Roughly 1 million people flock to Florida alone in the winter months to avoid the cold climates of places like Alaska. These summer searchers are known as snowbirds, named for their migrating away from their cold-weather homes in the winter months. Alaska is known for its harsh winter months, unending winter nights, and generally unlivable conditions. This makes the Frontier State a prime candidate for snowbirds. But the summer months of hiking trails, hunting and fishing seasons, and endless blue skies make Alaska a prime destination for anyone seeking adventure. If you’re ready to return to Alaska, let us help you make your plans.
Spring time is upon us, and many people are preparing to return to their forever homes in Alaska. It’s never an easy task to get everything situated to move back. Especially since the move often takes people over international border crossings. However, with the proper planning and preparation, getting back north can be simple.
Return to Alaska Tips
1) Make a checklist
First, create a checklist and keep that list with you a week or two before you leave. Creating a checklist is a simple thing that many people think they don’t need. However, when you spend so long in one place, it’s easy to forget about things you use every day. But don’t just include the items you need to bring, like a laundry list. Include the things you do every day.
For instance, did you get a gym membership while you were down south? You may not even remember you even have it until you’re on the way to the gym. Pull out your checklist and add, “Cancel gym membership.” Let the list evolve and double check it often until the day comes.
You’re more likely to remember things sporadically rather than all at once. Editing your checklist allows you to make some mistakes and not have them ruin your travel plans.
2) Plan your Route
Probably the most important thing is how you plan on returning home. Are you flying, are you driving, are you packing furniture? If so, are you using a moving company? These are all things that should be discussed. The easiest route would be to hire a moving company to move your possessions, a shipping service to move your vehicle, and fly back home.
If you need to avoid the flight to save some money, there are some options. Try to find a route you can drive that avoids major cities. This will keep traffic and hotel lodging to a minimum. That being said, hiring a moving company, a car shipping company, or both allows for the safest options. Hiring professionals to move your belongings ensures their safety. Furthermore, if you do decide to drive, hotel stays, food, gas prices, and the added wear and tear on your car could make flying the cheaper option, depending on how far you plan to travel.
Get yourself a clear map and travel plans for all of your belongings. Movers and auto shippers are relatively easy to find on short notice, but plane tickets notoriously get more expensive the longer you wait.
3) Close your Winter Home
If you own your winter home, you’ll have to close up shop. This means everything from giving the whole place a good top-to-bottom cleaning to cancelling any of your services, like television services and mail delivery. Make sure the fridge is empty and there is no small damage that may grow over time. Like a splintered window that could easily break on a windy day.
Another important thing to consider is your utilities. Do you have a pool? Is there an energy-saving setting on your air conditioner? You won’t want to cut the power entirely to your home because some things like a humidistat are important so when you do return, you’re not greeted with mold and mildew. But you can unplug any lights, televisions, and radios to prevent them from drawing power when you’re not there.
The best option is to contract a security contractor or house manager to sporadically check in while you’re not there.
4) Reconnect your home services.
While you’re cancelling your internet at one location, you may just want to transfer services to your new place. However, utility companies love offering deals to new customers. If you cancel entirely, you will surely be offered a discounted rate when you start up services again on a new contract. Either way, try to set that up while you’re down south, so when you do arrive, everything will be ready to go.
You may also want to set up any basic maintenance when you return. Your HVAC, for instance, saw no use for months, which means cobwebs and dust piled up inside the ducts. Scheduling a contractor to come clean and change your filters may be a good idea.
Make a plan and follow through
Whatever your situation may be, make a plan and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Alaska Auto Transport has amazing offers for snowbirds. They are an accredited company with over 16 years of experience transporting vehicles all across America.
