Moving to Alaska is the adventure of a lifetime. As with any great adventure, you’ll need some supplies along the way to help you enjoy your journey to the fullest. 

Here’s the great news: You’ll find a lot of what you need in Alaska. However, there may be some things you want to buy before you make the move. After all, it’s true that items in Alaska can be more expensive than in the lower 48. Additionally, since Alaska is a remote destination, availability of certain items can be limited. And, finally, many online retailers simply won’t ship to Alaska, or they tack on a pricey delivery fee. 

However, before you stock up, take a look at our list of what to buy before you make the move—and what not to buy. 

Before you make any final decisions, it’s important to ask yourself two questions. 

Question #1: Where Are You Headed?  

and

Question #2: What’s Your Moving Plan? 

Question #1: Where Are You Headed?  

Unless you’re headed to a remote part of the Alaskan bush, you’ll have more opportunities to stock up in Alaska than you think.  

For example, Fairbanks has a number of familiar chains and big box stores, including Walmart, Costco, and REI. In Fairbanks, you’ll also find local staples like Big Ray’s (outdoor clothing and gear) and Fred Meyer (groceries, clothes, housewares, electronics, and more).  In busy Anchorage, you’ll have all of this, plus Duluth Trading, Cabela’s, Kohl’s, a Bass Pro Shop, and plenty more.  Even on more remote Kodiak Island, you’ll find a Big Ray’s, as well as several other places like Cy’s Sporting Goods to get the gear you need to live your Alaska life to the fullest. 

Additionally, plenty of online retailers do ship to Alaska: 

  • Amazon Prime is available in many regions. That said, some items considered hazardous materials (aerosols and lithium batteries, for example) may not be eligible for Prime shipping. 
  • Other stores that ship to Alaska (minimum purchases may apply) include 1-800-PetMeds, L.L. Bean, Nordstrom, Petco, and Zappos. 

The bottom line? Alaska has more opportunities to buy things than you may think. Keep that in mind before you start stockpiling items to bring with you. 

Question #2: What’s Your Moving Plan?  

Do you already have a vision for how you want to move to Alaska?  Just as there are many different ways to live in the Land of the Midnight Sun, there are many ways to move here, including: 

The Minimalist Move

Just you, two checked suitcases, and a planet ticket. (Plus maybe a few of those handy USPS if-it-fits-it-ships boxes.)  

The DIY Move

A hands-on move that might mean driving a truck with a trailer or buying your own container. (Read this first!) 

The Lift Van or Container Move

For people who want to bring some significant household possessions to Alaska. (Check out your options here.) 

The Door-to-Door Move

The ultimate in convenience. Movers pack your stuff, ship it, and unpack it in Alaska. Great if you’re short on time. 

Understanding the possibilities—and investigating the associated costs—will help make a lot of buying decisions for you.

For example, if you’re planning to drive your pickup truck to Alaska, you probably won’t be buying a couch before setting out. However, you might still want to bring outdoor gear like a mountain bike, camping equipment, or hunting supplies. However, don’t think of these as must-buys by any means. You’ll find plenty of outdoor gear in Alaska.

However, if you’re committed to bringing a full container, then you might want to consider bringing (or buying) a few bigger items with you. For example, you’ll find a much bigger furniture selection in the lower 48. IKEA doesn’t ship to Alaska. Wayfair, Overstock, and Costco.com sometimes do, but it almost always involves a significant shipping fee. As a result, you may want to invest in a few basic pieces, like a couch, a bed, and a bookcase.

The Case for Minimalism

There are plenty of people in Alaska who will tell you it’s a mistake to buy a ton of stuff before moving. Here’s why:

It's Not Worth the Cost

It’s expensive to ship your household items to Alaska. Even if you go the DIY route and tow them behind you in a trailer, the amount you’ll spend in gas will probably erode most of your savings. Unless you have furniture you absolutely love—or things like heirlooms you want to keep in the family—on a cost basis alone, you’re probably better off selling most of your big items and replacing it in Alaska

What If You Decide to Leave?

Plenty of people move to Alaska and decide it’s not for them. If you didn’t bring much with you, it will be easy to pack up and try your luck elsewhere.

You Don't Really Know What You'll Need

Unless you’ve lived here before—and unless you already know where you’ll be living—you’re simply making a guess at what you need. While it may be the Last Frontier, Alaska is home to more than 730,000 people who are getting by with what’s available up here. You can probably do the same.

