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So you’ve watched a few reality shows about folks living in Alaska and are probably wondering how much of that is true. Having moved here a few years ago from Georgia, there were plenty of questions that I had to move here in order to learn the answer to. I don’t think you should have to live here to figure it out. That is why I am here to tell you about what it’s actually like living in Alaska, at least here in Fairbanks.
To be honest, for most people life is just like anywhere else. Sure, there are nuances. Fairbanks ranks the coldest city in the United States. Alaska in general ranks as the coldest of the 50 states. There is around 20 hours of darkness on the Winter Solstice and 20 hours of daylight on the Summer Solstice.
But overall, things are pretty normal in town. We have our Walmart and Costco. We still live regular lives like families in the lower 48. I’d say that the schools are the same, but the ones here have recess all the way down -20 F.
People commonly ask me about what life is really like up here. I think there are many misconceptions about what Alaska is and is not. I will go through the four most common questions that I am asked to give a glimpse of the Alaskan life.
#1. Is living in Alaska constantly dark in Winter and light in Summer?
This is probably one of the coolest parts of living in Alaska but it is definitely one of the hardest to fathom. The first time that I had ever heard of Alaska was in the fourth grade. I was in a new school and my first friend had just moved down to Georgia from Fairbanks, Alaska. She told me about the Northern Lights and she mentioned that there was no sun during the Winter. This intrigued me.
This is location dependent. Where we live in Fairbanks, it does stay pretty dark during the Winter. There is still daylight, but it is limited and usually more like a dusk appearance. This is really just during the month of December around the Winter Solstice.
For the residents of Utqiagvik , the sun will not return for 65 days. Utqiagvik is very far North, as far as you can get before reaching the Arctic Ocean. This is why they lose all daylight for two months of the year.
Summers are the exact opposite with daylight. This is the land of the midnight sun for a reason. Here in Fairbanks, we receive around 20 hours of daylight on the Summer Solstice. In Utqiagvik, the sun does not set for about 2 months. It is very fascinating to walk outside at 2:00 am and it looks as if the sun is just setting.
Alaskans are known to mow their grass or go kayaking in the middle of the night during Summer. The picture below was taken at midnight while out riding ATV’s. This is our time to go, go, go!
#2. Is it always cold in Alaska?
Believe it or not, people are often surprised whenever I tell them the temperature in the Summer here. Yes, we definitely have mild Summers compared to my home state of Georgia, but it can still get hot. Deep in the interior, our Summer temperatures can get up into the 90’s. Surprising?
Not everyday is this warm, though. There are certainly a fair share of rainy and cool days. Days where we need a light jacket to be comfortable. Even in Summer, the mornings can be a little chilly with temperatures in the 50’s.
Alaskan Summers are bustling with such beauty and the warm days just add to the perfection. If it were always cold there wouldn’t be the gorgeous wild roses blooming down our favorite forest trails. The berries wouldn’t be so plentiful.
Alaska weather is erratic at best. One day it might be a sunny 90 degree day where you are wearing a swimsuit in the house under fans. The next it might be cloudy and 50 outside. As Alaskans, we brace for it all and enjoy every ounce of warmth the Summers have to offer.
#3. How do you stay warm outside during Winter while living in Alaska?
The first thing that detracts people from living in Alaska is the cold in Winter. People have lived here and thrived for thousands of years, even in the Winter. Good Winter gear is the key to being comfortable outside.
Being from South Georgia, we didn’t have a clue about which Winter gear to buy when we arrived. It took research and experience to figure out what works best for each of us. Dressing as a grown adult is different from an infant.
How to Dress to Stay Warm Outside Living in Alaska
The best practice is always layers. Layers trap in heat but also provide the ability to shed if needed to prevent sweating.
The best investment you can make to stay warm is merino wool. There is a reason that wool has been the cold weather choice for thousands of years. It is quite itchy, which is why we opt for merino wool. It wicks away moisture and stays warm even if it is wet. Merino wool thermal layers and socks are the optimal choice.
Next we put on our regular clothes like pants and a sweater or shirt. For the kids, next year we are going to buy all of them fleece buntings to wear for this layer for ease of getting on and off.
