Thinking about moving to Juneau (Ketchikan: for rent, hotel, houses)

[ncseakayaker]

Originally Posted by akck

Sounds like you'll be working at the Mendenhall Mall Annex. The closest extended stay is by the airport and rooms appear to run about $90/day. They might give better rates if you call them. Unfortunately, I think they charge a pet fee ($75 or $150 sticks in my mind). It's location is almost walking distance to the Mendenhall Mall, but I wouldn't do it. A valley apartment/house would be ideal for you, since you'd be about 5 minutes from home. I know some apartment complexes do allow pets.

It is in the same building as the Re-max folks from what I have been told. Maybe my boss will let me stay in his house.

[cobolt]

Yea I think that is in the Mendenhall Mall. I'd want to live in the valley or near Auke Lake/Bay even if I did work downtown.

[akck]

Originally Posted by VanillaIcey

So, here are my questions, streamlined:

1) What about UAS? Good school? Faculty?
2) Is housing really that expensive? I have bought and sold a couple in the past, but the housing market seems outrageous. Are there any state programs for first time home buyers in the state?
3) Are newcomers welcomed? Easy to network in, especially with two small kids? Social support will be a must with the kids.
4) Discount airfare sites? Discount airlines in Juneau?
5) The snow and ice? We get snow "down here" about twice a year, just a few inches, and ice about once or twice a year. So, does is get below 20nmuch? I know the climate is much milder in SE AK than Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Any help would be very beneficial since this will be a big life change for us.

~basking at 50 degrees. . .

1) UAS is a small school and has a great campus location by Auke Lake. There is also a voc tech and I think a class building by the downtown high school. I don't know much beyond that.

2) Housing is expensive. Expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1800 for housing. Prices range from $125,000 for condos to $750,000+ for housing on the water. Figure you can get a 3-4 bedroom house for anywhere from $250,000 to $350,000. Prices are coming down and houses are staying on the market for longer periods (months versus days at the peak).

3) New comers are welcome and kids are the best way to network, as long as you participate in activities with them. Sign them up for sports and participate at school. That's where we found most of our long term friends.

4) Lol!!! There is only one airline in Juneau, Alaska Airlines. We figure we subsidize their routes south with what they charge us. Your best bet is to join their mileage program and credit card to get "free" trips. They usually offer Permanent Fund Dividend discounts in Sep-Oct period.

5) Today, it was 0 degrees in the valley and 14 degrees in town. We usually get a cold period for about 1-2 weeks in Nov/Dec and one for 2-3 weeks in mid-Jan/Feb where it gets below 20 and as low -5. Most of the other time it's in the 20s and 30s during the winter. Usually, we get anywhere from 1" to 24" of snow over 1-2 days, which then gets rained off a day or two later. During the last two years, we haven't seen the rain off, so we see more accumulation. Two years ago, the snow pile from our driveway got as high as our roof. The main roads are plowed so the worst driving is on your street, which doesn't get plowed as often, and your driveway. Once you've been here for a winter and driven, you get used to it, however, there are always stupid drivers on the road who can cause you to get into an accident or send you into the ditch.

[akck]

Originally Posted by ncseakayaker

When does the this demand for housing during the legislative session calm down? It would suck to get there and have to sleep in my truck all winter with my dog.

Session starts mid-January, so the biggest demand is between now and the end of January. I believe we voted them down to a 90 day session, but all that's caused is they'll have more special sessions.

[akck]

Originally Posted by ncseakayaker

It is in the same building as the Re-max folks from what I have been told. Maybe my boss will let me stay in his house.

That sounds like Jordan Creek Center. I didn't know the Feds had offices there. That's across from the Nugget Mall and right by the Mc Donalds.

[ncseakayaker]

Originally Posted by akck

That sounds like Jordan Creek Center. I didn't know the Feds had offices there. That's across from the Nugget Mall and right by the Mc Donalds.

Yep. I think your right about this Jordan Creek Center. It is a small field office from what I understand. Is it a mall or what? Will I have a window in my office in this center?

[akck]

Originally Posted by ncseakayaker

Yep. I think your right about this Jordan Creek Center. It is a small field office from what I understand. Is it a mall or what? Will I have a window in my office in this center?

I haven't been in the building in years. It used to be about half office and half retail. Now I think it's mostly office. Key Bank probably occupies the largest portion. I'd guess your boss will have the window and you'll have 4 walls to decorate, if it isn't a cubicle.

[ncseakayaker]

Originally Posted by akck

I haven't been in the building in years. It used to be about half office and half retail. Now I think it's mostly office. Key Bank probably occupies the largest portion. I'd guess your boss will have the window and you'll have 4 walls to decorate, if it isn't a cubicle.

I feel like I am walking into a very dark tunnel. Hopefully I like what I see when I come out.

[ncseakayaker]

VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: How late does Heritage Coffee stay open?

[akck]

Originally Posted by ncseakayaker

I feel like I am walking into a very dark tunnel. Hopefully I like what I see when I come out.

I find that most people fall into one of two categories. Either you love it here or you hate it here with a passion. A lot of which category you'll fall into will depend on how the summer goes. If next summer is anything like the past two summers, I'd give it a better than 66% chance you'll end up hating it here. I guess that's in your favor since we couldn't have 3 bad summers in a row, could we?