From WA...Palmer or Kodiak? (Anchorage, College: relocation, real estate, housing)

[WAmomof4]

Hi~ We plan on moving back to AK this summer after an almost 10 year absence . We had lived in the Anchorage area before, and were planning on returning to the Palmer / Wasilla area....but on extending our search, are now also drawn to Kodiak (we never made it there to visit). With its lush forested area and beach access, it seems to have similar landscaping here in WA, which we like. Anyone that has any info about Kodiak would be appreciated. Their touristy website makes the place look beautiful, with a temperate climate, it seems to be an attractive town. I assume those glossy shots don't show all of the "real" town, and would love any info anyone has on pro's and cons of living in Kodiak ( vs. Palmer), raising children there, amenities avaliable (Costco? Home Depot? thrift shops?), quality of living,also if anyone has gone thru the nursing program at the UAA branch there ( how competitive is entry, quality of program...)...., or any feedback....THANKS!

[Rance]

I have not been to Kodiak in years. I order organic fertalizer from this lady. You might contact her.
http://www.plantea.com/

Galley Gourmet Cruises in Kodiak, Alaska

Kodiak Island, Alaska - Official Visitors Guide - Relocation Information

Kodiak, Alaska (AK) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

[BudinAk]

I haven't been to Kodiak in years either, but be aware it's on an island, with limited roads. I was only there for a few days many years ago. (I don't remember seeing a beach) (a lot of fishing boats though). For me, being confined to an island would make me kinda claustrophobic...I like to be able to jump in the car and go places on weekends. For the amenities you mention, combined with nearby beach access, and on the state highway system, I would definitely add Soldotna/Kenai to your list...
There's a college in Soldotna (Kenai Peninsula College?), but I don't know if it offers a nursing program...

Bud

[karibear]

Originally Posted by WAmomof4

Hi~ We plan on moving back to AK this summer after an almost 10 year absence . We had lived in the Anchorage area before, and were planning on returning to the Palmer / Wasilla area....but on extending our search, are now also drawn to Kodiak (we never made it there to visit). With its lush forested area and beach access, it seems to have similar landscaping here in WA, which we like. Anyone that has any info about Kodiak would be appreciated. Their touristy website makes the place look beautiful, with a temperate climate, it seems to be an attractive town. I assume those glossy shots don't show all of the "real" town, and would love any info anyone has on pro's and cons of living in Kodiak ( vs. Palmer), raising children there, amenities avaliable (Costco? Home Depot? thrift shops?), quality of living,also if anyone has gone thru the nursing program at the UAA branch there ( how competitive is entry, quality of program...)...., or any feedback....THANKS!

I left several years ago, but you definitely need to remember that it's an island. People get Rock Fever, and the only cure is getting off. That means a ferry ride, which may or may not be fun, or a plane ticket, which also may or may not be fun - in addition to being expensive.

There are plenty of beaches, but they are gravel, mostly, and if they are the least bit accessible [as in not having to hike a mile or more] there's a lot of combat fishing. And ever since the dump was fenced in, there's a lot more bear activity in town. Bears will come up to people's porches after dog food, fish smokers, climb in dumpsters, just about anything. Ditto for eagles. There are a lot of eagles, and they go for anything small enough to carry off, especially small dogs and cats.

There's a Walmart and a Safeway. I don't think the Walmart set any records, but the Safeway was the biggest one in the country when it was built. It's a sort of mini-mall, with a separate liquor store and a post office substation, and inside the main store is a deli and a bakery, a bank, and a video rental.

The school system is neither good nor bad. It does okay, for the most part.

The community college has a separate complex, with a fine library, and is part of the UofA's rural education programs. It's possible now to get a 4 year degree, but it takes some effort and finagling. The nursing program was just getting started when I left, so I don't know how it's doing. It was aimed at CNA certifications, but by now may well have gone further. You should contact them directly, Kodiak Community College, they have a website.

My kids grew up there, and I think they survived nicely.

Keep in mind also that it's not what it once was - a lot of the trees have been cut by people who've first paid for 'treed lots' then bulldozed them so they could have lawns. Once the trees start being cut, they go down more easily in big blows. Used to be the smaller ones at the edges of the forest protected the bigger ones by acting as wind breaks, but that just doesn't happen much any more.

And if you fly in, be warned that one end of the runway is on the beach, the other is at the foot of a mountain. It's a lot less scary coming in and leaving over the water. Taking off into a mountain face can be disconcerting, at best.

On the plus side, it's the home of cross-country golf - there's a one hole, par 100 course up Pillar Mountain. At least, that's what par was several years ago. And people actually come from all around the world to play. There's also an ultra-marathon during Crab Festival in the spring. It's something like 50 miles.

[REstelle]

I currently live in Kodiak after living in Wasilla for 8 years. There is no place in the world that I can think of that is more beautiful than Kodiak in the summer time. The fishing is the best that I have ever experienced and there is abundant wildlife everywhere. The people that live here are very friendly and it is a great place to raise your family. The current economics of the Island makes it extremely hard to make a good living and enjoy living here both. The local housing market is over inflated due to the Coast guard 25% COLA and the lack of housing. My rent has increased over 40% in four years, if you are able to find someplace to rent. In the local Safeway a box of instant grits will cost you over $6.00 and I purchased two green house tomatoes’ today for over $2.00 each. Heating oil in Kodiak is over $4.50 a gallon for #2 fuel oil. Regular unleaded fuel is $4.14 a gallon and Diesel is $4.64 a gallon. Those prices are in the city of Kodiak not in the remote villages where it is even costlier. The local charter boat operators are raising their rate to $300.00 per person because of the increase in fuel cost. There are jobs but most people end up working a second job just to make it. I don’t want to be overly negative but that is the reality of living in Kodiak. Good luck