NowJuneau.com
New to Juneau?
Welcome home.
Alaska’s capital is unlike any place you’ve lived before. Here’s your local checklist — practical stuff, hidden gems, and ways to plug into the community.
Get settled
Practical essentials to handle first
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Update your Alaska ID or driver’s license
Visit the DMV at 269 Airport Rd. Bring proof of residency — a utility bill or lease works. Expect a wait.
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Set up utilities with AEL&P and AWWU
Alaska Electric Light & Power for electricity, AWWU for water and sewer. Both have online signup.
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Register to vote in Alaska
Alaska has same-day registration. You’re also eligible for the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) after one year.
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Get a library card at JPL
Juneau Public Library on S. Marine Way is a community hub — free wifi, events, and local history archives.
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Learn the Capital Transit bus routes
$2 flat fare. Covers downtown, Mendenhall Valley, Douglas, and Fred Meyer. Essential in a city with no road out.
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Sign up for CBJ emergency alerts
Avalanche warnings are real here. Register at the City & Borough of Juneau website for weather and emergency notifications.
Discover Juneau
Local spots every Juneauite should know
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Walk to Mendenhall Glacier
Not just a tourist thing — locals hike it year-round. The East Glacier Trail gives you views without the crowds.
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Eat at a place you’ve never heard of
Try Adobo Pinoy Kitchen, Grumpy’s Deli, or the Rookery Café. Juneau’s food scene is small but genuinely good.
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Hike the Mt. Roberts Trail (without the tram)
Start at the trailhead on Basin Rd. Free, stunning views, and you’ll earn it. Takes 2–3 hours round trip.
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Visit Sealaska Heritage Institute
One of the most important cultural institutions in Southeast Alaska. Their art market and exhibits are free or low cost.
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Cross to Douglas Island
Just over the bridge but feels like a different world. Sandy Beach, Eaglecrest Ski Area, and a quieter pace.
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Try Alaskan Brewing Co.
The brewery that started it all. Free tours and tastings. A Juneau institution worth visiting at least once.
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Watch for whales in Gastineau Channel
Humpbacks pass through regularly in summer. The waterfront trail near downtown gives you a good vantage point.
Plug into the community
How to find your people in a small city
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Go to First Friday
First Friday of every month — galleries and businesses open their doors, free food and drinks, great way to meet people.
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Hit the Juneau Farmers Market
Saturdays in summer at the downtown transit center. Local produce, arts and crafts, and a reliable crowd of friendly faces.
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Join a Facebook community group
“Juneau, Alaska Community” and similar groups are how locals share info, sell stuff, and ask for recommendations.
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Catch a Perseverance Theatre show
Alaska’s premier professional theatre. Productions here tend to be community events as much as shows.
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Volunteer for something local
Juneau is small enough that volunteering gets you known fast. Food bank, trail crews, community events — pick something that fits.
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Bookmark NowJuneau.com
Your local business directory and events calendar. Find new spots, leave reviews, and stay plugged into what’s happening.
nowjuneau.com →
Veterans & military New
Resources and community for those who served
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Connect with the Alaska Division of Veterans Affairs
They can help you access state benefits, healthcare enrollment, and VA claims assistance. Office is in the state building downtown.
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Enroll in VA healthcare through SEARHC
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) partners with the VA to provide healthcare services locally. Don’t skip enrollment.
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Find your local VFW or American Legion post
Juneau has active posts — good for community, camaraderie, and navigating benefits. Look up VFW Post 763 and American Legion Post 25.
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Apply for Alaska veterans property tax exemption
Alaska offers property tax exemptions for disabled veterans. File with the CBJ Assessor’s Office — deadlines apply each year.
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Check your Alaska Permanent Fund eligibility
If you’ve established Alaska residency, you qualify for the PFD after one year. Prior military service in Alaska may count toward residency.
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Explore veteran employment resources at Alaska Job Center
The Alaska Job Center Network has veteran-specific employment services including resume help and hiring preference for state jobs.
UAS students New
Get the most out of school and life in Juneau
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Activate your UAS student ID and email
Your student ID gets you into campus facilities and unlocks discounts around town. Set up your @uas.alaska.edu email immediately — everything goes there.
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Visit the UAS Student Services office
They handle financial aid questions, housing referrals, disability services, and can connect you to counseling. Don’t wait until you need it — go early.
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Get your free Capital Transit bus pass
UAS students ride Capital Transit free with a valid student ID. Show your ID at the fare box. Covers all routes including downtown and the valley.
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Check out the Egan Library resources
Beyond books — free printing, research databases, quiet study rooms, and interlibrary loan access. UAS librarians are unusually helpful.
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Apply for Alaska residency for tuition purposes
After one year in Alaska with intent to stay, you may qualify for in-state tuition. Start the paperwork early — the savings are significant.
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Join a student club or campus organization
UAS is small, which means clubs are tight-knit and easy to get involved in — or start your own. It’s the fastest way to build a real social circle here.
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Look into the Alaska Performance Scholarship
If you graduated from an Alaska high school, you may already qualify. If not, check what merit aid is available through UAS Financial Aid.
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Find part-time work through UAS or local businesses
On-campus jobs are posted through Handshake. For off-campus, check NowJuneau.com or local Facebook groups — seasonal work is plentiful in summer.
nowjuneau.com →
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You’re a Juneauite now.
You’ve made it through the whole list. Welcome to one of the most unique communities in America — we’re glad you’re here.
Here is a quick checklist that should help you settle in to Juneau