Job Offers in Fairbanks and Ketchikan (Metlakatla, Whittier: lawyer, living, cost of)

[Southerner29]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

My choice would be Ketchikan as well (lived in both places but have spend much more time in Ketch. so am probably biased).

No matter which one you choose, you'll need a car in Alaska. Otherwise, you'll be stuck not being able to get out and explore. If you choose Ketch., you can take your vehicle up on the ferry from Bellingham as long as it's (the ferry, not the car) still running when you come up.

I'm more inclined toward Ketch too, as it's closer in size to the towns I'm used to. I'm hesitant because of the crush of tourists during the summer. When I was there it was jammed full.
I'm considering leaving my career with friends in WA and having it sent up when the ferry starts running again.

[Southerner29]

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

Both Fairbanks and Ketchikan have reputations for being two of the best towns in Alaska for performing arts.

Mosquitoes haven't been bad the couple times I've visited Fairbanks during summer, but out of town in certain areas I'm sure they're awful.

Dunno about food prices compared to Seattle-that may be true.

All I know for sure is that Fairbanks would be better for stargazing due to more clear nights. Ketchikan typically gets a lot of cloud cover and rain-over 140 inches on average annually. However, they're currently experiencing a drought. Started last summer and has persisted through this winter.

Ketchikan is so much warmer than Fairbanks! It'd be my pick for that alone.

Thanks! Mosquitos surprisingly were a deal breaker for me. Lived in the Dakotas so the cold doesn't bother me but being from the south I don't want to deal with skeeters if possible HaHa

Ketch appeals to me because of its unique climate. Don't laugh!

[Southerner29]

I have another question, and I apologize for asking so many. But as a pipe smoker are there any limitations on getting tobacco shipped there? My usual company won't ship there and I called but they couldn't give a reason why. Anyone with experience? Thanks!

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by Southerner29

I'm more inclined toward Ketch too, as it's closer in size to the towns I'm used to. I'm hesitant because of the crush of tourists during the summer. When I was there it was jammed full.
I'm considering leaving my career with friends in WA and having it sent up when the ferry starts running again.

When you live in Ketchikan, you just stay out of the downtown area during cruise season. Most of the ships are gone at night, though.

I think you misunderstood me about the ferry.

[Northrick]

Originally Posted by Southerner29

Thanks. That's a bit of a wait but I can understand for preservation and scam purposes.

You can still buy a non-resident fishing license. It's going to cost more but you can get one.

[Southerner29]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

When you live in Ketchikan, you just stay out of the downtown area during cruise season. Most of the ships are gone at night, though.

I think you misunderstood me about the ferry.

Perhaps. From my internet query, the ferry is seasonal. Correct?

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by Southerner29

Perhaps. From my internet query, the ferry is seasonal. Correct?

The ferry from Bellingham to Ketchikan is not seasonal. Maybe the information you found was on the one that goes all the way up to Whittier. What I meant is that the ferry may stop running altogether due to state budget cuts.

[riceme]

Originally Posted by Southerner29

Thank you! I go more for deep-space viewing and I thought I could get away from all the light pollution to get enough darkness to see faint galaxies etc. Are there any clubs etc in the interior?

I'm not sure this is exactly what you're looking for, but we have the phenomenally cool geophysical institute at the university which includes Poker Flat Research Range, just up the road from Fairbanks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geophysical_Institute

Welcome to Poker Flat | Poker Flat Research Range

https://www.geophysicalsocietyofalas...embership.html

[AKStafford]

Originally Posted by Southerner29

I My usual company won't ship there and I called but they couldn't give a reason why. Anyone with experience? Thanks!

You'll find that it's not uncommon that a place won't ship to Alaska. Even Amazon items. One of the challenges of living here.

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by Southerner29

I'm more inclined toward Ketch too, as it's closer in size to the towns I'm used to. I'm hesitant because of the crush of tourists during the summer. When I was there it was jammed full.
I'm considering leaving my career with friends in WA and having it sent up when the ferry starts running again.

The downtown cruise ship dock area is a very small part of the town. I used to take people on custom tours in the summer in Ketchikan and they were always shocked that there was more to the town then trinket shops and jewelry stores. We lived on the northside of town and seldom had the need or desire to go downtown in the summer. As Met said after the ships pull anchor and sail away for the day it's chill.