Potentially moving to Alaska, need some advice (Anchorage, Fairbanks: sales, apartment)

[Dakster]

Stiff-necked- I think you need a trip to Florida - I hear Orlando is the top spot for that kind of stuff....


Although if you go to south (Miami) beach make sure to check the plumbing before you take one back to the hotel, otherwise you might be in for more than you bargained for...

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by Dakster

Stiff-necked- I think you need a trip to Florida - I hear Orlando is the top spot for that kind of stuff....


Although if you go to south (Miami) beach make sure to check the plumbing before you take one back to the hotel, otherwise you might be in for more than you bargained for...

That's messed up. Isn't false advertising a felony or somethin'???

[Dakster]

I would think it has to violate some sorta Federal commerce laws...

[EndersDrift]

Well yesterday the job application closed. I'm real anxious to find out if I got to an interview. The more I think about this the more I want it. To elaborate now that its closed its Denali National Park for Park Ranger (Media Specialist) and on the lowest end I'd be looking at about 70k a year once you take into account the cost of living allowance.

I did figure out that where I was looking on the map originally was not actually the office for the Park which is much further North. Looks like I'd probably wind up wanting to live in Healy and be right around the average income in the area (Wiki says Denali is the main employer so it makes sense since everyone is on the GS scale).

Here's hoping for a call!

[Dakster]

Good luck!

[mt.penyu]

You have a lot of questions and rightfully so. Moving to Alaska from Florida, quite a change but most of Alaska isn't as remote as the lower 48 think. We do have fresh (several days old) veggies and fruit although prices are a bit higher here as it is either barged, trucked or railed in.

Clothing is something to be prepared with...it does get cold and if 60 feels cold to you then you better invest in good quality winter clothes. Might be best to set aside money and just purchase what you need once here. May pay a bit more upfront but you will get the type of clothing you need to survive comfortably.

Housing and commuting all depend on the particular area you will be in. Most places are too far apart to make commuting a viable option.

Most roads are open in winter but if you are not familar with driving on snow or ice then it can get tricky. Just take it slow and learn from locals. People will be willing to help you get settled and adjusted to the changes you will need to make to live here.

If you don't get all your questions answered on this site, you can contact me and I will give you my contact number and can answer most of what you are asking via the phone.

Good luck, hope you make it up here, it is a wild and beautiful place to live, full of outdoor adventures just waiting for you. If city life is more to your liking, Anchorage and a few other small cities offer most of what you find in the lower 48. Either way, it is an adventure that many dream of but once here, the reality sets in and many leave within a few years. If however, you are one of the fortunate ones who love it then you will have endless opportunities to enjoy life in ways the continental U.S doesn't get to.

Alaska is just a whole different ballgame than the rest of the states.

Let me know if I can answer any more for you.

[EndersDrift]

Thanks Mt.Penyu; I had declined your friend request because I didn't know who you were but just sent you a new one. Really good post there. I don't know if I'm going to like it if I'm even offered the position but I'm pretty resilient and am sure I could at least survive for a year or two and then I'd be set in the Federal System to transfer elsewhere.

[gobrien]

In a high humidity state, 60 must feel colder than it would in Alaska. The area around Denali is of lower humidity so you might be surprised that the cold doesn't bother you as much as you'd expect.

[EndersDrift]

Originally Posted by gobrien

In a high humidity state, 60 must feel colder than it would in Alaska. The area around Denali is of lower humidity so you might be surprised that the cold doesn't bother you as much as you'd expect.

Yeah I remember when I went snowboarding in the Alps I felt pretty hot so I think that will definitely help. My bigger concerns are really making sure I'm prepared as far as keeping the car warm enough to start; now that I've read these posts making sure I find a place with running water (been there, done that don't enjoy having to bucket shower); and then really the most difficult part will be the potential culture shock and lack of sunshine.

Most of my life I've not only been in the sun but been around Europeans/Latins and get along very well with them. I know Alaska is very different from suburban White America so I'm hoping it has a stronger sense of community. I'm pretty happy to know there's a large Samoan population since I lived in Samoa for 2 years and got along very well with them.

[Indkland]

Hi Endersdrift, I would really love to know how you did in AK!
I left in '09 due to economics. On your budget you are in good shape. Mine... not so much, you do need decent bucks to live there and to fully enjoy AK.
I would return in a moment, dislike Colorado immensly, it is mercilessly hot, dry, and sunny - I miss the lovely pastel atmosphere and moisture of beautiful Alaska. And the fresh seafood.
- New Sagaya. If you love good foods, gourmet, Italian, Asian, seafood - you will find NS and go there. They have the best veggies.

I came up cold in October, got my winter needs there and an old 4x4 which served me very well! I never even had a block heater at first and all my old 4x4's started right up even in hard winter! I prefer these, tho it's true, people drive anything there. There are days in the winter when you can't identify the driveway into a store in places, and in a 4by, you can simply pull in and be fine. I personally love having that extra security there, and you can go anywhere.

Good to purchase your winter needs there, buy quality according to level of use, but take care for warmth always, and don't buy cotton "death sox". Poly mix on your insulations always.

I've been to NYC and around, and Anchorage is the most interesting and diverse place ever. Enjoy the foods and be friendly. You can get better Mexican, Thai and many cuisines there than anywhere. The amazing foods there is one of the best surprises.

Any natural foods and all vitamins are available at the Natural Pantry (I worked there : ), and other stores, just check freshness dates ; ) and purchase those veges carefully.. It's a family owned Whole Foods type place. If you buy a bag of salad in the grocery store, check dates and eat it that day!
I hate the direct sun, don't need it. Take your D3 and deal, AK is worth it! Get the full spectrum lights if you suffer. Lots of people vaca in HI each year. For me, apart from the flora, that would not be a preferred choice.

It's actually not heavily humid in AK, it was heaven to me opposed to Colorado, but nothing like eastern to southern lower 48 states.

One tip, Alaska is a very, very high crime state, with a dark side. Unfortunately a lot of this is amongst the Natives, but it does spill over. It is still true that released felons go there in numbers. Get that bear spray, have several, arm up, be smart. There are always, always drunk drivers on the roads.

LOL Lower priced cabins may be without amenities, but for the most part old Alaska.... is gone unless you look for it.

Talkeetna, awesome little town, close enough to plan a day in Anchorage when needed.

And how green and beautifully flowered did you find summer!! Anch. is called the City of Flowers (and City of Lights in winter!). Outside the city, one can revel in lush greenery and wildflowers and such sights as you will see nowhere else. I watched a pod of belugas swim south out of Cook Inlet while driving south just out of Anchorage.
The bore tide shapes there are by some believed to be sea creatures. he he

Well it is 82 degrees here right now. I am happy when it rains, which it may be doing in Anch.... not here!

And for whom it may concern, AK has excellent mental health resources; they have to, it's Alaska.

Hmmm, anyone driving up this summer to fall, willing to help one single, mature woman move back up??
Thanks!