A week in Winter (Anchorage, Fairbanks: to rent, condo, hotel)

[corel]

My husband and I are looking for a change from the California lifestyle. We are checking into a few differant places, Denver CO and Anchorage AK, being our top picks thus far. We want to spend some time to see how the winters are first hand. My question is: will a week in January be enough time to really get an idea of what problems we may come across?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Manmountain]

not really , but its a start tho. not enough time to experience things, but on the upside youll get a feel for it. pretty mild there, just like living in seattle , but with a minnesota influence, low humidity, stuff like that to look hard and compare hard and you can cram the numers and know..

[Out of Alaska]

Pick January, I think it's the worst (about... as far as temps and darkness), be sure to rent a car and try your hand at driving around!

[rotorhead]

If you really want a change of pace, try Fairbanks in January. It's typically about the coldest month in the coldest part of Alaska. It's not uncommon to see strange new cars that aren't in production yet, undergoing their cold-weather testing in what's presumed to be a worst-case scenario.

Plus they've got some unique winter-only attractions such as the Ice Hotel, and of course the aurora.

[earls]

Actually Denver has fairly mild Winters - I you want something COLD try Alberta or Quebec CA. or Maine these would be closer to Anchorage. You will have to buy a lot of cold weather gear for only one week. Go up to Mt. Shasta and walk around barefoot and in your shorts for a few hours a lot cheaper!

[chriscento]

Hi,

In January climate is very cool, think about it.


Thank You,

Vin

[corel]

Oops, I guess my question was on the vauge side. We're looking to move, and want to get an idea of how the winters are really.
We will surely be renting a car to get a feel for the roads and so we can check out the differant neighborhoods.

[earls]

my last response got lost in space so I will try and remember what I wrote two minutes ago. I forget what goes before the memory! Anyway Corel if you could answer some questions maybe I/we could better respond. Are you going to retire or will you need a job? How remote do you want to be? Are you concerned about 'Indoor facilities water,on the grid electric, toilet? what do you consider roads should be like in Winter?

Look forward to your response.

[corel]

Earls,

My husband works in the IT field as a Network Admin, and I am a stay-at-home mom. Right off the bat we don't want to be in a remote area because we'll be new to the area and unaware of all the dangers. So we're thinking no farther than 20 minutes out of Anchorage.
Indoor plumbing is important (I'm not THAT rugged... yet), electricty would be needed since my husband needs a computer for work, but a generator, or alternative source would be fine.
As far as I know about the roads, I've read that the highways are plowed through the winter, but not all the city roads are... To be honest I have driven in the snow before but only about 18inches max, and my husband has driven in about 1 inch (I don't think that even counts).

If we were to live in Eagle River, who long is the drive into Anchorage in the winter? Is the road plowed... How often?

[corel]

A little more info, and another question for you all:
I was quoted $4100 from Upack for a crate which we'll pack up but the company transports for us. (We're moving from a 2bdrm condo). Does anyone know if this is a decent deal or of a better way to move our belongings? I would like to save my husband the stress of hauling a moving truck up there.