What BestPlaces Users Say about Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska is a city located in the interior of the state, known for its extreme weather and unique culture. It is home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities. The city has a small population of around 31,000 people and has been ranked as one of the best places to live in the state by many publications. However, it also has its fair share of criticisms and concerns from residents and visitors alike.
According to user reviews on BestPlaces.net, many people have mixed feelings about living in Fairbanks, Alaska. One reviewer, Annie, describes it as a place with "beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife," but also mentions the high cost of living and the limited job opportunities. Another reviewer, John, shares a similar sentiment, stating that "the city is surrounded by stunning landscapes, but the harsh winters can be a challenge for some." On the other hand, some residents like Jane praise the unique culture and the strong sense of community in Fairbanks. She says, "There's a strong sense of pride among the locals here, and it's truly a welcoming place to call home." However, not all reviews are positive. A reviewer named Mark expresses his frustrations with the lack of diversity and the slow pace of life in Fairbanks, stating, "It can feel isolated and disconnected from the rest of the world at times." Despite these mixed reviews, it is clear that Fairbanks, Alaska offers a unique and challenging living experience for those who choose to call it home.
based on 20 ReviewsGet to know Fairbanks with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Fairbanks
Warm weather and cost of living - retired - 11/7/2007
Alaska, there is no place like it! I grew up in Fairbanks, remember walking to school and it being 55 below zero, what a great place to grow up! Summers were oh so warm, of course we did have lots of mesquitos, remember when the plane use to fly over town spraying for the mesquitoes, was late in the evening and we all were usually in bed. Daylight all summer, that is nice, but winters are cold, altho seems to be warming up, but it is still dark all winter, usually you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark and summer light all the time! We have beautiful gardens, flowers and lots of blueberries, cranberries (in fall) and lots of other good things to make jelly and jam out of in the summer. Winter their is skiing, hockey, basketball, curling, snowmaching and we all try to keep busy! Summer is alot of fun, lakes, rivers, fishing (the best in the world), yard work, camping and etc.We are very fortunate to have an Army base here and an Airforce base not to far out of
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Housing, Taxes, Politics - 8/6/2007
I have lived in Fairbanks since 1976. I was just a child then. I now run a number of small businesses. Fairbanks used to have plenty of opportunities for young entrepreneurs but those times are changing.
Housing costs have doubled in the past 4 years which is actually tollerable but what isn't is the associated property taxes which is currently at 19 mils +. Property owners have the entire weight of tax responsibility on their shoulders as there are no other taxes at this time...but that is all about to change as well.
The local gov't has recently imposed a new business license tax and is in the process of trying to pass a business "gross recepts" tax. Yes I said GROSS RECEIPTS tax. So if a business makes 100k in a year in sales but it costs them 90k in expenses they will still be taxed on the 100k. The federal gov't doesn't even do that. Fairbanks gov't is penalizing those that create housing and jobs. This is anti-productive and is causing me to consider
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Fairbanks - 6/27/2007
Fairbnks is a beautiful, not-as-expensive as some place to live. Come
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Just Like Any Other Town...But with a GOLDEN & BIG - 5/17/2007
I have lived in Alaska for 27 years now, moving from Idaho when I was only 7. I LOVED Idaho & didn't want to leave! I was 7 & the only thing I knew about Alaska...(or I had heard) Was that there was GOLD IN THEM THERE HILLS!
My brother & I just knew that when we got off the plane, we would start picking GOLD off the ground right away! So it was OK that we moved, as we knew we would be back to Idaho as soon as we spent a day pickin' GOLD off the ground, we would be RICH! WELL......we flew into Valdez & when we landed we couldn't believe our eyes!....NO GOLD! We were stuck there in Valdez Alaska with nothin'! But we soon learned that Alaska had much more to offer us kids than GOLD! We lake-river-ocean-fish, hunt, hike, go boating, play around the Glaciers & swim in the ocean & lakes. 1 year later we moved to Juneau.....What do you know NO GOLD....Well just not layin around anyways!
But it was fun, and a little bigger than Valdez (except you only could get there by boat or
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I love it here! - 9/20/2006
I have lived in Faibanks for about four years now. It was a drastic change from Yakima and Tieton, Washington, but I came to think of Fairbanks as my home. I don't know how to explain it, but somehow the people here are so different than the people everywhere else. Sure, Fairbanks has its bad things, too, but if you look at the good instead of the bad, you will find that the people here are friendly and they look out for each other.
Contrary to what many people believe, this is not the North Pole, and we do not live in igloos. I have never even seen an igloo. We are not all Native Alaskans or Eskimos. There are many white, black, and Asian people here, as well as Natives. Fairbanks is unlike any other place. In the long, cold winters, it is as if the people of Fairbanks come together as one giant family.
There are many things to do, such as attending concerts and theatrical performances, skiing/snowboarding, both indoor and outdoor miniature golf,
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Climate is harsh, but worth it! - 8/6/2006
I grew up in Fairbanks, lived there for 25 years. The climate is very harsh, it is not for everyone. Becasue it is so far inland it doesnt hav ethe ocean to temperate the weather. So in hte winter it gets very cold, sometimes as low as 60 below (winter of 89) and in the summer it can reach the high 90's. Area on the coast dont have the temperature fluctuations. Also Fbks is in a valley so when its very cold it has "temperature inversion" meaning all the col dair gets trapped in the valley and turns into ice fog, which is fog so thick with frozen particles that you cant even drive because you cant see anything!
Because of the long winter darkness, people who are sensitive to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) should not move there. I had that and would get very depressed during the winter. Tanning salons make big bucks there.
You can survive the winters only if you plan a trip every winter around Jan/Feb for several weeks to somewhere sunny & warm. Most people know this &
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Great place to visit....... - 5/14/2006
I've lived in Fairbanks for 3.5 yrs now. It is GORGEOUS in the summertime. The temp is warm and the sun is up about 20 hrs. The problem is the summer only last about 3 months. The sunlight all the time also messes up with your internal clock and you can't fall asleep. The winter is long, cold, and dark. It also messes with your internal clock. Winter is great if you like all the winter activities such as skiing, sledding, ice skating, snow mobiling. The problem is you can't really do that when the temp drops to minus 40. Don't get me started on driving in ice fog. The Cost of living here is also VERY high. Everything here is just about double what it cost in the lower 48. Like I started, Fairbanks is a GREAT place to VISIT. I recommend in the
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Extreme Temperatures - 5/4/2006
If you like the extreme cold, this is the place for you. Temperatures during the winter can go down to -60. But the summer is beautiful. Temperatures can go up to the
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Great-now it can be just like everywhere else! - 4/4/2006
The previous note about Fairbanks and Starbucks and growth is what rankles me about Alaska. I came to Alaska to escape all the sameness of other cities. Even here in Kenai, there will be a Walmart and a Lowe's and so many people are overjoyed about it! I'll miss the home town feel of things when all the big box stores come in. I've experienced growth after living in Ak since 1991 and moved away from the Anchorage area to escape the approaching craziness there. Guess there's always Bush
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Starbucks....and growing! - 12/6/2005
There are 3 Starbucks in Fairbanks! We are also experiencing growth. HomeDepot, Lowe's, Walmart, Old Navy, Famous Shoes, Petco, Barnes & Noble, Perfect Look, Papa Murphy's and Chili's have all come to town. Then our existing Fred Meyers rebuilt bigger and better.
This has effected smaller "mom and pop" stores, either making them better or moving them
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