Thinking about moving to Valdez... (Anchorage, Palmer: appliances, to buy, living in)

[mtnengr]

Hello! I have been offered a job in Valdez, AK. The only problem is that I have never been to Valdez (or Alaska for that matter). So I need a little help.

Now, I am not worried about the weather or the snow or about living in a small town (I grew up in the middle of Wyoming, which has all those things). However, I do have a couple of questions for those who may be willing to help out. Thanks in advance to those who do.

1. As a young professional, I am most concerned about the recreational opportunities available in Valdez. I love to go snowboarding and I love fly fishing, which seem to fit very well into Valdez's profile. However, I'm worried that I won't be able to afford snowboarding in Valdez as it seems that there are just heli-skiing outfits. Is there a place where locals can go or is there a resort nearby? Also, does Valdez have a community rec center or a place to workout or play racquetball? What other things are there to do for fun? Does the community have any rec sports leagues (softball, basketball, etc)?

2. What kind of grocery stores does Valdez have? Where do you buy things like clothes and appliances? I grew up in a small town and we had to travel about 45 miles away to buy clothes, appliances, etc. That doesn't bother me but it seems that there aren't many towns close to Valdez. Can you buy most of what you need within Valdez or do you have to go somewhere else once a month? If you have to go somewhere else, where do you go? It seems that Anchorage is quite a distance away to be making a monthly trip.

3. How do people like living in Valdez? Do they genuinely like living there or do they tolerate it because it provides them with a job?

4. How are healthcare facilities in the city? I'm recently married and kids may be in the not-so-distant future.

Thanks once again for your time!

[TMA]

Check your messages.

[elgusano]

I live in Homer, but I've spent some time in Valdez.

My son likes to snowboard. If you and a buddy go, you can park one car at the bottom of the mountain, drive the other up, snowboard down, drive back up, and do this all day at a decent area. For fun, spring for the helicopter occasionally.

There is a Safeway for groceries. (Maybe Carr's; both the same company.) There was a Three Bears' wholesale that closed.

Other than that, go to Palmer to buy clothes and appliances.

[mtnengr]

Thanks, guys, for your reply. I appreciate it.