Anyone in Barrow? (Fairbanks: hotel, college, move to)

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by hlthldy

In regards to living in Barrow, AK:

Are there specific areas of the "city" that are recommeded? Is there relatively safe and clean housing near Ilisagvik College? Also, what are the conditions of housing? Is there a preferred real estate agent to contact?

Hah, this thread is a real hoot!

All parts of Barrow are just as safe as any other part! In Barrow, as is generally true everywhere in bush Alaska, the people you need to worry about are NOT strangers... they are the people you choose to party with. Anyone else is extremely unlikely to ever harm you. It's your drinking partners that are dangerous.

I really enjoyed reading what various folks had to say about Barrow. Fascinating. There were a few mistakes of course, but I won't quibble about most of them. One point should be cleared up though: it is rarely if ever "bone chilling cold" in Barrow! We are surrounded by an ocean on three sides, and that very significantly moderates the weather here. If you want "bone chilling cold", go visit Fairbanks in January! It commonly gets 15-25 degrees colder in the Interior than it does here. The average temperature in Fairbanks doesn't mean much, because it is always a lot colder or a lot hotter, and swings back and forth between extremes (like -65F in winter and 95F in summer). Barrow doesn't see many large swings in temperatures.

On the other hand, the average temperature in Barrow is significantly cooler than anywhere else. Of course that is something you'll get very used to, and as with everyone else here, a hot (65F) day in the summer will be almost untolerable!

There are several significant points about weather here. We get only about 5 inches equivalent rainfall per year, and part of that is about 24 inches of snow (very dry snow that crunches when you walk on it, and is not wet or slippery). This is a desert. It is also very flat. If your dog runs away, you can watch it for three days... The nearest hill that is 100 feet high is more than 100 miles from here.

We have at least a trace of snow fall on far more than half the days of a year. And there aren't many clear days, or days that don't get down to freezing for at least part of the day. That is very pleasant though, as it freezes solid in the first week of October, and it doesn't rain again, or get above freezing, until
late May.

Barrow is a very international place, with many different kinds of people. It is common to hear 4 or 5 languages being spoken in a restaraunt while you have lunch or dinner. It is impossible to do anything here without rubbing elbows with people who are distinctly different than you are. But everyone shares a few common characteristics. We all live in a place with a harsh unforgiving climate, we are all seriously into adventure, and we all help each other. Even people you don't like are still your neighbors, and if they need a hand they get it. They'll give you a hand too; and you will need it.

The key to knowing whether you'll like living in Alaska is whether you are adventurous, or not. And Barrow is the most adventerous place in Alaska to live! People who really like to work out a schedule two weeks in advance, and know what they'll be doing most of the time well in advance, simply hate Alaska. Living in Barrow is an adventure, all day every day. If that is what makes your little heart go pitter patter, this is a virtual paradize!

If you have more questions, either general or specific, ask and I'll check back and try to answer. Feel free to take a look at my web page too: removed and I don't mind email either, at floyd@apaflo.com.

[CurlyHair]

I lived in Barrow for a year and a half, and then I had enough of it.

Barrow can be an interesting place, if you just visit, because after a couple of days, you have seen everything there is. If you are a hunter, you will probably have a good time. If not, you are stuck in town. Barrow is not a pretty place. If you are used to seeing lots of colors in nature, you will immediately notice how monotonous Barrow looks, either white (snow) or brown (dirt). And it's flat. In the summer time, when the snow melts, everybody wears rubber boots, because of the muddy roads. People are nice in Barrow, but extremely conservative, not at all open-minded, nor objective. Plenty of Christian churches in town. Don't ask the Eskimos about their own beliefs/spiritual ways/ceremonies, it's a taboo subject, not even taught or discussed in the local schools, and you risk being ostracized and run out of the bush if you ask. Sadly, the Eskimos have been Christianized. Interestingly, the largest outsider community who comes to Barrow to make money are Phillipinos.

Ilisagvik College is not accredited, and not at all what I expect from an educational institution that should stimulate students intellectually, expose them to various schools of thought. I took an Eskimo dance class there, which was nice, and one of my very few entertainment options up there. Making friends in Barrow can be difficult, because people come and go. Many don't stay longer than 5 years (minimum time to be vested as an employee).

If you need good medical attention for yourself or your family, don't move to Barrow. There is the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital, but if you need surgery, for whatever reason, they need to fly you out. Imagine going into labor at that hospital, and then needing a C-section. Flying the patient out to Anchorage takes hours, if the helicopter can even fly out (depending on the weather).

If you have animals, especially dogs, think twice about moving to Barrow. Nobody in Barrow walks their dogs. Too darn cold, and the locals would probably laugh at you. They just keep their dogs chained outside and throw them bones to eat. I felt terribly sorry for these dogs, because they get no love and affection, they are simply utilitarian to the Eskimos, although the days of dog mushing are gone in the North Slope. Only the tourists get to do that on a little 1 hour dog mushing tour.

