Considering a big move... (Anchorage, Fairbanks: apartment, rentals, credit)

[Alyfaye]

I am a native Texan and haven't lived anywhere else since I was a toddler. I've been planning a move to Chicago for the last few months but recently stumbled upon an article about Alaska and am seriously reconsidering. I have never been to Alaska but am now going to spend some time there in March. I graduate in May and would like to move at the end of that month. So, I don't have long to make this decision!

My main concern is for my dogs. I've been looking into Anchorage because I love being in/near the city, but I've read several comments and noticed when searching for rentals that Anchorage doesn't seem to be very dog friendly. Are there decent rental options that allow medium-large dogs? I can't afford to rent a house, but a duplex or something along those lines might be an option. I live in Austin, TX just north of downtown, not really in the suburbs but a nice area that's more affordable than the middle of the city. Austin is very dog-friendly, especially in the areas surrounding downtown. Does anybody know Austin? Can you give me a little comparison?

Are there other cities near, (or not near?), Anchorage that have a good young crowd (college students/people in their 20s)? I'll be nearly 21 when I make the move, so not "over" the college scene by most means.

[roadfamily6now]

Fairbanks

[Lawman_Kyle]

I've been to Austin, and there aren't many places like it. I have never been to Anchorage, but I would be willing to bet it has nowhere near the college atmosphere that Austin does. Austin is an absolute blast for a young adult.

[Alyfaye]

Originally Posted by Lawman_Kyle

I've been to Austin, and there aren't many places like it. I have never been to Anchorage, but I would be willing to bet it has nowhere near the college atmosphere that Austin does. Austin is an absolute blast for a young adult.

I do love Austin but have always wanted something different. The college atmosphere is not really what I'm looking for, just somewhere with a good young adult population would be nice. The more I learn about Anchorage, the less I feel like that's the place for me. I love the big city but would rather live somewhere a little more unique. I've been looking into Juneau. Anybody have any positive/negative experiences there?

[roadfamily6now]

I have never been to Juneau.
But you can only get there by ferry or air. (one reason why I have never been there)
I hear the weather is pretty mild, like Seattle with snow.

[Shannara]

I am currently in Juneau.

The weather is mostly cloudy and rainy. Can snow from October to April/May. As roadfamily6now mentioned, the only way out is by ferry or plane. When my wife moved up here, she compared the weather to much like Renton, WA. rain.rain.rain.

The people here isn't too bad. Yes, there's drinking and drugs and racism but the society as a whole usually stamp out such undesirables.

The job market is a bit ... odd. You could get a minimum-wage job, Or ... (Un?)fortunately, the only way to get an above-minimum wage job here is by knowing people.

Also, like most of Alaska, we are culturally mixed. I am originally from southern Indiana, so that was a biggest shock to me when I moved up here As for younger folks ... We have LOTS compared to the boonies. I would hazard to say Anchorage beats us, however.

Finding a place to rent for dogs/other animals is hard. And when you find one, it's usually a huge deposit fee, and a huge pet fee, and credit/background check. It took my sister 2 years to find an apartment that allows her dogs (they are only husky/wild mix).