What to expect up there... (Anchorage, Fairbanks: environment, showing, apartment)

[ladyeclectic79]

Heya folks. I hope you don't mind my stopping by and picking your brains on this wonderful state and its opportunities. Alaska's always been something of a dream for me - I've spent most of my life in California with stints in the midwest and Idaho (both of which gave me an intro course about real winters), as well as a year in the deep south (Mississippi) so I think have at least a tiny clue what I'm getting myself into as a single lady.

Introductions aside, I'm hoping you guys can help me with a few questions. I've read several of the threads here already (yes, I am a n00b, just joined last night) but didn't find all the answers I'm looking for. So, if you'll forgive the questions (which I hope don't border on the absurd or stupid) I'd love to pick your brains about a few things:

1) Rance, bless his merry Alaskan soul, has already told me about a boom in jobs that happens around springtime. Now, I've done my stint as a seasonal odd jobs person and I thought I was done, but I'd really like to get a feel for the state. Where would I find out about some of these positions, especially those related to either biology, environment, or the medical field?

2) What is the median price for an apartment in Anchorage?
- ... outside of Anchorage (if there's a difference)?
(I'm thinking of the Kenai peninsula, it just looks so pretty down there)

3) Now I realize it gets cold during the winters, but just how cold are we talking about? How much snow do you all get? And if it's southern Alaska, do you guys get full dark down there?

4) Yes guys, I am a late 20s single woman which honestly isn't what's influencing this decision. Really. How hard is it for someone living by themselves to live and work there? Streets might get plowed yes, but would I have to invest in a snow shovel/blower to get to my car (and/or get it out)?

5) Here's where I might sound dumb or city-girlish: what is there to do up there? For fun, I mean. Not just go to bars and such, but also natural and culturally?

6) What is the pay like up there? Yes, I know like the rest of things it varies with what job you're doing, but I had several friends who went up north for a summer and got paid phenomenally well. Is the average wage on par with the lower 48 or higher/lower?

7) What, in your opinion, is the prettiest part of Alaska? Yes, I am all for the pretty. So sue me.

*reads over questions and angsts a bit* They're honestly what I'm curious about. I hate (despite past practice) just jumping into something like this without weighing my options. When I was in college I had a friend whose father owned a cannery and she'd always invite us up for the summer to work, saying you'd get a year's worth of wages in just a couple months. Never got the guts (no pun intended) to take her up on the offer, but mostly because I didn't see myself cleaning fish even for just a summer, not because I didn't want to go up there. Anyway, whatever help y'all can offer would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Cheers,
Sarah P.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by ladyeclectic79

Heya folks. I hope you don't mind my stopping by and picking your brains on this wonderful state and its opportunities. Alaska's always been something of a dream for me - I've spent most of my life in California with stints in the midwest and Idaho (both of which gave me an intro course about real winters), as well as a year in the deep south (Mississippi) so I think have at least a tiny clue what I'm getting myself into as a single lady.

Aw, winters in Idaho aren't so bad. Still no snow... But I believe it's forecast.

Originally Posted by ladyeclectic79

1) Rance, bless his merry Alaskan soul, has already told me about a boom in jobs that happens around springtime. Now, I've done my stint as a seasonal odd jobs person and I thought I was done, but I'd really like to get a feel for the state. Where would I find out about some of these positions, especially those related to either biology, environment, or the medical field?

If you move to a cruise tourist community there is always a boom in jobs as those giant monstrosities start pulling in and dumping their waste upon the streets. If you are interested in biology you could work as a naturalist aboard a whale watching ship- I don't believe you need a degree to do that.

Originally Posted by ladyeclectic79

2) What is the median price for an apartment in Anchorage?
- ... outside of Anchorage (if there's a difference)?
(I'm thinking of the Kenai peninsula, it just looks so pretty down there)

No idea.

Originally Posted by ladyeclectic79

3) Now I realize it gets cold during the winters, but just how cold are we talking about? How much snow do you all get? And if it's southern Alaska, do you guys get full dark down there?

No, we don't. As far as hours of sun go, southeast is not really any different than the rest of the northern states. However it often seems darker because it's always overcast.

Originally Posted by ladyeclectic79

4) Yes guys, I am a late 20s single woman which honestly isn't what's influencing this decision. Really. How hard is it for someone living by themselves to live and work there? Streets might get plowed yes, but would I have to invest in a snow shovel/blower to get to my car (and/or get it out)?

