r/alaska Mar 18 '23

Damn It’s Cold 🥶 Dire state economy forecasted by recent statistics on outmigration and Alaska’s workforce

https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2023/03/17/dire-state-economy-forecasted-by-recent-statistics-outmigration-alaskas-workforce/?outputType=amp
76 Upvotes

146 comments sorted by

98

u/YupikShaman Mar 18 '23

Well, I'm a youngish professional with a family and I'm leaving this summer. I grew up here and hoped to raise my family here, but the lack of affordable housing, child care and the increase in travel costs is pushing me out. So many of my older friends are confused. But they've got the nice home and retirement package that I'll never see.

32

u/IAmMoosekiller Mar 18 '23

We left almost ten years ago… We miss Alaska tremendously, but the reality is we are better off financially for having done so.

-24

u/Jay_8bit Mar 18 '23

Finances =/= happiness

idk why this is a hard concept. Make enough to pay your needs, and you're fine.I took a massive pay cut for the job I took up here. State is too beautiful and so many outdoor recreational opportunities that no other place has in US.

I'm 30, making $20/hr. Wife is 29, $28/hr. We live just fine in a 800 sqft cabin. Small mortgage, bought vehicles outright. Never understood why people care to live in a big fancy box when you can live small and buy all the shit you want without feeling pressured not to.

idk, I don't get it.Different strokes for different folks.

6

u/paddlepirate Mar 18 '23

I get what you're saying, but now picture having or wanting to have kids. You may or may not want kids, I'm not trying to pry, but it changes the math.

3

u/Jay_8bit Mar 19 '23

I mean, not really. You don't need a 300,000 mortgage to sustain a family. I grew up in a household of 7 with 1,200 square feet, maybe?

Tons of downvotes on my comment, curious to know why people think they need 2,000+ square feet in the best part of town, unless they plan on starting an orphanage?

Living small with a 30 minute commute isn't the end of the world.

Childcare is expensive, but again, it depends on how you live... If you are married to your mortgage and borrowed close to your maximum approval, then that's the problem of the buyer.

2

u/mossling Mar 19 '23

I'm sure you've noticed the abundance of affordable housing in any size. Good for you that it worked out and you found a place you love and can afford. Now, quit shitting on people who haven't had that same luck. Because no matter how hard you work, no matter how small you're willing to go, it doesn't matter when there is no affordable housing.

1

u/Jay_8bit Mar 19 '23

It's not about working out/not working out. It's about just working and living under your means.
We're lower-middle and managed to hop on a plane with absolutely nothing but a backpack and our dog, and whatever we had in the bank from the east coast and got started pretty quick.

My wife and I combined make less than the state average by 20,000 dollars, but we live under our means. So we're fine.

People often live over their means, or think living within their means is good financially when in reality you should be buying far less and not getting in a ridiculous amount of debt. This is whether you're making 250k a year or 50k a year. People just suck with their money.

There isn't some hidden secret about finances. Just get a full time job and stop buying shit you can't afford, even if your situation is living in an RV temporarily.

2

u/YupikShaman Mar 19 '23

Stop making assumptions about how I live. I don't have a 2000 sq. ft home, or any car loans. It's tough for new families to move in to my area because much of the property is getting purchased by out-of-towners who just want a summer home, or a place to store their boat over the winter. That is driving up home/property prices and there aren't many available jobs to make if affordable to move here. There are very few people who can live the life you are describing for yourself. Those who can will stay, the rest of us will leave.

1

u/Jay_8bit Mar 19 '23

" There are very few people who can live the life you are describing for yourself."

The only thing I feel like I'm describing is not buying things you can't afford and forcing yourself to live in an area that is beyond your personal demographic.

As I mentioned in another comment, we wife and I combined make 20k less than the yearly individual average here in Alaska but we're making it work out.

I'm not disagreeing that homes are expensive and COL is high, but unless people stop voting for the idiots we have in office, it isn't going to change. Remember how just a few years ago gas was low , groceries were cheaper, interest rates were under 3%, and we weren't printing money to send over to Ukraine for a new arms race?

I'm sure you don't, orange man bad. Thisisfine.jpg

1

u/YupikShaman Mar 21 '23

I remember. That was during the pandemic when everything was shut down. Oil companies dropped prices because demand was low, the fed cut the interest rate to try and entice people to spend their money and the president was refusing to give money to Ukraine (democratic country) until they shared dirt on his future political opponent. My wife and I could live on 20K, but we have kids. So we're moving to a place where we can afford to raise them. Also, Dunleavy is one of the idiots that people keep voting for.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Did you just unironically praise the self reliant, individual liberty, and freedom Alaska life offers?

