Moose Pass, Kenai, or Smaller towns? (Anchorage, Sterling: rental, jobs, hospital)

[AnchorageSeattle]

I was born in Anchorage, and spent the first 16 years of my life in Alaska, but currently live in Seattle. I was thinking about moving back to Alaska. All my family lives up there, and I kinda miss them.

I know how awful Anchorage is, and absolutely will never live there again. So I was thinking of moving to Moose Pass, or some other small town nearby. I was thinking Moose Pass because of its proximity to Anchorage, Kenai, and Seward. I could drive to any of those places for the weekend. Or if I just needed to see some "city/small town" life.

I am also considering Kenai. I remember the Kenai river being so beautiful. I only have good memories of Kenai.

Also most of my family lives in Anchorage, so this way I would be kind of close, but not really!

I love the idea of community, and all the neighborly things that go a long with it.

Anyone have any input on Kenai, or Moose Pass? How about any other smaller town (accessible by highway)?

Thanks!

[ErikaKazan]

Moose Pass is about what, 3 buildings? Do you want to hide from the world or do you want to be able to go to the grocery store when you need to? If you hate people then Moose Pass is your ticket. I'm not sure if anything is open there in the winter. Not my idea of fun. I live in Soldotna, we have Fred Meyer, a movie theater, Subway and a Starbucks. The hospital just expanded and updated. Kenai has Safeway, HomeDepot and Lowes & Walmart are being built. You can choose to live in town or a couple of miles away but to live in Moose Pass would make me crazy. You did not mention a job but that is going to be harder to find in someplace like Moose Pass. Also Eagle River, north of Anchorage, is nice as well. Not too big or small.

Erika

[Glitch]

Don't discount Cooper Landing or Sterling. Both Moose Pass and Cooper Landing would have fewer options for work than say Sterling or Kenai, because they are smaller and more remote. However, there is a Princess Lodge now at Cooper Landing where work may present itself.

Sterling, Soldotna, and Kenai are close enough to each other that you could live in one town while working in another. The commute wouldn't be that bad, and it opens up a lot more job opportunities.

[snkalaska]

Originally Posted by ErikaKazan

Moose Pass is about what, 3 buildings? Do you want to hide from the world or do you want to be able to go to the grocery store when you need to? If you hate people then Moose Pass is your ticket. I'm not sure if anything is open there in the winter. Not my idea of fun. I live in Soldotna, we have Fred Meyer, a movie theater, Subway and a Starbucks. The hospital just expanded and updated. Kenai has Safeway, HomeDepot and Lowes & Walmart are being built. You can choose to live in town or a couple of miles away but to live in Moose Pass would make me crazy. You did not mention a job but that is going to be harder to find in someplace like Moose Pass. Also Eagle River, north of Anchorage, is nice as well. Not too big or small.

Erika

I agree with Erika and would also say it depends on your needs and preferences and your family's. With gas prices approaching $5 gallon folks may be wishing they were closer to work and shopping. That's why Kenai/Soldotna is nice, you have a good base for jobs and all the retail stores you need. Forget Moose Pass, I doubt they're on natural gas and heating oil prices are through the roof. If you want more woods, you could consider Sterling, North Kenai or towards Kasilof.
Eagle River is nice too, but for me I like being close to fishing.

[AnchorageSeattle]

Thank you for all the replies. I didnt know Moose Pass only had approx. 3 buildings! Good to know! Kenai sounds like the place to be. You have everything you need nearby, and I could drive to Anchorage if I needed to.

[Rance]

Sterling is perfect. But it's hard to find a place to rent these days. If your looking to buy or build from scratch I highly recommend it. It's 10 miles to Soldotna and all the modern shopping etc. But you can go a mile in the opposite direction and be on Moose Range with all the critters and no people.
Feel free to come here and build a 4 plex. We need the rentals...you could live in one unit and the other 3 would fill up within a week to make your payments!

[AnchorageSeattle]

Rance,
Sounds like a genius idea! I was thinking of doing something just like that! Thanks again!