What's it really like living in Anchorage? (Fairbanks, Eagle: house, school)

[retiredintx]

Yes, got it right, did some work up there during those years. Mostly interface with the North Slope Borough on development projects. Not that many folks live there year round, but Arctic Pizza was really good. Never did get used to the sun being out all night in the summer up there though. Spent a lot of time in Barrow, Kaktovik, and later in Inuvik NWT in my (former) career. Great people and great memories - except for maybe one spring whaling festival and a spoiled fluke episode...

[beenhereandthere]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

The by far biggest challenge to living in Alaska is adapting to the extremes of daylight. For example, in Anchorage the June sunset is around midnight, the December sunset around 3pm, with a 10am sunrise. It is a little crazy for those not used to such extremes. The cold in Anchorage is not much different from say, Chicago or Detroit, but it does tend to last longer, especially in late Fall and then lasting into early Spring.

Earthquakes are another story. In my 2 years living in Anchorage I experienced more earthquakes than I have in my entire life, and I am no spring chicken. Fortunately they were all 4-5 magnitude, not major.

The sunrise and sunsets though drag on compared to the Lower 48. While Sunrise may be around 10a during the Winter, just enough light to see without artificial light is more like around 9a-915a.

[pnwguy2]

I agree with your post. But these differences can be jarring to newcomers. I think those who survive 3-4 years in Anchorage will be fine. I lasted just two years and my main objective was to move back to the lower 48.

[nursemike3]

You ever see dew on everything in the morning? Now imagine that frozen in the air, also frosting trees, utility poles, maybe vehicles....its beautiful. You will have frosted eyelashes as well from just your breath's and the air's moisture on your eye lashes. Its's not like ice,its softer and thicker.

[CaliforniaPlaya]

For most of my life, my impression of Alaska was that everyone there lives in igloos and ice fishes to survive - think I've been watching too much of the wrong kind of TV shows. Just like the OP, I was a bit surprised that many Alaskan cities offer a lot of the conveniences of many major American cities. A recent cruise to Alaska showed me otherwise. My wife and I are now in the beginning stages of exploring if Alaska might be a good fit for us to move to. If we do, would most likely be somewhere in the Mat-Su Valley. Still have some exploring to do before we decide if we will make the move.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaPlaya

For most of my life, my impression of Alaska was that everyone there lives in igloos and ice fishes to survive - think I've been watching too much of the wrong kind of TV shows. Just like the OP, I was a bit surprised that many Alaskan cities offer a lot of the conveniences of many major American cities. ..

Pretty much all of the conveniences found elsewhere. It's a long winter season though, that much is true.

[CaliforniaPlaya]

Originally Posted by Arktikos

Pretty much all of the conveniences found elsewhere. It's a long winter season though, that much is true.

That's what I understand. Juneau was one of our stops on the cruise and we met some nice people there. While trying to get to IGA to resupply and following Google maps routes that led us to stairs, which my wife is unable to navigate in her wheelchair, we came across a man coming up those stairs and asked him if he knows of any alternate routes that do not involve stairs. Just as soon as we got turned around on the route he suggested, he returned in his car and offered to drive us there. We accepted and offered a few $ for his time and gas, which he declined.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by TX2AK

I moved to Anchorage back in February from Texas. I love it here. Like you I particularly do cold very well (having not grown up with it), but, it really isn't that bad here TBH, I have heard that it is much colder in Fairbanks though. Also, the amazing summer has made up for the winter. I'm not sure what it is but I have to wear a tank top up here when it gets over 72 degrees, that is definitely not the case in Texas. As for the bear, so far I have only seen two in town, both black bear, I have seen a ton of moose though!


In the end I'm trading heat for cold, tornadoes for earthquakes, etc., every place has good and bad, but there is so much to do outdoors that it makes up for a lot of the bad

Yes, a whole lot of ground-shaking takes place Alaska

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaPlaya

That's what I understand. Juneau was one of our stops on the cruise and we met some nice people there. While trying to get to IGA to resupply and following Google maps routes that led us to stairs, which my wife is unable to navigate in her wheelchair, we came across a man coming up those stairs and asked him if he knows of any alternate routes that do not involve stairs. Just as soon as we got turned around on the route he suggested, he returned in his car and offered to drive us there. We accepted and offered a few $ for his time and gas, which he declined.

You will find lots of people like that throughs Alaska. I worked with university students, including lots from India and Asia for 25 years, and the nicest ones were from Alaska, India, and Asia. Alaskans in general are honest, and look at you in the eye when conversing with you, and go out of their way to help others. At the stores the customer service workers and the ones at the registers are warm, helpful, and usually thank you or offer you a "good day." What I remember when shopping in NY, Boston, and other East Coast cities was the clerk saying, "next!." People tend to not look in your eyes when conversing with you

[Hermit12]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

You will find lots of people like that throughs Alaska. I worked with university students, including lots from India and Asia for 25 years, and the nicest ones were from Alaska, India, and Asia. Alaskans in general are honest, and look at you in the eye when conversing with you, and go out of their way to help others. At the stores the customer service workers and the ones at the registers are warm, helpful, and usually thank you or offer you a "good day." What I remember when shopping in NY, Boston, and other East Coast cities was the clerk saying, "next!." People tend to not look in your eyes when conversing with you

I'm betting native Alaskans are survivors who know who to trust or not. The eyes can tell a lot.