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Where to find welding jobs in Alaska?

Should I move from Alaska to Portland, OR?

  • I’m 31 years old and I have lived in Alaska my whole life. I’m a former paramedic but now I work for a nonprofit, I make 25 dollars an hour and have ok health insurance. Alaska is nice, 24hrs of light in the summer (May to August) with a constant 65 degrees, no taxes (other than Federal), VERY little crime, and a lot of freedom. All that comes with a price. I’m not getting any younger and I feel as if I have done all I can here. If you drive for 16 hours in any direction you are still just in the tundra. We have a few ok movie theaters (no IMAX) but useless you like to drink and watch movies all the time there is really nothing to do. Plus we have 24 hours of dark in the winter (October to February) and LOTS of snow and ice. The VERY nice summers are not making up for the VERY long and cold winters anymore. I want to move to a “slow” city that has lots to do and a even climate. I have spent a few weeks in Portland and I loved it! Lots to do and cool people. I understand that I most likely won’t get paid the same and paying taxes would be a bit of a shock but I want to move out of Alaska. I guess my question is, was I just looking at Portland through the eyes of a tourist and it’s not as cool and laid back as I thought? Also, is it really hard to find a job there now? The recession hasn’t hit Alaska very hard at all and jobs are easy to come by here. I have 6 months of wages saved up and I hope that would be enough time to find a job.

  • Answer:

    Wait. Portland really doesn't have jobs open right now. If you are specialized, then it may be easier to find work, but right now isn't the best time because unless you are 16 or 17, people don't want to hire you because you want more than minimum wage. Taxes are pretty laid back here as well, because when we see something for $2.99 in the store, it costs $2.99. Income may come get you. When the job market opens up a sliver, then will be an opportunity, but be ready for the high home prices as well. People will be flooding here in a couple of years. That same 6 months will blow by faster here because of the cost of living as well. Wait.

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well the jobs are going really slowly here so!! and you will not get any job that will pay you 25$$ you wont even find a job that will give you 10$$ here..

inna

I would look at some place cheaper to live than Portland. Even if you find a job making $25 an hour here, the state takes an extra 9 percent from you. Plus, the cost of living is pretty high. The job market is not very good right now and I know a lot of well educated, well qualified people putting in resumes all over. Probably the only reason I am here is because I have a good job and almost all of my family lives here or nearby. My family has lived in Oregon for at least 100 years, so it's kind of hard to let go. You might want to look into Nevada (I was thinking Reno, not Vegas), Washington state or maybe Idaho. I think you would really like Boise if you are from Alaska. It's a little more "outdoors" but still has some "city" to it. Boise is dry, but has all four seasons. It is a large town with quite a bit to do. However, it is really close to the outdoors, so you can ski, snowmobile (a huge following there), hunt, fish, etc. Reno is like that, too. Ignore the strip and it is a great town with nice people and a access to a lot of adventure. My friend (originally from Portland) lives in Carson City and will never move back.

Chris J

Portland is a nice place to live. The job market here is so-so at best. Although there is a state income tax there isn't any sales tax. The tax burden per citizen is quite low compared to some other states. If you can find a job here you might like it. We do get a lot of rain from late fall through early spring. Usually just a couple of inches of snow per winter at most. Summers here can be quite hot although usually not humid. Last summer we had about 23 ninety degree plus days. You won't find many Palin supporters here although there are conservative radio hosts if that's your thing. Generally west of the mountains in Oregon is quite democratic while the east side is much more conservative.

yp_kevin_portland_600

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