Is Alaska a Good Place to Live? Anchorage
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- As an Alaskan, people from the "Lower 48" often ask why I live in the far north. Well, here's why Anchorage is a good place to live and these are the reasons you should at least visit in the near future!
Jamin Goecker
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What's your favorite part of living in Alaska? Comment below!
It's only a 40-50 minute drive on the Glenn and Parks from Anchorage to Alaska! Love ya'!!
How are the women in Alaska? Meaning the dating scene. And what is the male to female ratio? Also why does Alaska have the highest rate of STD than any other State?
@@organic4050 You know, the women in general up here are going to be a lot more adventurous and outdoorsy. If you see a profile picture up here in which the woman isn't kissing a salmon, I just assume it's a bot lol
The ratio is pretty skewered towards having more men but I can't remember them off the top of my head.
As for STD rates, that's not something I really track, but I would guess it probably has something to do with our lower population and how easy it is to increase that rate. For instance, I saw a national news network that reported AK had a 100%+ increase in covid cases, when everyone here knows that that's because we only a few cases in the previous weeks :) I imagine it's pretty similar with the STD count.
Does that help?
I’v been wanting to move to Alaska from NYC for a long time, but it’s very intimidating.
ziggy morris If you’re from NYC, I cant imagine Alaska can scare you :) is there something specifically that’s intimating?
Everyone is like, "Alaska is so cold and isolated how could you possibly want to live there?" For me that's equivalent to saying "He's really nice and has your back how could you possibly want to be his friend?"
#truth! lol
Same! I really like to live outdoors and go camping, which means that living in a log cabin in the middle of alaska would be amazing for me.
you sound insane, i wouldn't be your friend or trust you
Ikr
@@mikecustoms wtf
Alaska really looks like perfect place for quiet and peaceful life with family
It's separate from the lower 48 and that's a con? dude, sign me up. I want to get AWAY from the lower 48.
This might be just the thing then!
The pro is that we’re not crazy like the lower 48 when we organize protests. The con is that we depend on planes and barges to bring everything up here. If a barge is late, good luck at the grocery store.
I have people who get cranky when I call them the lesser 48
Who cares about the lower 48 ? They don't care about use.
I highly recommend that no one accept a job in Alaska sight unseen (unless a temporary one). You really need to experience this place in both the winter months and the summer months to understand it. The summer months and the winter months are COMPLETELY different as far as road conditions, what is open, and just what the daily routine of life looks like. Sometimes it feels like any place else in the USA, sometimes it feels more like a third world country. Don't take the dark months for granted...it is REALLY difficult to adjust if you are coming from a sunny climate. The farther north you go in the state the worse it is. Also, if you don't have a support system here of family or friends, this can be a very lonely place, especially if you can't afford to travel back home or don't have time off work during the holidays. Health care is limited and expensive. The cost of living is high and real estate prices are higher than you would expect. Available land in Anchorage is very limited, so many people end up doing a one hour or more commute from the Mat Su Valley into Anchorage...which isn't too bad during the summer months but can be a real nightmare in the winter. Areas of the state OFF the road system are even more expensive, isolated, and culturally challenging. This is an amazing land and an incredible place to live but be prepared for a steep learning curve and some significant challenges.
This....this is RIGHT ON. Thank you!
Thank you for the detailed description.
I will be moving to Anchorage from Phoenix, Arizona in several months for a job transfer. I have never been to Alaska before. Hope it works out.
@@KC-xx4sg Most people either love it here or hate it. It's not an "in between" kind of place. Get outdoors, get out and experience the world outside of Anchorage, ask lots of questions but don't be afraid to venture out and experience all this place has to offer. YOU decide to make it work out, just sayin!
@@chuckcubbison7391 Thank you for this post. I was going to apply for a Correctional Officer position. Not anymore thanks!
I lived in Anchorage as a kid way back in 1962. The scenery there is stunning and many people don't know how green and lush the vegetation is there in the summer.
It's a well-kept secret!
@@alaska_realtor We used to pick plenty of berries and caught Coho salmon by driving our boat from Anchorage to Seward in 1962. My father was a good photographer and I donated his original slides (and I scanned and edited them) to the University of Alaska-Anchorage Library. He had some photos of Homer before it was destroyed by the Tsunami in April, 1964.
I've seen some communities in Anchorage that are just as lush and green as the stunning communities of Georgia and Florida. No kidding.
Alaska does have a stick together kind of attitude, and the earthquake is a good example of that. But on the topic of crime, we have an exceptionally high rate of rape and domestic violence. If you are a young woman looking to party downtown in Anchorage, you will need to exercise much more caution than in most large cities. In the winter, the dark can be your enemy in this regard. It is much safer to drink downtown in the summer, because there are lots of tourists around, and the sun doesn't fully set, so the light can protect you to some degree. Still, exercise caution.
Also, Alaska has a huge drug problem. If you're a middle class individual with a high paying job, and you live in Eagle River, Southside, or Hillside, you probably won't see much of this at all. However, if your looking to move up here to try to make it on your own, and you expect to work a lower paying job, say in the service industry, and live in a place like midtown or spenard, this will become part of your daily life. You will know people who are on some type of hard drug, and if you're the type of person who drinks at bars, you will most likely see hard drugs being used on a regular basis.
Also, the dark may be weird for outsiders, but for people who are lifelong alaskans, it's not something you think about much. Same with the light in the summer months. Yeah, most people will take vitamin d3 to avoid seasonal depression, but remarking on how weird it is that the sun is doing it's thing will quickly get you identified as an outsider.
Now, I wouldn't say Alaskans are hostile to outsiders, quite the opposite, so that's not a bad thing. There are not a lot of people living up here, so new people are seen as very interesting, and you will most likely be received very warmly.