Depends on where you live. Downtown Anchorage or Fairbanks is not going to be a problem. In Juneau, a house in the Valley or downtown is not likely a big problem. And it's not difficult for a young woman to live alone there. If I can do it, anyone can.

Originally Posted by ladyeclectic79

5) Here's where I might sound dumb or city-girlish: what is there to do up there? For fun, I mean. Not just go to bars and such, but also natural and culturally?

Once again, speaking of Juneau there is quite a bit. Hiking trails about in the summer. There is a bowling alley (Channel Bowl I believe), a skating/hockey rink, etc. We're an artsy community, so there's almost always a concert or art show or the like going on.

Originally Posted by ladyeclectic79

6) What is the pay like up there? Yes, I know like the rest of things it varies with what job you're doing, but I had several friends who went up north for a summer and got paid phenomenally well. Is the average wage on par with the lower 48 or higher/lower?

Well, depending on the job. At my current job as a Barista I'm making like 7.60 an hour, down south. I'd expect to make about 9 an hour, maybe 8, doing the same thing in Alaska. If you have a college degree, you'd probably make more than that.

Originally Posted by ladyeclectic79

7) What, in your opinion, is the prettiest part of Alaska? Yes, I am all for the pretty. So sue me.

Southeast, hands down. But I'm biased. I think the Kenai peninsula, Kodiak, and the Cordova area are also quite pretty.

Originally Posted by ladyeclectic79

*reads over questions and angsts a bit* They're honestly what I'm curious about. I hate (despite past practice) just jumping into something like this without weighing my options.

That's a good thing, trust me. You do not want to end up stuck in Alaska in the middle of winter if you decide you don't like it!

[mal_flisk]

One BR apt in Anchorage can run from $600-$1000 per month. 2 BR can be from $800-$1300. Depends on the neighborhood. Asking about what to do in AK in winter is like asking what to do in the Northwest. Depends on where you settle.

[stiffnecked]

Can't you get your cultural, artistic and recreational pursuits all done in one trip by going to Chilkoot Charlies???? I guess maybe it would take three trips total. One night you could indulge in each pursuit.

[Rance]

Originally Posted by ladyeclectic79

1) Where would I find out about some of these positions, especially those related to either biology, environment, or the medical field?

Might try here: Alaska Job Center Network

2) What is the median price for an apartment in Anchorage?
- ... outside of Anchorage (if there's a difference)?
(I'm thinking of the Kenai peninsula, it just looks so pretty down there)

Pretty much identical on the peninsula as what Mal stated. You can get cheaper...but you might be packin water and burning candles and heating with a wood stove.

3) Now I realize it gets cold during the winters, but just how cold are we talking about? How much snow do you all get? And if it's southern Alaska, do you guys get full dark down there?

My area is usually 20 degrees give or take. We do get a couple days a year that hit 20 or 30 below. Snow fall is never the same year to year. Some years we get squat, some years we score big time. Middle of winter we still get I don't know...4 maybe 5 hours of actual sunlight. Up north where I am at work right now is nearly pitch black at 4:30 pm.

4) Yes guys, I am a late 20s single woman which honestly isn't what's influencing this decision. Really. How hard is it for someone living by themselves to live and work there? Streets might get plowed yes, but would I have to invest in a snow shovel/blower to get to my car (and/or get it out)?

I'm pretty sure a single late 20's woman can find someone to shovel for her! But yes there will be a time when your gonna need a shovel. Keep it in the trunk!

5) Here's where I might sound dumb or city-girlish: what is there to do up there? For fun, I mean. Not just go to bars and such, but also natural and culturally?

In my area...modern movie theaters, concerts, plays, trade shows, hockey games, bars and what not, then the good stuff...hiking, biking, snowmachines, skiing, flying, canoing and kayaking, fishing, hunting, sight seeing, water skiing, swimming, parasailing, some fine dining, and a hundred other things I can't remember them all! Oh...steamer clamming!

6) What is the pay like up there? Yes, I know like the rest of things it varies with what job you're doing, but I had several friends who went up north for a summer and got paid phenomenally well. Is the average wage on par with the lower 48 or higher/lower?

My guess...higher for the most part.

7) What, in your opinion, is the prettiest part of Alaska? Yes, I am all for the pretty. So sue me.

Sorry folks...I'm still gonna have to go with the Peninsula, but Denali and the Brooks Range are a close second.

Cleaning fresh fish is not so bad! Hope some of this helps. Some of the other threads inquiring about certain areas have links to town websites etc.

