Moving to Juneau Alaska...anyone offer their advice?

Moving to Juneau Alaska...anyone offer their advice?

Don't move there.

could you explain why?

Rule # 1: Get good Boots.

Rule # 2: See Rule # 1.

Haha really? Wow I hope it is the best job in the world.

I wouldn't move there for twice my salary.

Cold, depressing, violent hick mindset, little recreational facilities. etc etc.

Love how people will trade away their lives for a bit of extra coin!

I've been living in Juneau for a little over a year now. I got a really good deal on my apartment through my wife's family, so I was lucky. Housing is really expensive here, and it's not easy to find something. It really helps to know people in town. Are you willing to live with housemates? That would make it a lot more affordable. By yourself, $1000-1300 gets you a small apartment.

Have you done a lot of research on Juneau? I knew a lot about this place and even visited multiple times before I moved here for a job, but it was still quite a culture shock. It's definitely not as glamorous as some might think.

First of all, it rains all the time. There have been weeks in which it literally rained 24/7. And when it's not raining, it's still gray and gloomy, and oftentimes really foggy. Next on the list is the isolation. You can't drive out of Juneau and it's expensive to fly anywhere. This might not sound like a huge deal, but it can get to you. Last is the cost of living. Yes, you make more money here than down south, but you also pay $4 for a loaf of bread.

Of course, there are also great things about Alaska. When it's one of those few nice days, it's one of the most beautiful places on earth. The people are generally nice, and the job market is good. The nature is incredible, and so is the wildlife. I hope you're not afraid of bears, though, because you will see them a lot.

Have you ever been to Juneau? The weather sucks, but it's not cold. Usually between 20-40 degrees in the winter. East coast winters are a lot worse.

There are weirdos here, but I don't think Juneau has a violent hick mindset. Juneau is actually pretty progressive. Further north is a different story.

However, I agree with the depressing and little recreational activities part. Also, you forgot the rampant alcoholism and drug use. There's also a lot of sexual and domestic abuse.

2 of my close friends are prospectors up there. I have stayed for weeks at a time. It is pretty bad. Unless taking a job there offers amazing long term advantages and you are happy to suffer very short term I wouldn't do it for all of kind midas gold.

I hope your contract is less than a year

For a big part, it's what you make of it. If you do fun stuff with good friends and get out even when it's crappy out, you will have an ok time. Juneau is definitely not the place I want to live the rest of my life, but it's a good place to get experience in my field and make some money.

I was in Juneau for only a week helping my brother move. From what I remember (2010) it's very beautiful. Lots of wildlife and glaciers around. Like everyone says it's very gloomy, rainy, cool, and moist. The housing is the biggest downfall. The house where my brother and his wife were moving into was being rented out by the bedroom. My brother and wife paid $600 for one of the bedrooms in the 3 bedroom house. They had to share the bathrooms and kitchen with the others living in the other bedrooms. For the week I was there, I slept in the garage. It's a very uncomfortable situation, feeling like you're all piled up or crammed into a house like that. No thank you!

I rather stay down here and have my own 2 bedroom apartment for $500.

I've only been to Alaska in the summer and have never been to Juneau.

Is Anchorage as expensive as Juneau? I loved that place and it was sunny but it was the summer.

What's the job situation, cost of living like in Anchorage? This thread made me think about whether I was nuts for saying I would move to Alaska.

What the hell are all of you doing for work in Juneau? Drilling? Logging? Gold Mining? Marine Biology?

Certainly no more nuts than people who join the military. It's an experience. If it looks good to you, and you are pretty amped up, you can probably make it good. Recreation looks awesome to me. Mountains galore. I am pretty sure ultrarunner Geoff Roes lives there with his family and runs up those mountains all year. See if you can get in touch with him. Kudos for daring to dream!

Get a good rain coat.

Thanks for the responses. I have done a lot of research so already knew about the isolation and rain. Obviously the rain is a big downer. Not a deal breaker at all though. I honestly think I would make the move if the housing was more affordable. Housing in Anchorage is by far cheaper. I could not find one house under 255k in Juneau...and that was basic. I'll have to think pretty hard the next few days.

Get a good pair of binoculars so's you can keep an eye on them russkies.

El Doctor Niet wrote:

Rule # 1: Get good Boots.

Rule # 2: See Rule # 1.

Rule #2:

Rule #3: exit strategies:

Rule #4: fresh threads:

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It's pretty much all dudes up there, so bring some lubricant for your poop chute.

Appreciate the warning but I'll be bringing my girlfriend if we decide to go...anyone else with thoughts?

Go. Do not listen to the cry babies on Letsrun. Half of them live with their parents in the basement. Alaska is a great place for an adventure !! Go !!!