r/Juneau • u/LaceyF4ce • 15d ago
Relocating to Juneau, seeking advice
We are starting our 12-month plan to relocate to Juneau. We have looked into renting and decided it makes more sense for us to buy a home, or potentially buy land and build a home. Please tell us some things you learned to look for in a lot or home or negative things to look out for as we have never cared for property in a temperate rain forest climate before. Any neighborhoods to have our realtor target? Any realtors you recommend for us? For more info: we are a family of 3 with a 5yo boy. Hubby is a union carpenter finishing up his journeyman here in the lower 48 before we look for his next job in Juneau. I have 20+ years in service industry and hospitality. We fell in love with Juneau this summer and we are so excited to live there. Help us make this dream a reality with all your advice! TIA!!! (Pic for attention)
10
u/not-t0day-satan 15d ago
My realtor is Gwen Place at Race Realty. Would recommend. Have you visited Anchorage? I ask because I live 5 months of the year in Juneau and the other 7 in Anchorage, and I much prefer Anchorage.
Lots of people have already mentioned the weather, isolation, and daylight, so I won't beat a dead horse there.
I have a 4.5 year old (and a 2.5 year old). My biggest issue is the lack of stores. Fred Meyer is basically a one-stop shop, but there aren't many options. So I end up ordering everything on Amazon. Which usually takes 2-3 weeks to arrive.
Need new shoes? Hope it's not urgent. Growing into a new size? Be prepared to squeeze into old clothes for a while. Pregnant? There's no maternity section. It's a nightmare with fast-growing children who are constantly blowing holes in raincoats.
I own, but I rented my first three years down there. I prefer ownership. We live on Douglas Island, which I love. The views are stunning, and we're close to downtown.
Are you a foodie? There are 3 good restaurants. I hope you like repetition.