I might be moving to anchorage from south carolina, can u tell me about the lifestyle? (Hope: transplants, sales)

[victoria83]

my bf may take a job in anchorage. It will be a huge change for me because im from nyc and thats where my family resides so i know i will be far far away from them...but im thrilled about the possibility of moving to alaska. My mom said she wants to visit alaska one day so that would give her reason to go there. I have been looking at pics on the net about anchorage..seems really nice. Can you tell me some advantages and disadvantages about living in anchorage besides the weather?? thank you so much

[Rance]

One advantage of living in Anchorage...your not living in NYC. One disadvantage of not living in Anchorage...your not living in Anchorage!

[Moose Whisperer]

Lived in Charleston, SC for 4 yrs.

Advantages: We speak clearly here - i.e. we don't drone on in tedious southern drawls - unless you count all of the Texas transplants working for the oil companies!

Disadvantages: Best Hot wings I ever had were in Charleston. Haven't found an equal up here yet.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by AK_Photographer

Lived in Charleston, SC for 4 yrs.

Advantages: We speak clearly here - i.e. we don't drone on in tedious southern drawls - unless you count all of the Texas transplants working for the oil companies!

Disadvantages: Best Hot wings I ever had were in Charleston. Haven't found an equal up here yet.

LOL about the Texas transplants working for the oil companies. I understand they are one big annoying click.

[Barkingowl]

One advantage I can think of is that you won't suffer from the terrible heat & humidity like you are now.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by AK_Photographer

Lived in Charleston, SC for 4 yrs.

Advantages: We speak clearly here - i.e. we don't drone on in tedious southern drawls - unless you count all of the Texas transplants working for the oil companies!

Disadvantages: Best Hot wings I ever had were in Charleston. Haven't found an equal up here yet.

Hooters had the best hot wings (and view) in Anchorage before they closed.

Anchorage Advantage:

• Living among the wildlife, with bears and moose on your property;
• No sales taxes;
• Good wages; and
• Lots of greenbelts and hiking/biking trails.

Anchorage Disadvantage:

• Living among the wildlife, with bears and moose on your property;
• High property taxes;
• High Cost-Of-Living; and
• High Crime Rate.

[AKirstin]

Advantages:
*No poisonous anything
*About a million less bugs
*No sales tax! Love that
*It's truly one of the most beautiful places in the world
*Anchorage has some super cute areas with good shopping
*Strong D.I.Y./craft culture
*Dividends, once you've been a resident long enough
*The music/art scene is not going to live up to the expectations of someone who has lived in NYC, but it's better than you're probably imagining.
*Wildlife! I love seeing moose, they're so cute. {I have never seen a bear in Anchorage, and I've lived here for 30 years.}
*Alaska has a very unique sense of humor.
*Telling people you've lived in Alaska never stops impressing.


Disadvantages:
*Long, dark winter. Do not underestimate this, a lot of people have a hard time with the lack of sunshine.
*Higher prices on just about everything, from s&h when you order something to produce. It costs a lot to haul stuff all the way up here and that price reflects.
*You will have a really hard time getting around without a car, though I hear the bus service is expanding.
*High property tax {shrug... would you buy a house here anyway?}
*Driving in the winter. UGH.


People keep mentioning the high crime rate, but I have never once felt unsafe in Alaska, even while walking around at night by myself. Being from NYC I think you'll feel very safe. Though you might be a little bored. lol

[akck]

Originally Posted by AKirstin

Disadvantages:
*Higher prices on just about everything, from s&h when you order something to produce. It costs a lot to haul stuff all the way up here and that price reflects.

True, there have been many times where I've cancelled an order because the shipping was more than the items I ordered. But the Internet is your friend and you'll eventually learn which companies offer reasonable shipping to Alaska. Many think Alaska is a foreign country and gouge you on the shipping, but others are coming around and offer cheaper options. For example, we got free shipping on a laptop from HP.

[AKirstin]

Yeah some are better than others. The bigger companies are great, and honor free shipping like they do other states. Hopefully it will keep getting better. A few years ago it was typical to pay an extra $15 for anything. The need to order is getting smaller too, since we are getting so many stores and boutiques, as Anchorage becomes more metropolitan.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by AKirstin

Yeah some are better than others. The bigger companies are great, and honor free shipping like they do other states. Hopefully it will keep getting better. A few years ago it was typical to pay an extra $15 for anything. The need to order is getting smaller too, since we are getting so many stores and boutiques, as Anchorage becomes more metropolitan.

Hmm, do we really want Anchorage to become more metropolitan?? I don't go into Anchorage too often but when I do, I hate how it has lost that "frontier city" touch - way too much building going on there.