I have recently taken a part time job to help with bills around the house, It's in a large retail department setting with 100+ employees, The summer employee count climbs to around 140+. I talk to most any employee around me during the day and many are not from the state or have just come up here!
First off the business is having a hard time filling positions there are at least 10-15 open at any given time. The other funny thing is most employees have only worked there for a short amount of time I was hired on with 9 other people as the company was taking a stab at bulk job filling. One of the employees hired is already gone, Apparently their economy outlook isn't as harsh as some others, or maybe they have poor work ethic.
Three of the other employees that were hired on were directly from out of state. One that stands out is a young lady from Michigan UP (upper peninsula). She said that many parts of MI are quickly becoming a ghost towns and jobs were few and far between. She also had some comments about crime not that there is one segment of US that doesn't have it's share. Well know areas of criminal mischief in the past have now well expanded and new ones cropped up. Foreclosed homes are being broken into, mugging, and vehicle theft are all on the rise. She simply stated there was no where to work that paid any sort of wage and she didn't feel safe walking around.
This is truly sad if this is the case in MI as I know a number of people that live there I hope if these conditions are present they arn't extremly wide spread. I haven't validated what my new coworker has told me I only took it at face value, and due to the fact that she had just relocated a from a couple thousand miles away, as well as getting hired onto her second job, as well as she wasn't complaining about her current life setting! She also mentioned she and her boyfriend were short on cash after flying up here and renting a small place, so their neighbor (they had met after moving in) had a older model car that ran but had no drivers for it so it was signed over to them on DEC 25 2009 as a gift to help them both get too and from their jobs. Has a couple bugs but you can't beat two young people working multiple jobs driving around in a late 80's free car!
An existing employee I met is a gentleman in his mid to late 30's, he came up from Florida early 2009. I've never met someone looking to become more Alaskan than this man. He keeps talking about how he's going to build a cabin this summer and how great it's going to be, He is hoping to buy property via state auction. These are generally 10-40 acre parcels that are financed through the state for a 30 year term many go for around $1500.00 an acre give or take. All are outside of town some up to 50 or 60 miles.
He has high hopes considering he's relatively new and came all the way from Florida he said pay is decently higher as well as he's never lived anywhere there is no sales tax or income tax, It's almost like when you get paid you actually get paid (not the leftovers). He's tucking away his money for his big push this spring. Saving and conserving on his living costs seem to be working well for him he's living in a rented cabin for the winter. There are many people that have these small 300-800 square foot "dry" cabins for rent in Fairbanks as well as Anchorage and surrounding areas. They are relatively affordable from 350-650per mo many include heat but not electric or phone. There very popular with the college students as there are free washing facility's on campus so a house with only a sink that drains and a outhouse they can considerably save money over a 800-1200.00/mo dorm shared with other students.
Many other employees have similar stories the majority of haven't been in the state for more than a year, but they are working full time or it's their second part-time job.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Economic crisis 2008 2009
With job layoff downsizing and closures, America is being hit hard the number of unemployed people is rising daily and there seems to be no end in site. Life is a little different here in Alaska. In our local paper there was a article of Fairbanks being the second most likely city to escape the "Economic Downturn" unscathed.
I will admit that the stocks that I have held over the last year have dropped in value, about 47% respectively. All the stocks are for long term gains and for my kids so I don't plan on selling them for another 10-15 years and they pay a dividend every quarter so I still feel safe (fingers crossed).
Home values around the country have been declining sense the housing bubble burst I was kinda worried about my personal residence, but my worrying was wasted in 2008 my home lose $12.00 in value and is unmoved in 2009 holding fast around $200,000. I still do owe money on my home but this amount is small compared to it's value $19,000 on a $200,000 home is nothing to fret about as long as the pay checks keep clearing.
The local housing market is a little different matter there are many of homes on the market moving rather slowly. Most aren't there because of foreclosure but because homeowners are still trying to cash in on home appreciation values. There have been very few risky loans given by local and large banks. Wells Fargo and First National Bank Alaska have a large basis in Alaska for banking and financing. Although Wells Fargo's stock has been hammered there still in relative great shape compared to others. First National Bank Alaska stock has been halved to around $1600.00 a share they also still deliver a comparable dividend if $100.00 per year per share.
