Brit military singly moving to Anchorage - where shall I live? (apartments, to rent)

[Harpoonhawk69]

Help,

I'm in the British Royal Air Force and I'm posted to Elmendorf AFB at end of Apr 09. I've tried all the usual sites but I need a local's advice as to where to live. I'll be working at Elmendorf but want to live fairly close to nightlife, fitness clubs and shops - mainly as I'm a single chap and I want to get out and about and meet people.

I need to rent a 2 bed apartment (~$1500 a month), ideally somewhere with a covered garage that's fairly modern (the apartment that is...). I hope someone can help; I'm over in Anchorage at the end of December 08 and New Year to scope out suitable apartments and to experience the Alaskan winter (if I can hack that then arriving in April will be a breeze) - it would be great to have a shopping list of potential apartments by then.

Really appreciate a steer in the right direction.

Thanks in anticipation.

Jon

[mal_flisk]

For $1500, you can rent a nice house with the garage. Anywhere in Anchorage is within 20 minutes drive to the base. Nightlife centers around downtown and midtown. Avoid Spenard, Mountain View nieghborhoods despite proximity to the base.

[arctichomesteader]

Foreign soldier posted to an American base in the U.S.?

[Harpoonhawk69]

Hey mal_flisk

Thanks for the tip - I'll make a note to avoid Spenard and Mountain View. I'll probably look for somewhere in mid-town....thanks again.

[Harpoonhawk69]

I know artichomesteader....how lucky am I...no, seriously I can't wait. But I'm in the Air Force not army and the UK / US have a well established exhange programme.

[mal_flisk]

Liaison officer, training officer, half a dozen ways to be stationed on a foreign base. All of the major bases have officers from foreign militaries stationed there at any given time.

I was teaching robotics and servos at the Naval Post-Grad school in Monterey CA and a lot of the students were foreign military - Brits, Russians, Poles, Germans, whatever.

[Harpoonhawk69]

So, mal_flisk

Are you military or academic? I'm actually a pilot by trade in the RAF and posted to Elmendorf on promotion....I take it as a great opportunity....are you based there?

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by mal_flisk

Liaison officer, training officer, half a dozen ways to be stationed on a foreign base. All of the major bases have officers from foreign militaries stationed there at any given time.

I was teaching robotics and servos at the Naval Post-Grad school in Monterey CA and a lot of the students were foreign military - Brits, Russians, Poles, Germans, whatever.

Interesting. I knew military people from other countries came here for training exercises at times but this one (which sounds more long term than a normal visit) surprised me a bit.

[Harpoonhawk69]

Yep,

Actually it's a 3 year tour......not back in the UK until early 2012. Infact, now I think of it I should just get back for the London Olympics. I think there are only a couple of exchange personnel at Elmendorf....surprisingly it's not on the top of most peoples' wish list; however, it sounds fab.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Harpoonhawk69

Yep,

Actually it's a 3 year tour......not back in the UK until early 2012. Infact, now I think of it I should just get back for the London Olympics. I think there are only a couple of exchange personnel at Elmendorf....surprisingly it's not on the top of most peoples' wish list; however, it sounds fab.

Well, don't freeze (but since you're not in the Interior, it won't be as cold as it would up North more).