Interested in Fairbanks-General Inquiry (Anchorage, North Pole: foreclosure, house, incomes)

[1stimestar]

Steer clear of the south side of town, especially the south east. Other then that, you'll be fine.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Frostnip

Out of curiosity, what are you basing this on?

Clearly, not on the temperament of the posters here on this forum!

Originally Posted by tigre79

There isn't anything about Fairbanks, or Alaska generally, that makes me think "well-balanced" at all, really.

Yep, same as above. Nothing posted here on this forum would lead a rational person to the conclusion of "well balanced"

[classical101]

Originally Posted by tigre79

If you're just looking for a place that's less crowded and has lower taxes than Northern New Jersey, there are a lot of places that will work for you. Fairbanks certainly isn't the first place I'd think of if you're just looking for a "well-balanced lifestyle in a relaxing setting." There isn't anything about Fairbanks, or Alaska generally, that makes me think "well-balanced" at all, really.

Hi Tigre79. Thank you for your honest response. I'm curious, what state and/or city would you classify as well-balanced?

[blueflames50]

how is it that people believe there are "no sales tax" in Alaska??? In Kenai during tourist season the sales tax doubles!....depending on what I was buying, especially gas...I filled up or purchased in Soldotna as the tax was half of Kenai!

http://www.dced.state.ak.us/dca/osa/taxfacts.htm

[Frostnip]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

how is it that people believe there are "no sales tax" in Alaska??? In Kenai during tourist season the sales tax doubles!....depending on what I was buying, especially gas...I filled up or purchased in Soldotna as the tax was half of Kenai!

Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs

Probably because there's no state sales tax.

Where I live I don't pay any tax at all (other than federal payroll tax, of course)

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by Frostnip

Probably because there's no state sales tax.

Where I live I don't pay any tax at all (other than federal payroll tax, of course)

I realize there is no "state" sales tax but there are sales taxes in various parts of Alaska.....a lot of people do not realize this fact.

[tigre79]

Originally Posted by classical101

Hi Tigre79. Thank you for your honest response. I'm curious, what state and/or city would you classify as well-balanced?

It depends on what you want, I suppose. But a place with a 150-degree annual temperature swing, 18 hours difference between the longest day and the shortest day of the year, by far the lowest population density in the country, and that is separated from the rest of the US by another country surely isn't it. You can move almost anywhere to find a place that's less crowded, regulated, taxed, and crime-ridden than where you are now. If I was going to live down there I'd pick Western Colorado or New Mexico, but that's me. Figure out what you want in your life as far as geography, climate, population, etc. and start looking for jobs. Maybe you will decide to try it up here, but it sounds to me that Alaska is a different sort of lifestyle shift than you're probably looking for.

[RayinAK]

Would like to add something to what overs have mentioned: while log homes look great, I would not buy one in the interior of Alaska unless it has been recently built, and with an engineering report that indicates it's a 5 start dwelling. The problem with older log homes in this area is the lack of proper insulation. Also, the natural process of the logs contracting as they dry leaves cracks or opening between the logs. Unless you know how to take care of such problems, I would not buy such a home, because heating fuel at $3.80 or more per gallon would cost a fortune in just two or three months.

[IL2AK4job]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Would like to add something to what overs have mentioned: while log homes look great, I would not buy one in the interior of Alaska unless it has been recently built, and with an engineering report that indicates it's a 5 start dwelling. The problem with older log homes in this area is the lack of proper insulation. Also, the natural process of the logs contracting as they dry leaves cracks or opening between the logs. Unless you know how to take care of such problems, I would not buy such a home, because heating fuel at $3.80 or more per gallon would cost a fortune in just two or three months.

RayinAK if i may ask how much on average do you pay for heating?

[heathen]

Originally Posted by Marty Van Diest

True...we are pretty out of balance in general.

Wouldn't have it any other way!