Ok, I gotta know!!! (Anchorage, Kalifornsky: rent, vacation, lease)

[MidniteBreeze]

Yep, If I wasn't already happily married, I'd head back to AK in a heartbeat

Of course it takes a special kind of person to live in AK, especially "bush" AK, but if you're adventerous, adaptable and ready for something totally different, I'd say go for it!

[WriterofWords]

"The odds are good... but the goods are odd"
Ok,, I had to giggle over that one! As a single female, teacher, and mom looking at relocating from NM, I appreciate the humor in that one!
"I live in Sterling Alaska. We need more women! Please send ASAP! :-)"
And exactly what kind of area is Sterling? hehehehhe

[sillygal]

I didn't know this thread would bring out the conversation it did, how wonderful.....!!!

I also saw the programs on Discovery Channel about Alaska, visiting the interior as well as the exterior sounds like GREAT fun.

Now, if I could just meet someone that lives over there...

[Rance]

Sterling is like this...








Pretty boring, but close enough to drive anywhere. Has 2 bars, 5 places to eat, 1 elementary school, 1 gas station, many churches, 1 senior citizen center, 1 laundrymat, a handfull of campgrounds, and lot's of fishing guides. Great fishing, cross country skiing, snowmachine, flying and on and on...

[Kimmaranclh]

W.O.W..those are some AMAZING photos...gorgeous!

[Kathleenh54]

Loved the pictures, Rance. Love this thread, lol. 'Goods are odd...'

As an ex-NY'r who came to Oregon by way of SoCal, this already feels pretty rustic to me. I really like it here in Ashland, but am at my limit. Sterling, AK looks fabulous but...

[Rance]

When I first moved here back in 1968 there were only 12 families in a 10 mile radius. Most of those were homesteaders from the 50's. It's grown quite a bit as alot of folks moved out here to get out of town. Sterling has not really expanded as a town...just in population. It's nice and quiet here, and very close to the wildlife refuge, so we get lot's of critters and miles upon miles of wild country to ski, boat, fish, camp, hike etc. I have a feeling it's going to grow over the next 20 years tho. A few years back they put a 5 lane through town. That is never a good sign.

[mal_flisk]

Personally, I love the fact that my kids have grown up knowing the facts of life in Alaska - stand clear of any moose - cows may have a calf nearby, males may be in rut etc, make noise when walking in the woods, and back away from any bear.
My kids can be fishing for salmon all summer long, and know that anything they bring home goes into the pot. As an aside, they're all boys.
Life in the Anchorage bowl might not be in Alaska, but it's only half an hour away.
My youngest is one of 6 boys in a chorus group with 36 girls. Sharp kid. HE knows what to do and where to be. He's a 13 year old with woman sense. Unlike his old man. I didn't figure this stuff out until I was 30. Luckily my wife has stuck with me. She doesn't like Alaska, she thinks Anchorage is a small town, but has lived with me in San Diego, Monterey, Sacramento, Chicago and Seattle. She does however like the fact that there are jobs available in Anchorage and people are hard to find for a lot of them.

If it was up to me, I'd live down in the Kenai, where men are men and the fish are scared. (Clams too)

Otherwise, Girdwood might be a good choice. World class skiing and 45 minutes closer to the Kenai.

If you're looking for that Northern Exposure kind of thing, go to the Kenai Peninsula, or failing that, King Salmon or Dutch Harbor. Healy and Sunrise and Talkeetna are Okay, just too darn cold in the winter.

[Magoon]

Where do the kids go to Middle/High School? I've been looking hard at Sterling.

[mal_flisk]

We're in Anchorage, and my middle boy goes to Dimond High, the youngest goes to Mears Middle. The oldest is working up on the slope as a laborer for $16.00 / hour with 84 hours a week, 44 at time and a half. Brings home over a thousand a week when he's on shift. His current shift is 3 on 2 off, just got done with 5 on 2 off.