Live in Willow AK winter can get to 30- 40 below for a couple of weeks at a time. Have a garden in summer in a high tunnel and a totally outdoor garden mounded with black plastic. Peas, kale onions, potatoes, cabbage cauliflower, brocolli grow well, but have to start them indoor in February, March and April. Need fence around garden 6 feet tall to keep moose out. Hunting is hit and miss .D'ont start outdoor garden til after May 25 most years. Do a temp check of soil first. Our house is wood. Thinking of trying to build a small cabin out of earthbags. Someone did it in Fairbanks, winters colder longer there. We have no permafrost here. State has areas of all permafrost ie Bethel (houses built on pilings or sandpads) amd intermittent permafrost Fairbanks. Some people work butt off during summer construction season and then off the rest of the year. Won;t find market for mukluks as those are usually bought by tourists made by Alaska Natives. Some people have beehives as sideline, but don't overwinter well. Some people have goats, can use fermented grain as feed, get for free from Talkeetna brewery. Getting Fish usually not a problem. Can ice fish in winter. We take wanton waste very seriously here. so if you fish find a use for every bit of it.Not much small game, some rabbits a few birds spruce hens etc, but they have been decimated by overhunting by certain groups. If on road system Anchorage to Fairbanks people often work in town can be a 150 mile or more commute. 2-2.5 hour one way commute when I was doing. Still some jobs on slope 3 weeks on, 3 weeks off, but have to be here a while before they will hire unless you know someone or have a special skill. It is wetter down on the Kenai and more expensive. Anchorage is just north Seattle for people who have lived her for a while.
