Whether you’ve called it home for over thirty years or you’re still new in town, loving where you live is never a given. If you don’t like where you currently live, you don’t have to settle.
However, whether you’re already trying to relocate or you’re just now thinking of making a change, sorting out the logistics can be a daunting process.
For many people, the journey ends by daydreaming about moving away and starting a life somewhere else. That’s because there are seemingly endless factors to consider when you want to move to a new city, from the financial aspects to taking your personal needs and wants into account.
How To Decide Where To Move When You Don’t Like Where You Currently Live
If you’re thinking about moving but you’re not sure where to start, we recommend starting by taking a personal inventory to help you prioritize your wants, needs, and goals. Before making any decisions about where to move or tackling the logistical aspects of how to move to a new city, ask yourself questions such as:
- What do I hope to achieve by moving?
- How do I measure my quality of life?
- What’s essential to my everyday happiness?
- Are there aspects of my current life I’d be willing to part with?
- What’s missing today that’s keeping me from feeling settled?
Taking an honest inventory of your needs and goals should help you to understand your priorities and preferences for things like proximity to nature, access to entertainment, family-friendliness, community size, ideal climate, work-life balance, and so forth. Making this list will greatly help you to narrow down your options and guarantee your sustained long-term happiness once you do decide to relocate.
What About Alaska?
Perhaps Alaska’s been on your radar. Alaska is truly the last frontier, so it’s often top of the bucket list for adventure seekers. Many people daydream about what life is like in Alaska.
What’s It Like To Live In Alaska?
Life in Alaska is certainly extraordinary in many ways, but the Alaskan way of living doesn’t stray far from everyday American life. Alaska abounds in opportunities for outdoor recreation including skiing, snowmobiling, canoeing, kayaking, backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, and more, but Alaska’s larger communities also feature many modern comforts such as theaters, convenience stores, health clubs, art galleries, community events, specialty medical facilities, live music, high-speed internet, and so forth.
Reasons People Choose To Live In Alaska
- Peace and quiet
- Affordable real estate
- Endless summer days
- Abundant winter activities
- Unique history and culture
- Plentiful hunting and fishing
- No personal state income tax
- Unlimited access to adventure
- Alaska will pay you to move there
- Remarkably beautiful landscapes
Where to Live In Alaska
If your priority list of wants, needs, and goals for moving to a new city aligns with these reasons, it’s time to put Alaska on your list. Next, let’s dive into some practical concerns regarding costs, safety, job opportunities, and more. To find your ideal Alaskan destination, ask yourself the following:
- What are my housing needs?
- Do I want to lease or buy a home?
- What do I consider essential healthcare?
- What do I need to feel safe in my community?
- What are my job qualifications and requirements?
- In the next 5 years, do I plan to enroll children in school?
- How far am I willing to commute to work, school or other activities?
- What’s my overall monthly budget, including bills, groceries, entertainment, and savings?
Is Kenai the Right Choice?
About Kenai, AK
Kenai is a scenic, friendly community located at the intersection of the Kenai River and the Cook Inlet. This beach town comes with a rich history influenced by Russian settlers, native culture, and the spirit of rugged American ideals.
Kenai Economy
Kenai’s economy is by far one of the most diverse in all of Alaska. The most abundant jobs in Kenai are in the oil and gas industries, commercial fishing, tourism, education, healthcare, and retail, a healthy mix of commerce that shielded the town from economic fluctuations.
In Kenai, the average income per capita is 15% above the U.S. Kenai’s most profitable industry in terms of earnings is wholesale trade, and the highest-paying jobs overall are located within the architecture and engineering sectors. The projected job growth for the region over the next 10 years is 12%.
Kenai Recreation
Kenai’s close proximity to beaches, rivers, and mountains make it an ideal location for families, hikers, bikers, skiers, skaters, kayakers, and wildlife and fishing enthusiasts.
The city of Kenai boasts a variety of spots for fun and relaxation including an 18-hole golf course, over 358 acres of parks and open spaces, a historic Old Town district, an annual fishing tournament, the Kenai Kite Festival, the Kenai River Marathon, and many other city-sponsored and community events.
Kenai Cost of Living
Kenai is a sought-after place for families, tourists, and business professionals. But how much does it cost to live here?
Overall, the cost of living in Kenai is on par with the U.S. average. The cost of living in Kenai compared to other towns in Alaska is on average lower for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, entertainment, and other goods and services.
The average home sale price in Kenai is nearly 34% lower than the average in the state of Alaska, and renting a 2-bedroom home or apartment costs an average of 13% less in Kenai than in other Alaskan cities and 15% less when compared to the national average.
With lower taxes per capita and many affordable housing opportunities, Kenai simply provides more opportunities to prosper.
Kenai Climate
Compared to other Alaskan cities, Kenai’s weather ranges from average to above average. Kenai is an ideal location for winter lovers, snow enthusiasts, and those with heat sensitivities.
Roughly 135 days in Kenai will be sunny. Humidity levels are low throughout the year, and the average summer temperature is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. July in Kenai is warmest, with an average temperature reaching up to 65 degrees.
Kenai receives snowfall roughly 7 months out of the year, averaging 88 inches of snow in a season. Kenai’s nighttime lows will fall below freezing for about half of the year, and you can expect significant snow in Kenai during the winter, particularly in December. Kenai’s winter lows range between 7 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Kenai Quality of Life
Attractive scenery, convenient location, affordable housing, good schools, and the benefits of an active, thriving community provide Kenai residents with plenty of ways to stay active and achieve better work/life balance. This community full of heart and friendly faces is a wonderful place to settle down and grow as a family. If living in Kenai sounds like a dream come true, we recommend making it your next vacation destination. Kenai has plenty to offer year-round, with 15-19 hours of daylight in the summer and incredible views of the Northern Lights in winter.
If living in Kenai sounds like a dream come true, we recommend making it your next vacation destination. Kenai has plenty to offer year-round, with 15-19 hours of daylight in the summer and incredible views of the Northern Lights in winter.