Alaska bound (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward: daycare, house, neighborhoods)

[wayupnorth]

Hi all,

Been lurking on the alaska forums here for a while (6 months?) now and we're finally getting our butts up to Anchorage (yay-- even if it is only for a brief visit). Now, I've never been up to the great land, and the wife has only been to Fairbanks before, so we're both Anchorage newbies. Any advice on things we "must do or see" in our brief visit would be greatly appreciated. We'll be there Sept 20-25 and plan on being back again for a visit in February if all goes to plan, likely around the iditarod start. If we make a 3rd trip it'll be to resettle.

Basically we want to try and get a feel for the city and also scout various neighborhoods outside the city (Chugiak,Eagle River, south anchorage) and get a 'feel' for the area as far as where to buy a house and settle in etc. We may make a trip down to the peninsula to check it out down there too. Basically every minute that we are there we'll both be thinking "is this where we want to put down some roots". I've read all the neighborhood advice on the forum here, so thanks go to all those that have posted that stuff -- man its great info! Can't wait to get my boots on the ground in the area and start to get a feel for the area.

Any advice from folks living in and around anchorage on how to get a good feel for things in waaay to short of a time?

Lastly, we'll be bringing up our 9 month old baby, so any long outdoors events are out.

[Jonotastic]

I'd choose to live in South Anchorage (Rabbit Creek area) or Eagle River.

Visit... Seward, Exit Glacier, Hatchers Pass, Matanuska Glacier

[stiffnecked]

We are living across the street from Jewel Lake on Dimond Blvd. I like it. It's quite and away from the drunks that hang around downtown.

[wayupnorth]

Originally Posted by Jonotastic

I'd choose to live in South Anchorage (Rabbit Creek area) or Eagle River.

Visit... Seward, Exit Glacier, Hatchers Pass, Matanuska Glacier

Excellent, we were thinkin of driving down to seward, will do!

Saw some properties listed in rabbit creek area, seems nice, also some down in 'bear valley' though i think the winds may get bad down in bear valley?

[wayupnorth]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

We are living across the street from Jewel Lake on Dimond Blvd. I like it. It's quite and away from the drunks that hang around downtown.

Nice to be away from all that, we got kids and such, no need to be close to the 'nightlife' for us.

[mal_flisk]

Stiffy, you live about a mile away from me! Wow. and stuff. We'll have to shoot a game of pool at the Jewel Lake Bowl some Saturday night.

[akvarmit]

Way up north.......I would plan a experimental-grocery shopping trip so you can see on a day to day basis what things would cost. Look for places of interest that you think you'll need.........like "hmmm, where would I workout?" or "where would we find a daycare?" . I was actually surprised that there are more services available here than back in our old town.
Much luck and enjoy!
Dawn

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by mal_flisk

Stiffy, you live about a mile away from me! Wow. and stuff. We'll have to shoot a game of pool at the Jewel Lake Bowl some Saturday night.

Sounds good. I'm still trying to get over the culture shock. So many new stores, so much more traffic. I tried to drive out to my daughters house in Eagle River yesterday and I got caught in the evening commuter rush at 5:30. Where did all these cars come from?

[Barkingowl]

I found a GPS unit helpful in navigating around town.

[mal_flisk]

Population in Anchorage has gone up almost 60000 in a decade.