However, Alaskans have a very individualistic attitude. We have moments where we come together as a community, and everyone has their circle of friends. But in everyday life, most Alaskans just want to go about their business, and outside of specifically social situations, they rarely will interact with strangers. If you're at the store, going to a doctor's office, at the DMV, the library, or in a similar situation, nobody will go out of their way to talk to you. We may have a smaller population, but in Anchorage you will not find that small town vibe. Additionally, it will be super important if you plan to move up here to make a network of friends. Most social gatherings don't happen in public places, they happen in people's homes.
Also, winter. The worst part isn't the dark, and it isnt the cold. It's the roads. More and more people move up here every year, and they all suck at driving on ice. Plus the state and city government have been defunded a lot lately, so snow removal isn't as timely as it used to be. You will need to learn to drive on snow and ice. The best advice I got on how to drive on snow and ice is to pretend like you've never driven before, and relearn everything. You want a good amount of distance between you and the next car, and you don't want to be distracted in bad conditions.
There's also a huge homeless population in Anchorage, and that is something you will see in town a lot. There are plenty of ways to help, but donating to charities is better than trying to interact with people one on one. Most these people are just down on their luck and need help, but every once in a while you will interact with someone who is either out of their mind on drugs, potentially violent, or a sexual predator. It just isn't worth the risk. I've lived in some of the worst neighborhoods in town, and you have to protect yourself first. If you want to help eliminate homelessness, do it through charity or political action.
Anchorage has a thriving music and art scene. If you are here on the first Friday of the month, I definitely recommend doing the first Friday art Walk. You will also find plenty of shows to attend if that's your thing. The metal scene used to be the most predominant, but experimental lo-fi progressive rock has gained more popularity lately.
Unless you are moving to Alaska with a good bit of money already, you won't thrive here. You might survive, and that's what Alaska is about, survival. That survivalist attitude in ingrained in our culture. We are all just trying to make it through, whether that means dealing with the social isolation of winter, or the overwhelming work of tourist season. We work hard, we play hard, we drink hard, and we have our friend's backs. It's a weird mix of individualism and community that is hard to put into words.
Thank you for your perspective! That's an awesome analysis. How long have you lived up here?
If some one wanted to move to anchorage how much seed money should one have saved up and what kind of work is there ? I’m interested in trying a drastically different state in the near future and Alaska seems like it would be adventure I just want to be prepared!
@@latenightcomics7945 Great question! I personally had about 3-4 months of living expenses saved up before I moved up here, just to be on the safe side. I was fortunate in that I decided to move up here when I was single so my expenses were pretty low. The three big legs to our economy is oil, tourism and fishing. Obviously, we have a bunch of service industries and government jobs as well, so it really depends. What is your skill set?
Goecker Group I have years of retail and management experience but I also will be reaching a year plus of hotel front desk experience . I’ve done some research in that current industry and see plenty of jobs but unsure of what to expect for a wage . Thank you for reply back I appreciate it !
@@latenightcomics7945 You know, I don't work specifically in that industry, but I do now that it depends on where specifically you are. Are you trying to find a primarily tourist community (which are a lot of communities in southeast Alaska) or are you wanting to find something in Anchorage?
I lived in anchorage during the 60's and 70's. It was pretty small back then but it was great as a teenager. I went skiing every weekend. We went iceskating and sledding. There was alot of dancing also due to Ron Moore. He got nightclubs going so that teengers could have a place to hang out and dance. I remember when the Sear's Mall opened across the street from the Bunn Drive inn where all the kids went. We also went water skiing at Big Lake in the summer and swam at Goose Lake. I hope kids there have as much fun living there as I did. I live in WA state now and still consider Alaska my home.
"one con is that you can feel quite isolated"
Me with social anxiety 😍
lol!
A lot of people who move here complain the whole time they are here then they move and come back because they realize how awesome it really is. There is so much to do and the people are awesome as hell.
It's very true!
I love this city. I'm going to move there once I get my RV. I'm a Colorado man and I live in the small town of Creede Co. I love the mountains and would probably go mountain biking all day if I didn't have to work. So this would be paradise for me.
I have a job interview next week in Anchorage, crossing my fingers.
Good luck!
@@Luis-cp4tw Good luck man! Make sure you get a good night's sleep the night before. It can be tough sleeping up here in the summer so get some Nyquil, melatonin, etc. when you first get here so you can sleep and be sharp for the interview.
@@alaska_realtor I appreciate the advice, I was in Fairbanks two weeks ago for 9 days and sleep was definitely interesting.
@@goldleader2804 It's trippy at first, isn't it???
Good luck. I just landed a job in Alaska but have never been. It’s in Anchorage. I love the outdoors and hiking. I’m really concerned about how nasty some of the rental houses look. Even though I have a good salary for a young, single professional it seems that the rentals just cap out at like 1200. It seems like all of them have low ceilings and dirty carpet too.
Alaska looks so beautiful! There is so much unspoiled nature and the mountains take a breath away. I will love to visit Anchorage one day as well as Fairbanks.
Indeed! Sometimes I catch my self just staring at mountains like I've never seen them before. Still breathtaking!
@@alaska_realtor Alaska looks very similar to Washington State but nature is in bigger proportions. I used to live in Washington State and when the day was clear enough I used to take a glimpse of Mt. Raininer in the distance and never got tired of the beauty of that mountain!
I lived there for 14 years it was a great place to live.
That's great to hear! Where do you call home now?
@@alaska_realtor ugh... DC. The polar opposite. Pun intended.
I will be moving to Anchorage this year. What are the best and worst neighborhoods or “sides of town” what’s sketchy, military-oriented, hoity-toity, etc. How bad is the driving and commutes during winter? Please help!
I get that question often and I would be asking the same thing, but because of Fair Housing I cannot say "good area" or "bad area". The best I can do is encourage you to check out the crime map for the area (and also to check out the crime map of where you currently live). The drive is not anything that I complain about. If you're coming in from the MatSu Valley, it's usually about 30-40 minutes to Anchorage.
