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!

For this week's flashback, we're re-visiting the rumor that's been circling about moving to Alaska for free. While there is a monetary benefit to living in Alaska, there are some stipulations you'll have to meet first. Read on to find out more!

So, I guess it's time to squash the rumors that you can "move to Alaska for free" or "get paid to move to Alaska". Unfortunately, I know.

This whole rumor got started as a result of the Permanent Fund Program – through which all permanent residents of Alaska (children and adults) get a check from the state of Alaska each year. Since 1982 the checks have ranged from $331 to $2069 per person. Usually they come in October – bring on the holiday shopping!

Of course, there are some requirements for qualifying for the Permanent Fund Program – and it's more than just moving to Alaska. You have to live in the state for at least one year and prove that you have established residency and intend to live in Alaska permanently. 

Establishing residency in Alaska
Establishing residency means you need to either get an Alaska driver's license, register to vote, register a vehicle, purchase a home or sign a lease for non-governmental housing. And, you need to make sure you do not: register to vote in another state or country, file a resident tax return in another state or execute a will that shows your residence in another state. Otherwise, they'll assume that you don't intend to stay in Alaska permanently.

So, if your plan is to move to Alaska just for the "free money", you better intend on living there for the long-haul.

So, why does Alaska give its residents "free" money?
It began in 1969 when Alaska auctioned off 164 tracts of state-owned land to oil companies with the highest bid – which netted $900 million. This was a huge deal for Alaska! And the debates began…Is the state spending the money right? Where should the money go? What in the world were they going to do with all of this new money? In 1976 it was put to a vote and Alaska voters established the Permanent Fund Program, which put a percentage of the oil money into a fund called the "Permanent Fund", to save money for future Alaskans. Then in 1982 the first dividend check of $1,000 was distributed to Alaska residents.

Almost like moving to Alaska for free
So, here's the plug for U-Pack…Since you can't move to Alaska for free, the next best thing is moving with U-Pack. Seriously though – moving to Alaska with full-service movers can be extremely expensive. And, driving a rental truck up the Alcan Highway is all but out of the question. You can do it, but it's just not fun in a rental truck.

Basically, ABF brings a moving trailer to your location. You load. ABF drives to your new location in Alaska (or you can save money by unloading at the ABF terminal in Anchorage). You unload. It usually takes somewhere between 8 and 13 business days for your shipment to arrive – depending where you're moving from. And, the price is similar to truck rental – but all taxes, tolls, driver's fees and fuel are included.

And, of course, if you would like to know how much it costs to move to Alaska with U-Pack, just call, or request a moving quote.