User Panel
Posted: 8/30/2018 3:35:39 PM EDT
So, I work for Costco. Huge benifit of them as a company, is they working in a different department/location is about as easy as asking.
I guess Costco bought out an old Sams Club building and is renovating it. I saw the announcement that they are planning on it being open in the next 5 months, and are taking applications from current employees Zillow seems to indicate that houses are right up my alley and very affordable. I can't imagine I would run out of outdoorsy things to do there. Any huge reasons not to maybe move up there for a year? I'm 26, single, no real obligations, and tired of the Colorado housing market. It does look like a tiny little place, and the national parks do seem to be a ways away from it, but that would be my big draw to moving. Denali, gates of the arctic, kenjai etc |
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What do you consider a reasonable house price?
Usually people complain about housing cost |
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For a year? Yeah, no problem if you're young and want a somewhat sedate adventure/change of pace.
The nice thing about Fairbanks is that there's very little traffic. That's all I think it has going for it. The bad: The winters are very cold with sub-zero temperatures being the normal, and -40 F not uncommon. The air quality sucks in the winter because there's no natural gas and heating oil is expensive, so most people burn wood. The air quality is akin to Beijing, in the winter. The summers are very hot, in the 90's, and the air quality sucks, because Fairbanks is surrounded by forests for hundreds of miles, and they inevitably catch fire from lightning in the summer and choke Fairbanks with smoke. The water is very hard and stinks of sulfur. Maybe you get used to that but when I'm ever there it bothers me. There's nowhere good to eat. |
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Coming from the Denver metro area... a condo here with 800 SQ/FT is north of 180K.
I really think it would be a stint, not a long term thing, but a way to enjoy my youth and see places I wouldn't otherwise. The air pollution is unfortunate, but most of Colorado is on fire, and I haven't seen the mountains from the front range in weeks |
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Quoted: Coming from the Denver metro area... a condo here with 800 SQ/FT is north of 180K. I really think it would be a stint, not a long term thing, but a way to enjoy my youth and see places I wouldn't otherwise. The air pollution is unfortunate, but most of Colorado is on fire, and I haven't seen the mountains from the front range in weeks View Quote I'm not trying to talk you out of moving to FBX, especially if you've got a job there and want a base to explore the rest of Alaska. In fact, that's a great opportunity. |
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I’d recommend visiting it first if you’ve never been. Fairbanks and the interior as a whole is a love or hate place. I haven’t met anyone who is indifferent to it, most either can’t wait to leave or never want to.
I personally love it but it does have its drawbacks too. With anchorage being 300+ miles away with nothing but a few small towns in between you are pretty isolated. The winter is long and brutally cold. Can have snow on the ground from September-May. Things don’t like to work in -40, including humans. Accomplishing even simple tasks outside become a challenge. But you get used to the cold pretty quick. The summer is awesome, but it’s gone in the blink of an eye. |
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Air quality is nothing like Beijing
There are areas with bad air in the winter. Fairbanks is in a giant valley and the air gets trapped. Property taxes are high in Fairbanks as well. Heating fuel is expensive as is electricity. There are a few nice Resteraunts, however most are a waste of money. Anchorage is 350 miles away Groceries are more expensive in Alaska and produce is usually a few weeks old by the time it gets here If you’re up for an adventure give it a try With the likelihood of the F35s coming to Elelson, the area is expecting a fairly large population spike |
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Bring your own woman if you need one. All I’ll say since the guys covered most everything else. I cant wait to come back.
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Quoted:
Air quality is nothing like Beijing View Quote |
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Your story sounds like alot of us. I moved from Florida to Fairbanks about 35 years ago and spent 10 years there, before moving to anchorage.