I know this is an old video, so hopefully youll still see my comment. My husband and I want to move *away* from the midsouth (particularly Memphis, TN). We hate it so much here for several reasons (if you watch the news, you know a big reason already) but one of those reasons is the long, hot, humid, unbearable summers. I like fall and winter... but one thing that frightens me is winter driving. In the midsouth, everything shuts down if we get 1 inch of snow. They dont affectively salt or shovel our roads either. Most of the terrain here is flat. I drove up a steep mountainside in Pigeon Forge in the rain once... my car started sliding backwards and it scared the hell outta me.
So my questions are: if we moved to Anchorage, do they salt and shovel the roads well? Or would we have to drive on some ice and snow? Would we need a certain kind of vehicle (AWD/4WD?) or tires? Are there a lot of steep roads around? Are there any winter weather driving courses there that you know of?
Hey Devan, thanks for reaching out. Anchorage will not be able to clear all snow and ice throughout the winter so it's expected you'll be on the snow/ice for a good portion of the year, but they clear most of it fairly quick. Most people don't struggle with the roads after a few weeks. Until recently, I drove a Honda Accord hybrid without winter tires and rarely had a challenge, so it's definitely not a show-stopper.
@@alaska_realtor thank you!
I lived in Alaska in the late 80’s, until, 1991. I’m moving back when I retire. In Arizona now.
We'll be right here!
Can a person get a sun tan during the summer? Can a person wear shorts? How much snow does the city get in the winter?
Watch my more recent videos and I'll see how tan you can get in the summer, it's certainly warm enough for shorts and in Anchorage we can see about 3ft of snow (rough estimate).
Hmmm. Best parts... There's still a sense that 'we're all in this, together.' Seeing moose grazing on the Hayflats during my morning commute from Knik to Anchorage. Lady Aurora swirling her skirts in the winter skies (at least, when there's no cloud cover). Termination Dust. The Rondy. The moon setting over the Sleeping Lady. Dipnetting. Downsides? Housing prices. Bare shelves if the boat/barge are late. "We don't ship to Alaska [even when they ship internationally]."
I couldn't have said it better! (and one of these days, we'll get better shipping lol) I love that there's always an awesome hiking trail no more than 10 minutes from pretty much anywhere you're at :)
I live and grew up along the east coast of south Florida (Palm Beach area). I absolutely hate it here!!! It is so hot year round and we have been hit with so many hurricanes over the last decade. I am over it. I grew up surfing but it's not something I've done (nor had the desire to) in a very long time. A day at the beach is less appealing as it once was. I am in Law Enforcement and plan to retire within the next few years. My wife and I are considering moving to Alaska but we have never been there. We plan on taking a trip there next summer. Your video's have been very informative.
I'm sorry to hear that you're not enjoying Palm Beach! Let me know if yall have any questions.
My dream is to move to Alaska and build a small house. This is probably a stupid question but is electricity a problem? As long as I have lights on and access to a grocery store I'll be good. And thank you for your video!
Not usually at all. It's only if you're trying to go off-grid (and I mean ACTUALLY off-grid, not just slightly out of town) that it becomes a challenge.
Where do you get groceries? Is there fresh produce year round? How much is a typical month of groceries? How are you affected by the Covid?
I personally shop mostly at Costco. I'm a single guy who eats a lot of healthy stuff, but I can usually spend about $150-$200 a month in groceries if I shop there. We have produce year round but it's kind of hit or miss with how fresh it is. Anchorage is largely back to normal. Restaurants are supposed to be at 50% but really we're back to normal.
We find that the produce outside is always fresher. I know COSTCO used to truck their produce up as it is faster than the ship or barge. With long days and a small green house it is easy to have a small salad garden. We built a green house off a daylight basement and we get lettuce for 7 months a year.
@@Chris_at_Home That is what I would do.
Average rental prices? 1/2 bedrooms? Home prices? Heating costs? Average monthly expenses? Groceries? Quality restaurants?
Anchorage vs Juneau vs Nome...?
Thanks 😊
Great questions, thank you! Check out a few of my videos on those topics. If they don't answer your questions, then we'll have to go back to the drawing board! :)
I liked the info and it is pretty useful , but with all due respect, I would like ti see more alaska places videos and photos of the things you are talking about. THANKS
That's a good point. Thank you for the feedback!
I’m currently living in Las Vegas, NV and I’ve been considering moving to AK! ❤️
That would certainly be an adventure! Have you visited before?
@@alaska_realtor never have but my nephew has! He totally loved it so I decided to look into moving to AK and I’m like, that’s it I’m moving there 😎
Same here!
Fat biking and single track is huge in Anchorage. The drive from Anchorage to Glennallen then up to Cantwell is the best!
BWAK 13 You know, I don’t think I’ve done that drive before. I’m going to have to try it out this summer!
Looking to be a forest ranger out of college. I need some advise. I love the nature of Alaska, but I’m also looking for a place where I can meet people. I’m guessing by the sound of some of your descriptions this isn’t the place for me. Anyone have any other state suggestions lol
What is the car scene like in AK? Thats the one thing that is holding me back. I love my old cars, and driving them, and car shows and all that. I know winters are long, and that cuts into outdoor stuff that isnt snow related.
Thanks. Nice vid, without the frilly touristy info, aurora this or look at the animals lol.
Hey thanks man! Honestly, I don't see a whole lot of a car scene up here. The roads and conditions can be pretty rough on cars. It can be done, of course, but it isn't as popular as you're likely to find in the lower-48.
People buy cars that are practical for the weather conditions up here
@@herschelsquirts2338 I guess more Ram TRX than Dodge Hellcats...
@@RipRoaringGarage yeah definitely, most people have Ford trucks and SUV’s up here. Subaru’s are the unofficial cars of Alaska 😂
So just take some antidepressants in the winter? How bad is it no sun at all?
