Hey, so pretty much the title says it all. I will be moving to anchorage at the end of the summer and by that time i will be 19. My boyfriend already lives up there because he is a soldier stationed at the base (JBER) I'm not here to get lectured about how young I am, etc... Because we know what we want so sorry haha. I like the heat so obviously Alaska is not my first choice but I am excited and I want to make the most of it. I would like to know about peoples experiences (preferably someone close in age) I was a collegiate athlete so i would like to look into the possibility of continuing my education (preferably community college since i will be paying out of state tuition) I will also trying to get a job as a swim instructor or lifeguard because i have loads of experience there and i swam in college. We are already looking at this one apartment in particular and i think that will be the one but it could change... so please just tell me what life is like up there( i've only gone to visit) and what the adjustment might be like (i am from colorado soooo i know what winter and heavy snow is like but i am also used to 90+ summers)
As a Coloradan looking at Alaska, imagine the longest snowstorm and worst driving. Then make the best of long summer days. That said, I see opportunity in my field. I've got Coast Guard clients who all say, "GO!" Pushy as Texans, those Alaskans.
OP posted this a year ago Mama. If the spring-like summers, -30+ degree winters, and harsh prices didn't push her away, she probably loves it. I'm surprised there isn't more Alaskans on HF, it seems to have the 'hip' culture up there. I suppose it's because most of the 'hippies' there are off the grid and don't use internet anymore.
Screw it- ya only live once. Either ya do it or ya don't. If ya do it and decide to go back to where ever it is yer from, you'll know what it was like. If ya don't, you'll always wonder.
My parents lived there in the early 60s when Dad was in the Army. Was on a missile base in Fairbanks. They actually enjoyed it! They were your age when they went too. Enjoy! Get a good look @ the Northern lights when you get a chance, I hear its beautiful!
Here in California I saw a Yamaha 250 parked at Safeway...with Alaskan plates! The driver arrived as I was loading my groceries, and I asked if he had driven it all the way down here, just to make a joke... he got all pissy and weird. Do Alaskans have any sense of humor at all???
Some places they have a thing about Californians. That may be why. I remember when I was living in Denver people thought Californians were a little off.
No. I came up because a guy In was in the military with showed me some 8mm movies he took when he wasn't stationed in Fairbanks. Put coming up here high on my list.
I found it to be a great place. 3 outta 4 of my kids have returned after adventures in :the lower 48". Guess it depends what you need for a happy life. Anchorage is pretty much any city USA and your only an hour from Alaska.