another moving post-alaska

[caitlinsmom]

Hey ladies,

I know you all get a ton of questions about your state so bear with me if I ask what has already been done! :)

Dh and I are trying to figure out which state to move to so your answers will help me a ton!

Is there a large homeschooling population? Lots of groups?

Is there a need for midwifes (homebirth attending)? are there a lot practicing?

what is the job market like? (dh is in construction so how seasonal is it)

how long is the growing season?

Is there a large holisitic community? Herbs readily available?

Thanks so much for answering. We arent sure exactly where we are going so answers from all regions are greatly appreciated!! :D

[idocrase]

Hi Caitlinsmom -

I'm sure there are other AK mommas on this board who can answer your questions more completely than I can, but here's what I know -

My baby is only 3 mo old, so I don't know much about homeschooling where I currently live, which is Fairbanks. But my brothers were homeschooled (my younger brother never went to public/private school) in Sitka, and there was a large, healthy homeschool community there. There is probably one here, too, and I haven't cared enough about it yet.

There are only a few midwifes in this town. There is only one certified nurse-practitioner midwife, and I think she is pretty busy.

The job market for construction is really good in Fairbanks! It is fairly seasonal (temp at -40 puts a halt to a lot of things) but when it's good, it's great. I know many contractors and carpenters, and they have no shortage of work. They also make fairly good money. My husband and I just finished building our house, and we paid for some outside help - paid the main guy $45/hr, and his sons (some still in high school) $20-$14/hr. And these were some of the cheaper people we found.

I don't know much about the growing season. I attempt a small garden every summer. Sometimes I get ripe tomatoes, sometimes not. I have to start them inside and get them to about a foot high before they go outside for any hope of ripening in time.

There is a health food store that sells some herbs. Probably not as many as you'd like. There are two holistic clinics, though.

I really love Fairbanks. It has a strong community spirit, and a friendly flavor. Come on up, it's a good life!
-cheryl

[alaskanteach]

I can't answer all of your questions either, but...

Homeschooling is alive and well in Alaska. There are lots of distance education programs that can help a homeschooling parent as well. CUonline and IDEA are two that I can think of off the top of my head... (try a google search??)

I second that construction is pretty seasonal, however, many people in construction drive trucks in the winter to move snow. (not just plowing, but dump trucks). The major cities all hire private contractors to move the snow for them, and they work all night if need be on heavy snow days... so there are winter options...

In Anchorage, the housing market is VERY tight. You didn't ask, but I thought I would bring that up.

Matsu Valley holds world records for growing the largest vegetables in the world. This year, Anchorage residents who have apple trees found the largest crops they have ever had. But they aren't like Florida or California fruits, so don't be misled...

Natural Pantry is a large natural health foods store in Anchorage, I find they carry almost everything I have ever looked for, but will special order something for you if they don't have it... they are a little pricey, but I still like them. There are other smaller health food/supply stores, but NP is supermarket size.

[carolsly]

WOO HOO. We love it here.

The housing market in Palmer is crazy. They are being bought faster than they can go up. I live in a fairly new community and they are being snatched up quickly. We payed 175 for an 8 yo home that needed work.

Even our Fred Meyers in Palmer has an organic section albeit small.

I used PACE when I lived in Ketchikan, but just down the street from me is a two working parent home with 3 kids who homeschool and they say there is a huge community of them. I believe it too, but the schools here are excellent also. We moved from California to get away from crummy schools and nosey truant people.

I have friends who bring us the biggest vegetables (we just moved here and I didn't get to get a garden going this year). We are Coast Guard so we have a garanteed income..even if it is small, but we manage. The local WIC office will give you vouchers for the farmers market (in Palmer there is an organic one!!) if you qualify for WIC and even at $40K a year we qualify.

I wouldn't live anywhere else.

Carol Sly