Those help, but the most important thing is to actually get out and do stuff in the winter (WITH PEOPLE). The people who isolate in the winter are the ones that are impacted the most. In southcentral is does not get to us not having any sun. That's a relatively small part of the state where they get that but it's good clickbait to make people think all of AK is like that
@@alaska_realtor in anchorage 5hr 27min of sun on winter solstice
thanks for explaining the pros vs cons . im planning on visiting sometime this August.
i know i’m probably late to this video so i hope he’ll see this. but i’m planning and also taking a leap of faith with moving to anchorage within this next year. i’ve only seen pros for myself. i love the cold, my career with the fbi can continue there. they have the perfect school for me. the only concern i have is how is the economy different from california? everyone’s aware that economy in california is much higher. i plan on starting in an apartment as i continue with school. possibly with my best friend because she open minded to the idea. the main reason why the thought of alaska came to me was for the reason of that’s where my soul belongs, i never thought of living in a different state. but when the thought of alaska came to me, i felt it as it was already my home. crazy right ? i know!
Hi Ayanla! That's exciting. The economy is going to be a bit different up here, just because it is so oriented towards oil, tourism and the fishing industry. The good news is that means we are usually not impacted when the rest of the economy is hurting across the country. Let me know what other questions you have!
Is it true that in the summer in Alaska there are swarms of pterodactyl-sized mosquitoes?
I'm moving to Anchorage for a couple years hopefully. Saving up for a siren, then a camper, then I'm driving the ENTIRE way.
That's going to be a great experience!
My dad drove us (3 kids in the back seat without seatbelts) with a camper to Anchorage from Oregon in 1961. The Alcan was not paved back then and it was September. By the time we got there I think I was in shock. I was nine and was really not prepared for the snow and dark winter. But then summer came and it was awesome. Everyone was outside gardening at midnight. Kids were outside playing . Enjoy your trip and plan it well.
@@bluewaters3100 Well. My trip might be cancelled now. due to gas prices. We can thank the greatest president of all time for that.
Considering transferring to anchorage for my job. It would just be 6mo to 1 year.
That would be a memorable 6-12 months! Have you been to AK before?
May I ask how much more are the houses compared to texas lol
How much are the homes in Texas? Anchorage average cost is just over $400k.
@@alaska_realtor you can get a house in Texas for less than $300k in many places. Sometimes closer to the $150k Mark depending on metro area
@@williamgervais9383 That sounds about right. I lived in TX for over 10 years myself and that's about what I remembered. The wages are a lot lower in Texas than AK though so I'd be curious to see how the comparative cost of housing between the two states compares.
Yeah in the villages
@@tdog9073 Collin county (North Dallas) has a median household income of 97,000 and the average housing price is 300,000. At the same time, the area is insanely nice with massive lakes for beaches and cities, tech medical and bank jobs, southern hospitality etc. So Texas is very cheap for how much you can earn, but it also depends on where you look. Most texans don't live in cities and they are disproportionally farmers, hence the "low" state-wide incomes in texas, contrary to Alaska.
Not to take anything from Alaska. I just like Texas the most of any state.
I love alaska and it's good to live in alaska.
Right???
how's the crime rate?
@@Alexander-qv4mw ;v i live in the woods dude my neighbors are 10 minutes away from me, to answer your question, I say pretty damn low
@@reinerbraun6670 if I may ask, why do you live in Alaska
@@Alexander-qv4mw bc i grew up in Alaska lmfao
I'm interested in moving to Alaska from Texas, any tips on moving there, cost of living, things to do, etc?
Alaska looks boring
Yeah man! Thanks for being patient. For moving, it really depends on how much stuff you have. Consolidate down as much as possible. That's the biggest tip anyone can give when it comes to moving up here. Depending on where in Texas you live, the cost of living is going to be higher. That said, the wages are also much higher than they are in Texas. What's your job?
Lol obviously I hope you love the cold
Seeing as apartments start around $1100-1200 in Anchorage and if we assume you won’t splurge much, you might be able to get by making $15-16 per hour full-time. But if you have to stay in a hotel/inn in the beginning, stay away from the Black Angus Inn.
South part of Anchorage is a safe neighborhood to live in. Go east, midtown, Spenard, or Mountain View and that’s when things get shady.
Stay away from the Black Angus Inn.
We used to do First Fridays in downtown. Basically a lot of art galleries will hold late hours and maybe hire live music. COVID-19 obviously postponed that.
Everyone goes fishing during the summer. We also go foraging for mushrooms, berries, and devil’s club.
And for the love of God, if you know what’s good for you, if you value your wallet and your identity, STAY AWAY FROM THE BLACK ANGUS!
Oh, and the moose have right of way on the roads.
@@yujinyi6099 I LOVE that you gave MANY warnings about staying away from Black Angus Inn.
***** If you want to avoid a headache or any drama. Please stay away from Mush Inn downtown area. Sketchy as heck.
Is it true that if you live in Alaska they pay you to live there? If yes how much?
Yes, they have the Permanent Fund Dividend, but it's only like $900-$1100 a year per person. Those who make their whole financial future around the PFD have bigger problems than how big the payment will be this year lol
Just saw that Seward HWY is closed for construction. Guess no Kenai for AKs
Eh, they're always working on it. We usually can squeeze through but it's a delay.
I really wanting to move there next year or in 2 years.. what can you tell me about the job market. I am a truck driver but also have a lot of other skills.
What is the cost of living for just one single guy no kids?
If you're a truck driver, you shouldn't have trouble finding work. I personally live off of about $3000 a month so you should be fine. Where are you wanting to live within AK though? That also plays a role in it.
@@alaska_realtor I really don’t know yet. I don’t mind living far away from the city. But I was thanking about Fairbanks, Anchorage, or Kodiak.
I am open to different places. I would just like to live close to where I work.
I’m thinking of moving to get either government work or do oil work. This video helped quite a bit
What about Wasilla..I have friends that moved there..and I really want to move
You know, I really should make a video about what living in Wasilla is like!
Hi! We are planning a trip to Anchorage in February 2020. We are trying to get a feel for AK with our 2 small kids...under 5 years old. As someone who lives there.. where do you suggest we stay for a few days in anchorage?
