How is it to live in Anchorage, AK?

Question

I'm coming from El Paso, TX, I need some good advice!

Answer 1

I didn't live there but my unit had a team at the Army base and I visited more than once. Here are some things to know so you can prepare yourself:

a) Cold as sh-t in the winter (Yea, I know NO F-ing kidding)

b) You have to get use to Weird day vs. night hours depending on the season. I was there in the middle of summer. The sun didn't set until 10:30pm and was back up at 2:30am. The reverse is true during the winter.

c) Once the heavy snows hit, the ONLY way out of the cities is by Airplane because the roads become Impassable (Unless you want to Die. They will find your frozen body in your car at the spring thaw)!

d) I was in Fairbanks and during the dead of winter; you can get "cabin fever" because there is Nowhere to go. I found that having Civilization on my laptop save me from killing myself.

e) Alaska should make the mosquito their State Bird! Being from Florida, I had thought I had lived in the worst mosquito infested state in the country. I Was WRONG! In Florida, if the temperature drops below 50 Deg (Fr) all our mosquitoes drop dead. In Alaska the mosquitoes are Three times as big, they wear Gortex Parkas and Still attack you in a snowstorm!

f) How about some Good news? If you live and work there for Two years (I think), the State PAYS You! It's like a reverse state income tax! Pretty Cool Huh??

g) Great, untouched, beautiful lands. If you like Hunting or Fishing you'll be in heaven!

h) Some of the people are a "little Off" but most are very down to earth and nice!

i) Stay Away from the Moose during the "rut" (males) and when cows have young caves with them. They WILL F--K you UP!
...And just because you're in a "city" Don't think you're safe! The moose don't respect housing developments! Trust me on THIS one!

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I just came from Anchorage. It rained the whole time I was there. The highs were in the mid 60s. The lows were about 50. The sun almost never shown, but it was sort of bright from about 4 in the morning until near 11 at night. It is much prettier than El Paso.

Answer 3

I love it. The people are friendly. The cost of living is not too high (high compared to El Paso, maybe). Unemployed isn't that high. Rents and housing is expensive.

Not much of a summer, but the winters are not too bad. If you have never driven on snow and ice, you will have to get used to that.

Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, so there is really not a big city to go to for the weekend.

Fishing, etc. is great.

If you have any specific questions, just add to your question and I will check back.

I have lived here most of my life.