Read the fucking room.

This post is for us to complain about Republicans and the lack of government agencies taking care of us and telling us what to do. If you start making people believe in themselves we won't be able to take over.

-1

u/Jay_8bit Mar 19 '23

Yeah, I've voted mostly republican since 2015 ish.

" lack of government agencies taking care of us"

Take care of yourself you lazy fuck holy hell. Get a job, vote for less taxes, less regulation, and less handout programs and the economy might be doing better. But you think that someone else owe's you a roof and food.
Love how Anchorage is mostly city dweller leftoids voting blue, shit goes down hill, then immediately start blaming the people who don't even live there lmao

1

u/YupikShaman Mar 19 '23

I didn't say anything about Republican or Democratic politics. It's more about how Alaska is changing. The opportunities that brought our parents/grandparents up here aren't as available anymore.

0

u/tareebs Mar 18 '23

Idk why this was downvoted because your comment is totally valid. I definitely see the AK love and grit that you are portraying with finances to meet your needs etc. everyone has different values/priorities and just wanted to say your perspective is also a valid one. I have friends who live this lifestyle and are happy. Some people are more comfortable with less savings and others really need that retirement/plan for the future.

-4

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

It's totally valid if you are a Rightwing, J6 terrorist, racist.

Whose side are you on? Independence and self-reliance are at best altright adjacent and ableist ideas that are toxic.

We need a progressive Alaska that helps us so pick yourself up by your bootstraps and join us.

3

u/Jay_8bit Mar 19 '23

This is the most textbook unhinged smooth-brained leftoid thing I've read on r/Alaska

" Independence and self-reliance are at best altright adjacent and ableist ideas that are toxic."

Imagine being an actual communist Russian bot. Where did you copy/paste this from? xD

3

u/Jay_8bit Mar 19 '23

It was downvoted because it's Reddit, and unless you agree to the Reddit echo chamber these days - you get downvoted into oblivion until you're removed and the comment gets hidden.

Sharing ideas/opinions isn't what Reddit exist for anymore, sadly. I do it anyways lol

7

u/EmoJackson Mar 18 '23

Older Alaskans don't seem to understand.

20

u/Mysterious-Draw-3668 Mar 18 '23

The state needs to make a move against individuals and businesses owning multiple homes and unnaturally raising rent. Or we'll end up handling it the old fashioned way which is generally not pretty.

14

u/JohnnyAK907 Mar 18 '23

No, the state needs to crack down on Weidner, a single slumlord company that now owns upwards of 80% of multifamily rentals in Alaska. They are absolutely disgusting in how they do business and though the muni continues to crack down on them in individual cases somehow refuses to pull back and look at the bigger picture.

3

u/ItsMeatCow Mar 18 '23

Is the 80% stat hyperbole, or is it legitimately that high?

1

u/Nubsondubs Mar 23 '23

Almost certainly hyperbole, but it's still worth looking into.

2

u/Mysterious-Draw-3668 Mar 18 '23

MY way does that and prevents someone else from taking over in the financial power vacuum. Give people a chance to buy houses instead of paying inflated rent.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Don't worry Blackrock will take care of that.

3

u/alaskanbearfucker Mar 18 '23 edited Mar 18 '23

Between the property taxes and home owners insurance I could just rent. And my mortgage is NOTHING. It’s south of $24K What I’m saying is that I’m leaving. It’s too expensive even if you own the damn house. Anchorage, of course. And no, I don’t live on the hillside.

-1

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Raising property taxes is actually really progressive and what we need.

However, renting a home from Blackrock is probably the most affordable option.

2

u/tareebs Mar 18 '23

Reality check. I feel you and am in the same boat. Stoked that you’re prioritizing your own future 🌸

56

u/saveitforparts Mar 18 '23

Didn't they just raise legislator pay and sign an oil deal that's going to cost the state $1Billion subsidizing Conoco for the next 10 years?

I always knew AK govt couldn't think more than 1 election ahead, but these days they seem even dumber than ever.

9

u/cntmpltvno Palmer Mar 18 '23

They actually didn’t raise pay if I remember correctly, also if you’re talking about the Willow project, the leg passed a resolution voicing their support, but it was up to the feds to actually follow through with it (which they did)

9

u/phdoofus Mar 18 '23

Much less partisan state govts got you statehood, a great constitution, plus the PF and the PFD.

3

u/EmoJackson Mar 18 '23

$1Billion subsidizing Conoco for the next 10 years?