I would recommend getting an AirBnB! Try to stay off the mountains if you are not familiar with winter driving :-) Downtown might be a great place to start, lots of parks, and little shops. There are also some scenic areas that easy to get to in South Anchorage. Let me know if you have more questions, and don't for get to subscribe! :-)
Go for a hotel or a place in downtown. Just stay away from the cheap inns. Trust me, the Black Angus Inn will cost you more in the long run.
Great video!
I would like to move to Alaska, how much money should I bring out there?
Great question! I actually just recorded a video that discusses that. Be looking for it on Saturday! :)
@@alaska_realtor perfect brother. Thank you so much.
greetings from liverpool uk. hope you are all well . how much would a 320 square meters new house concrete build cost ?
Yes glad you kind of answered the crime question. I want to move to Alaska someday but my parents keep saying no its dangerous but every state city has it's crime. I mean is it really that bad or just normal average crime?
I thought I answered this, but the average is going to be higher. What I encourage people to do is look at the crime maps around Alaska AND THEN look at the crime maps of where you currently live. Also keep in mind that Alaska is 2.5X the size of Texas, which is never incorporated into those articles.
@@johnwalker6148 I’ve lived in Alaska for 7 years. I’m from Northern California. NorCal is way more dangerous than Alaska! The people here are very friendly. Everybody kinda looks out for each other. I don’t live in anchorage, it thinks it’s a big city but it’s not soo yeah there’s more crime there.
Love Alaska. I have several videos of different parts of Alaska. Great video dude
Thanks for watching!
Amazing work thanks for sharing ❤️🇺🇸
Which suburb is more scenic , has the view of mountains or water, and also closer to grocery stores in anchorage?
In Anchorage proper? Rabbit Creek or Hillside is probably what you would consider. Parts of Ocean View are also good but you have to be a bit more selective there.
@@alaska_realtor thank you and I will look for apt rentals 8n that area...
@@alaska_realtor I like Hillside if I had the choice.
Ive seen there isn't many women. I'm very interested in Juneau, I can't afford housing in Anchorage. But how open to relationships are the women around there
The demographics between men and women are pretty lopsided, especially if you're younger. They're are definitely single people and they're open to relationships but it seems like most women here are married lol
@@alaska_realtor a flight to Seattle isnt far haha. Or a trip to Canada. Thank you
What is the advantage SNOWFALL there where you live? And Do you get good yearly blizzards? -Thanks
Does the no state tax offset the cost of living in alaska?
You'd have to compare it to another state to get a better sense, but by and large I believe it certainly does. Also, there's no sales tax in the largest city.
I'm just looking for somewhere to go where money goes alot further, and you're expected to work to live, not live to work... & is it true that people get paid to move to Alaska, and if so, how much & for how long???
Do you intend to do a video on living in Alaska outside Anchorage? And not Fairbanks or the MatSu. I live in Valdez. It took getting used to, but now even Anchorage doesn't impress me: Cordova does. FWIW.
Is Alaska/Anchorage growing? Is there a lot of new development?
No
Very helpful, real, and heartfelt thanks!
My pleasure my friend!
Looks like guys is a pro too in Anchorage. Greetings from Costa Rica. Pura Vida.
Welcome! I've been to Costa Rica but I hear it's great.
@@alaska_realtor Yes, it is if you like tropical weather... You are welcome whenever you want.
I have a quick question on the food scene in Anchorage
My family is thinking about moving to Alaska (maybe) and my dream has always been to open my own Cafe. Would Anchorage be a decent place to open a pastry/coffee shop or is there not a huge need/liking for a Cafe there.
thanks
Lived in anchorage 23 years n i can say without a doubt, coffee shops do amazing here. As for for the pastry side im not sure. Overall, though, if u serve good coffee here n do it fast, youll have lines every morning in anchorage, without a doubt. Pretty much everyone here is a coffee addict.
Sophia Thank you for being patient, and yes we love our coffee up here! Do you currently run your own coffee shop or are you in the business? If you’re going to open one in Alaska, Anchorage would likely be the ideal spot just because the population is so condensed here.
james prentice True indeed!
@@alaska_realtor I'm still in highschool so a cafe is still just a dream. I've asked around on other sites and I've gotten a lot of mixed responses.
would you say the harsh winter effects business or since its a normal thing there nothing really happens.
Sophia I wouldn’t say that winters impact the business as much. What really impacts it is that you have a lot of tourists who come during the summer but they leave during the winter.
I would love to visit anchorage
My dream place! 🤍🤗 Sending Love to beautiful Alaska from Croatia. Maybe in another life ... 🤍
I want to move my wife and two daughters from Texas to Alaska. What does an 1,800sqf~ house cost in a decent neighborhood? How are the schools in anchorage?
You can expect to drop 400k starting for something like that. I can't speak for the schools though
The average in Anchorage for that size is $331k, but there is obviously a lot of variation in the pricing. Depending on what you consider a decent neighborhood, Mitchell Gruber is pretty close at $400k. Is there a time you plan to come up here to look around? Has your wife and daughters been to Alaska before?
As for the schools, what are their grades?
How easy is it to find jobs for students in Anchorage?
If we're talking entry-level jobs, pretty easy.
Ive always wanted to move back. I grew up there but lately ive heard nothing but horror stories about how bad violent crime has gotten. Ugh. I miss it so much.
I hear that a lot! Where did you live before?
@@alaska_realtor I lived in Anchorage/valley. I remember hearing about mild gang activity in Mountain View area but never experienced any of those issues since I was in the suburbs mostly. :/
Hi great info thx. What is the price of average 2 bedrooms condo?
Beautiful Alaska
It sure is!
Would it be difficult for non US citizens to find a job in Alaska ? I have a visa but I’m not American
O btw I'd like to go there in the salmon season of course, also trout is fine for me I'm an experienced fisher so if there is fish I won't be hungry I love nature as wel
I have a question that might be a little off-subject for what your video is intended, but here it goes......
Important fact to note: I live in Florida (about as far away from AK as you can get).
