I know I know, yet ANOTHER question about moving to Alaska (Anchorage: places, recommendation)

[cobolt]

Well....don't get romanced and drawn in from Into the Wild and Men in Trees and Northern Exposure. IT's tv....remember? But Alaska is great and I can't wait to get back up there!! Just a few more months

[karfar]

Originally Posted by cobolt

Well....don't get romanced and drawn in from Into the Wild and Men in Trees and Northern Exposure. IT's tv....remember? But Alaska is great and I can't wait to get back up there!! Just a few more months

No, I know, I understand that. So you're not up in Alaska now, where are you? And why did you move? It's so weird, a lot of the people who are on this thread are either from Alaska & they've moved away & then moved back or they're looking to move back. If it's so great,why did you guys move? Just wondering, no judgement but I'm curious after seeing all the positive feedback.

[Streams]

Originally Posted by karfar

No, I know, I understand that. So you're not up in Alaska now, where are you? And why did you move? It's so weird, a lot of the people who are on this thread are either from Alaska & they've moved away & then moved back or they're looking to move back. If it's so great,why did you guys move? Just wondering, no judgement but I'm curious after seeing all the positive feedback.

Hi there,

you picked a good place, Alaska is nice, and I think you will find life up here interesting.

Myself, I moved to Alaska a while ago, 15, 16 years? Time flies. I really enjoyed time spent here. Laid back atmosphere, people are still friendly and helpful; however, I have to say that is changing. Many folks are moving here from Lower 48 and the 'last frontier' magic is slowly but surely disappearing. Don't get me wrong, I don't fear for my life or anything .

What bothers me now is the extreme isolation. Yeah, we live up here in our little frozen world, basically on our own and I like that. Who needs the rest of US, right? I do miss my friends and family though. Every time I want to go somewhere, it's either a pricy airline ticket, or really really long drive to Lower 48. I like Alaska a lot, but I feel like I would enjoy living someplace 'more accesible', if that makes sense.

Ok, enough of my babbling, I am sure you got the picture now -AK is great and it's worth moving here!

[warptman]

Cobolt's moving here...

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by karfar

I am....I just worry that it may still be too small for me, even though I've been mentioning that that is exactly what I want. Damn, I'm indecisive! I really do not want to be the person who asks you guys all these questions, get all this great advice, meet some hopefully great people in this forum & then come up there & say "oh HELL NO!!!" No, I do not want to be like that at all. This is exactly why I'm on this. I'm trying to do the research that I know should be done & that you say should be done! I don't think you come off as snotty at all, I think you love your state & want quality people to be a part of it. I think Alaska is MUCH MUCH different than us lower 48. I'm not trying to sound stupid or naive, but Alaska seems waaaaay more different than how it is down here, & because of that I want a clear understanding of what to expect up there. Alot of the time, when I read things about Alaska, it seems still very primitive...even the bigger cities. Not primitive, but definitely not as "easy access" as it is here. And while I'm looking for something different than what I have here, it scares me a bit when I think about what I would be leaving. However, reading all of your threads & things, it seems to be that I could adjust to it....well, obviously, I guess it would have to be done if i moved up there, wouldn't it? So, ease my mind a bit....do you know of anyone in my situation who moved up there::: 36 years old, finally, FINALLY is starting to make some money (I make 36K), but still has a lot of debt to pay off so really, after each paycheck not much money left over, has family & friends here who they love w/all their heart & they would be the only one moving up there.

You need to take a trip up here. Moving up to Alaska without ever visiting is the biggest mistake you could ever make. Don't get me wrong- you could and probably would love it, but if you don't, then you're not stuck up here. Plus, it gives you a chance to sniff around for jobs and look at houses.

Originally Posted by karfar

Xa'at, another question---this is pretty important to me & I'm not sure how others on your forum will think of it, but whatever.....how is Juneau towards gay people? I know you said it was pretty liberal. I myself am not gay, but my best friend is gay, so I'm just thinking about a visit....is the attitude pretty open? Are there gay bars/clubs, etc?

I sent you a pm, 'kay?

[karfar]

Originally Posted by Streams

Hi there,

you picked a good place, Alaska is nice, and I think you will find life up here interesting.

Myself, I moved to Alaska a while ago, 15, 16 years? Time flies. I really enjoyed time spent here. Laid back atmosphere, people are still friendly and helpful; however, I have to say that is changing. Many folks are moving here from Lower 48 and the 'last frontier' magic is slowly but surely disappearing. Don't get me wrong, I don't fear for my life or anything .

What bothers me now is the extreme isolation. Yeah, we live up here in our little frozen world, basically on our own and I like that. Who needs the rest of US, right? I do miss my friends and family though. Every time I want to go somewhere, it's either a pricy airline ticket, or really really long drive to Lower 48. I like Alaska a lot, but I feel like I would enjoy living someplace 'more accesible', if that makes sense.

