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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.
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Date: 1-28-2010
Nice tips, and thank you.