Moving to Alaska for the Summer?

Question

I have been thinking about moving to Alaska just for the "tourist season"... I have heard that it is a great experience. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips about it. I.E. how much money to save, would I need to bring my car, what to know about the weather, etc. Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, first decide what kind of job you will get.  and then where you will live.  my apartment is 600 a month (very cheap for here) is a basement level studio apartment, and i had to sign a year lease to get it.  you might consider staying at a hostel.  look up local hostels and see how much they charge. or if you will not be in a city, if you will spend some time in a more remote area, lodges that hire people often supply them with housing as well, although it is very crude housing and they do cut your pay significantly for that little bunk bed shack.  or you can tent it for the summer.  just watch out for bears moose and wolves.  only bring your car if you will be living in a city with road access.

consider going to Kennecott or McCarthy.  Those are small towns (40 people in winter, perhaps 150 in summer) that get a lot of tourism.  they ARE connected by road, however it is a very long road and very rough on vehicles.  Kennecott Glacier Lodge is one place that offers employment and housing in a bunk house, and another is the Ma Johnson Hotel.  (I used to live here, i would suggest applying to Kennecott first, as Ma Johnson tends to be a little flighty, although, in my experience, it is also more fun, because the only bar in town is connected to the Ma Johnson, otherwise you have to bike/walk/hitch 5 miles to the bar and back from the bar in order to get home)  that area is really fun.  you might also consider applying to the national park service as an SCA volunteer.  they give you a place to stay and a food stipend and i think they pay your way from your home and back at the beginning and end of season.  

weather: can be rainy or sunny.  bring both kinds of clothes.  bring hiking boots and sandels.  bring a lot of socks.  be prepared to hand wash your laundry if you go outside of the cities.  be prepared for no elecricity at times if you go out of the cities.  or indoor plumbing for that matter.  buy bug dope once you get up here. invest in Ramen noodles if you are doing your own cooking, lol.  they keep forever and are easy to make on a campstove if you need to.  if you are going to tent it, make sure you take a bear safety course and store your food far away from the tent and don't cook nearby it.

i could say so much more, but my hands are getting tired.  you can write me a message from my page if you are more curious.

Answer 2

It depends on where in Alaska you want to be. I lived in Homer for 10 years. If you are driving through Canada you have to show at the border enough cash or credit so they know you can get through. Hitching is easy and a great way to get around up there. You should have good raingear-Helly Hansen or Grundens and a pair of extra tuf rubber boots. Remember Alaska is 2/3 the size of the lower 48 (outside as Alaskans call it) so it is a long way between towns. Have fun, it will be an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.