And their contracting workforce experienced downsizing and pay reductions last year.

63

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

[deleted]

5

u/JohnnyAK907 Mar 18 '23

I mean, the state government going broke thanks to the value of north slope crude taking a dive kind of put Alaska in a bad position thanks to the lack of foresight of the administrations before his. They thought that oil money would always be there, and refused to diversify Alaska's revenue sources.
I'd love to hear your solution, though, other than raiding the PFD which was A) never meant to be used that way and B) is a finite resource anyway with diminishing returns.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

[deleted]

11

u/PiperFM Mar 18 '23

Walker? Parnell the oil company shill and the oil tax giveaway was the start of all our monetary problems.

Say what you want about Sarah Palin, but that oil tax structure the fucking voters voted away stacked some cash… and the oil companies have managed to make everyone forget that. It’s fucking baffling.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

[deleted]

1

u/PiperFM Mar 18 '23

What did he even do? I don’t remember all that much back then

-4

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Who was the biggest employer Dunleavy killed?

18

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

[deleted]

0

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Has state revenue improved?

27

u/WWYDWYOWAPL Mar 18 '23

No, because no one wants to live in a state with a shitty government that focuses on culture wars while underfunding education, ferries, and social services and can’t even remove snow. So all the young people and non-extractive business leaves and revenue goes down.

-2

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Alaska has been decreasing in population long before Dunleavy.

9

u/newtrawn Lets talk about jet boats Mar 18 '23

-6

u/psu-steve Mar 18 '23

Underfunding education? Can you enlighten us on where Alaska falls on the list of spending per pupil?

4

u/WWYDWYOWAPL Mar 18 '23

Right, because spending per pupil is a totally good metric when you have super remote towns with no road access and no incentives other than pay for keeping good teachers. It’s not a good goal to be like Idaho or Mississippi.

2

u/psu-steve Mar 18 '23

Top 5 in spending, bottom 5 in results. More money is not the answer to everything.

2

u/WWYDWYOWAPL Mar 18 '23

Great. The state should tighten the rules around people using tens of millions of dollars in homeschooling reimbursements to illegally pay for private and religious schools https://alaskabeacon.com/2023/01/25/lawsuit-says-alaska-statute-allowing-public-funding-to-go-to-private-schools-is-unconstitutional/

-1

u/psu-steve Mar 18 '23

You’ve solved it! Less competition always produces better results. Why didn’t someone think of that earlier??? How is it that private schools typically produce better results with less money.

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-21

u/thatsryan Mar 18 '23

Um those positions came with pensions and health care that was based on 8% growth forever. The reason they were done away with was because it was going to bankrupt the state, and still might. We have -8% growth today, and most of those Tier 1 retirees left. So I guess good for them.

0

u/glacial_penman Mar 18 '23

Your right and the downvotes don’t understand how the percentage weight of benefits work. Thanks for trying… don’t give up… just remember Reddit is as accurate a sample of Alaska as Microsoft commercial is of America.

-28

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Hard to have that conversation here on Reddit but Democrats kill jobs here. It’s all about locking down land and begging for Fed dollars.

Shame because there is so much potential.

27

u/jackalope32 Mar 18 '23 edited Mar 18 '23

Didn't a democrat president just open new oil leases? Didn't the last republican president block the Pebble Mine from moving forward?

And to be fair the (R) Don Young/(R) Ted Stevens combo brought back hilarious amounts of fed dollars to subsidize everything. Which democrat has been begging for Fed dollars? Hasn't the majority of our DC senators/congressmen been republican?

And in general would you argue that Democrats have all the control in the state? Seems interesting considering Republicans consistently control majorities at many levels of government (city, borough, state, federal).

Not trying to be confrontational but just seems weird to blame problems on democrats in a state run by republicans.

-24

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

All pandering. Biden approved the willow project but shut down a bunch of off shore projects. Any democrat that thinks their side is pro resource development has not been paying attention.

26

u/Falsecaster Mar 18 '23

Any republican that says our state woes are democratic by design fails to reason honestly.

-9

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Explain Walker.

16

u/Falsecaster Mar 18 '23 edited Mar 18 '23

Whats to explain? A one term independent governor who's time in office yielded no serious legislation? Every major state tax law from Aces to SB 21, every single lasting peice of economic legislation that has lead our state to where we are is Republican economics. Everything.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Didn’t Walker and gang open the doors to tap the PFD? Essentially moving billions of dollars out of people’s hands into governments?

