Part 7/10:
The bitter cold exacerbates financial woes—heating bills during the winter months can reach remarkable heights, often running into the thousands. While the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), an annual payment from the state’s oil revenues, can offer some relief (usually between $1,000 and $2,000 per resident), it hardly suffices against the backdrop of such high living expenses.
Transportation Challenges
For those shifting to Alaska, the profound lack of roadways may come as a surprise. Unlike in the continental U.S., where one can drive to nearly any destination, much of Alaska is isolated and devoid of accessible roads. The state possesses merely 177,000 miles of road— a stark statistic.