MID12sSSS Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Hey guys. So, the girlfriend is tired of the cold and the darkness of Alaska, and is ready to move. Can't say I blame her. We've been up here since we were little kids, and are ready for a little change in scenery... I'm not gonna lie. I'm terrified to take the leap, as Im leaving lifelong friends, my family, and my career behind. But at 23yrs old, If I don't leave now, I don't think I ever will. Since high school ended, I've been submersed in the daily grind. Work, sleep, repeat. And have no idea where the last 5 years went. If I keep this up, I'll be 30 before I know it, starting a family, then I'll be stuck here forever. Lol. I want to get out and see the world while I'm still young and dumb... Ill be loading up an enclosed trailer with nothing more than what I can't live without and driving across the U.S.. The question is, where to go? Other than AK, I've only been to Portland for work, and Wisconsin and Chicago to visit family. So I really have no idea where is a good place to live. I thought id ask you guys what you think. Tell me a little about where you live. Do you like where you live? Would you recommend it? Do you enjoy living there? Is it warm and sunny with plenty to do year round? Let me know what you guys think. Definitely need some help picking a location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akslowroller Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Boise Idaho is an awesome college town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la122685 Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Miami ain't to bad if u don't mind the heat. Def be a shock coming from alaska. butthere's always something to do here. Shit doesn't close at 2 am like most other places. Also, it rains a lot in the summer. What do u do for a living? May wanna search places that have openings for that as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GI.SS Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 I know the feeling. I have bounced around a bit in the last 5 years myself. Once you take the plunge you will be happy you did. iv been a couple places for good ole uncle sam. NJ is a fun place if you are near the shore. But it is extremely expensive and there isnt much work that pays well enough to survive there. NC is alright, not bad weather, decent work and depending if your east or west you either have mountains or ocean. SC to me atleast seems very similar to NC just have to deal with more of an accent. Illinois i wasnt too impressed with, same with ohio. Anything southern will be humid and hot. Anything north you will be dealing with the snow again. Myself I like the south and will be heading to either FL or TX in the next couple years depending on where I find work. Thats what you need to do, search around for who will hire you and then relocate. Going blind is too much of a risk in my eyes.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jddmj Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 SoCal or Houston if you want to join the Truck Scenes high life. I love it here in KY myself, and I even have a full set of teeth LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcapone Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 I want to get out and see the world while I'm still young and dumb...and full of rum Smart move Brandon. From about 10yrs old to 25, I spent on the Jersey Shore - Very fast paced life, lots of rude people but LOTS to do as far as going to the beach, boardwalk or gambling are concerned. Although I moved away 20+ years ago, my friends who still live there always complain about the really high taxes and shitty economy there now. So for the past 20+ years I've lived out here in Johnson County, KS. Originally moved out here because my family was still out here, and must admit, was pretty much a total culture shock from the east coast. People are much more friendly, much slower pace of life and Johnson County is a very big IT area (Garmin, Google, Sprint and many others) so there's lots of good paying jobs and many people have lots of money because JO Co is in the top 10 most affluent counties in America, or so I've heard. This is really good for my business as a contractor because people have lots of disposable income to spend with me when I remodel their homes The other good thing about where I live is the schools are outstanding if you plan on raising a family anytime soon. Although we obviously don't have an ocean out here, there are lots of fun lakes in the summer and we get a true and full four seasons out here! Other attractions are: Kansas Speedway, really good Hunting & Fishing, Casino gambling, Sprint Center, Power & Light District (night clubs & sports bars in downtown KC), Westport (More night clubs and sports bars) and lots of parks and recreation for the kids you don't have yet! Good luck on choosing your destination, you have your work cut out for you buddy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
03SSBoy Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Come to chicago not enough ss here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1BAD2K Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 You really only have two options here.....cali or tx lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akslowroller Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harbor_SS'n-it Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 SoCal or Houston if you want to join the Truck Scenes high life. I love it here in KY myself, and I even have a full set of teeth LOL! LMAO!!! Come on down to Cali. You may prefer Northern Cali since the climate is cooler then in the southern part of Cali like LA where i'm from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballincustoms Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Texas isn't bad at all you your choice of climates it all the depends where you want to work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MID12sSSS Posted February 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 (edited) I work for a Ford dealership up here right now. Haha I know. But it's job security. Shits always breaking and i always have plenty to fix. I'm the lead electrical guy here and Fords are surprisingly easy to work on. I've got a few certifications here and there. I'll be in