Royal Alaskan Movers
Helpful Articles - Living in Alaska

The city of Anchorage has been called many things, “North Seattle,” “the closest city outside of Alaska,” and “the largest small town you’ll ever live in” among them. But no matter what you call it (or whether you consider it “real Alaska!”) we love it. Anchorage has it all: moose, glaciers, salmon fishing, and outdoor living—right alongside Shakespeare, jazz, single-origin coffee, and craft beer. In other words, Anchorage offers a ton of amenities on par with any mid-sized U.S. city, and yet the wilderness is just a short drive out of town. If you’re thinking about moving to Anchorage, let us give you a quick...

Yes, it’s true that Alaska offers some of the most beautiful, unspoiled wilderness in the United States. Yes, you can kayak around glaciers and spot the Northern Lights. And, yes, you might spot a bear or a moose walking down the street like it owns the place. However, that being said, life in the Last Frontier can offer its challenges. The winters are cold and dark. Buying necessities isn’t always as simple as hopping in your car and driving to the nearest shopping center. Cabin fever is a real thing. And if your friends and family live in the lower 48, you simply might not...

Travel + Leisure magazine might have ranked it the “worst-dressed city in the United States,” but its residents have found plenty to love about living in Anchorage, Alaska. Its current population of around 280,000 puts it on par with Newark, New Jersey, and Orlando, Florida. However, Anchorage is by far the most populous city in Alaska. (The next two largest cities are Juneau at 31,974 inhabitants and Fairbanks at 30,917!) As a result, Anchorage comes with the kinds of conveniences you’d expect of a cultural center: restaurants, museums, galleries, and more. That being said, as with almost every location in Alaska, you’re never far from...

Last updated: 11/5/2021 Historian Harry Ritter once wrote that Alaska is “like nowhere else—wild, extreme and amazing.”  That being said, when you’re considering a move to Alaska, you might want to know a bit more about what you’re getting into. Or, if you’re exiting Alaska for the Lower 48, you might want to understand what you’re leaving behind. To give you a better sense of how Alaska sizes up to the rest of the United States (and the world!), we’ve put together a few comparisons. Taken together, they’ll give you a new perspective on how life in the Land of the Midnight Sun stacks up.  So, How Big Is Alaska?  Alaska measures 665,384 square...

Last Updated: March 2, 2023 John Muir, the co-founder of the Sierra Club, was said to have written in his journal: “You should never go to Alaska as a young man because you’ll never be satisfied with any other place as long as you live.” This quote offers you a hint of the wonders you’ll experience when you move to The Last Frontier. But in addition to the incredible sights and unforgettable experiences you’ll enjoy, you’ll also discover that Alaska is probably unlike any place you’ve ever lived before. So in the spirit of welcoming you to the state, we also want to share a...

When it comes to preparing for a big move to a new location, we’ve noticed that most people subscribe to one of two philosophies: Philosophy #1: Research all you can ahead of time so you arrive prepared with a solid plan in place. #TeamResearchIt Philosophy #2: Jump in feet first, and figure it all out when you get there. #TeamWingIt At Royal Alaskan Movers, we’re more the “research and prepare” types. (We pretty much have to be!) If you are too—and you’re considering making the Last Frontier your next home—we’d love to help you discover more about Alaska before you make the move. Below, we’ll...