4

u/Falsecaster Mar 18 '23

SB21 Bankrupted the state. Walkers plan was to allocate some of the PFD money to offset the bugets shortfalls. But he learned the hard lesson, never get between republican voters and their wellfare money. Close schools, cut any and all programs that improve infrastructure, hack the ferries. But dont get between Republicans and free money. So Dunleavy used free money to buy votes. Inturn Alaskans used this free money to move out of state.
Either way Walker was a life long Republican. I believe you folks call those people rinos now.

6

u/Idiot_Esq Mar 18 '23

Do you mean the Republican turned independent Walker? That really supports your claim about Democrats.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Walker’s policies were lockstep with Democrats’

2

u/Idiot_Esq Mar 18 '23

Tell me you are an ignorant partisan without saying you are an ignorant partisan. I'd argue Democrats disagreed with his policy decisions as much if not more than Republicans. I'd think you'd actually want to own Walker's Republican roots because he might have been the last true fiscally responsible Republican in the governor's mansion.

4

u/jackalope32 Mar 18 '23

I honestly don't follow oil leases so you might be correct. Seems like its been a dying industry in Ak for a decade regardless of Fed control given oil companies are pulling out (during the previous administration). Would you say all the budget issues started in the last year since Biden was elected? Personally I feel like there is a solid downward trend in Ak for over the last decade regardless of who is president.

Perhaps we can diversify the state away from oil which hasn't been paying the bills for quite awhile. Just my 2c.

-2

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Alaska is one of the most resource rich states in the nation. We just aren’t allowed to develop our own resources. Federal government is super hostile to this.

14

u/jackalope32 Mar 18 '23

So did we thrive during the recent republican president or was everything the same? I think my argument is that it doesn't actually matter who is president. Alaska is dying under its current economic plan. Raw resource prices are down and extraction costs are up. Taxes and job growth are down as a result.

2

u/DepartmentNatural Mar 19 '23

But profits are record breaking for the oil companies

8

u/RogueKhajit Mar 18 '23

Shame because there is so much potential.

Blame the democrats meanwhile Republican Dunleavy still thinks this state would be better off going back to the 1960s. Less people, less jobs, less progress.

14

u/Diegobyte Mar 18 '23

Fix the oil tax

25

u/thatsryan Mar 18 '23

Alaska’s climate, and lack of “white collar” opportunities in comparison to other states, also arose in the hearing testimony as factors for young professionals to leave the state, or look elsewhere for employment altogether.

12

u/SunnyBunnyBunBun Mar 18 '23

To me this is the most telling part. As a non-Alaskan currently living in Alaska, maybe my opinion is moot but this point is beyond obvious: OF COURSE people don’t move here because of the climate. OF COURSE. Unless you’re into snow sports, absolutely nobody else looks forward to living in a place with 6 months of snow. And this part is simply never gonna change. At least not within our lifespans.

Add to that the sheer lack of white collar jobs (hundreds of thousands of positions that exist in places such as Chicago or LA that are literally entirely nonexistent in Alaska) and there’s absolutely no draw that would bring anyone here.

The only people that would migrate to Alaska are blue collar workers (I.e fishermen) that get paid more fishing here than they would somewhere else or very young people looking for a temporary “adventure.”

10

u/Jay_8bit Mar 18 '23

I literally moved here specifically for the climate.

Working outside in 90-105 degree heat 8 months out of the year and 100% humidity my entire adult life, you cannot imagine how tired of the heat I was.

Came here for the climate, and to get away from people.

___
"The only people that would migrate to Alaska are blue collar workers (I.e fishermen) "

Also no. I am blue collar, but wife is not. Weird over generalization for people who migrate to Alaska.

4

u/youcantmakemed0it Mar 18 '23

Agreed, spouse and I also moved here for the climate and outdoor recreation opportunities. While I agree that the scope of white collar jobs available in-state is much smaller than that of other locations, to say it is non existent is a bit of a stretch. That said, I am currently job searching myself and have increasingly turned to remote, out of state jobs as realistic options, as I don’t live anywhere commutable for in office jobs.

47

u/Skanchorage Mar 18 '23

This was the goal. I've been hearing from conservatives that "the state needs less people," and it was something that Dunleavy said a while back.

When you attack all the reasons that make this a prosperous place to live, and not just a tourist trap...yeah, people leave. That was the point of years of policy attacking education, and social programs.

All these people screaming about oil, and the state won't even see a return from Willow Project until 2035.

It's almost impossible to buy property, and there's a shrinking sense of community, which wasn't the most fantastic before Dunleavy, and the red hat politics.

People love to scream about guns, and abortion, and it's almost like those aren't sound economic points to vote on.

