Alaska moms

cecalee · December 2015

We are hoping to move to Alaska soon from NC. Any tips, places to avoid, places with more kid friendly things to do. We were looking at eagle river, but opinions are welcome until we finalize everything!

Taymiller · December 2015

I used to live in Anchorage! Eagle River is great. I personally wouldnt like in Wasilla or anywhere else in the valley. I didn't have kids when I lived there so I don't know much about kid friendly things. We are outdoorsy people and most people in Alaska are so stock up on camping and hiking gear. We loved going to the animal sanctuary and to Whittier on the weekends for day trips.

Moving everything up there is expensive but it is totally worth it to move all your stuff because buying stuff up there is crazy expensive. Groceries will make you cringe!

Summers are awesome but winters can get long so it is important to have activities during those cold dark months. Studded snow tires are a must! They do not plow very much up there.

If you need any other advice or just want to chat about Alaska feel free to PM me!

cecalee · December 2015

Thanks so much!! We are ready for a change of pace in life and are excited!

carrieandr · December 2015

I live in SW Florida, so the thought of living in Alaska is fascinating to me. I get excited if it's pants weather. (And it isn't yet.)

LinzerBinzer · December 2015

Agree on Eagle River area - my sister lived up there for many years when her kids were young. She also was in Chugiak for a few years, but that's a little farther away if anyone is commuting to Anchorage. I visited lots and it seemed like a great place to raise kids. @Taymiller is right about Wasilla - I wouldn't move there unless you want other people to sing a silly song about where you live or talk to you about Sarah Palin.

cecalee · December 2015

@CarrieandRoy we have been discussing moving o Alaska for a while now. I love the weather aspect and the outdoors type life. We don't really have that here in NC. We do have outdoors but it's nothing like Alaska. My aunt lives in Boca Raton and it's extremely warm there lol!

swallace95 · December 2015

My husband and I live in Anchorage.

he is former Airforce and just got out!
TIPS:
Make sure you have jobs lined up BEFORE you get here, it is expensive and job market here is really, really bad. The slopes have virtually stopped hiring.
I suggest Anchorage if you or a family member have suffered from post partum, deppression, or any other mental health problems. I suffer from PTSD, Depression, and extreme Anxiety so I like being close to things. (And yes winters are BAD.) A 1 bdrm apt can go 850-1200&+
I suggest ER (Eagle River) though if you have reliable transportation, want lower rent, nicer housing, and a smaller area. Keep in mind the "city" here is like a town in the lower 48. 3 bdrm can go for 2200&+

Things to do with kiddos!

The Anchorage Museum! My DH and I go all the time. There is a neat crafts area for the kids and the science imaginarium!
Title wave is so much fun with the kids. Used books with reading nooks, coffee, and so much more. They do weekly game meets too!
The Anchorage Library is free of charge and do children's book readings daily plus plays!
The summer time there is Friday live at 5 in the park. Kids can play with chalk, dance, and different grow n play booths each friday! Live bands from all over alaska and the world come. There is a beer and wine garden for adults too!
There is so much it's super cool. Also keep in mind anchorage and AK in general is a 21+ state when it really comes to it. Military, travelers, and people who work; slope jobs, air frieght, cargo, ports, etc. That's what this place is really geared to.

Side note! It's December and 49 degrees out. It's really not that cold. My DH is from Missouri and it's colder there than here.

Taymiller · December 2015

@swallace95 how long have you lived up there? It was balls cold the four years I was there.

LinzerBinzer · December 2015

There have definitely been times when I lived in KY and it was colder in KY than AK, but the difference is the season in total. It is long, dark, and cold. You've can get termination dust around September and break-up around May. Plus, we never hit minus 20 in KY. If you can hack it, God bless. (The summer can be kind of cold too, but I hate the heat so I love the summers there.)

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