How much do staples such as: food, soap, etc cost? (Anchorage: college, living in)

[MoonLightTraveler]

I might be moving to Alaska to attend UAA and I have heard that the cost of living is VERY high, is that true? Can anyone give me some examples or send me a link to find them myself. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[bortstc37]

it isn't as bad as living in parts of california or in upper east coast cities or anything like that. there are deals to be had, you just might have to find out where to look.

[MoonLightTraveler]

Originally Posted by bortstc37

it isn't as bad as living in parts of california or in upper east coast cities or anything like that. there are deals to be had, you just might have to find out where to look.

Thanks, looking around I have seen several posts that say it's crazy expensive like, $9.00 for a gallon of milk, or laundry detergent is $30.00 and I was getting a little worried.

[warptman]

College life...Top Ramen and Sailor Boy crackers...

[akck]

Originally Posted by MoonLightTraveler

Thanks, looking around I have seen several posts that say it's crazy expensive like, $9.00 for a gallon of milk, or laundry detergent is $30.00 and I was getting a little worried.

Location, location, location. You might see those prices out in the bush. In Juneau, you can get milk for $2.99 and a big container of detergent for $15-20 at Costco. Anchorage shouldn't be too different.

[MoonLightTraveler]

Originally Posted by akck

Location, location, location. You might see those prices out in the bush. In Juneau, you can get milk for $2.99 and a big container of detergent for $15-20 at Costco. Anchorage shouldn't be too different.

Thanks for the info, it certainly makes me feel a lot better. I didn't know there was a Costco in Anchorage, I'll be spending a lot of time there.

[bortstc37]

Originally Posted by MoonLightTraveler

Thanks, looking around I have seen several posts that say it's crazy expensive like, $9.00 for a gallon of milk, or laundry detergent is $30.00 and I was getting a little worried.

you must be thinking about bush prices. out here, anything that has to be shipped in chilled or frozen is considerably more expensive than on the road system (i.e. a 1 lb. block of cheese is about $12 instead of $6 or $7). in anchorage you'll be fine as far as groceries go, especially with costco. when i lived there, i usually just went to fred meyer and bought generic brands/paid attention to what was on sale.

[gobrien]

Anchorage's first Wal-Mart Supercenter just opened and I can't wait to check out the prices. I think (hope) that will make a big difference in grocery costs. Groceries all over the country are cheaper in a Supercenter in comparison to Fred Meyers or Safeway.

[akck]

Originally Posted by gobrien

Anchorage's first Wal-Mart Supercenter just opened and I can't wait to check out the prices. I think (hope) that will make a big difference in grocery costs. Groceries all over the country are cheaper in a Supercenter in comparison to Fred Meyers or Safeway.

THe first year Wal-Mart opened here, we were able to get hams and turkeys for $5. They've since figured their inventory needs and we've seen hams and turkeus that cheap since. They do have mark-downs reguarly, so it pays to check them out weekly.

[starlite9]

If you live on Campus, you will have meal cards and the like, it won't be very noticable.

In the event that you don't want to be off Campus, the cost of going to College will go up a lot.