Relocating to Alaska?

Question

I want to move to Fairbanks, AK. I currently live in Florida, don't call me an idiot just yet. I dropped out of university because of expenses, and I now work two jobs. I just payed off my student loan from last year, so I'm trying to start making a long-term plan. The problem is, I hate it here in Florida. I hate the weather, the people I know, the places I visit, the lack of scenery, the atmosphere, and the tourists... Oh God, all we have are old people and tourists. So somehow I've been inspired to live in Alaska, because I am fond of crappy, cold weather, and I don't mind living a life where I can "Just get by."

I currently work at Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts (#craftstoreswag) and I can probably transfer this job to the department in Fairbanks, AK.

If I take enough money for rent, food, and utilities for a few months until I get settled, do you think I'd be able to make it? Some quick searches show me that it would be relatively easy to find a basic apartment, but I need more help getting a clear picture of what to expect. Is there any sort of resource I can use, someone I can talk to to give me a good idea of how I can make this dream a reality?

Some useful skills I have are writing, plumbing, carpentry, and electrical. I am also a little bit of a musician, a sketch artist, and painter.

For any Fairbanks natives, would I be able to get around sufficiently using public transit? E.G. bus system.

Google searches tell me yes, but this is only because I really would like to avoid buying a car for as long as I can. I would even bicycle to and from where I need to be if that makes it doable.

Please take this seriously and respond.. What should I consider, and what are teh upsides and downsides?

Answer 1

Fairbanks is about as extreme as it gets in Alaska while still "on the road system". Shortest winter days, longest summer days, most extreme temps of any city Earth (-40F to +90F most years, sometimes -50 to +100). It's upsides include smart and interesting people because of the university, cheap land (by 48 state standards), getting to know the small community and people in it quickly, and the scenic beauty of Alaska.



Many people come here for the tasty critters as another poster alluded to, but non-hunters can be happy here too, if they are hikers, skiiers, or appreciate the scenery.



Sounds like you have some connection in Fairbanks. Anchorage is climatically easier, Kenai / Soldotna has more accessible recreation and fishing. There are Jo-Ann Fabrics in all of them and I'd definitely suggest you take the transfer, even if it doesn't include moving expenses. It is far easier to look for a new job if you have one than to be yet another newbie in town in need of a job. Plumbing, carpentry and electrical all pay well and if you are productive and show up each day, you can be busy most of the year. I'd suggest taking the transfer and then moving into the trades for the better pay.



The Park Service can be very picky - lots of people want those jobs. It's not a FL/AK thing. If that is your goal, keep your day job but volunteer with a non-profit, volunteer at Denali NP on weekend from Fairbanks or Chugach SP from Anchorage or Kenai Fjords or Kenai Watershed Forum from Kenai/Soldotna. Leverage that experience to internships or paid position and start to travel in those circles.



Fairbanks is a college town and there are bus routes. Anchorage also has regular city buses. GET A PLACE ON A BUS ROUTE. That is worth $100s/month in rent to avoid the expenses of car, insurance and gas while you can. Make friends, join the local outing clubs. Be the best damn carpooler you can when taking a hike with others (pay for gas, bring snacks, ask them about themselves, etc). I don't have a gun, a boat, or a truck, but I can get where I want because I'm many people's favorite guy to have along.



Also on housing: Whether it includes utilities is HUGE. Therefore, how well insulated is a huge factor in your costs. I knew a young married couple (both enigneers) who knew to rent the INSIDE apartment, surrounded by others on four sides. They never turned on their heat. They wore sweaters, and let their neighbors heat their apartment (because there is no insulation between apartments). A bit parasitic, perhaps, or maybe just the technically savy taxing the scientifically illiterate.

Answer 2

Relocating To Alaska

Answer 3

Going from FL to Fairbanks would be going from one extreme to the other. I don't think you can appreciate how cold it gets there in the winter. The high temperature during the peak of winter will still be below zero degrees. People tend to not shut their car/truck off at night because if they do you can't get it restarted. Fairbanks is close to the Arctic circle, which means very very long nights during the winter (in December you just get twilight, no actual day). Cabin fever is a VERY real thing in that part of the country.



