Living & Working in Great Places

Destination: Tucson......Girdwood?

I just recently returned from Tucson. I went to visit friends and got a taste of what the area has to offer. Now I'm thinking of moving down there in September. Tucson equals a good job, good friends, and opportunity to hike and snowboard. The more I think about it, the more excited I get.

However, prior to the trip, I was contemplating Girdwood, AK. I have a strong pull to get to "the last frontier". The town of Girdwood sounds like a harmonious piece of heaven. I don't know anyone there, but I'm completely comfortable with that. I actually prefer to head somewhere where I know no one. It's scary and exhilerating and I love that feeling. Alaska would definitely fling me far from my comfort zone and that excites me.

It is only June and I have plenty of time to dwell and conjure a plan, but if anyone has anything to add (pros and cons) to either place, I would love to hear them.

Side note: Instead of moving drastically to the north or south, I was maybe thinking of trying Winter Park, CO for a season. It's a nice area. However, this is solidly option 3. Again, if anyone has any info, comments, or experiences with any place above, I would appreciate the response. Thanks.

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Comment by JD Greer on August 20, 2007 at 4:16pm: I imagine most spirits would get restless in Fargo.

Comment by Christina on August 20, 2007 at 1:38pm: I'm still in Fargo, ND living with my best friend, but winter is approaching and my wandering spirit is getting restless.

Comment by JD Greer on August 20, 2007 at 2:43am: Yea it looks like its going to be Winter Park. I found two places out there that offer room and board in addition to a salary which just kind of simplifies things. Hopefully I'll hear back from one of them soon. They are both right on the bus route so I'm going to sell my car before I go and just use the bus system to get to the mountain. I'll be praying for ya, I know how hard it is to figure out where to go. Where do you live right now?

Comment by Christina on August 19, 2007 at 3:33pm: Not yet and the time is ticking away fast. I keep praying. You should let me know where you end up going. If you do head to Winter Park, I hope you thoroughly enjoy it.

Comment by JD Greer on August 16, 2007 at 3:10am: i really resonate with your post. I know exactly what you mean about getting away to someplace where you don't know anyone. I've been in Kansas for the past...wow its been 14 years now and I'm ready to venture out on my own away from fam and friends. I have a great community that supports me, but its time for an adventure. its funny you mentioned winter park. I'm thinking I'm going to head there this winter. I've heard of a few good jobs. Ever since high school I've always wanted to go to Alaska and I think I may head there after CO. I guess it depends how things go out in the mountains. For me, being in God's creation just awakes something in me. Have you figured out where your gonna go next?

Comment by Christina on August 6, 2007 at 7:06am: The more I hear, the more perfect Girdwood is sounding. Thanks Daven.

Comment by Daven Hafey on August 5, 2007 at 9:00am: Like a few of the folks on your post, I've also lived in Tucson and very close to Girdwood. Tucson's got a great cultural scene on 4th St., but it's surrounded by the busy Tucson megalopolis. You probably won't find better scenery than Girdwood. The Kenai Peninsula is practically straight out of a Natl. Geographic spread. You'll be at the base of Alyeska Resort, which has some pretty rediculous riding. And if you need to escape from the small town vibe, Anchorage is only a 45 minute hitch from Girdwood (and in Alaska in the winter, it's illegal not to stop for hitchhikers!). Telluride is unbelievable as well. Far from the crowds, in the best corner of Colorado, convenient access to southern Utah... Have you considered Flagstaff? Quirky little town, slopes in your backyard, Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon, Zion all within easy access... Plus you'd be close to your homies in Tucson.

Comment by Christina on June 12, 2007 at 4:04pm: Wow. Thank you for the insight. That's a very impressive spread. Telluride would be a dream come true. Thanks again, man. I will definitely look a little deeper into a few of those places.

Comment by Dan on June 12, 2007 at 12:54am: Hi Christina,
You sound like you will like a lot of places. I have worked in all sorts of resorts over the last 20 years.
Signal Mountain has one of the best reputations as I learned working in Grand Teton.
Number one resort these days? Telluride by far.
A place lost in another, friendlier era.
Jobs - and nice ones - are overabundant. That said, there's quite a small spread between take home and rent.
There is really only one place to live here and that's the Village Court Apartments. New and close to the foot of the free gondola in the upbeat Mountain Village area as opposed to the Old Town Victorian Telluride at the foot of the mountain.
Another awesome job is the Valdoro Lodge in Breckenridge. Summit County has a free bus system and the mountain company, Vail Resorts, has abundant housing managed by Corum Real Estate at this time of year. Another great bet is Glacier Park on the Canadian border.
Time seems to run in reverse there and the scenery is almost as awesome as Grand Teton with even better hiking. Glacier Park Incorporated is the main concessionaire but virtually all work is seasonal, if
it is kind of a life-changing experience usually.
Another spot of unusual fun is the Pahaska Teepee Resort at the East Entrance to Yellowstone Park.
A dude ranch with a definite frontier experience and a kind time is everything sort of atmosphere. The pristine river, the wildlife and the locals make for a
total immersion into an awesome rural lifestyle but
pay's low if that's a consideration.
At the other end of the spectrum, Nantucket's a wired place with cobble-stoned streets and a yuppie sort of crowd that let's you into the world of
the Eastern elite. It is the center of summer affluent
vacationing with a get away from it all mentality that only being 30 miles out in the Atlantic can give. Everyone is low key but you see only active and gifted people at a modestly leisurely pace.
The island can get crowded in high season but it
and the locals have lots of atmosphere.
Another end of the spectrum is the Floriday Keys, unusually laid back for such a famous resort area.
Lots of conch republicans doing a marginal amount of work and living a for today sensual lifestyle in
accordance with the Carribbean influence. Tourists are a little high maintenance but coworkers are worth knowing. Rather modest rents and unsurpassed beauty and ocean access if you like that. Pay is just a tad on the low side so you like to look of higher paying jobs and lower rents to maximize the experience.
It will be hard to surpass the experience you had at
Signal Mountain but those are some tips.

Comment by Christina on June 8, 2007 at 10:16pm: Scott, I appreciate what you bring to the table. Thanks for the name drop as well. Like I said previously, the only concern is somewhere to live in Girdwood, but if it's as you said, then it's probably not as difficult as I am imagining. Are you returning to Girdwood this winter? Or are you still undecided?