New(ish) to Alaska, looking for a good place to live (Anchorage: apartment complex, to rent)

[Enigmatic417]

Hey all! First, since this is my first post I thought I'd introduce myself a little. My name is Rigo, I spent my childhood just 30 minutes northwest of Chicago, Illinois. After high school, I served in the Marines for four years from 2003 - 2007. While stationed in Okinawa in 2004 I met my future wife. We got married, had a child (have had another since then) and after our time in the Marines we moved back to the Chicago area. My wife HATED it. So after I took a year and a half of school, she finally convinced me we should live in the state she called home - Alaska.

I've been here in Eagle River since June, and at first I didn't like it too much, I was too used to the big-city lifestyle (even though I didn't live in Chicago proper, anyone who's been to the Chicago area will tell you the surrounding suburbs pretty much serve as an extension to the city) and even trips to Anchorage left me yearning for the skyscrapers, the food, the culture, the pro sports teams, etc.

I've slowly come around though and now I love it up here. I'm 25 years old, and I'm living in a place that so many people in the lower 48 dream about moving to when they retire. The views are amazing, the people are friendly, and thankfully I found a great place to get some Chicago style food that rivals any of the restaurants in the Chicago area.

Anyways, I suppose I should get on to my question. I'm on the job hunt. As of right now, as far as locations of jobs, Anchorage, Palmer and Juneau are the three possibilities. I'm not worried about Palmer because when I'm not in Eagle River, I actually spend most of my time in the valley. I'm actually not worried about Juneau much for now either, because even though I've never been there, I'm sure we'll find a place there as well.

Now, what I'm wondering is, if I end up working in Anchorage, where are some good places to look at that would offer good, affordable housing, either to buy or to rent, in a safe, friendly environment? First of all, Anchorage is out. I don't mind working there, but I won't live there. It's just not my style, I like the big-city life but Anchorage is not a big city, it just has all the annoyances of one (crime, drugs, gangs, and bad traffic compared to the rest of Alaska), but most importantly, I came to Alaska to live in Alaska, you know?

I'm living at my in-laws house in Eagle River at the moment, but my family couldn't afford Eagle River on our own. Plus, the wife and I decided we'd like a little bit of land with our house, or to at least not have a neighbor right next door to us breathing down our necks. And Eagle River is pretty much just subdivision, subdivision, apartment complex, subdivision.

So here's our criteria - a place where we could live comfortably for either under $250,000 or say, $1,000 a month and not have our neighbors right there, easy commute to Anchorage, and a safe, family-friendly environment.

I know the Valley is a possibility but it could get costly, gas-wise. Anyone know of any place south of Anchorage? Or anyone know if Chugiak, or anywhere else north of Eagle River but not yet in the Valley might work?? Thanks in advance for the help!

[Barkingowl]

I think your choice of where to live really depends on where your job winds up being. I've read a lot of posts describing the winter commute in & out of Anchorage & the length of time that it can involve. I, personally, would choose to live in the Valley either in Palmer or Wasilla because of the affordability of homes & land. The tradeoff would be a commute that would generally average an hour or more during the winter. The only community that I can think of south of Anchorage is Girdwood & the commute there is miserable even on sunny days.

[starlite9]

The valley is a good place to live and cheaper than Anchorage. As far as the commute, get a smaller car with good MPG or work in the Valley, there are starting to be good jobs there, also a prison system being built there, so you may want to look into corrections work as well. They work week on and week off and the pay is good.

[Enigmatic417]

Thank you Barkingowl. My wife mentioned Girdwood as a possibility. I've never been there myself, I know nothing about it.

[Enigmatic417]

It's funny you mention corrections, starlite9, because all three prospective jobs (the ones in Anchorage, Palmer and Juneau) are with the Department of Corrections. I've interviewed for two and have an interview for the third (Anchorage) this week. I studied Criminal Justice in college and did my homework when I came up here so I learned all about the new prison they're building and everything. Thank you though, I think the valley is looking like the best option if I end up in either Palmer or Anchorage.

[starlite9]

As long as you have a clean military record, you will be towards the front of the line in getting picked, they like people that have a military background. Good luck!

[Enigmatic417]

Yessir, clean military and civilian record. Not even a parking ticket! Lucky enough to never get caught, I guess (knock on wood!). Thank you much, I really hope to join the DOC here soon.

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic417

Yessir, clean military and civilian record. Not even a parking ticket! Lucky enough to never get caught, I guess (knock on wood!). Thank you much, I really hope to join the DOC here soon.

Seward is a good place too, but housing is a bit high. Moose pass is a twenty to thirty min drive from Seward, and a bit cheaper there to rent/buy and a lot quieter.

[Enigmatic417]

I would love to apply at Seward. I know Spring Creek, the maximum security prison, is down there. But they're not currently hiring COs for that institution. Suppose I could ask to relocate there sometime if I'm lucky enough to get hired. Thank you.

[Barkingowl]

I remember seeing a sign for a prison on my way to the Matanuska Glacier. Is that one of the places you're applying to Enigmatic?