Rancher fiance thinking of transferring to Anchorage... (Wasilla, Palmer: credit, home)

[Smackies02]

Hi all!
My fiance came home the other day and told me about a possible job transfer to Anchorage, Alaska and asked me to check it out for him. I've been up the coast of Alaska on a cruise before and found the people and towns wonderful, but he's a little worried about such a big move.

We currently live an hour away from the nearest town up the side of a mountain on a ranch with 6 horses, 3 cows, and 4 dogs. He wants to be able to take at least 2 of the horses and 2 of the dogs, but I'm not too sure they'll survive the harsh winters. We get about 2 feet of snow a year here with substantial rain fall, so any advice about the weather conditions would be wonderful. Also, I'm used to living in a largeish city and since moving here have found myself actually missing it, but my fiance hates the thought of living in an overcrowded, polluted city...how is Anchorage as far as size and population?

I'm also wondering about job opportunities for myself. I am currently a student and will within less than a year have my Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design. How is the job market there? Where we are currently, it is nearly non-exisistant for even the most meager of part-time jobs and my bank account is suffering badly.

Thank you very much for any info you can provide for me.

[mal_flisk]

Just north of Anchorage are 2 small bedroom communities with many small farms dotting the area. You can rent/buy a small property with a barn to maintain your horses. Check with Dreamchaser8 who is currently raising animals on her property out there in the valley. Horses aren't exactly common here in Anchorage. Look into the Mat-Su Valley properties.

Otherwise, the recession hasn't hit baadly here yet, except on the residential construction market due to the credit crunch.

[Barkingowl]

Why aren't you going to bring the cows?

[AKNana]

Alaska is such a different place than anywhere else, anyone considering a transfer up here really should come up for a visit first ,and you could meet some folks who have horses up here. Not in the summertime, when it's warm and gorgeous, but winter time. If you like it now, you'll love the summer.
There are some horse properties in Eagle River, Chugiak/Peter's Creek, where you will also be an easy drive into Anchorage for city amenties, but it will be less expensive and have more acreage available in the Mat-Su valley (Wasilla and Palmer) Any local realtor can help you find these.
There maybe a graphic design job available in Wasilla, but you are much more likely to find one in Anchorage.