Ok, enough of my babbling, I am sure you got the picture now -AK is great and it's worth moving here!

I hear ya..that's my fear as well, that I'll feel isolated compared to what I'm used to here in Wisconsin. I was also wondering about the whole flying in & out thing....it seems to m
e that if flying is the only way in or out of a place, the flights would be so cheap...comparable to a bus ride since it's so frequent. But I dont' think that's the case, is it?

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by karfar

I hear ya..that's my fear as well, that I'll feel isolated compared to what I'm used to here in Wisconsin. I was also wondering about the whole flying in & out thing....it seems to m
e that if flying is the only way in or out of a place, the flights would be so cheap...comparable to a bus ride since it's so frequent. But I dont' think that's the case, is it?

Ah, see you've stumbled upon what is arguably the hardest part of living in "bush" (off the road) Alaska- only planes or ferries can get in or out. Alaska Airlines is the only major airline that flies into Juneau, so they can and will charge you as much as they want. I heard that they've recently raised their prices so that now you can expect to pay at least $600 round trip just to get to Seattle. I've paid $900 for a round trip ticket to Spokane.
The ferry is slightly better (unless you're bringing a car) but it also takes quite a bit of time- you can add 2.5 days onto each end of your trip if you take the ferry, and you still have to find some way of getting from Seattle to wherever you are going.

[cobolt]

Right Xa'at. Alaska Air has the monopoly on Juneau/SE AK. Anchorage services more airlines so there is some competition, therefore the prices are a bit lower, but remember location, jet fuel increases....there are always reasons to make things expensive. Alaska Air also services Fairbanks and I think in the summer Northwest and maybe another airline fly in there. Smaller charter service operators are around, more for people who get along in the bush, and they are pricy too. My ex used to fly for a few outfits and I've been on my share of puddle jumpers throughout SE AK.

It's expensive to get to Alaska and more expensive to get out, either for a visit or to get out altogether. Just remember that. And I would think the isolation would play on you after a while. I have lived in enough isolated places outside the US where I would get island fever etc. There is a certain freedom that comes with knowing that you can hop in your car and drive down a state or two, visit a city on a whim, or catch a $150 roundtrip flight from Chicago to Philly, or wherever. You will pay out the A$$ flying in and out of AK, which is why the Alaska Airlines credit card and frequent flyer program are so popular, but even those seats are getting harder to come by (the airline only sets aside 7% of their seats for this program).

Just things to take into consideration....but to second Xa'at again....DO NOT move without visiting. Yes it will cost money to visit. So what? Better to drop a few $$ then to later regret your decision and drop more $$$ to reverse your decision. I would never move somewhere sight unseen.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by cobolt

Right Xa'at. Alaska Air has the monopoly on Juneau/SE AK. Anchorage services more airlines so there is some competition, therefore the prices are a bit lower, but remember location, jet fuel increases....there are always reasons to make things expensive. Alaska Air also services Fairbanks and I think in the summer Northwest and maybe another airline fly in there. Smaller charter service operators are around, more for people who get along in the bush, and they are pricy too. My ex used to fly for a few outfits and I've been on my share of puddle jumpers throughout SE AK.

It's expensive to get to Alaska and more expensive to get out, either for a visit or to get out altogether. Just remember that. And I would think the isolation would play on you after a while. I have lived in enough isolated places outside the US where I would get island fever etc. There is a certain freedom that comes with knowing that you can hop in your car and drive down a state or two, visit a city on a whim, or catch a $150 roundtrip flight from Chicago to Philly, or wherever. You will pay out the A$$ flying in and out of AK, which is why the Alaska Airlines credit card and frequent flyer program are so popular, but even those seats are getting harder to come by (the airline only sets aside 7% of their seats for this program).

Just things to take into consideration....but to second Xa'at again....DO NOT move without visiting. Yes it will cost money to visit. So what? Better to drop a few $$ then to later regret your decision and drop more $$$ to reverse your decision. I would never move somewhere sight unseen.

I agree, I will come & visit first. And I agree about the freedom of being able to drive anywhere here. Even though I haven't driven to another state in quite awhile, just knowing that I would have no trouble doing it is reassuring. Lots to think about, that's for sure!

[Xa'at]

Excellent. My recommendation for you then is to come up on a ferry, for the experience. Bring a bike or something. Of course, in a perfect world, you would want to take two trips- one in winter and one in summer, but if you are already accustomed to midwest winters, our winter temps are going to be a non-issue. Best come in summer so you can decide if you really want to live in constant 60 degree drizzle.