Y
Yukon Kid
Guest
For 19 years 1969-1998
Lived mostly in the "bush". The cost of living is NOT bad it all depoends upon your style of living, in the "bush" it use to cost us about $4000-$5000 for the basics that were barged in spring and summer that was for gas in barrels and propane, "dry goods" and canned stuff. Two freezers held enought food for the year and there were no distractions like bars and etc. to spend your money at, plus no cars, etc with insurance and etc. to be billed for. So a 4-wheeler and a boat were your means of transportation and an occational flight out to get whatever you really needed or to see the doctors. For the first 10 years we saved 50% of our gross salary as I was a teacher than superintendent of schools in Nulato and Galena moving next to Dillingham which was like living in a very small town of say 3000 for most of the year or until the salmon season started then there were at lease 100 more fishing boats in town. But most of the big money came and went with the out of state boat owners. Last was spent in Noatak a village above the arctic circle which was the best 2 years I spent in Alaska for the pure enjoyment of hunting and fishing. We left in 1998 and have been back a few times to visit property there and friends. The confidence it gives you to know that you can survive is unbelievable in knowing you can survive anywhere as long as you live a "straight life" and take care of your family first and spend your money wisely !!!!! A few fishing nets, trapes and a few good guns with reloading equipment, a fair knowledge of mechanics of small engines and a wife that can cook and preserve foods that has a positive personallity are the basis of a good life in the rural areas of Alaska. The one thing most important is to learn to fix whatever and if you get it wrong the first time do it over and over again until you get it right and BE PREPARED !!!! Once the locals "see" you can handle yourself properly and you gain their respect you will live a GREAT life up there. Once you begin to SHARE with them, life get alot easier. GOOD LUCK
Lived mostly in the "bush". The cost of living is NOT bad it all depoends upon your style of living, in the "bush" it use to cost us about $4000-$5000 for the basics that were barged in spring and summer that was for gas in barrels and propane, "dry goods" and canned stuff. Two freezers held enought food for the year and there were no distractions like bars and etc. to spend your money at, plus no cars, etc with insurance and etc. to be billed for. So a 4-wheeler and a boat were your means of transportation and an occational flight out to get whatever you really needed or to see the doctors. For the first 10 years we saved 50% of our gross salary as I was a teacher than superintendent of schools in Nulato and Galena moving next to Dillingham which was like living in a very small town of say 3000 for most of the year or until the salmon season started then there were at lease 100 more fishing boats in town. But most of the big money came and went with the out of state boat owners. Last was spent in Noatak a village above the arctic circle which was the best 2 years I spent in Alaska for the pure enjoyment of hunting and fishing. We left in 1998 and have been back a few times to visit property there and friends. The confidence it gives you to know that you can survive is unbelievable in knowing you can survive anywhere as long as you live a "straight life" and take care of your family first and spend your money wisely !!!!! A few fishing nets, trapes and a few good guns with reloading equipment, a fair knowledge of mechanics of small engines and a wife that can cook and preserve foods that has a positive personallity are the basis of a good life in the rural areas of Alaska. The one thing most important is to learn to fix whatever and if you get it wrong the first time do it over and over again until you get it right and BE PREPARED !!!! Once the locals "see" you can handle yourself properly and you gain their respect you will live a GREAT life up there. Once you begin to SHARE with them, life get alot easier. GOOD LUCK