For children, a snowsuit is the way to go. Easy to take on and off, it will save your sanity while getting out of the door and are much warmer as a one piece trapping in all of that heat. But Snow bibs (insulated overalls) do just fine, especially for adults. I’ve worn my pair of Carhartt Women’s Bibs since we’ve been here and have never gotten cold in them. They are durable for the amount of activity I do as well.
Winter jackets up here are made for this type of extreme cold, and you’ll need one to be comfortable. A balaclava and beanie hat are essential for keeping your ears warm. A nice pair of insulated snow mittens will make or break your day.
Spending time outdoors in the extreme cold is doable and can be enjoyable if you dress for it. There are things like hand and foot warmers to help you along. Alaskans have developed the art of getting it just right to be as comfortable as possible during the Winter.
#4. Is the cost of living in Alaska ridiculously expensive?
I am going to disappoint you here when I tell you that this is entirely dependent on location and other circumstances. We have a unique situation. According to research, Georgia ranks #5 for low cost of living and Alaska ranks #47 for being extremely expensive. It would make you believe that living in Alaska is much more difficult than living in Georgia. This has been far from the truth in my family’s experience here.
What the chart doesn’t include is the increase in wages that make up for the cost of living. It doesn’t show the endless amount of high paying jobs that make up for all the extra costs. It also doesn’t account for differences in lifestyle.
Keeping Costs Low in Alaska
The reason we moved to Alaska in the first place is because our plans are to buy land and build our own off grid cabin in a remote area of this state. Because we plan to live off grid completely, we don’t mind living partially off grid now, which saves us a tremendous amount in rent. It’s true, the standard rental for a 4 bedroom home here in the city is expensive. We would certainly have a much “easier” life living in one, but the cost would eat into the savings for our dream life. No, thank you. As P.T. Barnum said, “Comfort is the enemy of progress.”
Living in a smaller home, without all of the amenities is a learning experience and great practice for whenever we are fully off grid. We spend less in fuel oil to heat our home and the electricity is minimal.
The only expenses we have that are more expensive living in Alaska than they were in Georgia is the cost of gas and fuel oil in the Winter. There have been times that gas was actually cheaper here than Georgia (my wonderful sister and I keep track), but it usually averages to be more expensive. Costco really mitigates this expense for us though.
Speaking of Costco, I am able to feed my family a much healthier diet here because there are more affordable organic options in the grocery stores. We have always tried to be as frugal and healthy as we can with groceries. As I write this article, certain food staples like eggs and milk are cheaper here than they are for our family in Georgia.
The Cost of Living Remote
Whenever I am discussing the cost of living here, I am almost always talking about Fairbanks in particular. Alaska is enormous and different towns will have different costs, especially the farther out you go. The cost of milk here in town may cost $4, but can cost $12 in a remote village. The logistics of shipping to those areas increase costs dramatically.
Even when we are off grid, we plan on making our supply runs to Fairbanks as much as possible to save on those increased costs. Gas, fuel oil, and everything else is much more expensive in remote areas.
The Reality of Living in Alaska
Depending on who you ask, you’ll probably get mixed answers about the reality of living in Alaska. Everyone’s experience is different. If it were super easy this place would get overcrowded fast because of the breathtaking scenery and endless opportunities. It is as wonderful as it is difficult at times.
This is a place that you either hate or love, with no in between. If you ever get the chance to experience Alaska, you will greatly miss it and long to return. For all of the hardships that Alaskans endure, we stay here. It is worth it to enjoy the many great benefits this state offers.
Alaska is called the last frontier for a reason. If you can survive the challenges, there is no better place in the world to live off grid. There is no better place to have a true remote experience. As a traveler passing through on vacation or a die hard resident, Alaska will grip your heart tight and forever hold a place there.
In Conclusion
Living in Alaska changed our lives for the better. Our experience here grows with each passing year. We have gained so many skills, experienced truly remarkable sights, made lifelong friends, and have joined a community of resilient people who would go to the ends of the Earth for their neighbors.
We absolutely love our lives in Alaska and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I fully intend to become an old Sourdough one day as I age in my cabin living off of the land. Who knows, maybe you’ll still be along for the ride even then.
Did any of these answers surprise you? Maybe you are an Alaskan resident and have an entirely different experience than we do. I would love to hear about it! Let me know what you think in the comments.