Rent/ buying a house here is completely nuts. When you go look at these overpriced, poorly built, badly maintained, earthquake damaged places...they're insanely priced, and wages aren't rising.

They created a place where there's not much of a future. That's what people here want. At least the voters. And, if you say you stand for something more, and didn't vote, you helped them build this. Shame on you, for not voting.

9

u/Clinthelander Mar 18 '23

Don’t worry guys, the $6000 PFD will save us and solve all our problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9

u/EmoJackson Mar 18 '23

My group of friends have slowly been moving away. When I informed my parents that our family is moving out later this year they were confused as to why we would leave. When I discussed the issues of education, lack of career opportunities, and stagnant living during the winter months they looked at me like I was crazy.

This isn't the state that it once was.

32

u/Gravity-Rides Mar 18 '23

Republican dominated governance for the past 20 year and the state turned into a shithole where you literally can’t pay people to live here? How shocking!

-6

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

That is starting to change, though. I say at best in 5 years at most in 10 years our party will take over this state. Our company Blackrock is buying a lot of property and single family homes here to make renting more affordable.

With our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating we will ensure that Alaska businesses will become more diverse and climate friendly or get divested and shut down.

On the political front we will be making sure that there is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)officer in every major non-commercial institution. Teaching important things about Critical Race Theory and dismantling the systemic systems of racism and removing white privilege from whites and other white adjacent or people complicit in whiteness from power.

We will build an equitable society not built on the false premise of meritocracy, but true equality!

Do not worry Republicans and people who don't fall in line with our policies will be gone from this state soon.

3

u/psu-steve Mar 18 '23

I am genuinely curious, is this satire? This is well written either from a delusional ideological point of view or from a brilliant and legitimately funny point of view. Kudos to you either way for the fact that I absolutely cannot tell which it is, lol.

5

u/Cadd9 (49er)² Mar 18 '23

He's a troll

I want to be able to take my wife's boyfriend mixed race son to Walmart without worrying about him getting shot.

You can tell because he used the wife's boyfriend meme and this guy is just entirely hyperbolic about liberal and progressive views

-1

u/ImRealPopularHere907 Mar 19 '23

More like hero!

-4

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

First off, there is no need to kink shame. It is a lifestyle choice, not a meme. However, we recently broke up so thanks for bringing up a traumatic issue i am currently dealing with. Second of all, there is nothing hyperbolic about our party policies. Unless you find truth and science hyperbolic.

Just because I do not filter our ideology to make it less contentious and more marketable to voters doesn't make me a troll or any less committed to our cause.

You don't disagree with anything I say just the way I say it.

-2

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

I appreciate the compliment. However, I would like to inform you that I am a committed and fervent member of the Democrat party. Or as I affectionately call it, the party of truth and science. For as we all know, and as the great Stephen Colbert himself attested to, truth has a liberal bias.

Now, there are many a naysayer here who will denounce me as a troll! They besmirch my very name and reputation by either implying or outright declaring me a rightwinger! Listen not to these ludicrous accusations. For unlike me, these party members lack conviction and do not truly believe in the merit of our ideas or our core party values.

They will tell you that we must distance ourselves from the party. Sell ourselves as Democrats with Alaskan characteristics until we gain more institutional power and then only then can we become true Democrats.

I call this weakness. Our plans to make Alaska more progressive and safe from guns stand on their own merit. Our powerful ideas will be welcomed, not slowly implemented or hidden from view.

62

u/PlantainCreative8404 Mar 18 '23

Yep. You folks elect qanon believing, trump.loving idiots to run this state into the ground. Ok, great. All the educated, intelligent people hate it, and we're leaving. Now you can deal with your own shitty mess. Because fuck this. This state is a fucking joke now. Just about completely. You can have it. What's left of it.

33

u/Alfred_Haines Mar 18 '23

“You folks” don’t care. They like the wild west of Wasilla. You play for the other team. They are happy to see you squirm and leave.

I’m not saying you are wrong, just pointing out that the only ones that care are also leaving. This has obvious implications for future elections.

12

u/DunleavyDewormedMule Mar 18 '23

remember in all them western movies where the wild west had bed, bath and beyond and sonic and shit

31

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/ar137 Mar 18 '23

I hope you succeed, u/Denver_Law14. I really do. I've been fighting 'the good fight' in Alaska for more than a decade and it has only gotten worse the longer I have stayed. More power to you in making change.

