Wasilla! How's the commute to Anchorage? (Eagle: how much, townhouses, to buy)

[objectivist111]

My husband and I were stationed in Anchorage a couple of years ago. I am from the South and I hated the snow and the cold. We complained a lot (esp. me) while we lived there. We could not wait to get out.

Now, back in NC...we have realized that Alaska DID NOT suck. I asked him if we could move back, and he said yes. I couldnt believe I said that! I miss Alaska so much, and I took it for granted. I hate it back here in NC; too ghetto, too many people, nothing to do.

We want to live in Wasilla. We will be back with a whole new view. I've only been there once. How is the commute to Fort Rich?

[Nephler]

To Fort Richardson isn't too bad, it's if you have to drive any further is then it get bad with traffic.

The road can be slick from the snow. Lots of people end up in the ditch. If you just take your time you'll be fine.

[diertac]

A point to ponder:

They say the grass is always greener on the other side, because it's true. You don't truly appreciate a place until you leave it. But before you head all the way back up there for good, seriously reexamine why you want to go and what it was that made you want to leave in the first place. Those things haven't changed.

Nostalgia plays funny tricks on our minds. I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but I can't figure out why. I miss the hell out of Northern Virginia and my friends there, and I have to force myself to remember how much I hated the traffic, and the cold and the housing prices.

Just don't let your mind trick you into doing anything rash. I speak from experience and I know what you're feeling. Hell, why do you think I'm subscribed to the Alaska forum when I've never, ever lived there? I really want to live there, the adventurous side in me is just dying to, but the realist in me knows I would not be able to take the cold. So I just read and live vicariously through the other residents here.

[Jonotastic]

The commute to Anchorage isn't that far distance wise, however it's still a commute. On average it takes me 45 minutes with normal traffic. At least the scenery is nice the entire way. That's the main thing I took for granted with Alaska, were the beautiful mountains and landscapes.

May I ask why Wasilla if you will be commuting to Ft. Richardson? Why not Eagle River? It's closer, but still has that small town feel and is still cheaper than Anchorage. Gas prices in Alaska are outrageous, this summer they were in the 4.50 range for regular unleaded, highest in the nation. Mix that with a big truck commuting daily can really add up. It's now a lot lower thankfully (2.65-2.80), but who knows for how long it will last.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by diertac

A point to ponder:

They say the grass is always greener on the other side, because it's true. You don't truly appreciate a place until you leave it. But before you head all the way back up there for good, seriously reexamine why you want to go and what it was that made you want to leave in the first place. Those things haven't changed.

Nostalgia plays funny tricks on our minds. I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but I can't figure out why. I miss the hell out of Northern Virginia and my friends there, and I have to force myself to remember how much I hated the traffic, and the cold and the housing prices.

Just don't let your mind trick you into doing anything rash. I speak from experience and I know what you're feeling. Hell, why do you think I'm subscribed to the Alaska forum when I've never, ever lived there? I really want to live there, the adventurous side in me is just dying to, but the realist in me knows I would not be able to take the cold. So I just read and live vicariously through the other residents here.

Excellent points and post!

[objectivist111]

Originally Posted by Jonotastic

The commute to Anchorage isn't that far distance wise, however it's still a commute. On average it takes me 45 minutes with normal traffic. At least the scenery is nice the entire way. That's the main thing I took for granted with Alaska, were the beautiful mountains and landscapes.

May I ask why Wasilla if you will be commuting to Ft. Richardson? Why not Eagle River? It's closer, but still has that small town feel and is still cheaper than Anchorage. Gas prices in Alaska are outrageous, this summer they were in the 4.50 range for regular unleaded, highest in the nation. Mix that with a big truck commuting daily can really add up. It's now a lot lower thankfully (2.65-2.80), but who knows for how long it will last.

We chose Wasilla because we want to buy a house. When I look up the Eagle River homes..they are not as good for the price. Most of them are townhouses. Comparing that to Wasilla...you can get a single family home on a good lot. I guess we arent that stuck on Wasilla....but we prefer a more smaller town feel. Very true about the gas prices though!

[objectivist111]

Originally Posted by diertac

A point to ponder:

They say the grass is always greener on the other side, because it's true. You don't truly appreciate a place until you leave it. But before you head all the way back up there for good, seriously reexamine why you want to go and what it was that made you want to leave in the first place. Those things haven't changed.

Nostalgia plays funny tricks on our minds. I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but I can't figure out why. I miss the hell out of Northern Virginia and my friends there, and I have to force myself to remember how much I hated the traffic, and the cold and the housing prices.

Just don't let your mind trick you into doing anything rash. I speak from experience and I know what you're feeling. Hell, why do you think I'm subscribed to the Alaska forum when I've never, ever lived there? I really want to live there, the adventurous side in me is just dying to, but the realist in me knows I would not be able to take the cold. So I just read and live vicariously through the other residents here.

I know exactly what you mean. I am an army brat and an army wife so I have been moving my whole life about every couple of years. Maybe it is because I am getting older..but I am tired of the bigger city life. Alaska has this "feel" to it that you cannot find any where else.
I should mention to you that the cold in Alaska is totally different than you think. I am from the South so we get very cold-cold. Its the humidity. 30 degrees in the South is soooo cold! But Alaska has a dry cold - so it doesnt feel that cold at all! You should visit during the winter - I think you would be surprised

[Jonotastic]

Originally Posted by objectivist111

We chose Wasilla because we want to buy a house. When I look up the Eagle River homes..they are not as good for the price. Most of them are townhouses. Comparing that to Wasilla...you can get a single family home on a good lot. I guess we arent that stuck on Wasilla....but we prefer a more smaller town feel. Very true about the gas prices though!

Yeah you will definetly get more land in Wasilla. I don't know if you have kids or plan too, but the best schools in Wasilla are the Colony Middle and High (I mentioned in another post), so you may want to keep that in mind when looking for houses. Good luck on your move!

[SaucySophia]

Originally Posted by objectivist111

I should mention to you that the cold in Alaska is totally different than you think. I am from the South so we get very cold-cold. Its the humidity. 30 degrees in the South is soooo cold! But Alaska has a dry cold - so it doesnt feel that cold at all! You should visit during the winter - I think you would be surprised

I try explaining this to people all the time but unless they experience it they can not believe it.

Saucy

[Marty Van Diest]

Originally Posted by objectivist111

I should mention to you that the cold in Alaska is totally different than you think. I am from the South so we get very cold-cold. Its the humidity. 30 degrees in the South is soooo cold! But Alaska has a dry cold - so it doesnt feel that cold at all!

I don't know...-60 feels cold to me no matter what the humidity is.

As does -10 with a 60 MPH wind.

But 0 feels absolutely warm after enduring those cold temps.