Ketchikan... (buy, living in, prices)

[kyniekk]

Can I buy electronics in ketchikan?
Is it more expensive than in rest states, or the same ??
I'd like to ask about living in ketchikan.
What is a cost of food there (I go for 3 months)
bread, milk, soda, and else basic things.
Can you write me some usefoul things - what should I know when I go to ketchikan

one more question :
How expensive is accommondation in ketchikan per month/week ?
I mean chipest accommondation (maybe room for two people)

(I'm from Poland, and I go to work in fish factory for ma holliday)
Looking forward to corresponding with you all!

[nhatfield]

Can I buy electronics in ketchikan?

There's a Wal-Mart and a RadioShack, so... if you can get what you want there, then yea.

Is it more expensive than in rest states, or the same ??

I can't compare to the rest of the state, but it's definitely expensive.

bread, milk, soda, and else basic things.

Last time I was down there, prices were close to what they were in Juneau, sooo....
Bread: generic brand, about $1.30/loaf.
Milk: About $3/gallon.
Soda:
2 liter bottle, about $2.
20oz bottle, about $1.30.
Hamburger: About $3.50/pound for 80% lean. Up to $5/pound or so for 93% lean.

All of the above may be cheaper (if available) from Wal-Mart, but I had moved by the time Wal-Mart opened.

As for housing, I never rented there, so I don't know, however since you're going there for work, most of the fish places down there provide housing for their employees. If you don't want to live in their bunks, though, rent's going to be pricey.

I imagine it'll be worth it though, my friends who used to work the canneries during the summers made money that you just couldn't beat anywhere else for a no-experience 3-month job.

[kyniekk]

thanks.

Mayby somebody else can tell my what I should know when I go to AK ??
Everything is usefull (how i should dress, about coulture, low, etc, pleas answer)

[DannyL]

Lot's of rain in Ketch, rain gear is a must, ponchos are more handy than umbrellas (it gets kinda-sorta windy at times).

[kyniekk]

are there some wild (degeraus) animal - like bear , or PUMA ??

[nhatfield]

There are bears, though they're seldom a "problem". They mostly stay out of the city proper, save for near the dump, and there, just stay out of their way and they won't bother you.

There's technically wolves, but don't count on ever seeing one (in 18 years there, I saw exactly one wolf, and it was dead on the side of the road )

No big cats.

And I forgot, but Danny picked it up... It rains a LOT. In excess of 13 feet of rain per year. Umbrella's are worthless due to the wind, so definitely bring some sort of wearable rain-gear.

[Alaskagrl]

Kechikan is a bustling tourist town. It is like the trading post of SE Alaska.

Be ready to pay TOO MUCH; do not buy any kinds of gifts or anything similar without doing some research on retailer. Most are scammy.

Folks in Ketchikan are usually a little "transitory;" therefore, they like to take you for every dime you will give them. Some of them buy you a drink afterwards, but not many!

But it's a great place to get an "in" working here.

Any specifics about businesses , etc, you want, I might be able to help.

PM me if you wish.