Moving to Fairbanks in late 2010/early 2011 (Anchorage, Seward: apartment, to rent, day care)

[FiveTen1988]

Hello all,

I am a Maine native, currently finishing up my last semester (Thank god!) of my undergraduate degree in Geography and Anthropology. I've been accepted to a Master's degree program at the University of AK in Fairbanks.

I plan on moving up there to start my studies in either fall of 2010, or spring of 2011, I figure giving myself enough time is pretty essential when doing a move this big. However, I am four months pregnant now, and will (obviously) be bringing up my peanut and will probably be bringing my dog with me as well.

I have friends who live in both Seward and Anchorage, and have given me a pretty good idea of what to expect weather-wise in AK

I was curious if anyone had any advice for the following:

1. General advice on moving to Fairbanks, any opinions and thoughts welcome!
2. Advice on finding proper childcare, and possibly the cost of it.
3. Advice on whether or not it would be impossible to live in a dry cabin with children (I know that sounds so awfully spoiled, I'm sure families do it all the time, I'm just going to be used to running water with my infant )
4. How difficult is it to find a part-time job if one has a good resume? Any suggestions?

I have been researching these things online, but resources regarding actual cost of things in Fairbanks are shockingly slim.

Thank you so much for your help!

J

[Alex2009]

1. Well you should know about the climate, so I won't speak about that... there's a lot of things to do in Summer and Winter, but you have to go outside!
2. I don't know much about that, but I'm sure there's day care centers.
3. A lot of people do it. Others can tell you more about it.
4. Not very difficult, could take up to a month to find one. There's plenty in the Summer.

[mal_flisk]

With an undergrad degree in Geography and Anthro, you should be able to get a TA position, but that sucks a lot of time. Possibly a PT position with one of the larger corporations.

[kittymama]

My advice would be to move up in spring or summer because it will be easier to apply for a job then because a lot of jobs here are related to summer tourism. You are not a wimp for not being sure if you can live in a dry cabin. I don't have any kids and I would never consider living without plumbing in this climate - it is too harsh and cold. I know people who do it, but why set yourself up to suffer? You can also live in an apartment in town and yes, we do have plumbing here in Fairbanks. Don't lock yourself down or buy anything (though since you are in school, that probably won't be a temptation) until you've been through a winter or two to see how you deal. The winters really are tough up here. Being in school, you can experience this place and see how you like it without being stuck here forever if you don't like it. Actually, I think being at UAF would be a lot of fun - they seem to have lots of activities and social things. You might want to look into campus housing or at least living near campus.

[FiveTen1988]

Thanks, Kittymama, I was thinking expense-wise about the dry cabin, I have friends who do it because it's cheaper than an apartment in town, but I think you're right, it would probably be way too much of a hassle with an infant and no running water. I really didn't think that through completely, ha! (Of course plumbing in Fairbanks, ) I plan on staying for my masters, and if I like it enough (and can deal with the ridiculous temperature) I might stay a while longer, I guess we'll play it by ear!

I know you said you don't have any children, but do you know anything about local schools? Good, bad, normal? I hear groceries are really expensive, eek!

[megensmom]

Groceries are not really really expensive. I don't see where people get that. Milk $3.00-3.50 per gallon,eggs $2.49dz, $1.29 for Walmart bread. Cokes $7.98 case. Meats seem to be pretty much the same price as some of my family in the lower 48 is paying. The only thing I see that is more is fresh produce. Now if you lived in a village the prices are expensive but so are the prices at conv. stores in the lower 48.
Living in a dry cabin might be cheaper and truthfully I don't see the big deal of it,but it does take a special person to haul water. You might look for a place that has a water storage tank,those sometimes are still cheaper than Apts. in town. I don't know much about the schools there but I will say that there are tons of things to do with smaller kids at the local libary and there moms groups.
You mentioned a dog,THAT is where your problem is going to be. We looked for a place to rent and 95% of them say no pets,the ones that do charge a HUGE security deposit and then a monthly pet fee and that is for dogs under 20lbs only. Cabins owners tend to be a little more lax and will let you have at least 1 or 2 pets.