Thinking about moving to Juneau (Anchorage, Juneau and: crime rate, new home, movie theaters)

[cobolt]

I personally love Juneau. I knew that from my very first day there. As I spent more time there, I grew it love its people and their way of life. It isn't for everyone, but it is for me. Every time I got on the plane to go back home to the lower 48, I dreaded leaving.

[Beenaroundabit]

I don't think ANYPLACE in Alaska is going to be a haven for single young men looking to meet single women (or vice versa), except maybe Anchorage, which is more like the lower-48 than anyplace else.

That said, there DID seem to be some singles - though not many - in Juneau. And keep in mind that more people seem to move there all the time as they get tired of the big cities and major metro areas.

Outstanding fishing and kayaking opportunities abound in Homer, Seward, and throughout the Kenai Peninsula. One can pretty much experience what Juneau has to offer in this respect within the span of a few days.

Um...I bed to differ. There were a LOT of outdoor activities to engage in, especially for a sea kayaker. I kayaked all around Juneau and Douglas Island and even got into some overnights farther out before I ended up having to move sooner than planned. Kayaked over to Admiralty Island and hunted Sitka Blacktail. Yes, they're small as deer go, but hunting is not all about the killing the biggest animal you can find. If it were, no one would hunt grouse, waterfowl, etc. Besides, you can get all the excitement you can handle by hooking a 100-lb halibut from a kayak, I assure you. You can also hop on the ferry and check out the areas around the rest of SE AK. The fishing is awesome anywhere in SE Alaska and never gets old if you like to fish.

If hiking a 3000-foot "bump" is somehow boring to a person, I would imagine they would be unhappy on any mountain where oxygen and Sherpas are not required (??). However, millions of people (myself being one) like to hike simply to be outside, and if you enjoy that - and the solitude that goes with it - Juneau will be fine for you. As an outdoor destination, it is not a place for an adrenaline junkie, but few people who truly appreciate the outdoors are all about climbing the biggest peak or slaying the biggest brown bear.

Juneau is an "elephant's graveyard for humans?" You've apparently never been to Detroit, the coalfields of SW Virginia, or any number of other not-so-happy corners of the planet. Apparently you don't like JNU, but perhaps you could temper your information for this guy with a bit more objectivity; so that he can try to see it through his own eyes and not yours.

[ncseakayaker]

Well I fell in love with Montana when I backpacked there for 3 weeks last summer. I didn't want to leave!

These are some of my favorite picture (not as good as Xa'at):
http://picasaweb.google.com/david.shaeffer/FavoriteMontanaWyomingPictures?authkey=_vO6sBxiWzk

I was a manager at an outdoor shop for 2 years and I bought a fishing kayak while I was there. I haven't used it much because I have been so busy with grad school and working 40hrs a week but I would hope to hook up with some kayak fisherman if I move there. My favorite thing to do it backpack and hike. I live in coastal North Carolina so these "bumps" are pretty darn big to me. The highest elevation we have here on the east coast is around 6,000 feet (and that is about 7 hours away from me). It is very flat with mostly pine trees where I live.

I really want to try to get into ice climbing. I like to garden too; I would have to be able to grow tomatoes or something.

Haha...I am not expecting a lot of women and I don't necessarily need that. I wouldn’t mind just finding a friend to hike with. I am a mamas boy and I grew up with four sisters so I comfortable around all types of women. I think the aesthetics comment if a bit unfair. I know plenty of attractive women where I live that I would never talk to. I mean there are literally thousands of them; they out number males by a large margin at my university. I have had my share of pretty girls and pretty isn’t enough. My favorite girls are hippies who make hot tea. J

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by ncseakayaker

Well I fell in love with Montana when I backpacked there for 3 weeks last summer. I didn't want to leave!

These are some of my favorite picture (not as good as Xa'at):
http://picasaweb.google.com/david.shaeffer/FavoriteMontanaWyomingPictures?authkey=_vO6sBxiWzk

I was a manager at an outdoor shop for 2 years and I bought a fishing kayak while I was there. I haven't used it much because I have been so busy with grad school and working 40hrs a week but I would hope to hook up with some kayak fisherman if I move there. My favorite thing to do it backpack and hike. I live in coastal North Carolina so these "bumps" are pretty darn big to me. The highest elevation we have here on the east coast is around 6,000 feet (and that is about 7 hours away from me). It is very flat with mostly pine trees where I live.

I really want to try to get into ice climbing. I like to garden too; I would have to be able to grow tomatoes or something.

Haha...I am not expecting a lot of women and I don't necessarily need that. I wouldn’t mind just finding a friend to hike with. I am a mamas boy and I grew up with four sisters so I comfortable around all types of women. I think the aesthetics comment if a bit unfair. I know plenty of attractive women where I live that I would never talk to. I mean there are literally thousands of them; they out number males by a large margin at my university. I have had my share of pretty girls and pretty isn’t enough. My favorite girls are hippies who make hot tea. J

You sound like you'd fit in just fine. I'm sure you'll be able to find people to hike and hang out with. If I were up there I'd go hiking with you. I think you'll do just fine. After all, you have to know yourself and what you can handle and put up with more than anything else and you seem to have a pretty decent grip on that.

