The Yukon

[dancingqueen]

Anyone ever been there?
I'd like to hear your experiences, and what life is like there, I'm thinking of spending some time working up there.

[NewCasa]

Where in the Yukon would you be? Can we all come visit?

[dancingqueen]

sure... since I still have a ned for civilization to some degree, I'm trying to find info around Whitehorse
Jobs, apartments (I'm pretty sure they got 'em)
cost of living, things to do etc...

[NewCasa]

I've got a friend of a friend who runs the museum in Dawson. I don't think I know anyone in Whitehorse though.

[dancingqueen]

well maybe when the normal people get up I can get some info. In the meantime, I promised myself all week that I'd get one night of decent sleep in... I think tonight is that night!
*skips off to bed excitedly*

[mags]

I've cousins and friends living in Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Baffin Island, they all love it. Those who moved away would go back if the opportunity. Things are more costly up their but salaries are usually higher than they are down here. The only thing they all mention as being a bother was the long winter. To live there you must embrace winter.

[Genny]

good morning dancingqueen. I visited Whitehorse in September '06 for 2 weeks. Although my stay was short, and most of the tourist season was over, I really enjoyed my stay. The prices were a little higher than Ontario due to the shipping costs, etc. There was plenty to see and do; plenty of shopping (they do have a Wal-Mart,etc, plus "mom & pop" shops). The downtown is beautiful, with "false" store fronts like the "old days", flowers, very clean. Activities are centered usually on the sporty side ie winter skating, ski-dooing, etc.; but have theatre shows, plays. I did not experience the winter there, but our daughter lived there for 4 years - totally love it! The people of Whitehorse are friendly, out going; of course you do have the usual problems (drugs, crime). One interesting fact - Whitehorse has the largest population in the Yukon, the popluation of Whitehorse is 20,000 (2006). If you wish more info, just pm me.

[The Handyman]

good morning dancingqueen. I visited Whitehorse in September '06 for 2 weeks. Although my stay was short, and most of the tourist season was over, I really enjoyed my stay. The prices were a little higher than Ontario due to the shipping costs, etc. There was plenty to see and do; plenty of shopping (they do have a Wal-Mart,etc, plus "mom & pop" shops). The downtown is beautiful, with "false" store fronts like the "old days", flowers, very clean. Activities are centered usually on the sporty side ie winter skating, ski-dooing, etc.; but have theatre shows, plays. I did not experience the winter there, but our daughter lived there for 4 years - totally love it! The people of Whitehorse are friendly, out going; of course you do have the usual problems (drugs, crime). One interesting fact - Whitehorse has the largest population in the Yukon, the popluation of Whitehorse is 20,000 (2006). If you wish more info, just pm me.

I also spent about 2 weeks in Whitehorse in 1988. Genny describes it pretty well. It is a modern city with everything you will need. Being the largest city in the Yukon, most of the government money is channeled there so they aren't lacking in anything. I was there in April, and the weather was fine. They are apparently in a desert-like region, so although it is cold, not a lot of snow. Prices are higher, but some things are actually cheap, ... like seafood.

If you hold a government job, they consider you isolated, so they pay to have you flown to Edmonton once a year so you don't go stir-crazy. A lot of the people take that money and drive to Skagway Alaska (not far away) and fly to Mexico for the same price as Edmonton.

The Whitehorse hot springs are a great way to relax year-round, ... they are out of doors but very warm.

[kitca]

i was there for a couple of months a about 23 years ago. i loved it there! people were so friendly and nice and helpful. we were there after the summer season, sept - december. several of my friends went up there and stayed years, one is still there 20 years now. i have never spoken to anyone who didnt love it.

cost of living is higher, but you get a higher wage too. we did a tour of yukon and alsaka and then settled down to work for awhile in whitehorse. we swore to go back again in the summer, but got other jobs instead. we left because it was so cold and we were only working part time and we didnt have a car. although we met many people who took us places around the area, you still need a car in the cold season.

[verotik66]