd also get no Yankee games and be forced to invest in a satellite dish.

Personally, for me, the no Yankee games would be put in the Pros column.

Ken · Nov 12, 2008

...in Saudi Arabia dividend checks are really huge, if memory serves me correctly.
The climate there is a bit different than in Alaska, though.

CACTUSWENDY · Nov 12, 2008

It is not cheap to live there. For food...housing....and the like. Plus, you got all that cold. Burrrrrrr.

You have to live there a year before you are allowed to draw on the fund.

Cranky · Nov 12, 2008

Ken said:
...in Saudi Arabia dividend checks are really huge, if memory serves me correctly.
The climate there is a bit different than in Alaska, though.

Just a bit. :ROFL:

Honalo · Nov 12, 2008

Shadow_Ferret said:
Personally, for me, the no Yankee games would be put in the Pros column.

Ouch!
Well, truth be told, I'm not the one who'd be going through withdrawal but I would have to suffer via spousal association through the long non-Yankee summer

Honalo · Nov 12, 2008

Cranky said:
That dividend check varies wildly, Mela. The lowest I heard of was $200 per person, so it's not 3k a year per person every year.

Oh, then I guess Alaska oil was having a really good year this time around.
And they don't pay state taxes up there either, do they?

My stepson lived in Alaska for a while - he was, I think 3 hours from Juneau and could only food shop once a month. So he and his girlfriend would have to get on a bus, travel 3 hours, plan on buying enough for the month, and trek back home another 3 hours.

Given that, it's no picnic.
Still, that's a nice chunk of money in this economy.

Pagey's_Girl · Nov 12, 2008

*Sigh*

Why couldn't they offer those kind of incentives to move to Hawaii? (Okay, okay, I know it's because it's Hawaii, but still....)

Cranky · Nov 12, 2008

Mela said:
Oh, then I guess Alaska oil was having a really good year this time around.
And they don't pay state taxes up there either, do they?

My stepson lived in Alaska for a while - he was, I think 3 hours from Juneau and could only food shop once a month. So he and his girlfriend would have to get on a bus, travel 3 hours, plan on buying enough for the month, and trek back home another 3 hours.

Given that, it's no picnic.
Still, that's a nice chunk of money in this economy.

Yeah, no state sales tax. And we have no intention of living THAT far from anywhere. We're looking at Anchorage. No reason to go food shopping only once a month unless you want to, then.

My brother's inlaws live in/near Wasilla, and I don't think they have issues like that, either.

*shrug*

Appalachian Writer · Nov 12, 2008

Pagey's_Girl said:
*Sigh*

Why couldn't they offer those kind of incentives to move to Hawaii? (Okay, okay, I know it's because it's Hawaii, but still....)

And this from a girl with a penguin as an avatar!

Jcomp · Nov 12, 2008

I think moving to Hawaii is sort of its own incentive...

Honalo · Nov 12, 2008

Pagey's_Girl said:
*Sigh*

Why couldn't they offer those kind of incentives to move to Hawaii? (Okay, okay, I know it's because it's Hawaii, but still....)

No crude pumping in Hawaii, Pagey's.
Maybe they could find a way to harness the power of volcanic energy.

Honalo · Nov 12, 2008

Cranky said:
Yeah, no state sales tax. And we have no intention of living THAT far from anywhere. We're looking at Anchorage. No reason to go food shopping only once a month unless you want to, then. My brother's inlaws live in/near Wasilla, and I don't think they have issues like that, either.

*shrug*

You know, now that I think about it, I can't remember why they did it once a month. It was almost 10 years ago. I know they didn't have a car so they had to rely on public transportation and they were kind of remote, so I think it had to do with the fact that it was such a long trek, they opted to only do it once a month.

Broke? Move to Alaska

Honalo

C.bronco

I have plans...

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

Ken

Cranky

Honalo

Cranky

Alpha Echo

I should be writing.

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

Ken

CACTUSWENDY

An old, sappy, and happy one.

Cranky

Honalo

Honalo

Pagey's_Girl

Still plays with dolls

Cranky

Appalachian Writer

Somewhere in the hills....

Jcomp

Honalo

Honalo