Anyone move to Anchorage area from DC Metro Area?

[tigre79]

Civilization, eh? I've never thought of D.C. as civilized...

As for road trips, heck, driving to the next town is a road trip out here!

[blonde79]

I moved to Anchorage from DC a few months ago. For me it was a work-related move and while I loved living in DC for the short time I was there (so many amazing things to do), I like Anchorage for different reasons. I've lived all over the US in all sizes of towns/cities but basically quoting the great movie (Joe Dirt)...home is where you make it...

Just depends on why you're moving and making the best of it. No such thing as a geographic cure but lots to consider.

[fiddlestick]

Bump

[Fearlessfemme]

I lived in DC for a couple of months for a school in Arlington back in 03.

I have only lived in Anchorage for a month... I have liked in Philly, Minneapolis and Chicago...

Anchorage seems to have a different pace... in some ways, it seems to be like a suburb of a large city, rather than the city itself. While it is harder to find architectural beauty you may find in some of the larger cities, the natural beauty more than makes up for it... I am one of the "I love it here" people...

I'm a night person, and have found the darkness isn't bothering me too badly - except I find myself feeling it is later than it actually is... your mileage may vary....I am excited to see how I react to the summer and the light.

I have found shopping to be decent... I can find just about everything I've looked for, so far... found the Greek yogurt I like (Fage), many gluten free products, health food stores, neat little shops with artsy stuff...and consignment and thrift shops... also some really NICE shops, also.

Traffic... hahahaha... ok, I guess it is traffic for here, but it used to take me over an hour to drive 25 miles each way to work in Minneapolis, and more than that for the same distance in Chicago... I have seen both rude and courteous drivers... so... compared to DC? I would pick Anchorage.

People that I have met so far have been friendly and helpful... people in DC.... well, some were nice, some were kind of cold.

It will be what you make of it... if you want to like it, you will... and if you want to hate it, you will find reasons to hate it here. Attitude is everything!

[tamtbell]

Well I can say this.
I have visited many times DC, and even lived there for a few months. I currently live in Aberdeen MD which is about 1 1/2 hr drive from DC.
People here complain a lot. Massively. Nothing can please these people here. Traffic is always bad even as far away from DC as we are. (that's what people say, not what I say). Weather is always either too cold or too hot (again what people say here, not what I say). Everyone is rude here. (well maybe not everyone but I would say 95% are)

During my 3 years living in Anchorage and then later Fairbanks I found people in Alaska tend to be friendly, welcoming, and while some might complain a bit it does not compare to the East coast. Traffic, imo, does not and can not be compared to DC at all. Yes, it does take a bit longer during rush hour while traveling through downtown Anchorage but it's not the 2 hour commute I had every morning and evening while I was living and working in DC.
Life in Alaska is slower paced (my parents have confirmed this many times when they visited me FROM DC to Alaska).

The only positive thing I can say about DC is the history there, the Smithsonian, culture and dining but then Alaska has some pretty nice restaurants, has some interesting history as well and even has a museum.
Plus, I must say, Anchorage is by far more gorgeous to be in then DC.

[blonde79]

Guess it just depends on what you're looking for at any given time and what you make of it. My time here is winding up and I'm so glad. I moved here for a unique work experience and am ready to move on. AK is beautiful and I did volunteer to move here (had visited years ago). ANC...depends. I'm very active, "outdoorsy", and social so I did what I could to build a network. I do believe it's a much easier move if you have a family or significant other. I'm solo and it can be challenging...particularly winter (esp now w/funny weather, dark, poor snow).

Overall it's been an important time for me to grow and learn. On that note....time for a change, new things, more sunshine, proximity to friends, travel, all of it!!!! I still love DC and would move back in a minute but will have to wait and see what the future holds. For now, lucky to be moving to another beautiful locale.

[fiddlestick]

Bump for new people to respond

[1984]

Yeah the traffic is a joke in Anchorage compared to D.C. area. The traffic along the Seward Highway between Anchorage and Portage is pretty crazy in the summertime though.