skysoulmate
10 Jan 2010
USA, Canada / Polish people in Alaska [41]
Dorcia - I don't live in Alaska but I'm there about once a month, usually in Anchorage.
Not sure where you live right now; that way I could give you a good comparison to what you're used to. Remember - Alaska and Hawaii are the most expensive states in the US. From what I've seen, if you know the overall price levels in California and New York (pretty expensive) - add 20-35% and you'll come pretty close to Alaska rates.
Anchorage is a unique city because they actually do not have any sales tax in that city (the rest of the country is usually anywhere from 5-15%) however it's still pretty expensive there or more expensive than in other states. After being a resident for a year or so everyone is entitled to the Alaska oil revenue check which I believe was around $1300 last year. Nice to get paid to live there however, trust me the money will be gone fast enough...
Winters in Alaska - well depends on where - it's a huge state. Juneau is actually fairly mild similar to Stockholm if you're familiar with that part of the world. Anchorage a little colder but not too bad... Fairbanks - well, it's a city of extremes.
The highest recorded temperature in Fairbanks was 96 °F (36 °C), while the lowest was −62 °F (−52.2 °C).
h t t p:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairbanks,_Alaska
Summers are incredible although it can rain quite often. 20 °C to 30 °C and extremely beautiful surroundings...
Do not know anything about the Polish community but I'm sure it exists. However, Alaska is a tough place to be at while looking for a job because you'll deplete your savings before you get the job so if you're serious about moving there I'd say start applying way before you go and ideally get to know some people there because it's such a small job market. I believe there are less than 700,000 people living in the entire state of Alaska (don't quote me on that lol).
That's about all I know, hope it helps...
Dorcia - I don't live in Alaska but I'm there about once a month, usually in Anchorage.
Not sure where you live right now; that way I could give you a good comparison to what you're used to. Remember - Alaska and Hawaii are the most expensive states in the US. From what I've seen, if you know the overall price levels in California and New York (pretty expensive) - add 20-35% and you'll come pretty close to Alaska rates.
Anchorage is a unique city because they actually do not have any sales tax in that city (the rest of the country is usually anywhere from 5-15%) however it's still pretty expensive there or more expensive than in other states. After being a resident for a year or so everyone is entitled to the Alaska oil revenue check which I believe was around $1300 last year. Nice to get paid to live there however, trust me the money will be gone fast enough...
Winters in Alaska - well depends on where - it's a huge state. Juneau is actually fairly mild similar to Stockholm if you're familiar with that part of the world. Anchorage a little colder but not too bad... Fairbanks - well, it's a city of extremes.
The highest recorded temperature in Fairbanks was 96 °F (36 °C), while the lowest was −62 °F (−52.2 °C).
h t t p:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairbanks,_Alaska
Summers are incredible although it can rain quite often. 20 °C to 30 °C and extremely beautiful surroundings...
Do not know anything about the Polish community but I'm sure it exists. However, Alaska is a tough place to be at while looking for a job because you'll deplete your savings before you get the job so if you're serious about moving there I'd say start applying way before you go and ideally get to know some people there because it's such a small job market. I believe there are less than 700,000 people living in the entire state of Alaska (don't quote me on that lol).
That's about all I know, hope it helps...