I know I know, yet ANOTHER question about moving to Alaska (Kenai: hoa, wages)

[karfar]

Yep, I have to say from the sounds of it, that may be my place! One question if you can answer it, how's the employment situation in Juneau? Would I be forced to work retail or in hospitality? I currently work for the city in human resources-it's a job that I kind of landed on, I was an office assistant previously, so it's not something I went to school for. I'm just a tad worried that I'm going to end up going backwards instead of forwards in terms of my money situation. I've been hearing how expensive it is to live up there, & even though I've got some time to save up, I still want to make sure I won't be stressed all the time thinking about money. Although, who doesn't, right? Obviously I'll have to look around & do some research about openings up there, but I figured I'd ask anyway.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by Tressa

Man I hate suburu's they are the slowest vehicle on the road, we've lived in Anchorage for 33 years now. I currently drive an all wheel drive Jeep, in the summer time I drive a corvette. It wasn't until recently that I had this jeep, a good front wheel drive will work wonderfully for you, Toyota cars are driven big time up in Anchorage so no worries. You don't want to drive a sport car in the winter months but any other car will do good for you as long as you know how to drive.

Only those that live on the hillside or don't know how to drive insist on 4 wheel drives. The rest of us can do fine with an all wheel front wheel and even a rear wheel drive I drove a rear wheel drive for more than 20 years up here in the winter times and yes I am female and blond. NO ACCIDENTS, NO TICKETS AND YES A BIT ABOVE THE SPEED LIMIT.

I guess is you choose Juneau you may need a 4x4 suburu it does appear that they are built on the side of a hill, but only been there on the ferry so not for sure.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind! I'm hoping my little Corolla can do the job for me

[Barkingowl]

What year is your Corvette, Tressa?

[Majik_Imaje]

er pardon me.. hmmm Juneau ?? hmm

you like rain ?? damp cold ?

Let me clue you in on a little known secret my friend

very few might mention, on this thread, I got some unique insight to this VAST great state of ALASKA. only because. I have lived in so many different parts of this state much too numerous to menton but I will mention them just to give you a good indication of what EYE know. first hand. so let me start by telling the truth of where I have lived up here since 1981 ( in order )

Fairbanks, Deadhorse, Prudhoe Bay, Juneau, Anchorage, Valdez, GlennAllen, Healy, Delta Junction, Coldfoot, Nome, Kotzebue, Kivalina, Point Hope Point Lay, Wainwright, Barrow !

I have been to each of those places many many times.

YOU have a long time to think and maybe I can shed some light on things people have not spoken of in this thread.

The land and people are magnificnet as stated over and over again.

EXPENSIVE ? terribly so.. sorta. It depends. You have a marketable skill.
$25 - $45 per hour.. BUT NOT in places you think.

alaska is cold. ha ha ha ha.!! so many people are so afraid of what they fear as extremly cold, based on a damp enviorment. Your locations.. is colder than we get up here. It is so incrediblly dry, up north.

something else you just might consider. FREE - HEAT

if you want the hustle & bustle of city life.. well this isn't in that list.

Barrow Alaska is a happening place with tons of very high paying jobs of every description. Bib bux, Free heat, in a small peacefull commuity in the Arctic at the TOP OF THE WORLD.

Follow the Anchorage News very carefully and you will easily see the extreme rise in gun violence all over the city with shootouts.. in shopping malls.!!

thats why we left after living there for twelve years straight !! 1990 - 2003

Anchorage has changed dramatically with the rise in population of 3rd world countries

There never was any "gangs" in Anchorage years ago. this is very recent as in the last 5 of six years that I became aware of it.

Too many people have moved up to Alaska and brought the wrong attitudes with them.

Yes !! people still look you in the eye and say hello.. but not like they used to . Them huge smiles are missing. the place is changing.

I just want to show you.. the other side of the coin..!! so to speak.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by Majik_Imaje

er pardon me.. hmmm Juneau ?? hmm

you like rain ?? damp cold ?

