Dear Fairbanksians... (rentals, to live in, bus)

[O-St8]

I am a newbie to this site. I have applied for a position in Fairbanks, and just wanted to get some specifics about life in the middle part of Alaska in case they do ask for an interview and this gets serious.

1) Where is the best place to go to look for housing...mostly looking to rent.

2) I do enjoy the outdoors (a lot), and don't mind the cold (not that i've experianced the extreme cold) but the dark is what concerns me. I mean I would love to get out and do some hiking, but if it's dark for 70% plus of the day for a stretch of the year...I guess what I'm asking is what do you guys do during that stretch?

3) Is there a decent public transportation system, or do most people just drive on their own? And is (i imagine it is) 4WD a must?

4)What are the absolute necessities to live in Fairbanks, AK, as well as items that make life easier. (Clothing, gadgets, etc.)

I am at a time in my life when I am not tied down, my parents are still in good health, and figure this is the time to go on an adventure. Do you recommend Fairbanks as a place of challenge and adventure?

Thanks so much for your input!

[starlite9]

Wait til spring...

Most of the cheap rentals are gone to the Students at UAF.

There is a city bus system.

Really warm clothers, weather is very brutal in winter if you are coming from OK and have never experianced extreme cold.

But other than that, you should be OK...

[stiffnecked]

If your coming from Oklahoma you have no clue what cold weather is. We moved up here from Oklahoma. Okies don't know what cold is unless are they grabbing a beer out of an ice chest.

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

If your coming from Oklahoma you have no clue what cold weather is. We moved up here from Oklahoma. Okies don't know what cold is unless are they grabbing a beer out of an ice chest.

that is grabbing a beer out of the bottom of a very large metal tub filled with ice with your teeth!!! beer bobbing, full head submerged then it might come close to Alaska cold!!!

[aurorawatcher]

At the moment places to rent are hard to find with all the troops returning. They also have lots of cabs, but that can be quite spendy at times.

[O-St8]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

If your coming from Oklahoma you have no clue what cold weather is. We moved up here from Oklahoma. Okies don't know what cold is unless are they grabbing a beer out of an ice chest.

You're the guy I need to be talking to then. And I agree I probably don't know what cold is. I think the coldest I've ever experienced was about -5...and that was a while back.

Where in Oklahoma did you move from?

[O-St8]

Originally Posted by aurorawatcher

At the moment places to rent are hard to find with all the troops returning. They also have lots of cabs, but that can be quite spendy at times.

Sounds like housing could be a bit of a challenge...especially this time of year.

Should I just check out craigslist, or is there another place you guys recommend.

Also..any particular car that works well in those extreme temps?

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by O-St8

Sounds like housing could be a bit of a challenge...especially this time of year.

Should I just check out craigslist, or is there another place you guys recommend.

Also..any particular car that works well in those extreme temps?

All cars work here, they need winter tires and get set up for cold weather starts.

The challenge is for you to learn to safely drive on the snow and ice.

Four wheel drive times zero is the same as two wheel times zero...

[roadfamily6now]

Yeah, Fairbanks is a Great place for a challange!

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by O-St8

You're the guy I need to be talking to then. And I agree I probably don't know what cold is. I think the coldest I've ever experienced was about -5...and that was a while back.

Where in Oklahoma did you move from?

Oklahoma City, that's where a 2 inch snow fall shuts down all essential government services.