moving to Anchorage
 

There is a good possibility we may move to Anchorage this summer. I am from Mid-west my whole life, but have traveled much, just never Alaska. We have a 13 and 15 yr. old. Suggestions for excellent Christian high schools, where to live or not to live, how to teach kids safety in this unknown environ, finding a diving coach for elite level springboard/platform diver, what is best vehicle to own, what about darkness in winter, good Christian church?

does nobody like Anchorage or did I just write too early this morning to get a response?

Weekends are really slow around here. If you don't have any responses by tomorrow, just reply to your own thread with a "ttt" to the top.

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Our son visited a friend in Alaska the summer before his senior year in high school. I was very surprised at how much freedom and outdoor savvy his friend had. Parents allowed 4 teenagers to overnight backpack alone. I don't think any had cell phones at the time. I think you are wise to think about safety. I would recommend you start reading the Anchorage Daily News website to familiarize yourself with what's happening and to find possible contacts. I suggest writing to each church you might consider joining. Surely someone will answer with advice and a welcome. There are definitely safety concerns even in the suburbs and sometimes problems with bear and moose. The mother moose with the cute baby in spring that may be feeding in your yard might attract a bear. We thought people in Alaska have a tendency to stay up late during summers and are used to long drives. OTH there seems to be a division between people who hate the long, dark winters and those who love the snow even if there's a lot of darkness. We know people who have moved to Alaska for the winters. I think there could be a bit of culture shock. When I looked into what kind of crafts the 4-H kids did, well, I simply never thought of crafts made from fur. Anchorage is a big, multi-cultural city that sprawls north to Eagle River and Wasilla.
You will probably want a 4 wheel drive vehicle although you will see every make and model on the road and in various conditions (Alaska doesn't have vehicle inspections except for emissions.) Some people recommend studded snow tires.
And I hope you hear from some locals.

I lived in Anchorage for a month while I was working there, and I HIGHLY recommend you make an extended visit up there before deciding to move, especially since you say you have never even visited there before!! Anchorage, while beautiful and an outdoors paradise, also has its downsides. There is a lot of alcoholism, especially among the Natives. You'll need to find out in advance about that diving coach, as there may not even be a program in the state! Keep in mind, too, that airfares back and forth to the lower 48 for diving competitions are not cheap, and the drive time is very long. Alaskans are not nearly as church-going as those of us in the South or Midwest, so this may also be a big deal for you. Plus, movign your household goods up there may be prohibitively expensive, so it may be cheaper for you to sell everything and buy new when you get there...

One of my best friends lived in Nome for two years and had some of the best and worst experiences of her life. This is second hand information so please take it as such.

Positives: unbelievable amounts of fresh crab and salmon, scenery, outdoor activities, high wages.

Cons: lack of sunny days, snow, cold, long winters, expense and time of going back and forth to the lower 48, very high cost of living.

Good luck!

As with GoTravel, mine is second hand information. I have a friend stationed there with her husband. She loves it, but they have no children and have the support of the military. I know this is not much help, and I hope someone who lives there will help you soon.

I have to disagree about the religion question. There are alot of conservative Christians in Alaska.

Alot of people use artifical light boards to combat SAD.

My brother lives there and loves it but they have no children.