Posted: 6/13/2008 4:42:02 AM EDT
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My wife has found a job lead in Fairbanks, Alaska, and we're seriously considering it. The pay's good, and the tax situation looks beneficial. I would have to find a job. I'm a geologist, so there's got to be some kind of work available for me up there. What's the job market up there like? How about cost of living? Price of gas? Gallon of milk? What would an average 3 bedroom house go for? Does Alaska actually grow any of their own produce, or does it all come in from the lower 48? We've never been to Alaska, but do have some family up there. We've lived our whole lives in the southeast, so I imagine the winters will take some getting used to. Any advice any Alaskans have would be welcome. We're still weighing our options. |
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Do It!! I was born and raised in N. Fla and moved to Kodiak.... I love it! been here 17 yrs now! Yes its a different lifestyle and for some takes gettin use to but Its worth it for most. 99% of all produce is imported ... milk comes from Matanuska Valley. I think it still does. Cost of living is a bit high but the pay scale makes up for it generally. Plus you get your PFD (permanent fund dividend) for being a permanent resident ...this year it should be around $1800 per family memeber! Comes out in Oct every year!! Living in AK for a while will give you a whole different perspective. Feel free to IM me if I may be of assistance. |
| I just spent a month up in Fairbanks. I liked it! The town itself is your average anytown. Lowes, Walmart, Home Depot, Fred Meyers its all there. Kind of wish we had that stuff in Ketchikan. Prices are not too bad as far a groceries go. Housing prices are not too bad either from what I saw. The winters on the other hand I dont know about. -40 and a few hours of sun a day ehhhhhh but thats just me! Ill take 30 deg and rain for the winter! |
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Heh. I live in Anchorage and would never live in FBX. Too fucking cold in the winter, too fucking hot and choking forest fire smoke in the summer. You're a professional and in the right place for gold mines or academic teaching? Maybe you can make a go of it, you are in the right town. It is not your average everytown by any stretch. FBX is unique. |
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I lived in Fairbanks for 10 years. It's well worth the trip. Jobs are good, people are nice and if you like a small town it is exactly that. Taxes are low and the people are independant, if a little weird (and rustic). Think Northern Exposure! Housing is reasonable, but not cheap. Supplies (food, gas etc) is about average. Things used to be quite high, but it is better now. Geologist jobs should be readily available. The University has an excellent geology program. You will all get a pfd once a year after you've been here a couple of years to offset some of the higher costs of living. Take the chance have an adventure and enjoy it. It unlike any place else on earth. If worse come to worse, move to Anchorage after a year or two. As for the cold cold weather. It is pretty sucky. You will learn what bundle up means. try to get a house with a garage. Depending on how well off you are it can be a practical necessity. I moved there from South Florida. It was sort of the same thing. There you run from your air-conditioned house to your air-conditioned car to your air conditioned office (or mall), In Fiarbanks you run from your heated house to your heated car to your heated office (or mall). Eric |
| Thanks guys, this is just the kind of info I was looking for. I feel like it's time for a change. The only factor left to figure out is how it will effect the kids. It could be a big shift in their futures. We may end up going into as a temporary approach, say five years and see what we think at that point. |
| I've done two winters and I'm working on my second summer up here. I like it a lot. I'm originally from Arizona, so there was a bit of a climate shock for me, but the only really bad months are January through March. October through December are pretty bearable, and breakup usually starts in April. In my limited experience, -40 and below usually comes in cold snaps that last a couple weeks at most, then the temperature will go back up to -20 or so, which isn't too bad unless the wind is blowing. |
When I left town last week gas was at $4.24/g and seemed to be rising every couple of days Milk runs about $3.50-$4.oo/g 3 bedroom home to purchase will run you about $225,000 give or take. If you dont mind living in North Pole, you can probably knock $25000-$50000 off that. If you are looking to rent, think $1300 on the very low end and $1800 or so for a house with garage. It is my understanding that there is a shortage of rentals though. There are some geology jobs up here, but Im not sure how many openings there are. Most people who do geology and live here, dont leave until the retire. Where is your wife looking at? Ive been in Fairbanks since 1987, its been very good to me, but our economy is hurting right now. In the last 5 years our energy cost (gas/oil/water/sewer/electric) have quadrupled. Yes 400% rise in 5 years. The biggest concern of them all is oil. Almost all home heating the Fairbanks area rely on oil to heat in the winter. We have been lucky and have had minor winters for the last couple of years. A long stretch of 40-60 below will cripple some people, actually a lot of people. The Borough mayor recently stated that they (borough gov) are expecting a 20-25% drop in borough population because of sky rocketing cost and the inability to survive. |
When I left last week I heard it was pushing $5/gal I have heard rumor (from one of the local oil companies) that they are expecting heating oil to hit $6.50 this winter in Fairbanks |