[RayinAK]

1. Well, I would think that you can find work in the medical field, but in the biology field it would be a little difficult. However, search the AK State web sites, as well as the web site for the University Of Alaska, Anchorage. If you are willing to work in other fields, then you can check with Princess and other tour companies.

2. A 1-bedroom apartment in Anchorage should be as high as told by another poster above. It's the same around Fairbanks. Also the landlord will ask you for a security deposit, which sometimes could be as high as another month worth or rent. You can expect rent to go up in price very soon, because heating fuel cost has gone up quite a lot.

3. It gets a little cold in Anchorage, but not nearly as cold as the interior (around Fairbanks) where the temperature can drop to -65 during the winter, although during the summer it can reach +90. And yes, it gets dark all over Alaska in the middle of the winter: it's dark when you leave for work, and dark on the way back. By June 20 or so, it doesn't get dark at all, and then by September it start getting dark around 10:00PM depending on the location around Alaska. My mid September it gets dark around 10:00, and daylight should be available around 6:00AM (by Fairbanks).

4. It's a little difficult for anybody just to move alone to Alaska, unless you have enough money to stay at a hotel somewhere until you get an apartment to live in. The streets in the cities are plowed and sanded. You won't have to invest on a snow shovel and such, although it's not a bad idea to have a compact plastic shovel in the trunk of your car (for emergencies). However, you will have to winterize your car. This work can be done by anybody who knows how, but can be done in most mechanic shops. Labor costs around $70.00, and about the same for all the parts the mechanic will need. Most of the driving problems relating to winter you may encounter in Anchorage will probably be frozen rain (or ice) on the roads. This does not happen all the time, but when it does you want to have at least studded tires on your car. Then before May you have to replace the studded tires with a set of all season tires. If you drive a Subaru or another all-wheel drive car, then it won't be too bad driving around town in the middle of the winter. Once you get enough practice driving on ice, then it gets easier.

5. Take your pick: strip joints, bars, churches, shopping centers, restaurants, a museum or two, zoo, crack houses , restaurants, and anything you can find in any large city. Alcohol-related crime is quite high, and so sex-related crime. Maybe this happens more during the winter when is dark? I don't really know. However, it's not illegal to be armed in Alaska, including concealed carry, unless you are a felon or a minor or course. But there are certain places where taking a firearm is illegal.

6. Minimum wage should be higher than some of the lower-48 States, but cost of living is also higher. You should have taken the job offer from your friend. It's a great experience, and lots of students as well as seasonal workers do that during the summer.

7. Prettiest part of Alaska? All depends on what you like. For example, just about and near any town along the West coast of Alaska is pretty to those who like mountains and oceans. Then by Ketchikan it's very pretty, but it rains a lot (like in a rain forest sometimes). if you like a myriad of landscape colors, mountains, etc., then you will find the interior of Alaska pretty.

Ray

[ladyeclectic79]

Thanks for all the info! It doesn't sound any more expensive than down here in Cali, except I've heard you guys pay $4+ for gas. I'm used to rent being about what was quoted - did a stint in Kansas and Mississippi where they were half that, but then again that was Kansas and Mississippi.

Looking back I wish I had done that fish gig. I may not have liked the job much, but it would definitely have been an adventure. Nowadays I'm working in a meat packing plant anyway (not dressing anything, just in the cooler) so I figure it can't have been much worse except the smell.

Anchorage and the surrounding areas really looks nice, although nothing wrong with Juneau or the SE part of the state either. Don't think I'd want to deal with -65 weather, 20 degrees is no sweat I did worse than that this last winter in Kansas (ice storms galore this year, got a crash course in snow and ice driving, etc).

Anyway, thanks again for the info. It's just been something I've always wanted to do, try out Alaska as it were. Everyone I've met from there has been pretty awesome too. Just want/need to find myself a job, which of course could take a while.... but I'll be lurking around the boards. Thanks again!!

[RayinAK]

A very cold day on the road, not too far from Eielson. It was around -20 or so when I took the picture:

[Marty Van Diest]

This photo was taken at -17 degrees in Palmer. That's Matanuska Peak from Trunk Road near the Mat-Su Regional Hospital. I think there are plenty of jobs for nurses here. I was showing houses to an Ohio couple when we stopped at a clinic so the wife could find out what the job prospects would be for someone who had just graduated from nursing school. She walked back out with a job offer.

[RayinAK]

It was around -40 when i took this one in North Pole. There was fog all around the Chena Lakes, except for this spot.