Moving to Fairbanks from S. CA end of Jan 2012 (Soldotna: hotel, home)
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Hi guys...thanks so much for answering my questions...I tried the search thing and it's really helpful. We are seriously considering driving all the way through Canada (we didn't because we thought the drive may be too rough in winter and it may be nice to have 3 days rest on the ferry)...We might have found a rental house so now my next task is to sort out TV, internet and phone...I will be working from home and I saw some of the comments about Hughsnet being quite good for high speed internet...u guys agree??? What other choices do I have? I definitely need high speed since I'll need to Skype in with work. Also we currently use Dishnetwork and I check that they do provide service in Fairbank (99709)...does anyone have experience with them? I'm thinking to use those "magic jack" thingie if I have a reliable internet....thoughts???
again...love some of your comments...tho I read some threads about possible tax increase in AK...heard about that??? I assume even if it actually happens...nothing can be as bad as CA, right?
Better check and make sure you do not need a 3 meter dish for satellite. I love magicjack but you can tell it us not a landline phone. I like it over Skype, because you can plug a normal phone into it or wire it into your existing phone lines. It is also inexpensive. They have a new magicjack that does not need a computer that I wanted to try out.
how did yall choose Fairbanks? praying for safe travels for yall and yer doggies. so lucky yall are moving there! let us know how it goes! have yall found a place to live already?
Quote:
Originally Posted by blin9465
My husband and I are planning a move to Fairbanks, AK from S. CA end of Jan 2012. We have one 4-wheel drive car to drive up with 2 small/med dogs. Can any of you advise me on what's the best way to do this move? We're currently looking into containers from CA-Seattle with a container moving company then ship it there for our stuff and then do the good old drive until we die method with the dogs. I understand we'll have to go through the ferry...how's the ferry with the car and dogs? any suggestions/info/wise recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Depending on where you found a place to live here, there are a few options for internet. GCI provides cable internet and Alaska Communications provides DSL service. Cable was not available at my location, but the DSL works quite well. Hughesnet is an option as well, a bit more expensive. There is also a WiMax provider in the area, I believe.
If you go with Alaska Comms, you'll get a landline as part of their package deal. I tried to just get the DSL, but they wouldn't do it, so, landline it is.
As for Dish Network, I've got it and it's working fine, for the most part, except for the channels on the 129 satellite (basically all of my premium channels- hbo, etc) which i can rarely get signal for. It's a bit different up here, as instead of one small dish you get two significantly larger ones, so that could be an issue, especially if you're renting.
To NOTAM:
Actually God chose Fairbanks for us. My husband had been job hunting for the past few months because his boss was being really "flaky" and making comments that made my husband feel he may be let go simply because they don't want to pay his salary anymore. Out of say 10-20 jobs he applied, about 5 almost went through...then disappeared...the one in Fairbanks is the only one that God kept the door open the whole time. After lots of praying, we decided to do it. Besides, my husband really wants to be a State trooper but is concerned he may be too old...=P...and thanks for the prayers!!!
To MRCEE:
We have not found a place yet but hoping we'll get one this coming Sunday. Thanks for the recommendations; def. helps. Do you have any preferences among those companies you mentioned? since GCI provides cable internet, I assume they also provide cable TV? Would cable TV be better than Dishnetwork TV in Fairbanks???
You'll want a copy of The MILEPOST: Alaska Travel Guide and Trip Planner for the drive.
You don't have to take a ferry, you can drive the whole way. Either way, you'll have to drive through some of Canada.
You'll need a medical thing for the pets... And no felonies or DUI's for the non-pets.
Have extra warm clothing & food/water. Plan your fuel stops well. There are stretches with NOTHING for a couple of hundred miles.
I've done the trip half a dozen times, all in the winter. If you are not experienced with driving on snow & ice, go slow.
Give this forum a good read. This question has been asked & answered many times in the past.
Thanks for your suggestions; I've ordered a copy of Alaska Milepost!