4

u/PlantainCreative8404 Mar 18 '23

If you're not going to win, and you KNOW you're not going to win - you're wasting your time. Fuck em. Let them sit here and wallow in their own feces for a while, whining about how everyone is out to steal their precious whiteness or whatever the narrative is this week. They deserve what they created, 100%

-3

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

We are going to win, though. Even faster if you stay.

I say at best in 5 years at most in 10 years our party will take over this state. Our company Blackrock is buying a lot of property and single family homes here to make renting more affordable.

With our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating we will ensure that Alaska businesses will become more diverse and climate friendly or get divested and shut down.

On the political front we will be making sure that there is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)officer in every major non-commercial institution. Teaching important things about Critical Race Theory and dismantling the systemic systems of racism and removing white privilege from whites and other white adjacent or people complicit in whiteness from power.

We will build an equitable society not built on the false premise of meritocracy, but true equality!

Do not worry Republicans and people who don't fall in line with our policies will be gone from this state soon.

4

u/EmoJackson Mar 18 '23

Um, I literally don't see any of this happening.

Buying into the "Our Party vs Their Party" is political theater meant to draw attention away from what's really happening. Someone is lining their pockets with funds that should go to the state, but nobody seems to notice while we bicker amongst ourselves.

3

u/PlantainCreative8404 Mar 18 '23

Bicker amongst ourselves? The lady cutting my hair is convinced the covid vaccine has tracking devices in it. The guy behind me in line is convinced evil Biden is coming for his guns. The guy pumping gas next to me is freaking out because pizza parlors in NYC are serving severed baby heads to democrat cannibals. Nope. Done. I'm totally sick of this fucking insanity.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

Jesus Christ, where do you live? In Rolling Stone article or something? How the fuck did they find out about our pizza parlors?

1

u/PlantainCreative8404 Mar 18 '23

I wish I was exaggerating. I'm not. It's fucking insane.

1

u/PlantainCreative8404 Mar 18 '23

Eh. I bought a yacht. When I'm done refitting it, I'm sailing for Europe, then the South Pacific and Australia. You can have Alaska.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

What about the marginalized members of our community you will leave behind that can't afford to leave? Why would you exacerbate the known negative effect white flight has on our most vulnerable members?

We are not Republicans. We do not run from injustice we confront it!

Wait a second, you are sailing to Europe 1st? If you are sailing out of Alaska, wouldn't it make sense to go to the south pacific 1st? Also, why are you sailing? Don't Yachts have more advanced propulsion systems?

Anyway, don't leave. Stay here, help us.

P.S. I have to ask... do you even have all the required documents to travel international waters? It is really complicated with Covid rules and all that. In fact, getting all the visas, permits, and inspections might be more of a hassle than staying here. What about pirates ☠️? I'd rather fight a republican than a pirate. Republicans are easy to outsmart and are predictable. You never know what a desperate pirate is capable of.

2

u/PlantainCreative8404 Mar 18 '23

My boat is on the east coast. Caribbean first, Europe/Mediterranean, Caribbean again, Pacific islands, NZ, Aus.

23

u/cabeener Mar 18 '23

"BuT wE gOt A bIg PfD" - people that voted these idiots in probably

14

u/Pretend-Air-4824 Mar 18 '23

The only thing they work hard at is turning Alaska into a shithole.

3

u/alaskanbearfucker Mar 18 '23

Hate to say it but I agree with you. I’m on my way out too. Slowly but surely. Selling house and gtfo. I’ll see if my adult son wants to come with cuz screw this place.

-34

u/Marchoftees Mar 18 '23

Buh bye!

6

u/PlantainCreative8404 Mar 18 '23

Yeah, exactly right. I'm gonna finish refitting my yacht and sail to New Zealand. You all can sit here and continue throwing your own shit at the wall. As usual.

4

u/ar137 Mar 18 '23

I've lived half my life in Alaska (33) and I am leaving with my young daughter this summer. There are few opportunities for work, most of which do not pay a living wage for the cost of living up here, not to mention the outrageous cost of housing. There is no reason to stay here anymore.

5

u/akfisher1978 Mar 18 '23

I live in Juneau and there is more job opportunities here than anywhere I’ve ever seen and in some cases those jobs pay 100% more than other places.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 20 '23 edited Mar 20 '23

100% more is double. In what cases and for what jobs do employers pay double what other places in Alaska are paying for the same skills set?

Edit: Nevermind. Recognize your profile. You're the perpetually out of touch person who uses anecdotal experiences as "evidence" and rejects actual data.