[IceCold]

Okay, the Bohemian Enigma person needs to deal with her/his frustrations first. That was definitely not an objective post.

I moved here from NYC a few weeks ago, and I really like it here, but I also like being alone, so the absence of any "rich" dating scene does not bother me. So I can't really comment on that [yet]. A lot of ladies do appear to be more on the jail bait end, so this is not a town for clubbers and players.

That said, single yuppies with laptops do hang out at places like Silverbow, and there are a few places like that in Juneau. Your next best bet is drunken tourists

If you are an outdoors person, I can't think of a better place - some trails start in *downtown* Juneau.

Concerts, eh, like rock and pop? I would not count on that, but Seattle is a stone throw away I go to concerts a LOT, but I am ok here knowing that I will O.D. on that stuff later when I am back. For now, there are trails and glaciers to explore. The set of activities here is just different, in a good way.

And I believe the acts from cruise ships perform here during summers.

[ncseakayaker]

I wouldn't say I am looking everywhere. It is more about the learning environment for me. I have a very exciting job and I am sure it would be amazing to learn about the ecology of Alaskan wetlands. I would want to stay awhile then maybe go back when I am older and get a PhD and then maybe teach when I retire.

I have two dogs that are my life and I am pretty good by myself as long as I am doing something. While I would love the company of the right women, if I find some good friends that like to backpack and such I will be fine. A girl that has the spirit to go to Alaska would be more my type anyway. Not many girls around here would even consider moving there. In fact my girlfriend broke up with me because I told her I was either moving to Alaska or Asheville, NC.

That was the first time I posted on a forum. Next time I will be sure not to sound like I am looking to get drunk and go to the club. haha

I like all types of music (except pop!). I like jazz, blue grass, rock, etc.

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by IceCold

A lot of ladies do appear to be more on the jail bait end..

This statement is mildly entertaining

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by IceCold

And I believe the acts from cruise ships perform here during summers.

Hmmm, not that I know of.

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by ncseakayaker

Will I be able to buy my own home on $60-75K a year?

yes you can.

[Alice2]

Originally Posted by ncseakayaker

I am finishing my masters degree in North Carolina and I am considering applying for a job in Juneau. I like to backpack, hike, fly fish, and rock climb. I also like to sit in a coffee shop and read and write. I am a 26 year old single guy. I have heard there are no women in Alaska, this can't be true! What are my options?

What is the younger social scene like?

dunno, I'm an old fogey <img>

Originally Posted by ncseakayaker

Are there music/festivals?

Aside from what's already been answered, it seems we **used** to get some pretty good concerts flown in every once in (every other) blue moon or so.

It sure seems to me that alot more stuff can happen here than currently is, and I don't mean just concerts.

Originally Posted by ncseakayaker

What is downtown like?

Downtown is very different than what it used to be. There are alot of bars, a few restaurants, and of course a zillion tourist shops which are boarded up from October through April. Marine Park is the only outdoor place people can gather outdoors, and it is in the shadows of the tour boats and right next to the tour bus loading zone. Access to the water is nil. If you have a home up on the hill a ways, it's more cozy and peaceful once you learn to tune out the constant seasonal buzz of flightseeing helicopters.

It's different than it was, and very different than it could be. I see a lot of potential in the 'liveability' dimension here. Right now they are planning to plough into our only downtown hillside that has a few homes and a few trees and berry bushes left near the waterfront and plunk a big old parking garage in its place.

You know that old Joni Mitchell song that goes 'you don't know what you got til it's gone," well, we need some more forceful citizenry input to how this city 'plans' its development. A lot of damage has been done and alot more planned, with no figuring in the liveability quotient for the people who live here. Our planned waterfront development is not leaving room for walking and milling space for its people.

The town has some wonderful qualities in spite of this problem, which you will soon see for yourself. Young people seem to be fleeing the community as soon as they can afford to, and I suspect a large number of people who don't have money for a home, or even a car, will remain here only because they can not afford to escape.

The people here do love their dogs, so you'll be in good company. (But watch your step, if you know what I mean -- ugh!)

On a more positive note, when the tourist season is over, it gets very quiet and peaceful around here, and in the early mornings it's nice to take walks and enjoy the quiet. For me, the place seems very safe and the main thing to watch out for on hikes is running into a bear too close for comfort.

Nature is nearby and accessible from nearly every direction. Eagles are everywhere. The air is clean (sometimes downtown does get some funny smells that hang in the air, though!) and there is lots of room for solitude and contemplation, and you can, at times, feel like you are living in heaven on earth.

Theres' good and bad. I don't want to be here forever but I love the Northwest and especially Southeast Alaska.

We look forward to hearing what you decide to do. I agree that you should not jump into buying a house right off the bat; if you decide you do not wish to stay it may not be that easy to unload the house.