What About Buying a Car or a Truck Before Moving to Alaska?

This might be the most justifiable exception to the minimalist thinking. There are a couple of reasons you might want to buy a car and ship it to Alaska:

  • Vehicles sell at a premium in Alaska. Prices will often be lower in the lower 48.
  • You might have a better shot at getting a gently-used 4WD vehicle in the Pacific Northwest, rather than one that’s been subjected to several seasons of harsh driving conditions in Alaska.
  • You’ll also simply have more options to choose from if you widen your search beyond Alaska.

Before You Buy a Car: Check out our recommendations for the best vehicles for Alaskan living, from small cars all the way up to trucks.

Now that we’ve covered what you can expect in Alaska as well as what you need to consider before moving, we’ll give you our list of what to buy before you move. 

What to Buy Before Moving to Alaska

Before we dive in, a clarification: You could probably buy all of these items in Alaska. However, you probably don’t want to spend your first few days gathering the basics. You want to spend them enjoying your new home. Plus, if you arrive in the middle of winter, you’ll want to have most of these items ready to deploy almost immediately.

In other words, buy these items and you’ll be ready to enjoy Alaska as soon as you arrive. (And, since most of them are pretty compact, they’ll fit right in your suitcase!)

We’ve also divided our list into:

The Basics – Our recommended must-haves

Extra Credit – A few useful nice-to-haves

Don’t Buy – Skip these, at least for now

parkas on hangers
Outdoor Gear:

The weather in Alaska is formidable, especially in the winter months, so you’ll want to be ready for it with…

The Basics: 

  • A heavy-duty parka or a winter jacket  
  • A high-quality winter hat, ideally one that covers your ears 
  • A scarf or a balaclava to keep your neck and face protected  
  • Waterproof gloves  

Extra Credit: 

  • Rain pants for staying dry outdoors when it’s raining sideways. Especially in the wetter areas of Alaska, very few people use umbrellas since they don’t really do much when the wind is blowing. 

Don’t Buy 

  • Cold weather bib overalls – Unless you’re working outdoors or on the water. (Plus, you can always get a pair in Alaska!) 
Layers:

Layers are the best choice for staying warm in cold weather. Not only do the winter clothes themselves act as insulation, but the air between the layers insulates, too.

The Basics:

  • Two sets of thermal underwear.
  • Layers are essential!

Extra Credit:

  • A fleece jacket to act as an additional insulating layer under your coat.
  • Flannel- or fleece-lined jeans

Don’t Buy

  • Cotton. Cotton absorbs moisture, and takes a long time to dry, leaving you with wet fabric close to your skin, which can be uncomfortable as well as cold. Choose wool and technical fabrics instead.
Foot Protection:

Don’t neglect your feet! Keeping them warm and dry allows you to enjoy the outdoors longer, whereas the opposite can cut an excursion short. Here’s what you’ll need:

The Basics:

  • Waterproof boots that will keep your feet warm and dry in snow, wet conditions and mud
  • Wool socks (again, not cotton; those will get sweaty, stay wet, and make your feet cold!)

Extra Credit: 

Don’t Buy 

  • Shoes or boots that look good but won’t stand up to water, snow, or mud. (Most Alaskans choose function over fashion!) 
Around the House:

Finally, you might want to buy a few items that will make your home life extra cozy year-round:

The Basics: 

  • A comfortable sleeping mask so you can snooze through the sunny Alaskan summer nights 

Extra Credit: 

  • Warm slippers to keep your feet snug during those cold Alaskan winters 

Don’t Buy 

  • Blackout curtains. They’re incredibly useful, but it will be better to get ones that fit the windows in your new home. Wait to buy these until you’ve moved in. 

Buying Smart for Your Alaskan Adventure 

As any outdoor adventurer will tell you, the right gear makes all the difference. The same will be true of your life in Alaska. When you’ve got a set of the basic items that protect you from the elements and make your home life comfortable, you’ll be a much happier resident of the Frontier State. Now that you know what’s available in Alaska—and what you might need—you’re ready to make your final shopping list before setting off on your Alaskan adventure. 

Want some help with your move? We’ve got options for moves of all sizes, and we can help you get anywhere you want to go in Alaska (even remote locations)! Get started with a free quote from our Alaska-based team. 

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