OK Am I nuts? Anchorage///

[mexicomike]

My wife and I first moved to Anchorage back in 1970. We were "dumbfounded" at the cost of stuff at the Safeway. "There's no way I will ever pay X amount for a dozen eggs, etc, etc.." But then we realized that the wages, for the most part, offset the higher cost--plus we discovered there were places other than Safeway, Carrs, etc. to shop. If you take a closer look at the City-Data website you will see that the median price for a home in Wasilla (zipcode 99654) is $137,700. Having said that, you can find places cheaper and (obviously) more expensive. When we first went to AK, we had a friend who lived in a cabin with her hubby in the "sticks". They had no indoor facilities and heated with a woodstove. HOWEVER, the cost was minimal and they were able to sock away a bunch of bucks for a bigger/nicer place. Nobody that I know of ever "put them down" for their kind of lifestyle. I guess I am pretty naive, but, most of the folks that I know/knew generally took a "live and let live" attitude.
If it was me, I would probably try and go up to AK in May or June. That'll give you a chance to get used to the weather. Your car will no doubt also need some modifications, e.g. a headbolt heater, lighter weight oil/grease, etc. before winter arrives. There's also a lot more opportunities to locate work during the Summer. I hear a lot of Spanish being spoken on construction sites. The lady who has a Canadian husband shouldn't worry about him being able to find a job. Also, I would advise anyone to try and rent for awhile when they get there. There are a couple of newspapers that have websites that can be useful. The Anchorage Daily News has a website--just use its initials. There is also the "Frontiersman" from up in the Matsu Valley. matsudotmlsdotcom can also give you a feel for what's available in the Valley.
My wife and I have been retired for a number of years and spend much of our time in the Lower 48 or (more recently) Mexico. However, we still consider Alaska/Anchorage as "home."

Sincerely,

"Mike"

[mal_flisk]

Anchorage,
Hmm. It's a mid-size city, has most of what most people want. No Sonic, Red Lobster, or Olive Garden, despite the TV commercials. It is a small town in a lot of ways, because I seem to meet people I know everywhere I go in town. The state is physically huge, with a correspondingly small population (it corresponds with the fact that it is underpopulated - about 1 person per square mile. When you count about 280,000 in Anchorage, population density drops still further in the bush. My kids go to great schools (Dimond and Mears). There are schools that are nowhere as good in this town. Crime has increased, 19 murders last year. Scenery is great. Fishing is world class. Skilled labor is in high demand. Jobs are open in a lot of areas.
Politically speaking, I'm a centrist republican. I did not vote for our current president, due to the fact that I'm a child of the '60s, and thought Iraq was a mistake before we went in. (Viet Nam was what I thought of).
My friends include rabid republicans and former hippie Dems, Libertarians and my personal favorite is a practicing Marxist. I don't preach to them about my views on abortion, and prefer not to hear from my Baptist and Unitarian friends about accepting Jesus as my personal savior. Most of us live and let live, as that's why we came here. I personally have nothing against the pot growers in the valley (if it weren't for **** tests, I'd smoke a doob every weekend). I'm not a hypocrite, as I've told my boys the same thing and asked them not to bring it into my house.
Like many here, I'm retired military. Yes, Virginia, it is a RED state, but a little more centrist than many would have you believe. Sarah Palin seems to be a little more centrist than right wing, and I believe in oil exploration. I also believe in subsistance hunting and fishing, firmly supporting the rights of those located beyond the area of Anchorage and the valley. I think that global warming is here (heresy! according my fellow republicans from Outside). The glaciers are receding - fact. Fish populations are migrating further north to cooler waters - fact. Polar bear populations are shrinking - fact. Guess what? its getting WARMER!!!
Sorry, wrong soap box.
Anchorage has problems, but we LIKE our town. I get a kick out of watching the Iditarod start. I love the fact that our city is so pretty in summer. Winter is dark (Duhh). It's dark in Chicago too. I love solstice celebrations. Pagan but fun. I love the fact that Anchorage is 60% non-white and my kids don't care. I get a chuckle out of the fact that Anchorage is the largest Native village. I pity any New Age person who comes up here with rose-colored glasses, because death-by-Alaska for those wandering beyond the city are subject to the laws of Nature. Bears wake up hungry, weather is changeable, and those are facts of life and death.

