Help about moving to Alaska! (Fairbanks: buying, military, shop)

[Mjt05]

My fiance is getting stationed in Alaska near Fairbanks. He will be moving in a few weeks, I'll be moving in January. I have no idea how to prepare for this move. I know its beautiful over there but winters are rough. What do I need exactly? And what's a good car or truck we can buy. This is 100% new to me.

[AKStafford]

You'll need cold weather gear. Boots, gloves, coat, hat. For the vehicle: all wheel drive is nice, but not required. Any decent good running vehicle will work. The vehicle needs to be prepped for cold weather with at least a block heater. A battery heater and oil pan heater are good too. This can be done in Fairbanks.

[RayinAK]

If you are moving to Eielson or Fort Weinwright, contact the personnel offices for advise. If in the military, your fiance will receive cold-winter gear from the military, and you can buy the gear you will need once you arrive here. Don't waste your money buying stuff in the lower-48 unless you already know about this area's winters; buy it here. If you have the cash, there are places where you can buy the car or truck you need, and have it winterized. But most automobiles at the car lots around Fairbanks are already winterized when you buy. There are several used-car dealers around town.

If you want to drive up here, then you will have to buy a car or a truck down there. If new, have the dealer install at least a block heater, and ask for an antifreeze mixture of not less than a 50/50 ratio (antifreeze/distilled water), but a ratio of 60/40 is the best for Fairbanks. Once you get here you can have a local shop install a battery heating pad, and oil pan heater (another heating pad).

[Haolejohn]

Originally Posted by Mjt05

My fiance is getting stationed in Alaska near Fairbanks. He will be moving in a few weeks, I'll be moving in January. I have no idea how to prepare for this move. I know its beautiful over there but winters are rough. What do I need exactly? And what's a good car or truck we can buy. This is 100% new to me.

Well the good news is your fiance can basically do a recon of the area before you get there

It will be cold in January, so I would have him get you winter gear and send the parka and boots and hat and gloves to you. Other than that if you are going to buy before hand make sure you get something that is warm (prefer down), wind and water proof. Also make sure it has a hood. Did I mention it will be cold?

Car? Pretty much anything. We do have paved roads. We do get the roads maintained in the winter. Good set of tires is needed. Make sure you have it winterized if you get it down south. More than likely if you get the car here, it will already be done.