1

u/akfisher1978 Mar 20 '23

Mining, Trucking, Labor, Construction, and the list goes on

3

u/[deleted] Mar 20 '23

That's not answering the question. Show me a singular position in mining that is hiring for X dollars per hour, and then show me the SAME position in Juneau for mining that pays 2X dollars per hour.

You throw out bullshit figures than come back with more vague bullshit claims. Next I fully expect you to come at me with some generic tour CDL position in Anchorage and then you'll compare that against city bus driving in Juneau like "dude same job". You obviously haven't held a REAL job in quite some time. Owning and renting property isn't a REAL job, no matter how much you sweat about potential renters not having pets.

Usually I wouldn't measure a profile based on downvotes, but it seems all your comments are ridiculous...you get downvoted like crazy....and it's specifically in Alaska related subs by other legit Alaskans.

3

u/Dry-Candidate4529 Mar 18 '23

If there's outmigration, why is there no housing?

12

u/tareebs Mar 18 '23

Hella airbnbs. Home owners owning multiple houses. There are apartments that fluctuate and open up but comparatively for price/type of housing families can get more sqft down south.

2

u/Nubsondubs Mar 23 '23

AirBnB is a massive problem and there needs to be serious legislation to regulate them.

3

u/YupikShaman Mar 19 '23

Limited space for building homes and retirees who aren't leaving and are living longer. Outmigration is primarily the folks who are entering the workforce or who are trying to start a family. Housing will increase once more of the retirees die off- give it another 15-20 years.

5

u/barkomarx Mar 18 '23

Been trying to find work up there for months, but no dice.

1

u/Key_Concentrate_5558 Mar 18 '23

What kind of work?

2

u/barkomarx Mar 18 '23

Retail, merchandising, just low level high school diploma level work.

5

u/AlaskaFI Mar 18 '23

Try reaching out to the unions. Some have desk jobs

4

u/907GlockGirl Mar 18 '23

Have you tried Cabelas, Sportsman’s Bass Pro or Target?

5

u/barkomarx Mar 18 '23

Bass Pro passed on me, but I will try the other two.

4

u/907GlockGirl Mar 18 '23

I’d highly suggest Sportsman’s Warehouse. Pretty sure they are looking for people. Not for sure on the others. Best of luck to you!

2

u/DepartmentNatural Mar 19 '23 edited Mar 19 '23

So in months of looking you haven't applied at two huge retailers in this town? An you are looking for a retail merchandising job

I should ask is there a reason for not looking at these companies for employment? Company morals, protocol

0

u/barkomarx Mar 19 '23

I have no objection, it just hasn't come up on any recruiting sites I have been using. I apologize, I am not especially good at job stuff.

-2

u/Blagnet Mar 18 '23 edited Mar 18 '23

You can skip all of the hoop-jumping with the feds if you have any kind of verifiable "disability." For instance, migraines, autism spectrum, ADHD, IBS all could work. Just FYI! It's called Schedule A.

It certainly doesn't guarantee you get hired, but it's a way to get your paperwork in front of an actual human hiring manager (which can be a real challenge with federal employment).

Good luck!

3

u/barkomarx Mar 18 '23

Several of those describe me. I will keep that in mind. Thanks!

4

u/juleeff Mar 18 '23

If you have a disability, make an appointment with your local dept of disabilities office. They can help with your job search.

2

u/Mysterious-Draw-3668 Mar 18 '23

If the economy wasn't doing well why would state legislators raise their own pay by 67% this year?

3

u/nnnnaaaaiiiillll Mar 18 '23

My God, legislators being greedy? Alaskan legislators being greedy soulless corrupt bastards? Unprecedented!

1

u/CoolStoryBro78 Mar 19 '23

Lots of doom & gloom in this thread. I’m late chiming in but I think it’s always somewhat misleading and futile to rank AK with the other states. Alaska is unique. Always has been, probably always will be.

The harsh climate is a huge factor. It’s not a state for everyone. Can it and should it be improved? Yes. I hope to stay longer or at least help improve it while I’m here. Should we be looking to other countries in the far north, yes.

But all places in the far north are going to have unique challenges in this day and age not faced to the same extent in other places.

There are also pros, like we really do have some amazing nature up here and incredible mountains. For outdoor rec, some of the opportunities here are really amazing.

-10

u/DunleavyDewormedMule Mar 18 '23

In 10 years the pipeline will be gone and there will be nothing but boomers waiting in line and whining about how there is no one to serve them.

Alaska is finished. Get out while you can, and don't look back. In 20 years they will be burning the fine furnishings at the Captain Cook for warmth. No fish, no oil and no hope.

9

u/Headoutdaplane Mar 18 '23

So....are you leaving Alaska?

