lots of questions!!! (Anchorage, Wasilla, Valdez: relocating, real estate, housing)

[piscesgirl]

I currently live in Houston Tx and am seriously concidering relocating to Anchorage Ak. I'm so tired of the heat here, and the general misery of my life in this city. Alaska appeals to me a great deal because I need a big change, a completely different way of life, I want to learn to snow board, ice fish, ski ect. All things that Texas doesn't offer....
I'm ready to ditch the city life, a cabin twenty minutes outside of town would be fine by me!!! But I think Achorage is a good place to start my adventure in Alaska!!!

I am 27 years old, single, no kids, and pretty cute if I do say so myself!!! Are their quality men there?? Most I find here are still boys. I need someone to treat me well, spoil me a little, have a good job, want kids and a family life, preferbly early thirties to early 40's. Facial hair is a plus, but he's gotta be cute!!!

How about cars? Is it best to just sell my car in TX and buy a new one there? I understand that cars in Ak require some modifications to function, that my car in Tx doesn't need...

Will a garage prevent you having to dig your car out of snow? Or will you just have to dig snow away from the garage door to get your car out? Do you ever have to dig yourself out of your house? if so how often and is it ever not possible to get out for a few days?

Are the people friendly? I would be moving there knowing no one, will it be easy to make friends and meet people?

I've done about as much reasearch on line about life in Anchorage as possible. I'll be visiting in May and possibly moving in July. Any and all real info from real people would be greatly appriciated!!!

[mal_flisk]

Anchorage is a nice town, good schools. Dress is normally business casual in offices. Lawyers and architects wear ties, but may actually have beards. Most people in sales dress with an open collar, and may actually dress down to jeans (depending on their clientele). Jeans, Carharts and fleece are deriguere in winter, Sorels or wolverines or Rangers for boot options. Some days, I may actually wear Dockers to call on clients, but not normally. As for men, the phrase here is that the odds are good but that the goods (men) are odd. In Anchorage, the odds are a lot close to 1:1 men to women. People are pretty much friendly across the state, certain villages however don't trust or like whites (go figure). The attitude up here is laid back and friendly for the most part. I figure it's a winter survival tool. I don't usually have to dig myself out, but we have had a hundred inches of snow here this winter (or close to it). Snow tires are a must. Don't even think of doing without. Nice to have is a battery heater and/or a block heater. Modifications are reasonable. Valdez is much worse for snow, averaging 300-400" a winter.
As for cold, Anchorage temps average in the 10-20 degree range, but do get below zero on occasion, and can last for a week or so. Chinook winds can actually raise temps above freezing and are actually something of a nuisance because melted snow=water=ice when the temps drop below freezing again.

[piscesgirl]

Which part of the state do you live in?? How long have you been there?

I've done lots of reasearch on line about AK, I jus wanted to talk to some real locals before I take my trip and decide weather or not to move there. I know the ratio of men to women is about equal in Anchorage, was just wondering what their mentality was like? You know, I'm from the south and men are verry different from the men I meet from the north east, or the west coat, or the mid west for that matter..

So, I probably won't have to dig myself out of Anchorage then hu? That's good to know. I was also looking into Wasilla, and Eagle River. any info on those places?

I am also aware of the cost of living, but it seems like lots of people manage so, I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm an estitacian ( skin care) so I can work for a day spa, dermatoligst, plastic surgeon. I also have a cosmetology liscense, and happen to specialize in mens cuts. So, I'm sure i'll be able to find work. I've already compiled a list of doctors to send a resume when I come up in May.

So, that brings me to apartmets... Can you find nice places for reasonable prices in the areas that I mentioned????

Ok that's los more questions, thanks so much for replying to my first thread!!!

[mal_flisk]

Anchorage is in the area referred to as Southcentral. Lived here about 5 years. My kids (all boys) love it. Men in Alaska tend to be a little more attentive towards women, except in fishing or hunting season. We DO have our priorities, you know!

Having said that, a lot of the women up here are into the same sorts of pursuits. I know quite a few women who have to get their moose and or caribou for the winter, and are more than a little proud of their fishing skills. Our new governor, Sarah Palin, has done her share of commercial fishing too.

