Moving to Eielson AFB near North Pole/ Fairbanks (Anchorage, Juneau and: housing, rent)

[summerlane1981]

Hi! I've got a ton of questions... I've done some searches on here and a lot of them have been answered, but I have more

1. cell phone coverage. All the major providers show coverage in that area, but when I put in a zip code to look for available plans in that area, I get nothing. Can you recommend a carrier? I have Sprint right now but my plan is about to expire...

2. Can you tell me anything about base housing at Eielson? I heard they were doing some renovations.

3. I found a ton of stuff about Fairbanks, but I think that's about 40 miles from where we'll be living... can you tell me anything about North Pole?

4. The YMCA website says the nearest one is in Anchorage... are there indoor pools anywhere around?

5. Also about Eielson- are there a lot of MWR activities for us to get involved in? We have a baby on the way- due in March, and we're moving there in May... are these activities conducive to having a baby around? We're not afraid of the elements- if the locals can take their kids out in the weather, our kid will be fine!

6. Are there any forums/websites specific to the North Pole/ Eielson area? I'm not having much luck... (except for the Base website, of course).

Any help you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated!

[icarian]

Well, nuts...had a reply almost finished and got to your # 6. Went to my bookmarks and clicked on "open all in tabs" to get hyperlinks and it of course used my tabs that were already open. Abracadabra, lost my post. This will be much more concise since it IS the second time around

1. Cell: Cellular One or AT&T are the local carriers (anybody know what GCI uses? Whose network?) You'll have no issues with coverage with either from Salcha to Fairbanks. Some carriers down south work fine (and don't mind your home being off their network, others drop you after they realize your in Alaska long term). I have T-mobile which works off Cell One...no issues to complain about.

2. Probably are...I know we are expanding like mad up here at Wainwright...just don't go down to Eielson, so not read in.

3. North Pole--I'll leave to others (I imagine there are going to be varying opinions).

4. You have a free indoor pool at Eielson Eielson Services - Home or
Fort Wainwright Fort Wainwright - Morale, Welfare&Recreation There are also others in the community.

5. Don't know about your MWR (most likely quite a bit...I'm happy with Wainwright's right up the road). A lot to do outside. White Mountains north of Eielson (and the Fairbanks area) and the Chena River SRA are favorites of mine.

6. Ok, lets try this again:
Fairbanks Alaska Visitor Information Site
Welcome to the Blue Loon
Upcoming Acts

Hmm looking all those open tabs...not many that would probably interest you at this time. Maybe when you get up here. I'm not going to list the normal bunch that you probably saw by typing in a city/state in google, etc. Maybe someone has some that are off the beaten path...

/r

[summerlane1981]

thank you!

[RayinAK]

1. Cell phone and land: ACS & GCI. Cell: Cellular 1. Cellular 1 sold out to AT&T. There is also cable and Sat. for TV and Internet if you want those.

2. Some fairly new, while other renovated

3. Eielson is located approximately 7 miles from North Pole, and around 20 from Fairbanks and Fort Wainwright. North Pole has a very small city center, and is surrounded by neighborhoods outside of the city. There are a few shops in the city of North Pole, but since there is a 3% tax, most folks drive to Fairbanks. Shops: McDonalds, Supervalue, a few banks, Post Office, Wendy's, NAPA, a few restaurants (including the best Chinese food restaurant in the entire borough), gas stations, BlockBusters, etc.

4. There are at least two very large clubs for exercising and such in Fairbanks, one in Fort Wainwright. The one at Eielson is small, but close to the housing areas. I don't remember if Eielson has a pool (they probably do). There are several pools in Fairbanks.

5. There is skying at Eielson. They have their own slope, although it's small. There are cross-country ski trails, too. I am certain that Eielson has activities for families. Otherwise you can participate in all sorts of winter activities conducted around North Pole and Fairbanks. For example-not necessarily for very young kids-The Yukon Quest will take place in February. This is an international 1,000-mile sled-dog race that starts in Fairbanks, and ends in White Horse, Canada. Next year it will start in White Horse, and end in Fairbanks. The race course meanders through North Pole, by the Chena Recreation area. The dogs run right next to the road through that area, and there will be people all around watching the race. This is one of numerous winter activities that take place each year. Just before the Yukon Quest, there is a famous snowmobile race tanking place, "The Iron Dog." Then during the summer we have a famous race-boat race called "The Yukon 800." To get an idea of what goes on in this area, look here:
Activities in Fairbanks, Alaska April, May, June 2004

The dog teams and racers will step right on this frozen slough. The dog-drop point is right at the turn in the distance.


6. Yes, there are web sites you can look at. Do a Google search of : "North Pole, or Fairbanks, Alaska"

[icarian]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

1. Cell phone and land: ACS & GCI. Cell: Cellular 1. Cellular 1 sold out to AT&T. There is also cable and Sat. for TV and Internet if you want those.

Thanks for the correction...have a tendency to think it was ACS that sold out...REALLY wish my phone would stop showing Cellular One and start showing AT&T. Problem would be solved on my end.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by icarian

Thanks for the correction...have a tendency to think it was ACS that sold out...REALLY wish my phone would stop showing Cellular One and start showing AT&T. Problem would be solved on my end.

I have noticed some folks buying iPhones because of the move by Cellular One. I believe that AT&T will offer phone service to iPhone users now.

I just use ACS since their coverage is pretty good, although some folks swear by Cellular One just as well.

[arcticracer]

The iPhone is now available from AT&T, with lower 48 style service plans. You can carry over unused minutes to the next month. In the next year the company is also bringing Wimax high speed wireless internet to Fairbanks in the downtown area. Right now it is in Juneau and Delta.

Eielson is only about 25 miles from Fairbanks, nice area, nice base, you should like it.

Dale-AT&T Technician

[siamiam]

when i first moved up here i came with my parents and lived on Eielson, damn that a long time ago :P

. for most of my jr and senior high years. it really wasn't that bad of a place. it had most of the thing people needed and i always found something to do.

if there wasn't something on base that you needed a quick trip to town would usually solve that, but of course this is the interior of Alaska so it doesn't have all the stuff that the lower 48 or even Anchorage has. no Arbys!

[Kimmeastar]

Is that little strip club down the road still there?I can't remember the name of it but boy,did we have some fun there back in '91.

[javagra]

The Moose Creek Lodge?