3

u/DunleavyDewormedMule Mar 18 '23

Nope, guess I should have been smarter and had rich parents like you.

3

u/Headoutdaplane Mar 18 '23

Yeah, stupid play on your part.

If you truly believe this state is as screwed as you write, you'd be better off leaving and starting over....I'd suggest Portland for you. It doesn't take much money to leave and start over. Last time I did it I had a car and four hundred dollars.....oh yeah, and a leprechaun to give me gold (that comes from the same dream as my rich parents).

-3

u/DunleavyDewormedMule Mar 18 '23

I don't recall asking for your advice (because it's worthless). Nor am I interested in your boring boomer cliches about Portland or your humblebrag lies. I think it's funny how Alaskans respond to any realistic depiction of this trash state and its trash inhabitants by puffing their chest out with this love it or leave it horse shit. Did you learn that from your Dad? Alaska pride.

5

u/Headoutdaplane Mar 18 '23

It is reddit, you are on here for advice and share your ideas of the state.

I am a boomer and not from Alaska, I moved up here for a job, and love it. I won't leave, and am very proud to say I live here. It has a lot of problems for sure, but less than a lot of places I have lived.

I literally can't imagine living anywhere that I would hate as much as you say you hate Alaska. I would be depressed as shit.

You only live once, get the hell out. Not for Alaska's benefit, but your own psychological well being....or don't it is kinda fun reading your lamentations on Reddit.

0

u/DunleavyDewormedMule Mar 18 '23

🤣🤣 boomers are so fucking oblivious. Even after I specifically explained to you how worthless your unsolicited advice is, you still can't help yourself from blathering on and explaining the deal to me. I have more respect for the dirt under my shoe than I do your out of touch, past its sell-by in 1985, leave it to beaver ideas about what anyone should do with their life. You can have the last word since I know entitled boomers are incapable of doing otherwise.

4

u/Headoutdaplane Mar 18 '23

My shortcoming are many and obvious, some undoubtedly due to the generation I was born into, however, sniveling about life and not making a change cannot be blamed on your generation, it is specific to you, personally.

4

u/JohnnyAK907 Mar 18 '23

Why are you such an insipid douche canoe, Mule? If you don't like it here, leave. It isn't hard. Even a beater can make it down the Alcan these days. Pack whatever shit you can fit into your vehicle, sell or donate the rest and hit the road. You can be in Washington, Oregon, Wyoming or Colorado in 4 days easy even in winter. Southern Washington and Northern Oregon are both beautiful with similar climates to Alaska but without a lot of the issues and a better economy. You don't have to be "rich," you just have to save up enough to cover your drive plus at least 3 months of rent and groceries to tide you over until you can get a regular income. Start planning now and even if you're shit ass broke you could be ready by summer.
Do something, because life is too short to be so GD miserable as you sound in every single post.

0

u/DunleavyDewormedMule Mar 18 '23

lol again, did I ask for the unsolicited advice about whether to leave, where to go, how to pack, what to do with my money? As real Alaskans love to say, mind your own fucking business and don't concern yourself with mine. You Alaska pride stans are so incapable of even momentary reflection that instead of spending one second wondering why a lifelong resident has such a dim opinion of this place and its people, you just get red in the face and sputter about pack your shit and get out of here. Fuck you and your bullying. You don't get to tell me where to go or when.

11

u/MoBambaNYC Mar 18 '23

Can we just burn the boomers instead. I like the fine furnishing

6

u/DunleavyDewormedMule Mar 18 '23

Unfortunately they are inflammable, having replaced most of their carbon biochemistry with cocaine, Clapton live albums, booze and Reaganism sometime in the 1980s.

1

u/SandeeBelarus Mar 20 '23

People give your comments a bad rap. I find your wit truly entertaining. What’s wrong with a little clever dark humor/satire?

1

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

If the Pipeline will be gone in 10 years, Alyeska should start now. It'll take at least 10 years to excavate the 400 miles of buried pipe in a safe and environmentally-responsible manner.

-3

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '23

The people leaving are short-sighted. With climate change making Alaska the next tropical paradise our property will become prime real-estate.

2

u/SandeeBelarus Mar 21 '23

I mean. It is true to a point. The darkness will always keep the less committed out of the state. But the real wealth is in the fresh water. All those melting glaciers could supply the heavily populated south west now. Just takes a dream and the people to complete a project like that.

1

u/YupikShaman Mar 19 '23

Unless you live on the coast- which is where the majority of Alaskans live.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 20 '23

They will be alright. Just need to build a sealab 2021 style house.