I have applied for jobs in Anchorage, AK - interviewed for one - although they did not offer me the job - and another declined to interview me. I believe this is mostly due to the distance of where I am currently living. Because of this, my plans have changed and I will be moving to AK without a job. It is my hope that my chances of being considered for a position are greater if I am already living in AK.
My question is, what do you think the general perception is in regards to out-of-state job applicants? Do you feel companies and people are less likely to consider the 48'ers as serious job applicants compared to job applicants already residing in AK? (I work in the IT industry as a Network Engineer)
You know, it's been my experience that that is the case. It depends on your industry (the oil industry has A LOT of out of state folks) but companies are typically leery of hiring people who are out of state because we get a fair number of people who move up without ever visiting and they decide it's not for them in a few months. What I would do is include something in your application talking any time you've spent in Alaska and why you're wanting to move up here. If you haven't visited yet, I definitely would try to make it up here! Check out the Alaska Airlines credit card. They have some pretty good deals on there that would help with the cost of coming up here for a visit. What other questions do you have?
@@alaska_realtor Thank you so much. That is actually a great idea for most people.
But, I don't think visiting is a good idea for me specifically. It will cause me to be depressed having to come back to this state. I drove all the way to Montana, and up to Canada by myself last year and I didn't want to come back 'home' so I already know how it will affect me. Anyway, with the pandemic, I don't think it is a good idea to try to visit because the virus is getting bad where I live. I wouldn't want to unknowingly bring the virus with me to my future home state. I would probably be required to self-quarantine the entire time if I was visiting anyway.
I look forward to the overcast skies, and cold, foggy weather, mountains, snow, lakes, rivers, and even the winter solstice. I have wanted to move to Alaska for over 25 years. I am not totally naive. I know I will miss my family but I already have plans to make scheduled visits a few times a year to come back and visit. Besides, Alaska has phones too.
@@alaska_realtor but I will be taking advantage of the Alaska Airlines credit card you referred to! Thank you.
@@alaska_realtor Well, there's still the 'Outsider' and 'cheechako' factor among many long-term residents.
I am born and raised in Anchorage. I live in the matanuska Valley now. Anchorage was recently named the most dangerous city in the whole United States. It is a cesspool of craziness. Alaska is amazing but Anchorage not so much.
My dream is to move to alaska or in the northern territories in Canada, I live in ontario right now and the fact that Winter isnt very cold and summer is always too hard makes me insane. I pretty much never go out during the summer unless I need to and I act like some insane vampire during the summer break, closing the blinds and just staying home all day. Not really fun. If I do go out, I would just end up with hay fever and other things and be sick for a dew days, summer is quite hell for me.
Sounds like AK might be a good option. It stays pretty cool comparatively to the rest of the US (feels pretty warm after winter).
As a college student switching from NY, what shd I expect and or be prepped for? Is it more friendly than NYC (Though that aint saying much lol). Im currently debating moving to Anchorage for abt 2 years for school.
The Proud Lab Rat The big thing is that Anchorage is going to be a lot smaller of a city and because of where you’re at, it’s going to feel a lot more isolated. It will feel like another country every now and then. As far as being friendly, Anchorage will feel WAY friendlier (especially the smaller surrounding towns). There is crime and homelessness, but if you’re from any large city it won’t be a big deal. I would recommend coming and visiting at least once (even if just for a few days) before making the final decision to make sure it’s what you’re thinking it is. Any other questions?
@@alaska_realtor Thanks. Sure i got some more and will likely have more as I research this. Whats rent/mortgages like? Also food and internet prices, and as well as cellphone internet and reception in Ankorage itself? Also the buses.
I just got a job offer working in northwest company I have lived in california my whole life been considering moving there.
hows Port Makenzie im thinking about getting property there
It's pretty isolated out there. Not a lot going on just because it's a ways away from Anchorage (road-wise), but if that's what you're looking for then you are in luck! :)
Isolated and bleak
I have never been to Alaska in my life, I have been to Colorado every January for the past 12 years. So I some what know what the snow and cold is like. I have always been interested in Alaska and know I want to move there. I have always lived in Texas and never delt with snow and cold for long periods of time. My question is how hard will it be for me to adjust to well below temperatures. My job will be pretty well paying. I am interested in nicer suburbs for me and my wife. I am young and have no kids. I have always wanted land. So I would not be opposed to be more off the grid if you will. But no more than 50 miles to anchorage. I’m a huge fisher man and hunter. So I know the out doors I will love. I’m willing to spend around 550k on home. Your advise would be immensely appreciated. Great vid !
That's exciting! Before coming to AK, I actually lived in Texas myself so I am well aware of how long it takes to acclimate. It didn't take too long if you come up during the summer and allow yourself some time to ease into it. The fact of the matter is what no one is really comfortable in freezing temperatures. You get used to it to a certain extent but it's never going to be as comfortable as though you're going outside without bundling up. Think of the winters in AK as the summers in TX where your activities are limited.
I think I have just the place in mind. Have you heard of Palmer? It's a really quiet little town about 40 minutes away from Anchorage that is surrounded by mountains, glaciers, rivers, etc. They really restrict building over there so it really has maintained a small town feel. If you want more amenities, Eagle River or Chugiak might be a better option. There are some great options so feel free to give me a call/text at 907-229-1792 or email me at jgoecker@kw.com and I'd be happy to give you some more details and see what might fit yall's needs.
Hi, I absolutely love Anchorage. its like having our own Norway in the US of A :)if someone were to move to Anchorage, would u recommend getting a job or starting their own business?
haha YES! That's a great way of putting it. What kind of business are you looking at? With moving to a new place, my gut reaction is that it's typically better to get a job for the first full year, and after you're sure this is the right place, explore starting a business. It depends on your business though.
@@alaska_realtor I am a physician. I have my own practice. I havent held a job in several yrs. but I agree with you that its better to get a job first. perhaps I can look for an office space in the meanwhile and not lose income. can I ask you, how is the commercial real estate in Anchorage?
