People living in Alaska... (Anchorage, Fairbanks: sale, 2013, to move)

[GeographyGeek]

Originally Posted by Rance

Geo Geek...there are nearly a thousand threads all asking the same question you did. Take some time and scroll through the pages. I think most of us have answered that same question a couple dozen times each!

Hmmm...thanks for the advice, I just joined not even an hour ago, so I'm just trying to get used to this. I'll go look for stuff.

[Rance]

You can search but you might just kind of scroll through a few pages of threads and you will see plenty of them pertaining to people asking where is the best place to live or what any town might have to offer etc. And there is the Anchorage and Fairbanks forums as well.

I prefer southcentral Alaska myself. Mostly because I grew up here and pretty much know every square inch of the Kenai Peninsula which is south of the big town of Anchorage. Weather is more mild than up north, lot's of snow (usually) with plenty of mountains, lakes rivers etc.

[starlite9]

Well if you want a reality check, from October to about March....

Climb into the freezer, close the door so that it is dark and cold and stay there a few months.... If that doesn't bother you, then anywhere in Alaska will be just fine for you.

[AKStafford]

Originally Posted by GeographyGeek

It is my DREAM to live in Alaska, but I wanna know what it's like; from people who actually live there. Where are you at? What are the best places to live? What type of things are in your town?

Also, what would be the best place for ME to live? I tend to like bigger cities, or living near a bigger city.

Thanks.

As mentioned... spend lots of time reading through the other threads asking the same question. And a word of warning... sometimes those who are commenting can be a bit... grouchy. So ignore that as you are reading.

Your best bet is to come visit before committing to a move. Unless you are young, single and okay with possibly making a mistake that'll be a great story later.

Anchorage is Alaska's largest city and mostly likely your best spot to start.

Only YOU can answer the question of where the best place for YOU is....

[1stimestar]

Originally Posted by GeographyGeek

Let's put it this way: I find the climate in Alaska to be fine, to be honest.

WHICH climate in Alaska is just fine for you? We are a big state with several different climate zones...

[tamaralj]

When I lived in Alaska, I lived in the Mat-Su valley in Palmer. I loved it there. It was a small town, but it has grown some now. About 50 miles north of Anchorage. Normally you can find cheaper housing there , but I think things have gone up now. I left in 1997. I loved the mountains there, and the northern lights. We could see both out our bedroom window! You can't beat the wild life. Moose everywhere and bald eagles. I snow shoed with my dogs, and we'd see moose on the trail all the time, and there was an Eagle's nest out in the woods we'd see. Also, it seems that area is the "Banana belt." Normally a few degrees warmer than Anchorage in the winter. However, the wind blows a lot there, almost all the time, and you'd get the dust from the silt off Matanuska glacier blowing around. I lived in Anchorage from 1976-1990, and it's a nice town. It has grown a lot since I've left. Beautiful scenery. Lots of shopping, and a nice downtown area. I loved walking the coastal trail along the inlet. You can see Beluga Whales out in the inlet. Lots of really nice parks. Can't beat them. If you like outdoors, you have Aplenglow ski slope near by, Used to be called Arctic Valley, and then Alyeska is not far. Also many parks have cross country ski trails. In the summer, it's a hiker's paradise, with tons of places to go and see. Truly it is a wonderful place. I think if I went back to Alaska, I'd want to live in Homer. Talk about a beautiful place. Although there are so many places to explore in Alaska, you'd have to visit and see for yourself.

[Dakster]

Originally Posted by starlite9

Well if you want a reality check, from October to about March....

Climb into the freezer, close the door so that it is dark and cold and stay there a few months.... If that doesn't bother you, then anywhere in Alaska will be just fine for you.

I appears US Congress is taking your suggestion to heart...

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by GeographyGeek

Let's put it this way: I find the climate in Alaska to be fine, to be honest.

Have you ever visited? Have you ever been hunkered down behind a rusted out Chevy van in -62 below zero temps while a drunken gunman took pot shots at you and everything else that was moving? After 20 minutes I didn't find the weather to be so fine.

[GeographyGeek]

Thanks for the responses everyone, I really appreciate it!

I have never been to Alaska, but I hope to visit in the near future. To be honest, I can adapt to any of the climates in Alaska with a little bit of time.

[Chilkoot]

Try this site:
alaska.net