Is there any reasonable rent around UAF? (Anchorage, Fairbanks: apartments, rentals)

[ngrome]

Looking to pursue a job at University of Alaska Fairbanks. What I can expect to pay for rent within proximity of the university? I did a search on Zillow right around the address of the university and didn't see anything nearby. How far away from the university would I have to go to pay rent around $800-$1200 per month? Thanks

[Parnassia]

Have you checked on websites that are strictly listing rentals such as apartments.com? Local classifieds? What about checking to see if the University hosts any web-based classifieds that include housing? I took a very quick look on apartments.com and found listings, but they were out of your price range. Zillow is oriented more toward sales, not rentals. You may need to widen your search both in price and place. A good friend of mine rents and has lived near the university for years. I know she pays more than $1200. You could get a better price renting a dry cabin farther out.

[Frostnip]

Fairbanks drive times aren't very long...pretty much anywhere in town or on the immediate outskirts of town is only a 15-20 minute drive. So unless you're doing the pedestrian/mass transit thing, don't be afraid to expand your search radius. If you are doing the mass transit thing, my personal recommendation (having been a bus rider myself) is to not so much worry about being close to the destination, but close to a bus line that runs directly to the destination. In the winter it's invaluable to not have a hike to get to work or your stop, or to have to transfer. I personally don't mind sitting on the bus for a while as long as I have a book or a podcast. There are several busses that go pretty far out from campus but have a stop on campus. https://www.fnsb.gov/353/Bus-Routes---Maps-Schedules

That said, housing prices in general, and rents in particular, are psychotic in interior Alaska right now. Be really careful about anything that looks like a super deal because there's probably something very wrong, for example, tenant is paying for heat and it's not insulated.

UAF has (temporary) housing for new employees (not sure if it's just for faculty, or all positions) that you might look into getting for when you first arrive, so you can take some time to seek out a good rental in person. https://www.uaf.edu/reslife/home/

[Frostnip]

I just looked at your post history to see whether there was any helpful context, and I see that you're very concerned with maximizing affordability and are looking at options in various places around the US. You should be aware that Fairbanks is high cost of living in general. Everything costs more in Alaska and there are extra expenses here associated with the extreme low temps and the isolation.

Also, not to be ageist (I'm getting old myself) but medical care is a real concern here for anyone who's up in years or has any specialized medical needs. Fairbanks has a lack of specialist docs and specialist facilities. I am having to fly to Anchorage just for a pretty routine biopsy because the only doc in Fairbanks that does what I need is booked out until next year. For complex or crucial procedures, people generally go to Seattle if they can. Unless you and your spouse are super fit and healthy, it's something you should think about before relocating.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by Frostnip

I just looked at your post history to see whether there was any helpful context, and I see that you're very concerned with maximizing affordability and are looking at options in various places around the US. You should be aware that Fairbanks is high cost of living in general. Everything costs more in Alaska and there are extra expenses here associated with the extreme low temps and the isolation.

Also, not to be ageist (I'm getting old myself) but medical care is a real concern here for anyone who's up in years or has any specialized medical needs. Fairbanks has a lack of specialist docs and specialist facilities. I am having to fly to Anchorage just for a pretty routine biopsy because the only doc in Fairbanks that does what I need is booked out until next year. For complex or crucial procedures, people generally go to Seattle if they can. Unless you and your spouse are super fit and healthy, it's something you should think about before relocating.

Frostnip is right. If affordability is a high priority, Fairbanks would be about last on my list of candidate cities to consider! The exotic flavor of a life in AK doesn't neutralize that. Ordinary living costs, access to support services and isolation from family/friends down south aren't trivial. IMHO you should have very specific reasons to want to live in Fairbanks (UAF offers the perfectly suited opportunities comparable universities elsewhere don't, etc.)

[ejisme]

If you are looking at this job at UAF as an interesting chance to live in Alaska and see a rare part of America for a few years, then by all means move on up and enjoy yourselves as extended visitors. Then you can move down south and retire or pursue your next work and living adventure. It may not be the cheapest place to live, but it is an interesting place. Two to three years would probably be great to get to see and enjoy the entire extended area.

[ngrome]

Thanks you for all your responses. I quoted each one because each one has an applicable thought for consideration.

Originally Posted by Frostnip

I just looked at your post history to see whether there was any helpful context, and I see that you're very concerned with maximizing affordability and are looking at options in various places around the US. You should be aware that Fairbanks is high cost of living in general. Everything costs more in Alaska and there are extra expenses here associated with the extreme low temps and the isolation.

Also, not to be ageist (I'm getting old myself) but medical care is a real concern here for anyone who's up in years or has any specialized medical needs. Fairbanks has a lack of specialist docs and specialist facilities. I am having to fly to Anchorage just for a pretty routine biopsy because the only doc in Fairbanks that does what I need is booked out until next year. For complex or crucial procedures, people generally go to Seattle if they can. Unless you and your spouse are super fit and healthy, it's something you should think about before relocating.

Correct, being near medical facility is important. I'm no spring chicken myself, I'm 57 now, not in great shape, could do better, but not in extremely bad shape either. I'm not sure what would be considered super fit. I would have to take accessibility to medical care into serious consideration.

Originally Posted by Parnassia

Frostnip is right. If affordability is a high priority, Fairbanks would be about last on my list of candidate cities to consider! The exotic flavor of a life in AK doesn't neutralize that. Ordinary living costs, access to support services and isolation from family/friends down south aren't trivial. IMHO you should have very specific reasons to want to live in Fairbanks (UAF offers the perfectly suited opportunities comparable universities elsewhere don't, etc.)

Originally Posted by ejisme

If you are looking at this job at UAF as an interesting chance to live in Alaska and see a rare part of America for a few years, then by all means move on up and enjoy yourselves as extended visitors. Then you can move down south and retire or pursue your next work and living adventure. It may not be the cheapest place to live, but it is an interesting place. TTwo to three years would probably be great to get to see and enjoy the entire extended area.

Affordability is also a high consideration, but if the compensation for the job is equitable, then that will help offset the impact. Does salary take into account the cost of living in Fairbanks? I'm at that point in my life where I'm looking to possibly refresh my career as well as a chance to explore. Working where I can explore may help rejuvenate that. My wife and I have visited Alaska three times now, primarily the port cities of Skagaway, Ketchikan, and Juneau on cruises, and always loved it. I'm sure it would be different as a resident, and further inland like Fairbanks? But the mountains do look scenic though. And yes, an opportunity to work at the university would be a reason to go up there and consider it. Thanks for the info on campus housing Frostnip!

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by ngrome

..My wife and I have visited Alaska three times now, primarily the port cities of Skagaway, Ketchikan, and Juneau on cruises, and always loved it. I'm sure it would be different as a resident, and further inland like Fairbanks? But the mountains do look scenic though. And yes, an opportunity to work at the university would be a reason to go up there and consider it. Thanks for the info on campus housing Frostnip!

As you likely know, SE is a vastly different natural environment than found in the Fairbanks area.

Nevertheless our state is hurting for workers in just about every field so my inclination is to encourage you to take the job!

[ngrome]

Originally Posted by Arktikos

As you likely know, SE is a vastly different natural environment than found in the Fairbanks area.

Nevertheless our state is hurting for workers in just about every field so my inclination is to encourage you to take the job!

I know it would seem pretty exciting to try life in Fairbanks even for just a few years. I'm sure as with any place it may get old, particularly the cold lol, but who knows, at least we tried. I noticed your location info has both AK and HI ??? So you lived in both Alaska and Hawaii or you bounce between them? Only island I've been to in HI was Maui but I love it over there as well!