Night life for ladies your age in Anchorage tends to start at Chilkoots (Koots) and on over to Al's. There are a couple of dance places beyond there, but winter does bring out the waffle stomper boots. and they look pretty odd on a dance floor.

Personally, my wife lets me out to shoot pool about twice a month with my oldest boy, and we just hang out at the bowling alley bar.

Older guys in their 30's and 40's might be in Koots, but as a guy over 50, I wouldn't be caught dead in there (it looks like I'd be trying out as a cradle robber or pedophile).

I like Anchorage, it has a strange flavor. Like a little town trying to grow into a big city. Moose still walk around town and are considered a nuisance. Bear drift into town every year, and catch their fish in Campbell Creek.

Alaska is only half an hour away. The commute through town is not the worst in the world (I used to live in Seattle).

The people are great, the scenery is beyond belief, and recreation is year long. Get a snowmobile and a set of skies. Live it up. You'll regret it if you don't.

[mal_flisk]

Eagle River is a kind of bedroom community on the edge of Anchorage, 15 minutes out of downtown, in summer anyway. Wasilla is a town 45 minutes from Anchorage, out in the valley. No nightlife to speak of. Most people commute to Anchorage.

[Alaskan_Adventurer]

Hello Piscesgirl! I live in Anchorage, and I grew up in San Antonio, Texas. I adjusted fine to Alaska, so you shoudn't have any problems either. There are lots of hair salons and barber shops here, so finding employment is going to be fairly easy for you. Rent is fairly reasonable here. You can find a one-bedroom apartment for $500-600 or even cheaper for a studio. If all else fails, you can get a roommate. Wasilla is growing quite rapidly now, due to real estate prices in Anchorage. The problem with Anchorage is that there is no more land for expansion. The city is basically surrounded by mountains and the Cook Inlet, so land is getting so expensive. People are now buying in Wasilla and commuting to work. I am looking to buy a house, and will most likely buy in Wasilla, or what most people call "The Valley" I would suggest selling your car and buying a vehicle here. The drive up here can be a real killer. If you have any more questions, please feel free to email or IM me.

[KWBoyd]

Hi Piscesgirl,
I also live in Anchorage, used to live in Wasilla. There isn't any night life to speak of in Wasilla, and the drive in the winter isn't a lot of fun. You can find cheaper places to live in Eagle River and still be within a reasonable drive from Anchorage. There is actually a lot going on downtown these days. Humpys (a bar) has great music and a very mixed crowd. Rumrunners has mostly people in their early to mid 20's. The first Friday of the month the art galleries downtown have an art walk that is a lot of fun, and a great place to meet young professionals. As far as housing, have you looked at the Anchorage Daily News online (ADN.com)? It has a pretty inclusive classified section for people renting apartments.

This year there has been a lot more snow than in the past few years, but once you're dug out, getting around isn't a problem. I rarely leave Anchorage, and I don't live on a big hill or anything, but I don't have special tires for my car and I haven't ever had a problem. I think driving smart is the biggest thing, and of course having front wheel drive. I wouldn't want to deal with a rear wheel drive on all the ice.

[basstelle]

Originally Posted by piscesgirl

Are their quality men there?? Most I find here are still boys.

Depends on hard you want to look. There most likely are somewhere.

Originally Posted by piscesgirl

How about cars? Is it best to just sell my car in TX and buy a new one there? I understand that cars in Ak require some modifications to function, that my car in Tx doesn't need...

The only real modifications you'll need if you don't have a garage is maybe auto start and snow tires in the winter. You really don't need to have the plug if you have a garage.

Originally Posted by piscesgirl

Will a garage prevent you having to dig your car out of snow? Or will you just have to dig snow away from the garage door to get your car out? Do you ever have to dig yourself out of your house? if so how often and is it ever not possible to get out for a few days?

You don't really ever have to shovel your drive way. It'll just take it longer to melt because it'll get packed down.

Originally Posted by piscesgirl

Are the people friendly? I would be moving there knowing no one, will it be easy to make friends and meet people?

One the south side more so then the north side.

[c.adam]

If you're tired of a city why go to the one city in Alaska?

[Rance]

You should come on down to the kenai peninsula during your visit. If nothing else for the scenery. Many friendly folks down that way as well.