Jobs. How is to get a job if u move over to Alaska. I have been watching different videos and nobody is specific about job.....ANY KIND OF JOB
It's going to depend on your industry. What kind of jobs are you looking for?
I'm a big socialite are the people there nice and like to go biking, snowboarding, etc.
You know I actually have quite a few people who I go do that stuff with and it's a blast! There are a ton of groups. Talking about what Alaskans are like in general, here's a video I did on that topic :) ua-cam.com/video/Ctnow-EhVBw/v-deo.html
@@alaska_realtor have you been to Girdwood yet because that is where I'm wanting to move once I'm finished with high school would you recommend that area and are there any recommendations you have for someone moving into an area like that?
@@jabronster Girdwood is a beautiful area and if that's where you want to go there's always a way. Cost of living will be more expensive there is all, so make sure you have a job lined up before making the jump is all.
I was just at Flat Top today. Nice view.
Amazon doesn't get most Prime packages delivered in Anchorage within a couple of days of ordering?
Not usually. So you just have to be a little more patient when waiting for orders.
@@alaska_realtor It's been about 10 years since I've been to Anchorage. How is the craft brewing scene? Is local shopping for nicer clothing still hard?
I've lived in Texas my whole life. It's hot as balls and the cities are traffic jammed hate factories lol. Alaska will be a breath of fresh air
Jordan Arcos I can relate! Have you visited up here before?
@@alaska_realtor Never have but it looks real nice.
We are considering moving from Colorado. I don't mind cold winters and we love the mountains. I am in birth work and am starting school for midwifery. First question: is there a need for more birth workers (AKA homebirth, lactation support, birth class education). Second question: are the locals open to "new comers" or can it be frustrating that people move and leave often?
Good questions! First, I couldn't say definitively one way or the other, but what I know is that most medical professions are in high demand up here. I don't know the specifics for that industry though. Where would one go to find that out?
Second, most Alaskans are fine with newcomers. It's a transient state and so people coming and going is to be expected. Every now and then you'll find a few who come out of the woods and think the state is already overpopulated, but by and large the state is pretty open to newcomers.
Do you all have a specific area of Alaska you're considering?
If you are an outdoor fanatic you will love it. But if you are more into a city life and have a regular social life, think twice.
Josue Rodriguez thankfully we love the outdoors, especially in the mountains
Goecker Group We are highly considering Anchorage within the next two years. It actually seems extremely affordable compared to Denver.
Thank you for the quick response!
If you decide to live in a bush town like Barrow, Kotzebue, nNome, Bethel, McGrath, or Galena, eating well unless than $300 a month will be a huge challenge unless you catch your own food!
I’m literally watching Snow Dogs right now...lol time to take a trip to Alaska
Classic :)
Which neighborhood is the most walkable?
There are a lot of walkable neighborhoods. As a realtor, I can't say, "this area or that area is good" but would encourage you to check out the crime maps on APD to get a feel for the areas you are most comfortable with.
South Anchorage is the safest place to go. Maybe even JBER, but you need to get past the military stationed at the gates.
How difficult is it to get a job as a new citizen?
It depends on your industry. I've heard a lot of folks really concerned about not being able to find work because of recent citizenship. AK has so few people that if you are good at what you do, and employers see you plan on staying around, I don't anticipate you having any issues finding work.
I want to move to Alaska, I like mostly everything about it, my only problem is the earthquakes, I know that they have big ones up there, like the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 and the Rat Islands earthquake of 1965 and the Denali Fault earthquake of 2002. I want to move somewhere close to Anchorage, like Wasilla. My main question is how many times is Anchorage hit by major earthquakes that cause damage, and how long does it usually take to recover from one. Other than Earthquakes, I like everything else about Alaska
Great question. I've lived through two significant earthquakes while being here, but most of them are very minor that most people don't even notice. Homes are designed to sway with the ground up here so it's very rare to have any significant damage to a home after an earthquake, minus some drywall cracks here and there. They made that change after the '64 quake that leveled a lot of the local homes. For the big earthquakes, like in November 2018, you can certainly feel those but as a community we are pretty prepared to respond. Once every decade or so you'll have a significant one, but they're not commonplace. It's like hurricanes on the east coast, or tornadoes in the central states. I'll be doing a future video on earthquakes specifically so thank you for the suggestion! Have you visited AK before?
Goecker Group thank you for responding, I have done some research on earthquakes there and have been a little skeptical since I remembered they had them up there, never knew they had the Great Alaska Earthquake until I started researching the place some more. I feel much better now about moving to Alaska, since they have improved infrastructure a lot up there since 1964, and I know Alaskans help each other out when times are tough. Definitely going to keep researching the area I want to move to, and no I’ve never been to Alaska but I would absolutely love to visit
@@HunterS.129 Absolutely, keep researching! What specific questions do you have? I would love to answer any questions I can in future videos if possible :)
Goecker Group here are a few I have,
1. How long does winter last? I don’t mind cold so it doesn’t really bother me but I’d still like to know.
2. Are mosquitoes really as bad as they say they are?
3. Are bears and moose a problem in the cities?
4. Is the winter darkness as bad as they say it is?
@@HunterS.129
1. Starts either October or November and everything melts by late April or May.
2. If you’re active outdoors in the summer or if you go fishing, YES.
3. Bears stick to Hillside/mountain areas, but moose can be anywhere. (Except maybe downtown) It’s an unwritten law that they have the right of way on the road.
4. Sunrise is at 9am, sundown around 4pm.
Sorry to say I can’t tell you about 5-7, but ask Dept. of Wildlife or Fish and Game about 5.
Hope this helps!
Can you suggest some medium sized towns? Not a city, not a too small a town? Somewhere pretty that has a cultural life to it, nice restaurants etc.
joanofarc33 Of course, but’s that’s a loaded question lol what would you consider a medium size town? Palmer is pretty good, and Homer also sounds close to what you’re looking for. Seward as well but it’s a little smaller. Are you looking to visit or move here?
