The_Kat Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 I just recieved in the mail a recruitment letter from the Alaskan Highway Patrol. Based on my LEO experience, I qualify for a lateral hire to their patrol upon completing their application/background investigation. The pay is awesome....the benefits are awesome....the whole thing seems awesome. The whole idea of moving 1000's of miles from anyone I know scares the living crap out of me though. On a positive note, teaching jobs pay great too....and Jenn's a teacher soon. Real estate markets are pretty close to the same as they are here. Groceries are quite a bit higher, but so would our income. Theres so much to think about here. Jennifer said she'd be on board for considering it....as it is something not just everyone has a chance to do. It would be well over a year before we could make the move. I want to visit Alaska to get an idea of the culture and stuff as I know it's gotta be completely different than anything I've experienced down here. My career goals and dreams not too long ago was to become an Oklahoma State Trooper. Economic pitfalls have all but ruined that dream....is this my chance to achieve my dreams elsewhere? Alaska is so far away...... Time to pray.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad dryden Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Well I might consider it if it is something YOU truly want to do go for it you can always transfer back home but weight the options if you are happy where you are and what not good luck on the choice you make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Tough call to make there bud. Up-rooting from everything you know is very tough, at least it was for me when I made the attempt to relocate to Mississippi. I could have handled it but I guess the Good Lord had other plans so now I'm back home. I would definitly take the time to think it through, now that I am back home I can look back and see I jumped the gun on my move. Good luck with whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Go with your heart Kyle. Alaska is a big, beautiful and rugged place. It is not for everyone, but there are those that would never leave it. A lot to think about for sure. There are only so many opportunities of a lifetime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Well Kyle, there is another possitive note on moving to Alaska. "THE HUNTING & FISHING IS AWESOME !!":) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Dont be afraid to move away from everything you have grown up with and family. It's hard but at least you have a wife and kid to take with you. Doing it alone is even more hard. I say go for it! Why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNcrittergittr Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 That's quite the situation to think about. I personally haven't been to Alaska (YET), but have a few friends from there. They all say pretty much the sam thing...wonderful place to visit, not so wonderful place to live. Of course those are just a couple opinions. I'm sure there are a lot of people that love it. That's a vey special part of the world! My dad used to guide in the Arctic circle, the pictures and stories he has are amazing! I believe I could live there, but I don't think I could last being so far away from my family. Good luck to you and your family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 I have spent a month up there and if I could have found a job and place to live I would have stayed! Its amazing! I will live there for a year or two one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Best of luck with your decision Kyle. Would seem it would be tempting considering it is your life dream, a lot to think about for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Sounds like heck on earth to me................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Don't underestimate just how tough cold and dark those winters can be up there. A great opportunity yes. But I'm telling you the truth. I lived in Canada for 13 years, I've personally seen what a long dark winter does to folks that can't handle it. That winter drives some folks to insanity. I loved every minute my wife and I spent in Alaska. She did too. It really is a great state. But you do have to be tough to live there all year. The residency requirements in that state include at least one full winter up there. That is not by accident. Not trying to be a downer just trying to give you some realistic expectations. In your situation I personally would be very tempted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Sounds fun to me! Hard though. Ive been watching a show called Alaska State troopers or something like that on the National Geographic channel and it looks like an awesome job. Flying around in helicopters checking on hunters, riding snowmobiles to get from place to place and riding 4 wheelers checking on people. But the only down fall is they are so undermaned. One guy was the only Trooper within 100s of thousands of square miles. He had to patrol it all himself too. He said that if he were to get into a situation that needed backup, the next closest Trooper was 3 or 4 hours by plane and that was if the weather was good. But you have a tough decision to make. Im sure it wouldnt be as hard of a decision if you didnt have a wife and child but pray and pray and pray some more. The lord will lead you in the direction he wants you to take. You will know what he wants you to do. His answer will be loud and clear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Definitely something to pray about...make a list of pros/cons of staying vs. moving....And visiting Alaska might be a good idea...get a feel of if it's something you want to do or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Personally I always said I could live anywhere in this world temporarily (1-5 years or so), if the benefits were worth it, but as my parents age through their 60's I really don't think I could live that far away anymore. Sounds like a great opportunity, but no doubt you'll never know if your wife and you will like it till you've lived there. I can imagine the winter will try you up there, if not more mentally than physically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 That would be a hard move! I bet it would be interesting though. I too would take a trip up North and check it out with an open mind first. Good luck and keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 What part of Alaska, or do you know? Their is a reason Alaska is called "The Last Frontier"... That should be something to think about as well. Think that span of what 4-6 months of total darkness would drive me insane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfletch7441 Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 GO FOR IT!!! You can always move back home, but you may never get an opportunity like this again. Like you said, time to get on your knees! Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I had a little case of deja vu reading this thread:D. Seriously though, good luck with making your choice Kyle, it would be awesome to live up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted December 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 What part of Alaska, or do you know? Their is a reason Alaska is called "The Last Frontier"... That should be something to think about as well. Think that span of what 4-6 months of total darkness would drive me insane Well just researching towns without actually going up there to see for ourselves, we like the areas around anchorage...mainly wasilla, or palmer...possibly Homer. The weather isn't nearly as harsh there as it is up by Fairbanks, but it would still be a huge adjustment. As far as 4-6 months of darkness....it's more like 3 months. For the most part of that 3 months you do get some sunshine, but not for long. It's just something we would have to adjust to. Now, our first year up there I would be up in one of the places.....sitka, fairbanks ( BRRRRR ), or Kenai. After my year of probation is up, I would be moved to my selected post. Another great thing about the AST is that your not just a highway patrol. The AST handles game violations, drug task force, Forensics, etc. The possibilities of your duties are endless. Jenn was looking up teaching jobs up there.........they are everywhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 sounds like a very BIG/Life Changing decision! GOOD LUCK BUDDY!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Been to both Kenai and Homer. In the winter, from what I can tell, Homer is a desolate place, it looks like a majority fishing town. We have a shop in Soldotna, which is on the peninsula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I think you'd fit in at Homer, Kyle. Not sure why...but it seems to suit you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Sounds like a great opportunity presented to you by God;) And maybe you'll be on TV on the Discovery Channel or National Geographic,lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted December 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Been to both Kenai and Homer. In the winter, from what I can tell, Homer is a desolate place, it looks like a majority fishing town. We have a shop in Soldotna, which is on the peninsula Ya I had a feeling Homer might be desolate as it was a ways away from Anchorage. Thats why we were leaning more towards the valley where Palmer and Wasilla are. Now keep in mind, we've only researched online. Until we get up there and see these areas first hand, we really have no idea. BTW Soldotna is actually another place I could get sent my first year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Good luck in your decision. It is a tough one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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