I wouldn't move there unless your an avid hunter/fisherman. Hunting and fishing are over the top world class there, if your not into that then I think the hardships outweigh the rest of it.



The other post mentioned Sitka, that is in SE Alaska where it rains vs snows. In Fairbanks they get snow, lots of snow. Sitka is to Fairbanks what Pensacola is to Fargo ND in the lower 48 - they are that far apart and that different. SE Alaska is a different world from Fairbanks.



Sure Alaska is a beautiful state, but if your strapped for $ it might not be the best choice.



Alaska has a higher cost of living index overall than most of the lower 48 cities. Everything needs to be transported in, which considering the cost of fuel makes goods more expensive. Getting by will be harder than it would be in FL.



If you want that "Alaska" experience, why not try northern Maine, NH, VT or NY? I could drop a Fairbanks native into Northern Maine and they would think they are still in Alaska. They are very similar. Won't cost as much to move there, doesn't cost as much to live there once your there, and if you hate it it's easier to get out. Try Greenville, ME - I know someone trying to sell a business there. http://www.mainemountain.com/

Answer 4

I would STRONGLY recommend you transfer to another store somewhere in the Lower 48 where the cost of living is low. Try somewhere in central Pennsylvania - I loved it there!

(1) The cost of living here in Fairbanks is astronomically high and moving to Alaska is just like moving to an island - once you're here, you're stuck, unless you have the $$$ to move out.

(2) Yes, there is low-cost housing available (Cushman Street comes to mind), but I hope the sounds of gunshots, arguments, and drunken natives pounding on your door at 2am won't disturb you too much. If the rent is low, chances are that utilities aren't included. Heating oil, electricity bills, and food costs take a BIG bite out of paychecks each month.

(3) Public transit service is excellent in this area. And I've seen many people riding bicycles with studded tires during the winter. There's even one nut riding around in the snow and ice on a unicycle!

(4) Keep in mind that a lot of the work up here is seasonal, and there are many people trying to make the same kind of living as you.



I could go on, but I think you get the idea. If you're really serious about moving up here, email me and I will be happy to give you a lot more information.

Answer 5

I can not speak to the work or job aspects of Fairbanks much since I do not live there, sorry those are probably your biggest questions. I can however speak to the surroundings, challenges and weather of the region since I live in a village a few hundred miles away. I know it is not a full answer but it may be a place to start. Rather than take up all the space here explaining I will give you a link to my blog. Wolfslunch.wordpress.com and recommend the posts titled cold, challenges in the bush, and money.

Answer 6

A few years ago, I moved from Holiday, FL to Sitka, AK and there isn't a more beautiful state in our country. That's my opinion, at least. You can look forward to wet, cold weather and small town people. If this appeals to you, great. It's better than it sounds. It's a pretty tight knit community up there. If you're able to transfer that job up to Fairbanks, I really suggest you do it. It's one of those places where people might hate where they live, but they wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Also, many people sell homemade crafts there. Especially to any tourists that come through. To look for a place to stay, you should check out homes.com. You can specify exactly what you want, and to rent or own. Good luck.

Answer 7

You should also consider the fact that Alaska has very, very long nights in winter and constant daylight in summer. Could you handle that? I couldn't. There was a movie a few years back, with Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams that used the constant daylight as part of the plot line.

Answer 8

visit and rent first- keep enough cash to get out. I lived a year in Iceland a place of extreme beauty from the land to the people and the women... but if you did not grow up in areas with long nights and no days- you must find out if you have seasonal disorder- i have seen so many service personal have issues from getting deep depression, cabin feaver, antsy etc- so as with anything make sure you have an exit strategy just in case...

Answer 9

I too have considered a move to Alaska. It is such a diverse state for scenery and weather actually. I found this website helpful to answer some of my questions. Hope it helps.



http://www.elisetomlinson.com/faq-alaska.html

Answer 10

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Relocating to Alaska?

I want to move to Fairbanks, AK. I currently live in Florida, don't call me an idiot just yet. I dropped out of university because of expenses, and I now work two jobs. I just payed off my student loan from last year, so I'm trying to start making a long-term plan. The problem is, I hate it...