You will either love it or hate it. I'd rent a place, with a garage and heat included if you can afford it. The heating costs sometimes equal what you might pay for rent. I expect alot has changed over the years, but this is probably still a true statement: "Bring your own woman if you need one". When I moved there the tag line for Fairbanks was "where the men are men, and the women are men too." You don't need much access to the national parks, the wilderness is everywhere... Try it for a year, theres nothing like it. See what you think at that point. I promise you will have a strong opinion about it after 1 winter. |
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Quoted:
https://www.treehugger.com/environmental-policy/air-quality-fairbanks-alaska-worse-beijing.html View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Air quality is nothing like Beijing https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world-ranked/ |
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I love it here. But I grew up here for the most part. There isn't shit to do so you make your own fun. Summer go out to Chatanika or Donnely for the weekend. Winter, drink on cold days and go do winter stuff outside when it's above zero.
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What kind of deal can you cut for me and @jmar15 on kirklands light beer, by the pallet?
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DO IT OP!!!
You only live once. Give it a try and see if you like it. If ya don't, move. If ya do, get comfy and enjoy your new life. If it was up to me I would live in Fairbanks but work tells me Anchorage is home. I go to Fairbanks every so often and always enjoy the interior. Fairbanks has a university, so there are young single females. If you aren't a tard, you can find a mate. So dont stress it. My only advice - winter is long. Find a winter hobby to get outside and dont isolate in the winter. Hit the gym, go snowshoeing, snowmachining, cross country skiing, predator hunting/trapping, something. Just make sure to find something to do in the winter. If you have no plan and stay home, you will hate life. Anyways, have fun. I personally like Fairbanks and I think you will if you like adventure. Now get to it and let us know what you decide. I'll tell ya this, if ya don't go, you will regret it. I've lived all over and enjoyed every single place and experience. |
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Quoted: it took me a while to figure that one out. It's very true. You'll go stir crazy without some sort of outdoor winter activity! View Quote Probably not going back again, sadly. |
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Cons:
Cold as fuck in the winter Hot in the summer No chicks. None. Very expensive utilities. Pros: Free as fuck Sportsmans Paradise Endless things to do outdoors Last city on the road in the Last Frontier I'd come for a year and see what it's about. |
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@bakke1
So what did ya decide? The Fairbanks Costco opened last week, so curious if you decided to head north. |
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Quoted:
@bakke1 So what did ya decide? The Fairbanks Costco opened last week, so curious if you decided to head north. View Quote I'm actually trying to plan a trip up there this spring, scope things out a bit. |
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Must say that I am very impressed with Costco in Fairbanks
They are stupid busy, but it never feels that way |
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Scoping it out in spring is stupid. Scope it out in late January. Bring a hoodie.
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Spent several years in the 80's at Ft. Wainwright, I loved it but don't know what it's like now. Would like to back for a visit at least.
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Currently a Ft. Wainwright guy, finishing up my time here before PCS. I hate this place, I'm from AZ so I prefer warmer climates. If you're a true sportsman, this is it. But if you're like me who spends more time indoors playing with his guns than shooting them (Expensive hobby) then you might hate it. Seasonal Depression is real, and the Aurora is only cool the first 3 times you see it. It's much like the Grand Canyon.
Cost of Living is crazy due to isolation but it all balances out. |
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75% of the year it is the best place on earth to live. The other 25% - December, January, and February - it really sucks. If I could live anywhere in Alaska, it would be further south (Wasilla, Palmer, somewhere on the Kenai).
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Quoted:
Fixed it for you. I will give home the benefit of the doubt that he meant UA and accidentally hit the A twice. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted: Um... You realize that UAF was in existence well before Anchorage? I will give home the benefit of the doubt that he meant UA and accidentally hit the A twice. University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) was founded in 1954 University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) originally called the Alaska Ag college and School of Mines was established in 1917 |
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Quoted: What was my mistake? University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) was founded in 1954 University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) originally called the Alaska Ag college and School of Mines was established in 1917 View Quote |
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Quoted:
DO IT OP!!! You only live once. Give it a try and see if you like it. If ya don't, move. If ya do, get comfy and enjoy your new life. If it was up to me I would live in Fairbanks but work tells me Anchorage is home. I go to Fairbanks every so often and always enjoy the interior. View Quote |
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