Moving to Alaska in July 2010-Need some info from residents. (Anchorage: salons, house) - (AK) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

Captain Crunch · 01-31-2010, 08:06 PM

master of nothing...obviously

Metlakatla · 01-31-2010, 08:11 PM

The cold and dark can really get to some people. I don't like them much myself.

gobrien · 01-31-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllinoistoFairbanks

WOW! Are you sure its not your attitude?? I just moved here a month ago and absolutely love it! I have so many friends and someone is always wanting to do something so we are never bored! I've found numerous restaurants who are excellent and there's plenty of shopping unless you're high maintenance, I found a wonderful hair salon that is right up there with the best salon in any big city. I know my neighbors and they are very welcoming and everyone I work with is great and have become my friends. I think its all in the attitude, put a smile on your face and be friendly to those around you and you'll notice a big difference. The only negative here is the lack of attractive single men, but I can always import one....LOL.....
But then again my opinion of anyone from Florida isn't very high....I think its a state full of snobs and maybe you're one of them.....

I was wondering what you would think of this post since you're a new res of our fine city.

Rance · 01-31-2010, 10:47 PM

This place has a way of culling out the weak. And thats a good thing. It's not for everybody. And thats also a good thing.

Coming up in July the temps will be perfect. The mass amount of daylight might take a bit getting used to. But it's nothing some tinfoil and duct tape can't fix. And come winter...well thats when the fun begins!

malagagirl · 02-01-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterlu88

To all who are moving to Alaska from Florida and think it's going to be such a great adventure and selling all their furniture..DON'T!! ...The dark for the winter is horrible and is depressing, I have never felt so depressed and isolated until we moved here. People are miserable and I have not met one neighbor, ... this was the worst experience of my life and the biggest mistake of my life.

Sorry to hear you are having such a miserable time.

I think your point of suggesting people visit at DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR is very well taken. The long, cold winters are not for everyone. Also I'm sure the extended periods of dark can be a challenge. However, different people have different expectations, resources and coping strategies.

There is no one sided penny. EVERY place has up sides and downs sides. (Except maybe Gila Bend. Haven't found the upside there yet. Sorry Gila Bend, I just don't get the attraction.)

I've talked to a few people who moved to Alaska and later regretted it, couldn't wait to get out. Yet I've also communicated with MANY who say it was the best thing they ever did....EVEN for those who did not stay.

Lonliness and isolation are epidemic in our culture these days, no matter where people live. More and more people are finding themselves cut off from others in our highly mobile, high tech/low touch world.

But there ARE ways to address that.

Alaska has very real challenges, and very real blessings. I'm just glad to have access to this forum to get MANY different points of view before I make the big jump.

Hope you are able to find whatever it is you need to be at peace, whether that be in AK or the L48.

masterlu88 · 02-10-2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenova

well, to start i'm 25 and live in ohio. I'm looking to move to anchorage by myself. I'm taking about 6-10g with me to start out etc. I would like to know places in town that are advisable to live, places to stay away from (rough areas). I'm involved in the medical field and want to go to school for emt paramedic up there. I'm thinking of joining a volunteer fire department considering i do that down here to help get situated also while working and schooling. Any advice is welcome and hope to hear from people. Thanks!

reconsider moving here...have you visited in the winter and the summer???? If not do it before moving...and meet people...and look around....i didn't and i regret it big time...selling all my brand new furniture and leaving as soon as i can clear the al can!! Never returning...winter sucks and so do the people i work with...don't have children here...no good daycare at all! Feeling of isolation is big ....not much shopping...expensive in the winter...gas and food...omg....only one way in and out of anchorage is stupid! And takes forever to get to work in the mornings...schools for kids are crap....i hate everything about this state except it's beauty....i am heading home..

warptman · 02-10-2010, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterlu88

reconsider moving here...have you visited in the winter and the summer???? If not do it before moving...and meet people...and look around....i didn't and i regret it big time...selling all my brand new furniture and leaving as soon as i can clear the al can!! Never returning...winter sucks and so do the people i work with...don't have children here...no good daycare at all! Feeling of isolation is big ....not much shopping...expensive in the winter...gas and food...omg....only one way in and out of anchorage is stupid! And takes forever to get to work in the mornings...schools for kids are crap....i hate everything about this state except it's beauty....i am heading home..

Jebus, you still here?

gobrien · 02-10-2010, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterlu88

reconsider moving here...have you visited in the winter and the summer???? If not do it before moving...and meet people...and look around....i didn't and i regret it big time...selling all my brand new furniture and leaving as soon as i can clear the al can!! Never returning...winter sucks and so do the people i work with...don't have children here...no good daycare at all! Feeling of isolation is big ....not much shopping...expensive in the winter...gas and food...omg....only one way in and out of anchorage is stupid! And takes forever to get to work in the mornings...schools for kids are crap....i hate everything about this state except it's beauty....i am heading home..

I think we may be taking this wrong, sounds like maybe a young person in a bad spot.

Alaskapat528 · 02-10-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobrien

I think we may be taking this wrong, sounds like maybe a young person in a bad spot.

Yes I agree. Alaska is not for everyone and I think they are being honest as they see it.

tigre79 · 02-10-2010, 02:34 PM

Point taken, masterlu88. It's generally not advisable to move somewhere sight unseen (or having only seen a less-than-representative part of it), especially if it's very different from what you're used to and far away.

Different people also have different capacities for change. Flexibility is key for learning to live in a new place. I've moved over 1000 miles sight-unseen twice so far, and it's been fun. If I'd had particular requirements of the places I've moved, instead of learning about them on their own terms, I don't think I would have adjusted as well as I have. Most of the fun of moving somewhere new is learning to do things you probably wouldn't have if you'd stayed put. For example, in NC I went rock climbing nearly every weekend. In FL we hardly even have rocks, but I got into kayaking and snorkeling instead. My daydreams of Alaska usually involve skis or snowshoes, even though I've never lived anywhere with "real winter" before. If you move to where winter lives and don't bother getting into any winter sports, you're probably going to be miserable (likewise if you insist on lots of shopping and nightlife in a place with very few people).

I'm sorry your experience didn't match your expectations, whatever those might have been. Hopefully you'll get back to a place you're happier with, and this experience will teach you to either do your homework better before moving to a new place, or to be flexible enough to at least enjoy it, even if it's not somewhere you want to live forever.