800-413-4799
Moving to Alaska FAQs Category: Alaska Moves
 
Posted By:
Brian
5/6/2011
08:17 AM

It's Flashback Friday— each week, U-Pack will revisit a blog topic that's been helpful and fun for our readers. Be sure to check the comments section of each post for even more valuable moving advice!

FAQ lists can be very helpful when it comes to researching your move to Alaska. Check out the Q&A's of this post— and if there's something we left off, let us know!

People tend to have a lot of questions about moving to Alaska. We've attempted to answer a few of the big ones. If you have more, let us know - if we don't know the answer, we'll find out.

Is it true you can get paid to move to Alaska?
If you search message boards about moving to Alaska, you'll see various versions of the question "can I move to Alaska for free?" over and over. The answer is "no". This is a misconception. The state does not pay you to move to Alaska. What you're probably thinking of is the Permanent Fund Dividend that is paid to permanent residents of Alaska each year.

What is the Permanent Fund Dividend?
The Permanent Fund Dividend is paid to every qualifying Alaskan, normally every October. The money comes from Alaska oil revenues. For more information about the fund, visit the Alaskan's Guide to the Permanent Fund.

How do I establish residency in Alaska?
In order to receive the Permanent Fund Dividend, you must establish residency in Alaska, have lived in the state for at least one year and intend on living there permanently. As proof of residency, you must have severed residency in any previous state you have lived in and you must be able to provide one of the following:

  • A contract for moving your household goods to Alaska (company paid is not acceptable)
  • Proof of owning a home or renting a home in Alaska (employer paid housing is not acceptable
  • Employment and unemployment records
  • School records
  • Voter registration
  • Motor vehicle registration records
  • Licensing records
  • Court or other government agency records

How much does it cost to move to Alaska?
The best answer I can give is "it depends". On what? Where you're moving from, how much you're moving, when you're moving and what Alaska moving company you use. Typically, the most affordable way to move to Alaska is with a "you pack, we drive" service like ABF U-Pack. To get a quick idea of how much it costs to move to Alaska, just request a moving quote.

What is the best way to move to Alaska?
If you've gotten moving quotes already, I think you'll see fairly quickly that "you pack, we drive" services like ABF U-Pack are the ideal way to move to Alaska. Plain and simple, full service movers are too expensive and it's too far to drive in a rental truck. With a "you pack, we drive" service, you save money by doing your own packing and loading, but you don't have to drive.

What is the cheapest way to move to Alaska?
The answers above should answer this question as well. Typically ABF U-Pack is the cheapest way to move to Alaska. ABF brings a moving trailer or moving container to your home in the lower 48. You load. If you move in a trailer, U-Pack can deliver to most locations in Alaska. If you're using a moving container, you can save even more money by unloading at the ABF service center in Anchorage.

How long does it take to move to Alaska?
It depends on how you choose to move. If you're using traditional van lines or full service moving companies, it can take 20-30 days for your shipment to arrive. Moving to Alaska with U-Pack typically takes 8 to 13 business days, depending on where you're moving from.

How do I find a job in Alaska?
The Alaska Job Center Network, powered by the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, is a great place to start.

Do I have to pay income tax in Alaska?
No. Alaska does not levy income tax on personal income. And, as an added bonus, there is no statewide sales tax in Alaska. For more information on taxes in Alaska, visit the Alaska Tax Division.

If you have more questions about moving to Alaska, let us know and we'll get the answer.
 



Back To Blog Home | Visit U-Pack Moving

Comments
Name: chinese visa
Date: 1-28-2010
Nice tips, and thank you.
Name: Brian
Date: 1-29-2010
You're welcome, thanks for checking out the blog!
Name: christena
Date: 3-17-2010
Hi does Juneau have any big city places like Target? How does Alaska rate educationally? Do alaskans accept outsiders.? Any info helpful. Oh does ABF ship household goods to water locked areas.?
Name: Becky
Date: 3-18-2010
Christena,
I think you'll find Juneau has more of a "small town" feel with a local flavor. While there's not a Target, there is a Wal-Mart. You'll also find shopping at Nuggett Mall and several more local shops. Also, since education is a concern for your family, you may want to check out this site to compare schools: http://www.greatschools.org/alaska/. It gives schools a rating based on public school test scores (plus, some reviews). If you can let me know the zip code you're considering moving to in Alaska, and where you're moving from, I'll be happy to check servicability. We do ship to Alaska, but if the water locked area is remote, door to door delivery may not be an option. Hope this information helps!
Name: Barb
Date: 4-10-2010
My family is moving to Alaska at the end of summer, but before school starts. How far in advance should I book our move?
Name: Dan
Date: 10-14-2011
To move to Alaska from the lower 48 states, it seems the best way would be to go through Canada via the Alcan highway. Are there regulations for traveling on that route? If so, where can i find the rules?
Name: Brian
Date: 10-14-2011
Dan: thanks for checking out our blog! You can find out more about the Alcan route here: The Alaska Highway
Name: Nasrin
Date: 12-21-2011
Hi , does this only applies to people who are already a US citizen? what about those who wants to move from another foreign country?
Name: Brian
Date: 12-22-2011
Nasrin, from what I understand the Permanent Fund Dividend does apply solely to U.S. citizens. I would recommend contacting the U.S. Dept of Immigration for more info on moving to Alaska from a foreign country.
Name: Jane
Date: 1-19-2012
Hi, it seems from the entries in this blog that you serve Juneau, yet when I asked for my free quote, it said the closest I could get was Anchorage... which is over a thousand miles away. Do you offer service to Juneau or not? Thanks.
Name: Becky
Date: 1-20-2012
Hi Jane! Yes, typically we can move you into Juneau using an ocean container. I was able to locate your moving quote, and will have an Alaska specialist send another quote to you shortly with a price for moving to Juneau. Thanks for asking this question!
Name: Becky
Date: 1-27-2012
Jane,
I would like to again apologize for this miscommunication (I believe you got an email from us this morning that had some incorrect information). Hopefully this will give you some clarity: We CAN service your location in Juneau with the ocean container. The issue with your specific move is your origin location -- we are not able to service this area of New England via the ocean container service; it's one of very few locations that the ocean container service doesn't go to. I just spoke with Thai and he is getting information on what the closest serviceble location to your origin is. He will email to let you know what that location is just as soon as possible. We are able to service your origin location with an ABF trailer; however, we're only able to service Juneau via ocean container. Please let me know if you have any questions at all, and again, I apologize for the miscommunication and confusion.

Please leave a comment.

Name:
E-Mail Address:
Comment:
Verification Code:
FREE U-Pack Moving Quote
Moving From:
Moving To:
When Are You Moving?
Size of Residence:
 
Email Address (optional):
We protect your privacy.
Provide loading/unloading rates
Provide storage rates
800-413-4799
Search
Questions about packing, loading, parking or anything else related to moving? Ask a moving expert.
See how much money you'll save moving with ABF U-Pack. Get a free moving quote online or call 800-413-4799.
Follow Us
     

   
Subscribe to New Posts
Your E-Mail:
Featured Video

Get the Flash Player to see this video.