Goecker Group To move. I want just a few places to visit to get a feel for them so I don’t randomly visit towns. Of course I thought of starting out by moving to Anchorage and visiting other places from there. Thank you so much for the work you are doing on your channel and thank you for your timely response. I am learning a lot from this channel.
@@joanofarc33 That's awesome and the pleasure is all mine! I am actually releasing a new series of video tours through Alaskan towns. I have two up now but I have 4 more already made up (from the Kenai) and ready to go and I'm heading north this weekend to get more towns (in the Matsu Valley and near Fairbanks). Message me on my Facebook page and I'd be happy to send the made ones to you directly....I'm cheating a bit by giving you VIP access to them before they publish but I think it would really help :) My Facebook Page is Jamin Goecker - Realtor (facebook.com/GoJaminRealEstate/)
To each is own
Do you know of areas where wild berries can be picked at will near Anchorage or destination for a daytrip?
Great question! I saw someone picking berries on Mt. Baldy earlier this morning and I know that there are some places in Hatcher's Pass and South Fork as well.
How are the apartment rental prices? My current apartment is $715 utilities included for a 2/1. Hows the transit system? I'm disabled and rely on either pt or friends to get around.
900 for a studio in the worst part of town. It goes up from there. Most two bedrooms are between 1100-1400. Really is best to room with people. Utilities are rarely included, and heat is expensive. You will almost always be charged extra for pets.
The buses suck. They are always late, and only run at certain times. You will have to plan your life around a 40 minute bus wait, and there are very few bus stops, so you may still have to walk quite a ways.
@@ckillgore
Thank you.
If you go up there with friends and get a place together you will each spend $1,000 a month on just rent. The cost of living is high.
I just want to camp up there and hunt out in the wilderness with a guide and my buddies. When's a perfect time to camp out in Alaska? Summer? 😭
Question, why is the Kenai Peninsula considered “Alaska’s playground”???
Great question! It has everything that most Alaskans love; great scenery, off the beaten path a little bit, and LOTS of fishing (whether you prefer charter fishing on the ocean, or combat fishing/dip netting on the rivers for salmon).
Goecker Group Thank you for answering!! My wife works for American Airlines. With her benefits, we have traveled to most National Parks and have seen many countries. So much we named our son Kenai in hopes to take him there someday. We love that he will be named after some place beautiful.
@@shawnmichael262 Ooh, good name! Depending on how old he is, this might be a good year to do it because there won't be too many tourists out there this year, so more room for yall :)
For 13 years I would take my son backcountry canoeing in the Moose Refuge. Sometimes we won’t see anyone for w week if we went late in the summer. We go north now.
I won’t need to be asking you any questions because my dad lived there for 3.5 years. So I can always ask him.
Ok than why are you watching the video ?
@@misostreams232 Why not!
I would have never thought about surfing there!
Surprisingly, that's a thing up here! I interviewed one of the best surfers. I'll have to see if I can find the audio from that interview....
I've seen people surfing the bore tide up the Turnagain Arm in the summer. It's pretty cool.
The flight out of Alaska is the Best part of Alaska
Sounds like England too 😂
Isolated place ,is dark as hell, beautiful and dangerous as shit. Also not for the faint of heart. Sounds like a place I might want to live.
It's definitely not boring
Much work for a plumber over there? Is it well paid?
The average wage up here is about $21 an hour, though I see that people can get upwards of $28 an hour. I don't work in this field, though, so I might not be the best person to answer that for you though :)
@@alaska_realtor thank you for you response, is $21 a good thing for the area? And say about 40 min from the city's does it get you much?
@@pizzamad3334 Get you much what? Pay, housing? $21 is doing pretty good for the area.
How’s cost of living?
Good question! I actually created a video on that topic called "How Expensive is it to live in Alaska?". Check it out and let me know if you have questions!
@@alaska_realtor am coming October moving to Alaska and your video was so helpful for me
Im glad I stumbled upon this. I have applied to the Anchorage PD and hopefully will be completing the process before the December academy. My wife and my daughter will follow behind me. I have so many questions. My main concern is my daughter. How is the livability for kids? We see that there are indoor parks and trampoline parks but is it a place that a kid would grow to enjoy? How are the schools? How is the rental market? We are excited for the next chapter in our lives and we hope that Alaska is a place that we will come to enjoy!
Matthew Merritt That’s great! I have a friend in the academy now.
I believe y’all will enjoy it, but it will hinge largely on your expectations. There is a trampoline park and we have the big things that most kids will like, but most kids up here really like doing things outside. There are a ton of outdoor activities that they can do and one of the best ways to help the whole family ease into life up here might be by taking them to somewhere on the Kenia Peninsula. It’s beautiful even by Alaska standards! Take some whale tours out of Seward, go hike on some glaciers, enjoy the mountains, and the woods, etc. How old are your children? That will obviously determine what all you can do as well. Also, what time will y’all be arriving? The summer has a lot of sun and the winter is pretty dark so being prepared for that ahead of time mentally is big for a lot of people.
The rental market is pretty strong up here. What size of a play are you looking for?
The schools are pretty good, though it largely depends on which school you’re talking about, obviously. I’ve taught in a lot of them years ago so let me know if you have questions about any specific ones. The sports are a little different up here for schools as well, usually with shorter seasons depending on what the sport is. Not sure if that’s important to y’all or not but it is for some :)
One more thing; are y’all driving, taking the ferry or flying up here?
Did you ever get that job for Anchorage PD? I am going to school for a degree involved in the area and my boyfriend wants to live in Alaska when we get done with school in a few years. Just want to know more about your perspective if you ended up living there working at the PD.
I have considered vacationing in Alaska at some point but don't wanna break the bank. Is lodging reasonable? Also how is cell phone service?
What do you consider reasonable? It kinda depends on where you are staying as well. I can usually find a nice hotel room for under $100 a night but it depends where you're going. Cell service is fine. If you're going to more remote places (like hiking) your phone might not help very much, but I don't have any issues with it when I want to use my phone.
The cheaper the room, the more likely your room will be broken into.