Florida to Alaska HeLp!!! (Fairbanks, Kenai: relocation, real estate, military)

[Denz79]

I will be moving to Juneau,AK from Miami, Fl. This is going to be a HUGE change. If anyone can answer a few questions please. In your opinion what would be the best area to rent? I have a very young daughter and was wondering about schools, neighborhoods, pretty much anything that anyone can give an opinion on. I have only lived in Fl. and do not know anything about cold weather, or snow boots, or bears! I need alot of help... Thanks

[User 2]

You made a decision to move to Juneau before you gave consideration to what you don't know anything about?

Why move to Juneau?
.
..

[Rance]

Be brave and enjoy the experience. Use the search toward the top of your page, to find the various threads already started, pertaining to Juneau.

Juneau, Alaska (AK) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

The City and Borough of Juneau Homepage

Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs

[megensmom]

Well I can't fault them for the decision that they are making unless they are planning on moving very quickly thus not allowing time for homework. If your military then I guess you didn't have a choice but otherwise allow yourself lots of time for homework. I suggested at min. 5 months. We are in SC and was offered a rare opp. and took it, however that was in August and I can't even begin to tell you the hours I have put into this.
My questions would be
When are you planning the move?
Are you driving to a point in Alaska or how are you traveling?
Have you gotten passports yet?
Do you have any experience with driving or living where there is snow or really cold? If not really do homework on this,read threads here,online searches,etc.
Don't be afraid to ask questions.

[megensmom]

Also don't start buying up with the people in your area claim are clothing for cold weather. We have learned that some of the stuff is overated and not as good as something cheaper. Personally I would either order stuff and have it sent to your new address or wait till you get here. We are taking some stuff with us for the cold but our "winter" items we are ordering and having shipped.
There are differences in boots as well. What me and you call snow boots most people would laugh at there and also you would freeze. You need bunny boots,and where they got that name I don't know because they surely aren't cute like a bunny,ulgiest darn boots I have ever seen. But I also got myself some more boots that are rated to -40 below that are for when it isn't as cold and I want to maybe go somewhere.

[ErikaKazan]

Bunny boots for Juneau?? By all means dress warm but Juneau's weather is closer to Seattle's than the rest of Alaska. I have never owned bunny boots in my life. Probably because I could never have actually walked in them. They must weigh what 20 lbs? I sold a pair the other day and they were HUGE. If you are going to be in Fairbanks or spending some serious time standing on a glacier then yes they are defiantly a good idea. A good pair of Sorel's, Columbia's, North Face or even Uggs will keep you pretty comfortable. I personally still have on my tennis shoes and it was - 31 yesterday. Granted it I am out tromping around in the snow we finally got I do wear boots. But most days taking the kids to school, going to the store etc... just my tennis shoes. BUT my heavy jacket and boots are always in the car if I am going more than between Soldotna & Kenai. That is one of the great things about Alaska. If something happens and your off in the ditch or hit a moose people actually stop and help. After you live here a while there is a good chance you know them too!! This is just all MHO. I can only speak for myself. In Alaska in is ALWAYS better to be over prepared than under. That can get you dead in a hurry!

[siamiam]

Coldspeed - Powered by vBulletin
more of a car based forum but they know the area well

[megensmom]

I have a friend in FLA and she said it was upper 80's there Sunday or Monday. So if you are going from somewhere so very warm and humid and never experienced cold like most people in the South then you might be in for a shock is all I mean.

[earls]

Why did you pick Juneau without checking it out?

I don't think Fla has any city with as few people as Juneau.
I hear rentals are hard to come by these days.
Below is a link for visitor info and other info,

JuneauAlaska.com Visitors Guide (broken link)

also try Goggle Juneau Alaska rentals

You wont see 80 very often

[ASpilot2be]

Originally Posted by megensmom

You need bunny boots,and where they got that name I don't know because they surely aren't cute like a bunny,ulgiest darn boots I have ever seen. But I also got myself some more boots that are rated to -40 below that are for when it isn't as cold and I want to maybe go somewhere.

You DO NOT need bunny boots. You can get around just fine in tennis shoes most times of the year. I live to the north in Haines, and 99% of the time I wear tennis shoes, even in the snow Of course I am just a crazy local.

I think the best part of Juneau is the valley area, how ever I would advise against living in the area near Fred Meyer.