I made it to Fairbanks (Fox: find a job, camp, living)

[lyoness]

Originally Posted by Alaskapat528

We all have issues/problems. This is a pretty good group. Oh, we may argue, get grumpy, have our moments, but all-in-all I like to think we're there for each other to lend support and advice when needed.

Yep, we are our own, sometimes somewhat disfuntional, some sort of family

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by lyoness

Yep, we are our own, sometimes somewhat disfuntional, some sort of family

You can say that again.

[Wynternight]

I've posted on several forums, depending on where I am in my travels, and found the Alaska forum to be the friendliest and most helpful. <3 my forum peeps!

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Newtgirl

And I kind of hate it.

Well, not Fairbanks itself; it reminds me a lot of northern Michigan. But the job is definitely NOT what I envisioned, and I don't have any transportation, and I don't know anyone.

And I am sharing the dry cabin with the girl I'm replacing, but she's staying longer than she said originally. And she doesn't want to show me where anything is. I don't know where the water wagons are, a laundromat, but I do know where the transfer station is!

I guess I'm homesick, and I don't feel like I fit in.

And not having wheels SUCKS. I can't do anything, explore, shower, laundry, nothin'. I feel trapped.

Nothing you have said is by any means out of the ordinary. Most people who move from one place to another that's more isolated from the rest of the US goes through such feelings of isolation (homesick and such).

You just have to come-up with a plan, and stick to it. For example:

-Put-up with the work you don't like. At the same time, on your days off visit places or businesses that you may want to work at, and personally ask for job applications. Submit these the sooner there is a job opening.

-Transportation. This is a big one since in Fairbanks and vicinity transportation is extremely important in order to move around, go to work and back, or just to get out of town and look at the Alaska's landscape and wildlife, etc.

-There is a place (Water Wagon) not too far and across from the Safeway gas station on Old Steese (right by the coffee stand and the car wash across Fred Mayer). But if you can get a ride to Fox, you can fill water containers on the Elliot Highway past the truck weight station (the Steese turns right by the weight station, so if you just drive straight ahead, that's the Elliott). The Fox water spring is right past the weight station, on the left side of the road).

-Friends. I would advise, again, to make a plan and stick to it. Friends will come later, and you will have plenty unless you are as ugly as the front bumper of a Mack truck

-Laundry, showers: as mentioned by a lot of us in this forum, the cost of living in Alaska is extremely high. There are laundromats and places to take showers all around Fairbanks, but you need transportation just like a lot of other people in similar situations as yours. Get the bus routes and schedule first. Eventually you will have some friends, and maybe you can move-in to a place with a shower and a washer and dryer For now pretend that you are out moose hunting with me, and that all we have is a 5-gal. bucket of water and a little plastic tub to wash your face, and the body parts that stink a day or two later Or just to have some "Wet Ones" (wet-tissue) to clean your hands and body as needed. You will need to take a shower, of course, at least every four or five days. (sorry about this bad news, but you are at the other side of the mountain now).

And please don't feel that your roommate is a pain She (or he?) probably has his or her own problems to contend with already.

Summary: concentrate on work and saving as much cash as possible, buy what you need, and then make friends.
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Lets face it. When you see the other side of the mountain you realize what this is, except that now you have to start from the beginning: no friends, no family, the insecurities of a new job, being homesick, no shower sometimes, no food sometimes... Each one of us has or is going through similar situations

[gobrien]

I would guess the transportation issues really are the root of the problem...the bus may not go where she lives and it sounds like the housing is provided for the job. With winter on the way, I recommend a big bottle of vitamin D to counter the potential depression caused by seasonal affective disorder, which will be heightened by having trouble getting around town.

[blueflames50]

hey Newtgirl.....go outside late at night and scream as loud and you can..stomp your feet and throw an absolute tantrum...then regroup, go to bed and meet the new day! just a thought!

[gobrien]

Ha ha, I should try that....

[Lunabell]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

hey Newtgirl.....go outside late at night and scream as loud and you can..stomp your feet and throw an absolute tantrum...the regroup go to bed and meet the new day! just a thought!

One of the benefits of not living around a lot of people! That sounds like a fine idea! Try that in suburbia and I bet the neighbors would call the cops.

[Lakester]

RayinAK nailed it, well said. Only on friends, smile and talk to anyone and everyone no matter what they may look like. Pick up the phone and just dial a local number and say sorry wrong number and then ask what their doin, not unusual to have these talks with strangers. Good luck.

[Frostnip]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

-Friends. I would advise, again, to make a plan and stick to it. Friends will come later, and you will have plenty unless you are as ugly as the front bumper of a Mack truck

I pretty much am and I still haven't had trouble in that department