Let me clue you in on a little known secret my friend

very few might mention, on this thread, I got some unique insight to this VAST great state of ALASKA. only because. I have lived in so many different parts of this state much too numerous to menton but I will mention them just to give you a good indication of what EYE know. first hand. so let me start by telling the truth of where I have lived up here since 1981 ( in order )

Fairbanks, Deadhorse, Prudhoe Bay, Juneau, Anchorage, Valdez, GlennAllen, Healy, Delta Junction, Coldfoot, Nome, Kotzebue, Kivalina, Point Hope Point Lay, Wainwright, Barrow !

I have been to each of those places many many times.

YOU have a long time to think and maybe I can shed some light on things people have not spoken of in this thread.

The land and people are magnificnet as stated over and over again.

EXPENSIVE ? terribly so.. sorta. It depends. You have a marketable skill.
$25 - $45 per hour.. BUT NOT in places you think.

alaska is cold. ha ha ha ha.!! so many people are so afraid of what they fear as extremly cold, based on a damp enviorment. Your locations.. is colder than we get up here. It is so incrediblly dry, up north.

something else you just might consider. FREE - HEAT

if you want the hustle & bustle of city life.. well this isn't in that list.

Barrow Alaska is a happening place with tons of very high paying jobs of every description. Bib bux, Free heat, in a small peacefull commuity in the Arctic at the TOP OF THE WORLD.

Follow the Anchorage News very carefully and you will easily see the extreme rise in gun violence all over the city with shootouts.. in shopping malls.!!

thats why we left after living there for twelve years straight !! 1990 - 2003

Anchorage has changed dramatically with the rise in population of 3rd world countries

There never was any "gangs" in Anchorage years ago. this is very recent as in the last 5 of six years that I became aware of it.

Too many people have moved up to Alaska and brought the wrong attitudes with them.

Yes !! people still look you in the eye and say hello.. but not like they used to . Them huge smiles are missing. the place is changing.

I just want to show you.. the other side of the coin..!! so to speak.

Wow, you really do live on top of the world! I think Barrow may be a little too small & up north for me at this point, but who knows, maybe after a few years, I may change my mind. Thank you for the insight though, I figured there would be crime & whatnot in areas, but I think anywhere up there is probably going to be less than we've got in Milwaukee, or at least certain parts of Milwaukee. I do have to admit, what I've been checking about temps in the summer in places like Anchorage or Juneau, it's still much cooler than I guess I thought, silly me! Free heat, now THAT is something to think about, that's awesome! I can assure you, if I came to Alaska, I would definitely bring the right attitude, it's a new experience & it's exciting, who wouldn't want to be positive about that, right? Thanks again for your comments, I appreciate it

[akck]

Originally Posted by karfar

Thanks! I was thinking Juneau myself, but I figured I'd get some more replies & see what's up. How long have you lived there? I'm going to be moving by myself, I will not know a soul & let me tell ya, that gets quite scary to think about! I've never lived anywhere but Milwaukee, but it's time for me to switch up my life & Alaska seems perfect. Juneau seems like a place I could leave my doors unlocked & don't have to worry about someone whacking me in the head w/a gun, true? I like that there's an assortment of bars, coffeeshops, etc. I'm craving a smaller city but not so small that I'm crying in my pillow remembering what it was like to have pizza delivery! Wait, there is pizza delivery there, right? Haha! No, I don't have your link, but I believe I can get to it just clicking on your name. By the way, what does PMing mean on this forum? I just signed up & am still working out the techniques. More questions, this one may seem extremely naive or deluded but is there an abundance of wildlife in Juneau, you know bears, moose, that sort of thing? I'm hoping there is, all we have here in Milwaukee are squirrels....lots & lots of squirrels w/an occasional deer, fox or raccoon thrown in. You mentioned "out the road" earlier, is that considered far out from the city? And if so, is it possible to rent cabins there, is it in booney territory, what do you think of it, etc. Thanks again for your help, this is fun!

