Fairbanks, Alaska
THANK YOU! |
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| From a visitor's standpoint:
Chena Marina was a very nice camprgound. Friends of our have returned to that park and spent an extended amount of time there. The City is interesting - it is small in population, but there is everything you need for life as if in the big city, and lots of people from all over. Then there's University of Alaska at Fairbanks as a huge resource. Very nice place to visit, and OF COURSE the days are LOOOOONG in the summer. Take a look at the road between Fairbanks and Alaska. Great stuff! |
| Hi, Emily
I lived for a lot of years in Fairbanks, and I loved it there! Fairbanks is very much a college town, with lots of young people, and University based activity. The people are extremely friendly and warm! The climate....um...not so much! . 
Temp.s of 40-60 below 0 are not at all uncommon in the winter, and summers are quite HOT with temp.s of 90-100 . Are you thinking of moving there???!!! Or just visiting?... 
Laurel |
| I've been there - visiting Todd's brother who was stationed there. They owned a home in nearby NorthPole. They lived there for 4 years with their family - 4 daughters and they loved it there. It is very pretty there, They have the 2 extremes in day length - all day sun in the summer, all day darkness in the winter. We visited in June, and the sun never quite set - just dipped near the horizon. When we camped I could sit in my tent and read a book all night long! In the winter, flashlights are required for all the kids. It's on their school supply list in the fall.
The top soil is thin - many people garden in raised beds. This also helps the soil warm faster in the spring. There are lots of wildflowers growing everywhere. Even though the growing season is short, the 24 hr days make up for it. They grew most all the same garden stuff we do in MN. The people were real nice and friendly. We didn't spend much time in town, so I can't really comment on that. I do know that I love they have garage sales both on Saturday and Sunday! I bought stuff and had to pack it in the extra suitcase we brought! I even bought my son a trumpet for $5. We drove from there down to the Anchorage area to visit relatives and it was a beautiful drive. So are you visiting? or thinking of moving there? |
Thank you very much for all the information! We would absolutely love to visit parts of Alaska, and we've often toyed with the idea of moving there. Sooo - I have no plans yet but wanted more information about the city.  |
| I have heard that Juneau has more mild temperatures. It is very beautiful in Alaska. Lots of the people I know there do a lot of outdoor hiking, camping, snowboarding, crabbing, hunting, etc. IT does snow a lot so if you don't like snow its not so good. My one sister who used to live there would complain that in the winter she would go to work when it was dark and come back home and it was dark. If you have any type of depression problems it is probably not a good idea to move there or you will be on meds in the winter time. That and housing (at least it is in Juneau) is very expensive.
On the up side the state pays you to live there.  So you will get a check every year.
I tell my husband if he ever gets rich we could have a summer house up there and check out every winter and go where it is warm. |
| Don't forget the GIANT veggies! |
| Well I'll just be the pessimist...
MOST people I talk to in the military, and it is pretty much a common feeling among soldiers that... You're SCREWED if you get Fairbanks as an assignment. Not all, but I'd easily say more than half, will opt for a different assignment than choose to go to Fairbanks. These same people would go to Anchorage in a heartbeat. It's also commonly said among people in the military (even back in the day when I was in) that unless you're into fishing and hunting... you won't like Fairbanks. This may be your cup of tea. Those that do, just have so many great things to say about the place, and will do anything to be stationed back over there. You have to remember that people in the military come from all over THE WORLD. So... not being huge into this obscenely cold weather topped with a small town that has jack (in the opinions of my friends, and friends friends, and their friends... you get the point)... it's not a desirable location. There's a reason there's such a high level of depression here... My friends stationed there feel so depressed because of the lack of stores, restaurants, things to do... etc. The big city is Anchorage, so that's why it's more desirable among soldiers (manly married). As a single person who is into the outdoors... it seems to be more enjoyable and memorable. If I had to recommend a must place to visit if you were coming to Alaska... it would be denali/mckinnely and a day in Seward, AK. If that's not included in your trip, I personally would think a cruise up here would be... boring. That's just my opinion... My MIL's friend has been taking a cruise up here every year for the past 10+ years. Each time she's came, it's been too cloudy and/or raining daily to even see McKinnely. What a disappointment, eh? Thankfully we went the weekend the tourist season started and was told it was one of the clearest days they had in the longest time... and had a wonderful view. Breath-taking. |
| While Anchorage's population is not generally as well educted as Fairbanks they both have avantages. Alaska has one of the high average educations in the US. The university in Fairbanks is considered one the top universities many of the sciences. The reason many people stay in the state is not always for the hunting and fishing. I neither hunt, fish or camp. When people ask why I live here I tell them to watch the sun come up over the mountains. Watch a sun set on gold tailings in Fairbanks. One of the most amazing sights I have seen is in the mountains around Fairbanks with the tempature in the hundreds and sunset through the forest fire smoke. Fairbanks has a music festival in the summer that has the participant stay in campus housing. One of the most wonderaus things near Fairbanks maybe the hotsprings. If one can't afford spring break in Mexico, how bout a swim in a hot pool at -20 with the stars and the northern lights overhead. I know a wax on shameless. While there are many military that are not happy in Alaska. All branch of the military have to limit how long troops can stay. Many military will leave their families in AK and do a tour in Korea to stay longer. But I do know that there are many people feel About Alaska the way I feel about Kansas. |
| Hi Lizzie...
I wondered when you would break down and post here! 
(my good friend Liz reads this board, but hasn't registered because she only has a "starter sheepie"...a Lhasa Opso!  |
| Awww Liz, C'Mon and register and join us!
All dogs are welcome and most people! We love talkin dogs, lhasa or Sheepie. |
| I love the thought of a Lhasa being a starter sheepie- lol |
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