Portland mid March for more training. Trying to build up the resume', that way Ill have a better chance getting a job somewhere. Ford dealerships are everywhere, and I enjoy the work. Once I decide on a location, I'll call around and make sure I'll have a job waiting for me before I leave. In today's economy, it's too risky just to "hope" you find a job once you get there. I've thought about Cali. I've never been and honestly I'm a little scared of the place. Haha. All I hear are crazy stories. All the SS thefts, the crazy gun laws, taxes, CARB... My truck is far from Cali legal, I've got lots of guns... I enjoy hunting and fishing when I have the time. Definitely want somewhere warm and a place with a truck scene, drag strips, speed shops... And of course a city for the girl to get her shop on. Lol. Sunny weather and beaches would be nice too.... Kinda starting to sound like Florida? Maybe a rural part of Florida? What do you guys have for "suburbs"? Any nice areas that aren't smack in the middle of Miami? I don't mind the city at all. Just don't want to be in the middle of it all the time. My sis lives in Chicago and I could only stand the traffic for so long. But i guess that's the deal anywhere ya go nowadays. It's even getting a little out of hand up here. Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I'll do some more research and see what I come up with. I've got 100hrs of vacation saved up. I'll probably take a trip and check out a few apartments in a few areas once I pick a location. That way I know what I'm getting myself into. Haha. I gotta get my passport since I'm driving through Canada... I'm excited, but nervous at the same time. It's a big move, but I think it'll be worth it in the end. Plus, I'll leave my snow machine and other toys up here in AK, so I can always fly back and tear up the mountains with my dad whenever I have time. Haha. Oh yeah.... And since I could never sell the SS, It's going to have to take me across the U.S. I wanted to get a 2500HD or something to tow all of our crap, but I'll probably end up getting the SS done, selling the daily, installing bags and a tow package on the SS, and head out pulling an enclosed trailer. Haha. Sucks to put it through that kind of punishment, but I think it'll be ok. No better way to travel in style then in a 900hp supercharged truck. LOL!! Edited February 5, 2015 by MID12sSSS (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC03SS Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Very simple choice B come to Florida Good luck on what you pic tho. My advise would be take small trips to places and see how they are, what kinda jobs and after work things to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diggerdan11 Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 There are a few questions you might want to think about before you make a decision to move: What do you currently do for a living? What are your skills, etc...? What do you want to do for a living? What is your cost of living? I know Fairbanks has a fairly high cost of living, but there are plenty of places more expensive, and plenty less. Do you want yo live in a Large Metro Area? Medium Size Metro Area? Small Town near a metro area? Are you the Outdoorsy type? Can you handle heat? Is it important to you to have a car culture? These are just a couple questions you may want to consider. So you have been to Portland for work. Did you like Portland? I am loving it here, but that would really not solve your cold and dark problem. The Temperature here is pretty mild, but it does rain quite a bit. Its a funky and fun place with quite a bit to do. I live about 20 min from downtown in a really nice suburb, so its nice and quite, but Im not that far away from a lot of things to do. The cost of living in the Portland area is about the same as Fairbanks. Portland is great for outdoorsy types If you really want to get out of the cold and dark, why not Phoenix? Tons to do, amazing weather, but it does get very hot which is hard to get use to. the cost of living is low and so is real estate. Not the best place for outdoorsy types, but there are tons of trails in the area for dirt bikes, and ATVs. Vegas is also option as well that will be similar to phoenix, but a little smaller. Of course there is always beautiful Southern California, but IMO there are jut way to may people. But there is plenty to do, and a huge car culture. You could also look at Northern California, but I would stay away from the Bay Area because its foggy there quite a bit, and it can be very expensive to live. If you are willing to live in a place that has pretty decent weather, but does have 4 seasons ( some snow in winter, some rain in spring, sunny and warm summers, and sunny and cool falls) Boise is a pretty good option. Its a growing area, with plenty to do, and is very good for outdoorsy types. Reno is another good options, the weather gets pretty hot in the summer, but it can snow a little bit in the winter. Its super close to the Sierra Nevadas which is great for skiing and hiking in the summer. The Salt Lake area is also another place that has pretty nice summers but can get a little snow in the winter. Also there is the Tri-cities in Washington. They are growing right now, the weather is pretty nice, but its a lot smaller than some of the other places I have listed. There is always Texas. Plenty of Jobs in all sorts of types of businesses. The weather is pretty nice in most parts, but I would avoid the southern and Eastern parts of Texas since It gets so hot and humid there. But Austin, Dallas, San Antonio are pretty nice, and there are lots and lots of other places as well. These are just a few things I could think of. This country is huge, and there are lots of places to go. Everyone will have a different opinion on where to go. I personally would suggest the West, and Southwest, but that is where I am from so thats the area I know and love. Others may say no go to the midwest, or no go to the south, or now go to the Northeast. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC03SS Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 (edited) You can always text me or call John or myself we can give you the low down on Fla. Edited February 5, 2015 by JC03SS (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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