I like my town, I love my state. I hold no brief for winter as such, but wouldn't trade summer for a beach front lot in LA any day in winter. Alaska Air flies to Mexico daily, if I need a break.

[Alaskagrownsince46]

I've lived in Alaska all my life. I was born in the Territory of Alaska in Juneau. It was a great place to be a kid and play in the rain. When I was in 10th grade, my family moved to Anchorage. In the sixties, Anchorage seemed like a big place to me, compared to Juneau. But it was tiny then compared to now.

I have seen and visited many other places and cities in the US. I lived in Mississippi for over a year after I was drafted into the Army. In truth, I enjoyed my time in Mississippi. But I really enjoy living here in Anchorage.

My advice to all you considering a move to Anchorage, or Alaska:

If you hate cold weather, do not even consider coming here. Today it is minus 12F. This is not as cold as it used to get. Global warming is real.

People who adapt to Anchorage have to find a life that is right for them. I think the happiest are those who can adapt to the seasons. In the winter, you ski, snowmobile, snowshoe, dogmush, or find some other kind of indoor cultural activity that you enjoy. Anchorage is big enough to find a good group of friends or hobby to enjoy.

In the summer, put away the winter toys, and get out the summer toys. Fishing gear, boat, mountain bikes, motorcycle, hiking and camping gear.

The basic advice is -- life is what you make it -- same as anywhere else. You can be happy or depressed anywhere you live.

I personally, ski both downhill and cross country. We have a medium size ski resort with a lot of black dimond terrain. It is a short drive from town, and lift rates are cheaper than "lower 48" ie the other states. I am a member of a contra-square dance organization, which is my primary winter indoor activity and social connection.

In the summer I bike, hike, canoe, and mow the lawn. I also get out my classic Mustang convertible. Believe it or not, Alaskans are said to have the highest per capita motorcycle ownership.

There are two roads out of Anchorage, period. Road to the north, road to the south. Seward Highway to the south is one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the nation. Unfortuately, on the summer weekend it is filled with RV's and impatient fisherman on the way to kill salmon on the Kenai River. I don't fish.

Regarding winter darkness. In December, 5 & half hours official daylight. But it doesn't get as dark as other places, because the ground is covered with white snow that reflects all of the thousands of house and street lights.

Summer light. Because of daylight savings time, and our time zone is one hour out of wack, in mid June, sunset is at 11:45 pm. The tourists think it is the midnight sun. Sunrise is about 4 am. But it never really gets dark. In the spring and in the fall, we have just as much daylight and darkness as the rest of you.

We usually have a few summer days that get up to 80 which we really treasure. June and July are the best months. August is usually wet, and we joke about State Fair weather. My least favorite month is November, because it is dark, and there usually is not enough snow to really play in. It is a good time to visit Arizona.

If you want to move to Alaska, come visit a week during winter to see if you can take it for five months. Figure out if you can get a job. Believe it or not, we have homeless people here too, and you do not want to be one of them.

Once here you will want to take a vacation "outside" at least once a year, preferably during the winter. You will have to fly out, because the drive will take over a week each way. Nobody does it. Nearly all of us have Bank of America, Alaska Airlines VISA cards, and we charge EVERYTHING to get miles. If you plan ahead, 20000 miles will get you to any warm state on the west coast.

We have no hurricanes, tornados, and no major floods. Sometimes a volcano blows and covers us with ash. We had the continent's largest earthquake in 1964. The good thing about earthquakes -- you don't know they are coming, so there is no time to get scared and worry.

We have no snakes or poisonous criters, but we do have billions of irritating mosquitos. Most times and places, they are not that bad.

I agree with most of the other Factual posts on this message board. I think most anyone who is well adjusted in life could make a successful transition to Anchorage, providing the climate is right for you.

Hope this helps.