JOBS
Local papers and business's are still advertising help needed and still some having a lag in fill time. Although I have been recently turned down for a $60,000-$80,000 per year job I remain optimistic, and have been eyeing other employers. The State of Alaska has received some federal funding for re-training people to fill better or good paying jobs readily available to those who qualify and are willing to sit through the orientation and more importantly go back to school.
I have been looking but unable to find one business of any reasonable size that has shut it's doors or rolled back operations. This doesn't include Palins order to freeze hiring state employees that don't have a permanent position. Best of all summer is approaching at it's regular pace and brings with it construction, state, local, and tourist jobs (first come first served).
I will admit that the stocks that I have held over the last year have dropped in value, about 47% respectively. All the stocks are for long term gains and for my kids so I don't plan on selling them for another 10-15 years and they pay a dividend every quarter so I still feel safe (fingers crossed).
Home values around the country have been declining sense the housing bubble burst I was kinda worried about my personal residence, but my worrying was wasted in 2008 my home lose $12.00 in value and is unmoved in 2009 holding fast around $200,000. I still do owe money on my home but this amount is small compared to it's value $19,000 on a $200,000 home is nothing to fret about as long as the pay checks keep clearing.
The local housing market is a little different matter there are many of homes on the market moving rather slowly. Most aren't there because of foreclosure but because homeowners are still trying to cash in on home appreciation values. There have been very few risky loans given by local and large banks. Wells Fargo and First National Bank Alaska have a large basis in Alaska for banking and financing. Although Wells Fargo's stock has been hammered there still in relative great shape compared to others. First National Bank Alaska stock has been halved to around $1600.00 a share they also still deliver a comparable dividend if $100.00 per year per share.
JOBS
Local papers and business's are still advertising help needed and still some having a lag in fill time. Although I have been recently turned down for a $60,000-$80,000 per year job I remain optimistic, and have been eyeing other employers. The State of Alaska has received some federal funding for re-training people to fill better or good paying jobs readily available to those who qualify and are willing to sit through the orientation and more importantly go back to school.
I have been looking but unable to find one business of any reasonable size that has shut it's doors or rolled back operations. This doesn't include Palins order to freeze hiring state employees that don't have a permanent position. Best of all summer is approaching at it's regular pace and brings with it construction, state, local, and tourist jobs (first come first served).
Monday, January 5, 2009
Pros/cons of living in Alaska
Recently returning from southern Washington I've found many people wonder how or why people stay up here. I'm going to run down some of the pros and cons of life in the 49Th state.
Cons
No matter where you live in the state there are periods when it is cold out this is a given.
There's only two seasons Winter, Winter, Winter, and Construction (or insert favorite hobby).
Short growing season about 100 days +/- 10 days. seems something always come along to ruin my garden frost, moose, rain, me unfortunately.
Lack of the female counter part, almost anyone that has lived here (Fairbanks) can confirm this seems like there are 5 boys for every lady. OH and this only mattered to me before I got married I always joke and say "I imported my wife" she's from California but does well in here.
Property tax a little higher than other states but housing is cheaper
Not the best doctors this mainly goes for ones that specialize in a field.
Mosquitoes to spare depending where you live in the state they are a fact of life.
Pros
No sales tax (Fairbanks) that should be a bonus anywhere.
No state income tax
Alaska PFD(permanent fund dividend) If you live in the state longer than two years and claim residency you are eligible for a PFD(there are some other stipulations to this) once a year in the fall. This year it was just around $3,300.00 per person (yes this means for 2008 our family of 5 got $17,500.00 just for living here)
No fees to use your debit cart at any place, I've found allot of places on the west coast (that's lower 48) charge a fee to use your card and don't take credit cards. There are still fees at many atm's but that's normal.
Easy access to fire wood this goes well for the winter con above.
Great fishing this applies to almost any creek or river and the regulations are much more favorable than other states I've fished in. Very few catch and release only species and higher catch limits.
Great outdoors need I say more, allot of people I talk to(down in the states) can't seem to grasp that there is just allot of wilderness here and that's it.
