Moving to Fort Richardson/need info (apartments, preschools, living)

[jweiss]

Hi! This is my first thread and I just wanted some info from people who have been there or are there now. My family and I are moving to Fort Richardson in the November/December time frame. This is not our first pcs with the Army, we have been to Germany, are now in Hawaii, and on to Alaska. I would like to know the following:
1. What are the preschools/elementary schools like in that area? Any suggestions?
2. Is there a waiting list for housing? Army onestop says nothing......just to call the office.
3. What is the on base housing like? Is it nice? Garage/carport? Tell me about it. Are they building new housing on base? They are in Hawaii ........just asking. Do you have the option of living on Elmendorf? Here we had the option of Navy housing too.......that's why I asked.
4. Any other info that you feel the need to pass along.

We are soooo excited to be coming to Alaska. Can't wait. Thanks in advance for your replies

[AKNana]

Hi there, best wishes for a happy transition to the great state of Alaska. I'll try to answer some of your questions.
1. There are preschools and elementary schools on post. I never heard anything negative about them. Off post there are good schools as well, but that's a whole other conversation.
2.Waiting list depends on the usual factors, rank, bedroom requirement, key and essential, etc. You will need to call housing for your particular situation.
3. Yes, they have built a large number of new housing units, and remodeled some old ones, turning 8 plexes into 4 plexes with garages. The new ones and the remodeled ones are very nice. Older, unremodeled, not so much. The old eight plexes do not have garages, there are plug ins and designated parking spaces. I believe housing on Fort Rich and EAFB are still separate, but they are in the process of merging the two installations, so housing options may change to include EAFB.
4. Check out the many threads in this forum, some great info and pictures here. Any other questions, just ask.

[jweiss]

Mahalo! Ok, the new housing pictures must not be up on Army Onestop yet.....lol. I'm not really that picky......no mold, no bugs, and would prefer no apartments....I like things on the ground Those are really my only requirements. The pictures online look like the housing is pretty good. Do most places have basements? Are they sealed good or do they leak when the snow melts? We just found out my husbands brother is going there too.......so it's a family affair . Does housing require a deposit when you move in? They did in Hawaii but not in Germany. Should I get my truck the heating block before we go or should I wait until we get there?(thing that you plug in so it will start) Again we are coming in the dead of winter (November).lol We are going to tour some schools when we get there. We have our eye on some private schools and some public. Just need to get there to see for sure.

[jweiss]

How are elementary students graded? Do they get letter grades? or possibly number grades? etc..........thanks

[biljanaburton]

Hi,
my husband just found out that we will be moving to Ft. Rich in November. My husband is currently finishing his AIT in TX and this will be our first move. We have a 3 year old son who is not in prescholl yet, but will be when we get there. Any info on the preschools or anything else would be great.
Thanks