Thorne Bay, Alaska (Ketchikan, Metlakatla, Skagway: how much, home, nightlife)

[CybrSlydr]

Just got a notification that I was referred to a hiring manager for a Geologist position with the Federal Government out of Thorne Bay. Obviously, this means I don't have the job or anything, but I figured I should at least find out something about the place if it gets to that point.

Summary
This position is located on the Tongass National Forest at the Thorne Bay Ranger district in Thorne Bay, Alaska. The position serves as a professional geologist performing a variety of conventional minerals and geology tasks.

Honestly, I didn't think I'd get the referral - so it's a bit of a surprise to me.

Could you folks direct me to some resources about the area or let me know what it's like if you have personal experience?

I'd be relocating from SE Ohio, ironically not much bigger than Thorne Bay. Winters don't particularly bother me (though what you folks get is a far cry from what we get in Ohio), I enjoy the outdoors such as fishing, target shooting, hiking.

I have a TJ Jeep Rubicon and an E46 M3, so hopefully that means I'm able to get around during inclement weather in the Jeep and hoon about in the M3 during the nicer parts of the year.

Any information you can provide or direct me towards is appreciated!

Jordan

[Metlakatla]

I have a home a few miles from Thorne Bay.

Your vehicles are fine.

Winters are wet and long; some years it doesn't even snow or get below freezing, and other years it does little else. I haven't spent a winter there since 2017.

It's good that you like these outdoor activities. Personally, I think it's just as important to have activities/hobbies you can do indoors because you'll be spending a lot of time inside.

Your community in Ohio might not be much bigger than TB, but it's undoubtedly way more connected. TB is fairly isolated, and if you need any kind of nightlife -- even so much as a cafe that stays open past 6 p.m. -- you won't find it there.

Spouse, kids?

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I have a home a few miles from Thorne Bay.

Your vehicles are fine.

Winters are wet and long; some years it doesn't even snow or get below freezing, and other years it does little else.

It's good that you like these outdoor activities. Personally, I think it's just as important to have activities/hobbies you can do indoors because you'll be spending a lot of time inside.

Your community in Ohio might not be much bigger than TB, but it's undoubtedly way more connected. TB is fairly isolated, and if you need any kind of nightlife -- even so much as a cafe that stays open past 6 p.m. -- you won't find it there.

Spouse, kids?

This. While it is good that you enjoy outdoor activities realize there will be a lot of time during the year when you can't realistically get to glamorous destinations and do them because of the weather. It isn't an extreme dramatic place like the northern Interior with its minus 20 temps, northern lights, 20-hour summer days...the stereotypic AK, but it is limiting. Dark, wet, mild, day after day. It can depress many. But with all that rain comes beauty...those deep coastal forests are stunning, but obviously in the Tongass you'll see a lot of destruction due to logging too. Being easily satisfied/entertained by the little day to day things helps a lot.

[CybrSlydr]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I have a home a few miles from Thorne Bay.

Your vehicles are fine.

Winters are wet and long; some years it doesn't even snow or get below freezing, and other years it does little else.

It's good that you like these outdoor activities. Personally, I think it's just as important to have activities/hobbies you can do indoors because you'll be spending a lot of time inside.

Your community in Ohio might not be much bigger than TB, but it's undoubtedly way more connected. TB is fairly isolated, and if you need any kind of nightlife -- even so much as a cafe that stays open past 6 p.m. -- you won't find it there.

Spouse, kids?

No wife, no kids, no g/f either. 35yr old solo male. lol I'm pretty insular, don't really socialize much. Nightlife isn't really my thing either.

I value a decent internet connection over a bar. lol

[CybrSlydr]

How much of a hassle is it to go to Canada? Anything nearby in Canada that would be worth the trip?

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by CybrSlydr

How much of a hassle is it to go to Canada? Anything nearby in Canada that would be worth the trip?

No idea what would make it "worth the trip" for you. Look at a map and research destinations. No matter where you decide to go you still have to fly or ship out of Thorne Bay. Your connection hub is Ketchikan. CA would just be a little farther off.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by CybrSlydr

I value a decent internet connection over a bar. lol

Look into connectivity carefully. It might be slow and/or expensive.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by CybrSlydr

How much of a hassle is it to go to Canada? Anything nearby in Canada that would be worth the trip?

You'd either have to fly out of Ketchikan, take a 9-hour ferry ride to Prince Rupert, or take a 2+ day ferry ride to Skagway and drive to Whitehorse. It's not something anyone really does just because. I know it looks like Canada is conveniently close on a map, but it really isn't except from Skagway. I don't think there are any direct flights to anywhere in Canada from Ketchikan.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by CybrSlydr

I value a decent internet connection over a bar. lol

Don't get me started on the internet on POW.

[CybrSlydr]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Don't get me started on the internet on POW.

Ouch - it's really that bad, eh?

How about cell service?