I tried searching for my next question in the forum but didn't have much luck. I realized this may sound very silly to some of you who are very familiar with the area so my apologies in advance.
Is there only one route from S. CA (by freeway 101) to Fairbanks? I tried google map and it's telling me to go 5N, WA-9N, BC-1E, BC-97N, BC-16W, BC-37N, then Alaska HW/YT-1W...does that sound right??? Would you recommend this route??? (or do I have a choice?)...I want to know the exact route so I can plan for dog-friendly hotels to stay...I am guessing it'll take us what...like a week to get to Fairbanks from S. CA?
Again...thanks so much for your time and Happy New Year!
God knows what he's doing. so this is the right move for yall. God bless yall! see yall in Fairbanks...i will be transferring there in a year or two! i hope there is a cowboy church there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by blin9465
To NOTAM:
Actually God chose Fairbanks for us. My husband had been job hunting for the past few months because his boss was being really "flaky" and making comments that made my husband feel he may be let go simply because they don't want to pay his salary anymore. Out of say 10-20 jobs he applied, about 5 almost went through...then disappeared...the one in Fairbanks is the only one that God kept the door open the whole time. After lots of praying, we decided to do it. Besides, my husband really wants to be a State trooper but is concerned he may be too old...=P...and thanks for the prayers!!!
To MRCEE:
We have not found a place yet but hoping we'll get one this coming Sunday. Thanks for the recommendations; def. helps. Do you have any preferences among those companies you mentioned? since GCI provides cable internet, I assume they also provide cable TV? Would cable TV be better than Dishnetwork TV in Fairbanks???
tv/internet: i'd say it all depends on where you live. if you're right in town, you'll have the most options, as you can probably get either cable or dsl. where i live, cable wasn't an option, so i had to go with dsl, and get some sort of satellite for tv (i went with dish network, because i already had service with them prior to moving up here) If i'd have had the option to go cable, i probably would've, but dish is fine for the most part. if you're looking for HD, you won't get quite as much HD as you're used to in the lower 48, but you do get some.
as for driving up:
i drove up at the end of oct/beginning of november, and for the most part the roads were good. two more months of winter, and i'm sure they're a bit worse. how long it takes all depends on your comfort with the driving conditions, and how long you're willing to drive. i drove up from portland (a good solid two days from socal, depending on how far down you are) and it was a solid five days of driving, with minimal stops, so i'd say at a minimum it will take you at least 7 days of driving to get to fairbanks. if you pushed it hard, you could maybe make it in 6. that's based on the conditions i saw two months ago, which are likely worse in spots, and taking really no time for any stops other than fuel and food breaks.
the route that google gives you takes the stuart-cassair route instead of the full alaska highway route from dawson creek. based on what i looked up on the web, and reading in the milepost, it sounds like the stuart-cassair highway is less travelled, less maintained, but more scenic in spots. since i was coming up at the start of winter, i decided to go through dawson creek and take the full alaska highway route. distance wise, it's only about 100km longer to go through dawson creek. the two routes diverge in Prince George, BC
whichever you choose, the milepost will be a huge help in planning stops, both overnight, and fuel. i recommend filling up frequently.
oh! one other thing. i'd recommend getting your vehicle winterized if you're driving up at that time. you'll likely see some -20's in the yukon/upper bc.
Is there only one route from S. CA (by freeway 101) to Fairbanks? I tried google map and it's telling me to go 5N, WA-9N, BC-1E, BC-97N, BC-16W, BC-37N, then Alaska HW/YT-1W...does that sound right??? Would you recommend this route??? (or do I have a choice?)...I want to know the exact route so I can plan for dog-friendly hotels to stay...I am guessing it'll take us what...like a week to get to Fairbanks from S. CA?
Again...thanks so much for your time and Happy New Year!
Most people I know would take I 5 all the way from S Cal to Bellingham WA and then cross the border at Sumas. Then North to Prince George BC then to Dawson Creek. Once you get to Dawson Creek you get on the Alaska Highway and you are home free all the way to Fairbanks.
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