Anchorage, Alaska, is a great place to find a seasonal job because it’s a great place to visit. Each year, the influx of tourists brings with it the need for seasonal workers. It’s no secret that Anchorage’s cost of living is high compared to some cities in the Lower 48, but there’s plenty of housing. Here are five tips for finding an inexpensive place to call home while you work a season in Anchorage.
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Find a sublet
If you’re only going to be in town for three or four months, signing a lease might be tough. But taking someone’s place while they’re out of town for the same amount of time might work out beautifully. Craigslist is a great place to search for people who want to sublet their homes while they’re away for a period of time or have a room to rent. If you live in a desirable location, you might even be able to find someone looking for an apartment swap. Also check out Padmapper.com, which lists available places from multiple sources and will let you filter by types of rentals. Even if you have to link together a couple of different sublets throughout the season, it might be easier than trying to find a landlord who will draw up a three-month lease.
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Bring your RV or live-in vehicle
If you own an RV or a van with a live-in setup, a summer in Alaska might be the ultimate road trip goal. Not only will you be able to enjoy the scenery on the trip up, but you’ll already have a place to lay your head at night. RV parks, campgrounds and private landowners who charge a small fee to park are all options once you get to Anchorage.
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Reach out to your employer and coworkers
Having roommates is one of the easiest ways to save money. If you don’t know anyone in Anchorage, reaching out to your employer can help. He or she can often connect you with other people you’ll be working with who might also be looking for someone to share a lease.
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Check classifieds and bulletin boards
Traditional methods still work. Local newspapers, such as the Alaska Dispatch News, have classifieds with housing listings—look at online postings for all the newspapers in the region. If you get to Anchorage before you have your housing nailed down, swing by community buildings on campuses or coffee shops close by where you might find ads posted for rooms for rent. College students are often in the same boat, looking for temporary summer housing or trying to sublet their spots for the season.
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Be open to commuting
Just like most other cities, Anchorage has less expensive places to live around the fringes. If you’re willing to drive, bicycle or take a bus to work, you might be able to save money on housing. If you live with your coworkers, you can even carpool, further cutting down on costs.