Sometimes you have to leave your car door unlocked, otherwise it's frozen shut in the morning. A hair dryer works best and be sure not to leave anything valuable in the car. There is crime in Juneau, but being land locked makes it hard for the get-away. The few bank robbers are caught quickly and stolen cars are found wrecked, high centered on rocks. Most other crime is DUI or domestic related. Burglary and vandalism are the two main crimes that go unsolved.

Yes, there is wildlife. You can see bears, beavers mountain goats and even our black wolf who winters by the glacier. He actually came within 25 feet of us last winter. Waterwise, there are whales, sea lions, seals and fish to name a few.

Out the road is about 30-35 miles. There are Forest Service and State cabins you can rent for limited time. Several you can hike to and others are boat to or fly in. The ones I've stayed at are very nice, have heat and are isolated. They are open to all during the day, so you rent them just for the night. There are also many other recreational activities available.

There are jobs in Juneau. You can go to the State's website and find the Job Bank to see what's listed with the Dept of Labor. Some are likely State jobs. Currently, there are about 150 listings there.

For socializing, check out juneauempire.com and their Club Hooligan. The Hooligan is a weekly feature put out by the paper geared towards the younger set, the 20 somethings. You may find some useful information there.

[Majik_Imaje]

well it has been my experience listening to all the tourists in Anchorage that complain that 60 degrees is too hot !!!

I have heard that countless times. I guess the sun strikes us at a different angle.

maybe I can post a link I dunno I will try

nope


I dunno if I am allowed to do this or not ! (fingers crossed)

[karfar]

Originally Posted by akck

Sometimes you have to leave your car door unlocked, otherwise it's frozen shut in the morning. A hair dryer works best and be sure not to leave anything valuable in the car. There is crime in Juneau, but being land locked makes it hard for the get-away. The few bank robbers are caught quickly and stolen cars are found wrecked, high centered on rocks. Most other crime is DUI or domestic related. Burglary and vandalism are the two main crimes that go unsolved.

Yes, there is wildlife. You can see bears, beavers mountain goats and even our black wolf who winters by the glacier. He actually came within 25 feet of us last winter. Waterwise, there are whales, sea lions, seals and fish to name a few.

Out the road is about 30-35 miles. There are Forest Service and State cabins you can rent for limited time. Several you can hike to and others are boat to or fly in. The ones I've stayed at are very nice, have heat and are isolated. They are open to all during the day, so you rent them just for the night. There are also many other recreational activities available.

There are jobs in Juneau. You can go to the State's website and find the Job Bank to see what's listed with the Dept of Labor. Some are likely State jobs. Currently, there are about 150 listings there.

For socializing, check out juneauempire.com and their Club Hooligan. The Hooligan is a weekly feature put out by the paper geared towards the younger set, the 20 somethings. You may find some useful information there.

Cool, thanks. That sucks about the cabins though, it'd be nice to have one to myself. I guess I'll have to buy one now instead! I once saw some seals in the water wen I went to California, I totally freaked out, it's surreal seeing animals other than deer, squirrels & chipmunks running around. Although apparently up north here there's been cougar sightings, not sure if that's urban legend or not. Bear too & a bald eagle lives in this tree in front of my family cabin, very cool. I'll definitely check out the state's site for jobs & thanks for the info on the other sites too.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by Majik_Imaje

well it has been my experience listening to all the tourists in Anchorage that complain that 60 degrees is too hot !!!

I have heard that countless times. I guess the sun strikes us at a different angle.

maybe I can post a link I dunno I will try

nope


I dunno if I am allowed to do this or not ! (fingers crossed)

Ha, that's good! Last couple days here in Wisconsin it's FINALLY warmed up to 49 or so & people are skipping down the streets in glee. It's been a long record-breaking snowfall winter, we're all getting tired of it. I imagine this is something that happens every year up there, I guess I should try to get used to it, hey?

[Rance]

I've seen moutnain lions/cougars on the peninsula. No legend. Fact. And I have witness'