The one job offer that my husband gets is in Alaska

[Nikia]

They found his resume on Monster. It pays almost twice what I make. Besides moving further away from my family and the people who I have made friends with around here, I don't know if I could stand living in Alaska. It is a traveling job based in Anchorage. I already have SAD here in Wisconsin during the winter. I don't think that I could take it literally being dark all the time for a few months. I hate being cold too. Besides, what would I do? Am I selfish for telling him that he better turn it down?

[Pithlet]

1. Your concerns are far from selfish

Particularly regarding SAD. It's definitely an aspect that should be seriously considered before you and your husband decide he take that job.

Hopefully another, closer job offer will come along soon :hug:

[neuvocat]

2. You don't have to stay there all that long.

It's not like joining the military. Still, I'd check with the doctor if I were you for an opinion, or at least help making one.

[Nite Owl]

3. Alaska is quite a place.

We went there twice and always wished we could move there. The winters are long and dark but on the other hand the summers are all daylight. If you like outdoor sports there could be lots to do and the as I remember the people are wonderful.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

4. It's a good thing it pays more

because the cost of living is a heck of a lot higher in Alaska.

Best of luck with the decision. I suffer from SAD in the SUMMER, believe it or not! I'm in Texas and it's too damn hot to go outside most summers, so I end up suffering from a lack of sunshine in the summer months. It goes away in the fall and winter.

Isn't that weird?

[Nikia]

7. I hadn't heard of that

It makes sense though. The best place to live for people suseotible to SAD has to be somewhere closer to the tropics but not hot. I think that Hawaii would be nice although that is another expensive place far away from everything else.

[freethought]

5. It may be better to 'suggest' he turn it down

I visited Alaska some time ago during the height of the summer. Gorgeous and beautiful! From fall to late spring Mother Nature rules Alaska with an iron grip. It is NOT for weak or the squeamish. Locals told me that during the off months more drugs and alcohol flow in Alaska than through Amsterdam.

Also make sure your husband knows that the cost of living in Alaska is very, very high. Long, brutal winters require lots of heating fuel. Food, nearly everything, other than salmon, has to be shipped in. A job that pays twice as much may sound great but his dollar will not go as far up there.

On the other hand, if your hubby is a hunter or recreational angler he'll be in paradise.

[Nikia]

8. I know that he's love the outdoor stuff

He already mentioned that. Thanks for pointing out the cost though. What they are offering him might not really be all that much when cost of living is taken into account.

[HEyHEY]

6. How far North is it - it doesn't get to 24-hours of darkness in the panhan

[Nikia]

9. Anchorage

I just looked at it on the map. It isn't in the northern part of the state, but it is pretty far north in general. There isn't enough light for me in January here in Wisconsin. I suppose that it wouldn't be absolutely horrible if I could have a job that would allow me to be outside during the brief amount of light during the day in the winter, if I wouldn't freeze to death.

[roguevalley]

10. I live in Alaska. Here is what I know living 156 miles southeast of

Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula:

1. Anchorage is the biggest city in Alaksa, 2/3 of our people live there. Its cosmopolitan and modern, with all sorts of possibilities. Its expensive, but then so are most big cities in America.

2. It snows usually from late October through about March, with most of the snow falling in January or February, it seems these past few
years. It gets cold but its colder in Chicago than here most years. :)
We get a few weeks of cold -- -10 through -25 -- and then pretty mellow between 5 and 20 degrees.

3. Snow seems to fall at night, the days unless cloudy are sunny. During the high season of 'darkness' where we live, it gets dark about 3-4 o'clock and lightens up around 9-10.

Barrow goes into six weeks of total night but that is hundreds of miles to the north. Anchorage is about I guess 200 miles from the Arctic Circle but that sounds worse than it is. The harshest weather is north of us.

4. You can get whatever you want, paying for shipping and cost but Anchorage has no sales tax, thereby a savings. Our stores are stocked, our shipments regular and the worst part of living here for me is having to fly somewhere just to get in a plane to fly somewhere. We are 2500 miles from the lower 48 and that is a problem for me, wanting to get there yesterday as fast as possible when I leave here. :)

Hawaii is for us what Florida is for New York, playland, and the bargains to the Pacific islands are good.

Alaska is a frame of mind. If you want to be okay, you will be. If you have a job and are willing to work at it, you will prosper. No one cares if you are a dork from _____________. Here you have a chance to do it over again.

SADS is here but so are lights you can sit under. Oddities abound in unusual things to do/see: dog sledding, ice fishing, snow machining, cultural events, art, great clubs and organizations. Anchorage takes care of its own. Many clubs and groups to help people. World class hospitals, five star restaurants are there, movies come first screening. TV has cable, there is sattelite here and people fly here like some people drive.

Alaska is forgiving and unforgiving, beautiful, terrible and wonderful. You are welcome to come. Maybe your hubby can come up and see what he likes? You are welcome here and after the first year, the year you are a cheechako, you will be a true sour dough. PM me if you need to talk.

RV, who has spent 30 years here and has the usual love/hate relationship of the typical resident. Oh, and I had two baby newborn moose walk across my front porch this June. Top that in Michigan. :)

[Nikia]

12. Thanks for the info

If we go there, I'll get in contact with you.

[barb162]

14. been to Alaska twice

what a beautiful state!!!! the most beautiful scenery in the world, imho

[Misinformed01]

11. I hope you are still online

Turn it down.

I married the cutest man in the world---I adore him. However, when he was offered a job in Missouri, North Carolina....I said, "Yes, take it," knowing that he really wanted it, and was excited.

There have been days that I don't even feel like bothering to get up; I can't stand my life, and it's affecting us----he is sorry that he took it---

Seriously, don't do it. I can't be serious enough about this...it WILL affect your marriage-

The only reason that our marriage isn't in trouble is because we have ourselves on a 2 and 1/2 year plan....I can stand on my head for 2 and 1/2 years-

[Nikia]

13. I could see how that could happen

I guess that is my fear. I fear that I'll have trouble getting a job, that I'll be very depressed in the winter, and that I'll feel all alone. I probably would blame him if that happened. I don't want him to blame me though if he doesn't get any other job offers soon. He does seem to understand my point of view. He told them that he needed time to talk to me about it.

[roguevalley]

15. Also, go to the state folders and post in the alaska one. You can get

good advice there too. :)