Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks is located in east central Alaska, on the shores of the Chena River, near its confluence with the Tanana River. (But no, the city wasn't named after these rivers' "fair banks," but after a politician from Indiana.) Fairbanks is located 359 miles (578 kilometers) north of Anchorage (which is the largest city in Alaska), and is the largest community in the interior of the state.

The area around Fairbanks was long home to the Koyukon Athabaskan Native people, and it was only around the turn of the 20th century that prospectors from the Klondike came into the area in search of gold. Today's Fairbanks has an economy that is varied, and includes government services, transportation, communication, manufacturing, mining, and tourism. There are also two military bases a short distance away, Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright.

You're not isolated in Fairbanks. The city has an airport, rail service, and is linked to major highways. And speaking of highways, if you're looking for a road trip, from Fairbanks, you only have to drive about a 100 miles (161 kilometers) southeast to hop onto the famous Alaska Highway.

It won't come as any surprise that there are great outdoor recreation opportunities in the area, and you won't be bored in any season. You can spend your off-hours taking in the fresh air through activities like hiking, boating, fishing, wildlife-watching, camping, skiing, mushing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. Perhaps the most spectacular place to enjoy the outdoors is Denali National Park and Preserve, which is home to North America's highest mountain, Mount McKinley, and which is located 125 miles (201 kilometers) south of Fairbanks. And for more Denali, adjacent to Denali NP, is Denali State Park. (And for more parks, see the Alaska DNR's list of individual state parks!)

Of course, this being the interior of Alaska, you can expect some very cold, dry winters, with averages ranging from 8F (-13C) to -19F (-28C). (Being from the north myself – though not this far north – I prefer to consider this sort of weather "an opportunity to see the northern lights" rather than "cold.") But – believe it or not – summer temperatures range between the 70s and 80s (in the 20s in the Celsius scale)! Another feature of such a northerly location is the midnight sun in the summer, and the longer periods of darkness during winter months – but, again, winter darkness is just a chance to watch the northern lights. (And hey, winter is just another excuse to have fun at events like the Fairbanks Winter Carnival.)

And don't worry – just because you're in the far north doesn't mean you're far from culture! For example, relax to the sounds of the Fairbanks Symphony Association. If you think the Bard can't be beat, you'll be found at the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre. Head out and see visiting performers from around the world, through the Fairbanks Concert Association. And you can even get in on the arts action – whether performing or otherwise – through the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, held in July. At this festival, you can take classes in music, storytelling, visual arts, dance, acting, and healing arts, in addition to watching performances!

So as the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Economic Development Division says, "Come to Fairbanks – a great place in a big space!"

See our 15 Jobs in Fairbanks, Alaska