Can you help me decide where to move? (Anchorage, Wasilla: travel, hospital)

[Rance]

Soldotna is good. I'm in Sterling 10 miles to the north. I've watched Soldotna grow over the years. I think it's getting better. The town does fill up in the summer months. Right now it's a royal pain trying to get anywhere. The fish are running and so are the tourists/locals.

Visit Soldotna~Alaska's Kenai River City

Kenai Peninsula Alaska Discovery Vacation Guide - Trip Planning.

[Cordovan]

The secret to finding friends in Alaskan towns is easy--volunteer. Every organization needs helpers. Join a book club, quilting society, historical society, library board, sports boosters, grade schools all need helpers in the play ground or reading time, senior care, hospitals, and be very careful once you start, because if you leave the room during a meeting, when you come back you could be President of the club.

[rotorhead]

As far as where to live, there's lot and lots of options and pretty much all of those I've seen here are in places that I'd recommend. Homer, Seward, Cordova, Soldotna (especially Soldotna)...I've been to the hospitals at all of them and I can honest say that they all seemed like places that I wouldn't mind working at. Nobody's mentioned Valdez, though it also has a hospital and is connected to the road system (though not particularly close to anywhere else). I'd mention Haines, but some people might think I'm not exactly impartial on that issue (we're moving there in Sept.).

One thing that you need to check out more carefully is whether or not the facilities you're considering have the types of specialties available that you want to work in. If you've got your heart set on eventually being a Newborn Nurse Practitioner, it pretty much dictates that you've got to work somewhere with a NICU. If you're thinking more along the lines of working in the Emergency Dept., all of the facilities you mentioned will be fine. As with most places, there's considerable lattitude in what constitutes a "hospital" and in some places they're really more like an expanded clinic. It bears a bit more research since it'll affect your future options as far as working in other places goes.

It's not that there's anything wrong with working in a general ward or a sub-acute unit, they need nurses too and there's certainly a lot more of them than the specialty units. But...if you really want to work at L&D, don't move to Haines. They "don't do babies" there anymore since the liability insurance rates for OB/GYN's skyrocketed a few years back. There's going to be other restrictions along that line as well, since specialty care is pretty rare in Alaska outside the biggest cities. Do your homework on the hospital itself, and make sure that working there is consistant with your future goals.

[nitrogin]

Hi Shara.

Well I was born in Alaska and have been to almost every city here. I live in Ketchikan and they have a nice hospital that they are always updating. Ketchikan is only 600 miles from Seattle, and 70 miles from Prince Rupert BC. It is on a island that is a 120 miles around and has a lot of green trees. Beautiful place. Try Ketchikan.com I think that should give you some good info. People here are very nice.

Good luck Steve

[msv247]

I am a unemployed disabled veteran in Virginia. It is too saturated with military to have a jump on jobs here. I have come to love cold weather and will be relocating someplace, I have alway felt drawn to Alaska and hope to soon find out why. There are so many veterans in this military state there are no advantages. My father is selling the house so I have to go someplace and I am using the opportunity to spread my wings and fulfill a dream. I have the faith to believe wherever I go I will look for the positive and get it, I have been reading all the threads and love the kindness of the Alaskian natives. So by February here's to my dreams fulfilled ;checking on Amtrack and getting a ticket after the holidays .

[Rance]

Ok...but just so you know...Amtrak cannot take you to Alaska. Your gonna have to fly, drive or go by boat.

[mal_flisk]

Alaska also has a high percentage of military vets. Partly from a patriotic urge by residents and because the military sends guys up here and they can't forget it.

[msv247]

Yes, I will ferry the rest of the way I am not depending on any circumstace except I have always wanted to live in alaska regardless of anything. I don't base it on movies. or television, I have all my adult life wanted to live there and I am so glad to meet such a friendly bunch of folks.
I listening to you all and taking notes of what to do/and not do, it has been a big help.

Originally Posted by Rance

Ok...but just so you know...Amtrak cannot take you to Alaska. Your gonna have to fly, drive or go by boat.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by msv247

I am a unemployed disabled veteran in Virginia. It is too saturated with military to have a jump on jobs here. I have come to love cold weather and will be relocating someplace, I have alway felt drawn to Alaska and hope to soon find out why. There are so many veterans in this military state there are no advantages. My father is selling the house so I have to go someplace and I am using the opportunity to spread my wings and fulfill a dream. I have the faith to believe wherever I go I will look for the positive and get it, I have been reading all the threads and love the kindness of the Alaskian natives. So by February here's to my dreams fulfilled ;checking on Amtrack and getting a ticket after the holidays .

I would recommend that you consider moving to Anchorage first. Spend a year renting someplace in Anchorage to learn more about the state and the climate in various locations. Then decide where you think you would be the happiest living.

Anchorage is sort of the "middle-ground", weather-wise. It is colder than the panhandle (SE Alaska), and warmer than the interior. It is also the largest city in Alaska with a population of around 270,000. That is not large in comparison to the lower-48, but by Alaskan standards it is huge. Most people don't comprehend just how large Alaska is compared to other states. As a result of its size we have a lot of different climates and conditions. The trick is finding a community in an area where you feel most comfortable.

[Alaska_mrs_placed]

Ive lived in Palmer, Anchorage, Ketchikan, Craig, Metlakatla, Wasilla, and Juneau, and Ketchikan IS and will always be HOME. Palmer/Wasilla/Anchorage isnt the most friendliest of places. Wasilla is more like a drive through town, and Palmer is a little to po-dunky for me. Anchorage would be a good place for a single girl. Great hospitals, but it is the largest city in Alaska, although that aint sayin much. Craig Waaaaay to rural, but extremely friendly and gorgeous. Juneau is the capital full of pompous political types. Very unfriendly. And well Metlakatla.....what can I say about Met. Theres an old joke.......it may offend.......What is fathers day called in Metlakatla? Mass confusion. Tee hee. Anyhow, I hope that my little snippet was helpful.