Young Couple Wanting to Move to Alaska (Anchorage, Fairbanks: rent, how much)

[bortstc37]

Originally Posted by bongo

TeachrGirl....

As a fellow teacher, Anchorage is a great place for teachers. Plus, we have a huge bubble of baby-boomer teachers getting ready to retire, so don't wait too long! Anchorage visits jobs fairs outside or there is one here in the spring. A lot of new teachers come up and sub the first year.

TeachrGirl, if you can fit in special education credential or if you are a fluent Spanish speaker there is certainly an instant need for both. In fact, there is a $3000 signing bonus for qualifying foreign language- speaking teachers.

As a fellow outdoor enthusiast, Anchorage is unbelievable! We are the gateway to all types of outdoor activities. Anchorage itself has a remarkable groomed ski trail system throughout the entire city which becomes walking, biking trails too.

The Anchorage School District has even been hiring ITs, so you could both theoretically have your summers free for outdoor activities. Now there's a thought!

At the solstice, here in Anchorage we have about 5 1/2 hours of light. But then the light increases every day, a reason for celebration. Up in Fairbanks at the solstice there is about 3 3/4 hours of light.

I get out to skate ski every day in the winter after teaching & there is still enough ambient light for that. I find that getting out every day to exercise in the light keeps me from getting down!

that bonus almost makes me want to teach in anchorage (since i speak spanish fluently...hasn't done me much good out here!).
however, that means i'd have to live in the city. i wonder if it would come in handy anywhere off the road system...

[bongo]

Originally Posted by bortstc37

that bonus almost makes me want to teach in anchorage (since i speak spanish fluently...hasn't done me much good out here!).
however, that means i'd have to live in the city. i wonder if it would come in handy anywhere off the road system...

Anchorage has a couple of Spanish Immersion elementary schools that are always needing teachers. One is way north of town on the Glenn Hwy. in Chugiak, but still on the road system.

[bongo]

Teachrgirl....

Here are some examples of openings for IT with the school district right now:

PVA -- Anchorage School District Intranet
http://www.asdk12.org/depts/hr/ViewD...l&PVAID=111468

[bortstc37]

Originally Posted by bongo

Anchorage has a couple of Spanish Immersion elementary schools that are always needing teachers. One is way north of town on the Glenn Hwy. in Chugiak, but still on the road system.

i have a good friend who teaches a 5th grade immersion class (but not in alaska). too bad i can only teach secondary...

[Alaska Deb]

Hey, we have a Spanish Immersion school here in Wasilla. I do not know its name, but, if you look at the Mat-Su school district site...you could find it.

Deb

[talkin2mch]

I am 20 and my husband is 26 =) and we have lived here (Soldotna) for 6 years and are getting ready to move to Spokane, Washington in May. It IS a beautiful place in the summer and is probably a dream land for the outdoor enthusiast but the winters are HELL. seriously :-p and we have a 3 year old daughter and there just isn't enough to do here. Anchorage is dirty and there is a lot of crime there (in my opinion) If you ever plan on having children I wouldn't recommend living there. And I agree with everyone else you should definitely come visit first before making your decision. Either way I wish you guys the best of luck!

[freezengirl]

I would like to tell you that since you have a dream, have an education and skills and you are young, as long as you make empower yourself with factual information, have the time, energy and funds to try out a new life, then why not? In the end you have to ask yourself, will I regret if I don't do this? March to the beat of your own dreams whatever they may be.

[AADAD]

Originally Posted by freezengirl

I would like to tell you that since you have a dream, have an education and skills and you are young, as long as you make empower yourself with factual information, have the time, energy and funds to try out a new life, then why not? In the end you have to ask yourself, will I regret if I don't do this? March to the beat of your own dreams whatever they may be.

perfect.

[Metlakatla]

About Juneau having the most light....while it's true that Southeast Alaska has the most hours of actual daylight in the winter than the rest of the state, the quality of that daylight isn't all that good. I do better farther north in the winter that in SE; I'll take -40 and sunny any day rather than 40 above and raining sideways and nothing but gloom in sight.

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

About Juneau having the most light....while it's true that Southeast Alaska has the most hours of actual daylight in the winter than the rest of the state, the quality of that daylight isn't all that good. I do better farther north in the winter that in SE; I'll take -40 and sunny any day rather than 40 above and raining sideways and nothing but gloom in sight.

That's what I said but not quite as eloquent