Single young RN Coming to Fairbanks/Ft. Wainwright (Barrow, North Pole: to rent, safe area)

[mennoseeker]

Hello to all in Alaska, 23 yr old single nurse considering coming to Fairbanks for a nursing job. Been made a really good offer, with this job offer there are several several questions I have and would really be appreciative if someone could help me out.

First off, where are good safe areas to live and what can I expect to rent for.

Secondly can one live off of 75 or 80k comfortable in Fairbanks.

Would it be wise to move to somewhere like North Pole etc since I am not used to driving in snow etc and would need to get to Wainwright at any given time since I am a nurse.

Thirdly, what is a good car to have up there, I have a honda accord now it is not four wheel drive though, would that be okay?

Any other advice one would want to give to me.

What would be the cheapest way to relocate.


Thanks,

[warptman]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/alask...fairbanks.html

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by warptman

http://www.city-data.com/forum/alask...fairbanks.html

Warpt...you really are a sweetheart!!!

[thrillobyte]

First thing I would suggest is you check a temp chart for Jan-Feb. Notice how it often goes down to -30-40 F. if you can stand temps so cold that you can actually snap your breath out of the air and hold it, then by all means everything else should be a piece of cake.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by mennoseeker

Hello to all in Alaska, 23 yr old single nurse considering coming to Fairbanks for a nursing job. Been made a really good offer, with this job offer there are several several questions I have and would really be appreciative if someone could help me out.

First off, where are good safe areas to live and what can I expect to rent for.

Secondly can one live off of 75 or 80k comfortable in Fairbanks.

Would it be wise to move to somewhere like North Pole etc since I am not used to driving in snow etc and would need to get to Wainwright at any given time since I am a nurse.

Thirdly, what is a good car to have up there, I have a honda accord now it is not four wheel drive though, would that be okay?

Any other advice one would want to give to me.

What would be the cheapest way to relocate.

Thanks,

Wow, for 23 years old you are clearly awake! That's a really perceptive set of questions.

I can't answer most of them because I have no idea what it's like to move to Fairbanks from the Lower-48, and while I spent 20 years living near Fairbanks, I haven't been there is a dozen years now.

But the fact that you see a possible problem with living in North Pole is why I'm piping up. I drove 40 miles each way on that highway for more than 10 years, and I would not suggest that you try that until you know a lot more about cold weather (unless you also happen to be a pretty good auto mechanic too). Keeping a vehicle running is probably going to be enough; trying to deal with rush hour traffic on the Richardson Highway is one stress you don't need. Find a place somewhere close enough to the Ft Wainwright gate that you can afford a cab to get to work for a few days if need be. After a couple of winters, when you know all about what goes wrong, move to wherever you'd like!

If your car is in good condition, drive it up or ship it. But when you get it to Fairbanks take it to a local shop and tell them to "winterize" it for you.

Otherwise... you are in for an adventure. That is what Alaska is. Fairbanks, also known as "Squirrely Banks" and "Square Banks", is a tough place to be complacent. It isn't as exciting as living up here in Barrow, but it isn't boring by any means! The weather is harsh. If you play hockey, you'll find Fairbanks to be a paradise.
And Fort Wainwright... well, goodness, they have a few thousand healthy young men hanging around that place. You won't lack for entertainment...

[stiffnecked]

You'll need a good Subaru Outback and probably should consider living in Fairbanks a little closer to the base.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

You'll need a good Subaru Outback and probably should consider living in Fairbanks a little closer to the base.

She could trade-in her Honda for a Subaru. But in reality, any car, including the Honda she has, can be driven on ice. It takes practice, which usually takes place after a winter of two. I have been driving a Civic back and froth to work for over 20 years now

Now, I bought a Subaru Forester earlier this year, and its traction is incredible.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Now, I bought a Subaru Forester earlier this year, and its traction is incredible.

For the entire 20 years of driving from Salcha to either Eielson or Fairbanks, I drove Subaru 4-wd station wagons.

I don't think that is as significant today as it was back in the early 1980's, when a Subaru was so much better than anything else that it was not even open to question.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Floyd_Davidson

For the entire 20 years of driving from Salcha to either Eielson or Fairbanks, I drove Subaru 4-wd station wagons.

I don't think that is as significant today as it was back in the early 1980's, when a Subaru was so much better than anything else that it was not even open to question.

That's true. Nowadays a lot of AWD small vehicles offer similar features. The new Forester, compared to older ones, offers a lot more protection for the occupants with air bags all the way around, but the bumpers and fenders aren't as strong. Several Subaru models, including the Forester include electronic traction control, which helps on icy roads. Another thing is that while one could easily do mechanics work on the older ones, it's very difficult on the new ones. But the new ones ride strong and fast on the road.

The ones with turbos are blowing motors, however. The one I own has the standard motor (non-turbo).

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

I still want to know if a person can live there on $70,000 a year.