Details about relocating to Alaska?

Question

My wife and I are moving to Anchorage or Fairbanks with the Army. Can anyone give me some details about what it's like to live in these 2 cities? Also, pros and cons about driving the alcan or taking the ferry (traveling from Virginia). Our main concerns are the effect the weather will have on our lives, what type of vehicle we will need, the cost of renting a 1,500 square foot home (plus utilities), and the health of our newborn son, who has delicate lungs (was a preemie). Thank you for your attention to this matter. :)

My son has to drive with us, because he can't handle the altitude change for an airplane yet.

Answer 1

I agree with what Valorie posted. I'll add my thoughts (lived here 8 years, traveled here for 30, driven the Alcan many times).

The ferry only gets you from Bellingham to Haines, that leaves another 800 miles to Anchorage. And you have to drive further west to Bellinham, WA, then if you turned north. The ferry take 3 days + the 800 miles. Whereas I can do the whole WA-AK portion in 2-2.5 days (I'm hardcore). Our car was $800, a moving van would be about $2000 ferry fare, but check. You'd save about 1000 miles of driving (150 gallons = US$450). It is a spectacular trip either way - drive or ferry.

I wonder about your newborn being too young to fly, since this isn't happening this month, right? All my kids have flown within their first month. They were full-term, but will you son be grown to full-term size/health by then? DCA-SEA-ANC on Alaska Airlines would be 12 hours. That could be a lot easier on mom and baby than 6-10 days on the road.

What type of vehicle (for the trip and living up here): I'm a maverick on that point. We've got a Subaru, Corolla and a Prius. And guess what, the 2WD cars don't get stuck if you stay on the dirt roads. Don't go on the beach or off-road and you're fine. And they get better mileage and have less overturning rick than a SUV. If you do get stuck once a year, you always have a tow rope (and sleeping bag, food, winter, cables, etc) in the car and the next person along will pull you out. The babysitter hit a moose at 55mph last month and was totally uninjuried. The car was rumpled but driveable.

That said, one 4WD in the family is nice for accessing gorgeous places, hauling supplies, etc.

The Alcan is paved the whole way up. You could take a moped in the summer. There is gas every 250-300 miles on the main route so you don't need jerry cans or 3 spare tires, etc. The two times I needed mechanical help, someone stopped within 5 minutes and got me going again.

ANC versus FAI? ANC is very developed (but with moose still in town), commercial and convenient for travel outside. It seems small to me (coming from the SF/Seattle), I live 160 miles away and usually see someone I know when I'm there.

But FAI is much smaller, easier to much connections with other people. Far colder in winter (some -40F every year, versus some -20F in ANC) and 3 hour of sunlight instead of 5.5 in ANC. With fewer commercial amusements, you need some serious outdoor pursuits in FAI to stay sane, especially in winter. Snow machining ("snow mobiles" to Americans), ice fishing, caribou hunting, X-C skiing, etc.

Either location has good medical care (you'd be getting your's on-base, right?) ANC will have more specialists. My daughter has asthma, and so we try to maintain a healthy indoor climate for her (reduce dust and irritants). One respiratory issue anywhere in the far north is indoor humidity in the winter. It can be really low, like 15% in and older,leaky building in FAI. Look at the age of the construction (newer is better), feel around for leaks in the doors and windows. Ideally, it would have a whole-house humidifier so you don't have to haul water twice a day to the portable humidifier.

Another thing about driving up - the most vehicles I'd bring are the moving van with a car on a tow dolly behind. Two adults sharing the driving is SAFER and easier. One to concentrate on the road and the other to deal with baby's diapers. And driving an F-150 7,000 miles will cost you $1500 in gas (higher prices in CAN). Plus 2-3 more nights of hotels and restaurants. Just sell it and put the $2000 savings towards a new-to-you vehicle in AK.

I like the idea of Mom and Baby flying and you doing the trip with a buddy. I did that once and had a great time. I enjoy road trips far more than my wife does.

Search on my old posts ("Alcan"). I've posted several times with more specific details on the routes, sites, and tips.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

My Husband is in the Air Force and is stationed at Elmendorf, Anchorage. We drove the Alaska Highway the entire way here. My husband had a truck and a trailer and I had a truck and a trailer and we had 3 kids rotating between us. Having a newborn, I would suggest the ferry, as the roads have alot of Frost heaves,,,which makes the road like a roller coaster ride all year around. You dont need anything specail to drive up here, and it is a fairly easy trip,but a newborn complicates that.
Rentals are hard to find...You can plan on about $1000 or more a month, We have a 1700 Sqft rental , (we rent out) and Charge $1800 per month. There are alot of people here, and traffic is horrible.
We have only been to Fairbanks once, but enjoyed it because it was a smaller town. However with the Army all moving up there and VERY limited housing, it will be hard to find a rental.
I would suggest flying your wife and son up here, and having a buddy travel with you.
Good Luck,,,,