Stories from people who left

These are illustrative stories — composites drawn from the kinds of moves Alaskans make every year, written to show what the decision and the logistics actually look like. Names and details are not real people. Have your own story? Share it with us.

• Anchorage → Boise

  We drove the Alcan with two kids and a dog

  Family of four · Illustrative

  Eight days, about 2,800 miles, a pickup, a 16-foot cargo trailer and one very patient dog.

• Anchorage → Seattle area

  Shipping everything in one container from Anchorage

  Single professional, early 30s · Illustrative

  A job transfer, a 20-foot container, a cat in the cabin and a lesson in lead times.

• Fairbanks → Phoenix

  Leaving Fairbanks at 20 below was the mistake

  Retired couple · Illustrative

  We moved in January to escape winter. Winter made everything harder.

• Juneau → Portland

  From Juneau there's no road out

  Young couple, 20s · Illustrative

  The ferry for the car, the barge for the boxes, and a lot of waterproofing.

• JBER (Anchorage) → Fort Cavazos, Texas

  Military family, fourth move, best one yet

  Army spouse · Illustrative

  The government move handled the household goods. The lessons were in everything it didn't cover.

• Bethel → Spokane

  Leaving the village: Bethel to the Lower 48

  Teacher, 40s · Illustrative

  After eight years in rural Alaska: two suitcases, a few totes and a very hard goodbye.

Reader stories

Submitted by readers who made the move. Every story is reviewed before it's published, and contact details are never shown.