Not crowded, This is the original reason my father moved here in 1969 he grew up on the east coast and wanted more elbow room. The stats motto is The Last Frontier for no good reason.
No trash fee, There are local dump sits with large bins to toss your trash into. That's all trash fridges, old boilers. People do throw out old cars sometimes in the extra large metal bins don't ask me how many guys it takes to lift a car body up 6 feet I have yet to witness this also your not supposed to throw cars out the landfill will take one a year for free.
Good schools with regular buss service.
Gold and many places to find it need I say more.
Affordable land and larger parcels of it.
Privacy not having a neighbor 100 feet from my home I would say is good.
Plenty of the great outdoors for the kids during the summer.
I'm not trying to post that Alaska is the best most of you will agree the cold is bad enough just sharing why I love life here.
Life, no matter where you live it's usually preferred by those that reside there I'm sure most of you love where you live if not you wouldn't live there.
Cons
No matter where you live in the state there are periods when it is cold out this is a given.
There's only two seasons Winter, Winter, Winter, and Construction (or insert favorite hobby).
Short growing season about 100 days +/- 10 days. seems something always come along to ruin my garden frost, moose, rain, me unfortunately.
Lack of the female counter part, almost anyone that has lived here (Fairbanks) can confirm this seems like there are 5 boys for every lady. OH and this only mattered to me before I got married I always joke and say "I imported my wife" she's from California but does well in here.
Property tax a little higher than other states but housing is cheaper
Not the best doctors this mainly goes for ones that specialize in a field.
Mosquitoes to spare depending where you live in the state they are a fact of life.
Pros
No sales tax (Fairbanks) that should be a bonus anywhere.
No state income tax
Alaska PFD(permanent fund dividend) If you live in the state longer than two years and claim residency you are eligible for a PFD(there are some other stipulations to this) once a year in the fall. This year it was just around $3,300.00 per person (yes this means for 2008 our family of 5 got $17,500.00 just for living here)
No fees to use your debit cart at any place, I've found allot of places on the west coast (that's lower 48) charge a fee to use your card and don't take credit cards. There are still fees at many atm's but that's normal.
Easy access to fire wood this goes well for the winter con above.
Great fishing this applies to almost any creek or river and the regulations are much more favorable than other states I've fished in. Very few catch and release only species and higher catch limits.
Great outdoors need I say more, allot of people I talk to(down in the states) can't seem to grasp that there is just allot of wilderness here and that's it.
Not crowded, This is the original reason my father moved here in 1969 he grew up on the east coast and wanted more elbow room. The stats motto is The Last Frontier for no good reason.
No trash fee, There are local dump sits with large bins to toss your trash into. That's all trash fridges, old boilers. People do throw out old cars sometimes in the extra large metal bins don't ask me how many guys it takes to lift a car body up 6 feet I have yet to witness this also your not supposed to throw cars out the landfill will take one a year for free.
Good schools with regular buss service.
Gold and many places to find it need I say more.
Affordable land and larger parcels of it.
Privacy not having a neighbor 100 feet from my home I would say is good.
Plenty of the great outdoors for the kids during the summer.
I'm not trying to post that Alaska is the best most of you will agree the cold is bad enough just sharing why I love life here.
Life, no matter where you live it's usually preferred by those that reside there I'm sure most of you love where you live if not you wouldn't live there.
First post to blog ME!
I have some spare time on my hands and thought I would create a blog, for no other reason other than to share some of my life experiences and where I live. Of course shortly after creating this I my mind runs blank. I suppose any blog is a great place to express ones person and to exchange ideas about various topics.
I'll post a little about myself to start this off. I have lived in Alaska all my life I'm 30 years young and have three great kids. Living in AK has always appealed to me as I have tried to live other places (California, Washington) most seemed to hot or too wet. I enjoy Alaska not only for it's climate but for its economy opportunity privacy and most of my favorite hobbies. My wife and myself built our home here in 2000 and like all homes they never seem to be finished. I am currently a full time say at home dad very rewarding but also trying job. I hope to return to work in the next couple months and allow my wife to stay home for a couple years.
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