Juneau Travel Forum

My friend just got back from Juneau and absolutely fell in love with it. She is thinking about moving there and got me excited about it too. Has anyone else moved there from another state? Do you like it? Whats the differences? Would I NEED a car there (mine won't make it)?

It is a great place during the summer. You might want to try visiting there during the winter when just about everything shuts down. Keep in mind that Juneau is land locked. The only way out is via ferry or plane.

I lived in Juneau for a few months in the winter of 2003. Moving to Juneau from the lower 48 is actually easier than most places in the state, because you can take the ferry from Bellingham. If your car can make it to Seattle, it can make it to Juneau.

Juneau is great place to live. The weather is milder than Green Bay, winter or summer. It snows in the winter but rarely gets colder than 0. There is a dowhill ski hill and lots of great hiking trails. Probably a smaller selection of stores than where you live, but they have a walmart. Many of the gift shops that cater to cruise ships close in the winter, but everything else keeps going, and it is still a lively place in the winter.

And it is isolated, but Alaska Airlines has several flights each day to Anchorage or Seattle. The ferry will take you almost anywhere in southeast Alaska. For example, its a 4 hour ferry trip north to Haines, which is on the road system. From there its a half-day drive to Whitehorse, which is the nearest major city.

Juneau is arranged in a long, skinny strip between mountains and ocean, and its about 10 miles from one end to the other. So I think youd spend a lot of time on the bus if you dont have a car.

I hope that helps. Good luck

Mike

As usual, Mike hit the nail on the head - except I'm not sure about Walmart. There is a Costco, tho :)
My oldest daughter moved there from Anchorage 7 years ago and has never looked back. She loves it and we visit as often as time/money allows.
We're thinking of retiring there to be closer to the rest of the grand kids.
Biggest drawback is the rain. And property prices recently went through the roof.
Winter is the best time because downtown returns to local control without the cruise ships.
If you live and work downtown, a car isn't crucial, but sure is nice for getting around. Lots of hikes take a drive to get to first. Good skiing on the Douglas side.
Been working on my Juneau pages if you want more info.
Rick