I didn't have a car, so I would take the bus. That is, if the bus driver showed up for work. I have frozen my behind off standing at the bus stop waiting for a bus to show up. No fun, especially not when you are afraid that a polar bear might be in the same area. Luckily there are lots of taxis, or people driving their own cars just stop and offer you a ride. Hitchhiking is encouraged in Barrow and seems to be rather safe. You learn to rely on a strangers help. Besides, after a few weeks you pretty much know most people in town.

There are many Asian restaurants, but remember, there is no alcohol allowed in Barrow. Despite that, there is a problem with alcoholism and you can read in the local paper about the arrests that have been made the night before. Lots of teen pregnancies too (remember, there is not much to do in Barrow), though it seems to be an Eskimo custom to give up babies for adoption.

No movie theatre, only one small video store, one local radio station and one grocery store. If you are accustomed to organic food or a variety of fresh foods, forget you, you will not get that in Barrow. If the Natives offer you some of their traditional foods (whale, seal, walruss, caribou, etc.), it is not polite to turn them down. I've known outsiders who lied and said they were vegetarians, so not to have to eat their foods. Be very careful about Hepatitis C. Their foods are often not cooked, but rather consumed frozen or just eaten raw (one Eskimo delicacy is raw whale meat fermented in its own blood), as they have done for centuries. No food can be grown in Barrow, everything has to be flown in, and your choices at the grocery store are limited, not to mention very expensive. Many people get depressed in the winter time because of the lack of daylight/sunshine and the suicide rate goes up. Flights are limited too, and if the weather is bad, well, that's it, you are stuck, so be very flexible about your traveling plans to and from Barrow.

Before I moved into town I lived out at Iligasvik College in a quansut hut, old military style housing. Ugly, not well insulated, and too far from town if you don't have your own car. The cost of water per gallon is shocking (I forgot the exact figure). There is a beautiful museum (the Inupiat Heritage Center) in Barrow, but how many times can you go to that museum before you get bored?

Anyway, I am glad I lived in Barrow, it was a unique experience, but I am very happy to be gone from there. If you have any questions, please let me know, I'd be happy to answer them.

[Dave Bertrand]

You forgot the all time favorite entertainment event...hangn' at the airport to see who gets off the plane!

[sierra]

Without reading all of the tourist hoopla that anyone can read off of the internet, Barrow can be an interesting or dull small village depending on when you visit or how you plan to spend your time. During the summer there is a lot to see if you have access to a 4-wheeler or decide to visit any of the scientific research projects going on there. There is a Saturday Schoolyard project at 1:30p every Saturday where experts come to speak, and local festivals and celebrations throughout the year. Whether you are talking with the scientists, the local people, or just watching for wildlife, it is a unique and dynamic place that is worth visiting.

[Healer]

OK folks seems like it is just like any place rural USA.....It is what you make of it. Those who love it are those adventurous souls who (unless they have roots there) go likely for adventure and a pay check. Those who had lessor things to say likely sound like they had little connection to the community and went for the wrong reasons. Thanks to all for your insights good or bad!

I will be going to provide medical services for the first time to the community October 2006 and signed on for June and July 2007. I am very excited to see new things, make new friends, eat what ever is offered (I mean everything). Just tell which wine goes best with whale meat and I'll make sure to pack it.
I will be there for a short 3 weeks October 11-November 4 so tell me what's going on during that time so that I can be sure to show up. I too need a bit of advice in the "what to bring" catagory. Is there something of value needed there that can be traded for local services or items ? My fiance wants to catch a fish if its possible and I want to take pictures of the area, polar bears, northern lights, etc......... Any advice is welcome.

Also feel free to come by and say hello at Artic Family Practice on B street when I'm there!

[Need_affordable_home]

Great read! Thanks for your posts! I learned something new! Barrow is sure cold! Id probably be cold there in the summer! (youll figure why)

[deedebesoto]

I'm planning a trip to Alaska at the end of Feb, and I'm looking for a private tour guide, does anyone know where I can go to find that info? or know someone that can do the job?

[kirstiemarie]

I've loved reading all the responses about life in Barrow. Very interesting! Here's a question: what clothing do people wear when they're out and about (or waiting for a bus)? Are we talking specialized sub-zero expedition wear, or just a good coat from your local outdoor wear store?

During the dark months, what do kids do to keep occupied?

Also, where do people live? Rental properties, or? I noticed that the school district and hospital seem to have rental properties available for employees...

Thanks!

[4578]

Why would you want to move to Barrow? The arctic junkyard, rude and unfriendly natives. Get a good down parka rated to about 30 below, good hat, gloves, boots, long underware. Hang out drink ride snowmachines and keep you up all night racing around till all hours of the morning. The cops do nothing about it. Hope you like Barrow because you will ask yourself why did I do this. Don't get sick and have to go to the hospital thats all will say on that subject. Good luck.

Originally Posted by kirstiemarie

I've loved reading all the responses about life in Barrow. Very interesting! Here's a question: what clothing do people wear when they're out and about (or waiting for a bus)? Are we talking specialized sub-zero expedition wear, or just a good coat from your local outdoor wear store?

During the dark months, what do kids do to keep occupied?

Also, where do people live? Rental properties, or? I noticed that the school district and hospital seem to have rental properties available for employees...

Thanks!

[SHORTTHANG]

I guess I didn't read all it sound good until I read futher.