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Old 10-01-2010, 10:14 AM
 
Location: Alaska
200 posts, read 277,909 times
Reputation: 171

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Are there any advantages to living near the city of Kenai vs. Soldotna? When we visited this summer they both seemed awesome. If you had to pick, which one would you choose and why? Thanks in advance for any responses
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Old 10-01-2010, 01:08 PM
 
941 posts, read 1,738,937 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stewnsue View Post
Are there any advantages to living near the city of Kenai vs. Soldotna? When we visited this summer they both seemed awesome. If you had to pick, which one would you choose and why? Thanks in advance for any responses
I don't live near either of them but my wife's father used to live in Soldotna and the only difference I could see was a river divided them. Two main roads go to both sides of them and the distance from one to the other is rather short. The major difference I saw was Soldotna was on the main highway and Kenai was off the main drag. There were definitely more businesses in Soldotna if that is a criteria you need to consider.

Maybe someone from there could tell more about the taxes, maintenance, or governing system or some other feature that would a would give you a reason to make a choice.
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Old 10-01-2010, 11:51 PM
 
Location: Anchorage, Alaska (most of the time)
1,226 posts, read 3,599,748 times
Reputation: 1928
Unfortunately I'm not qualified to say anything about taxes etc. like Richelles mentioned, so here's nothing but my HO ...

If I were to live in a city (sorry, Sterling's not one), I'd want one with more businesses. So if it was up to me, I'd pick Soldotna.

However, Kenai has the huge advantage (or disadvantage when regarding potential tsunamies and vulcano eruptions) of being right by the ocean. From K Beach you have a killer view of Redoubt, and seeing that this is Alaska where most people have a camera and are more than willing to use it ... Redoubt in a sunset is one of the most beautiful sights I've seen this far in my life.

In the end, they're so close to each other that you probably wouldn't even notice that you didn't live in the other when you pick one to live in. And because of that, I'd still pick Soldotna (you can walk to many stores more easily) and drive to Kenai when necessarily.

Are you guys planning on moving or are you just curious?
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Old 10-02-2010, 06:49 AM
 
Location: on top of a mountain
6,992 posts, read 12,367,820 times
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ummmm thought I had posted this but.....Kenai during tourist season doubles the taxes to 12% on everything sooo I'd drive to Soldotna depending on what I needed to buy!
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Old 10-02-2010, 07:05 AM
 
Location: Naptowne, Alaska
15,603 posts, read 39,103,040 times
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Sweden that status line is awesome! I mean just look at him...he's ferocious in this photo that you took!



Stewnsue...I was fortunate enough to grow up near both towns. Went to school in both, have worked in both, and have even lived in both for short periods. I'd have the very same problem you do with deciding which to settle down in. Kenai does have the ocean view but there is still a great view of the volcanoes from Soldotna. Soldotna does have a few more stores to choose from. But you can pretty much get what you need in both places. Kenai has Walmart, but Soldotna has Fred Meyers. And so it goes to say with pretty much any store you need.
Soldotna is just a hair warmer in summer but is also a hair colder in winter. I guess I would go with which ever one had available housing more to my liking as a decision maker.
I have the best of both worlds, by living in Sterling! I just drive to both when I need too, and get out as soon as possible! Especially in the summer when tourist traffic is completely unbearable!

Last edited by Rance; 10-04-2010 at 12:55 AM..
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Old 10-02-2010, 09:34 AM
 
Location: Alaska
200 posts, read 277,909 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweden View Post

Are you guys planning on moving or are you just curious?
Hi Sweden,

Yes, we have decided to move to Alaska as soon as we sell our house in Tennessee! It was a HUGE decision for us, but we, (my husband and I), both feel pulled toward Alaska. My husband has always wanted to live there since childhood. The land just kind of "grabs a hold" of you or at least it did us. We felt at home and at peace. Hard to explain! Anyway, we have narrowed down the area to the Kenai Peninsula and now are trying to get information about the towns/areas to live. We do not want to live in a city, but need to live near one for employment. Being from TN, our driving experience on snow is well, lacking to say the least! So being somewhat close to work would be a necessity especially for me. Thank you for your response!
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Old 10-02-2010, 10:22 AM
 
Location: Homer Alaska
1,055 posts, read 1,813,582 times
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Little Grizz is adorable! He looks like a perfect little guy for keeping your lap warm this winter Sweden.
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Old 10-02-2010, 01:32 PM
 
Location: Alaska
200 posts, read 277,909 times
Reputation: 171
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rance View Post
I have the best of both worlds, by living in Sterling! I just drive to both when I need too, and get out as soon as possible! Especially in the summer when tourist traffic is completely unbearable!
Rance,

Love the pic! What a ferocious cutie! Could you tell me more about Sterling? We only saw what was on the main highway when we visited this summer. Thank you for your reply
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Old 10-02-2010, 04:44 PM
 
Location: Naptowne, Alaska
15,603 posts, read 39,103,040 times
Reputation: 14861
Anything off the highway is residential. It's more of a community with a bar, a gas station, a post office and a school right along the highway. It's 10 miles to town (Soldotna) and most of Sterling borders the state moose range. So we get lot's of critters. The Moose River and Kenai River merge right at the bridge...and we have some of the best fishing grounds in the state. 4 kinds of salmon and 3 kinds of trout.
It's a great community with some great folks.
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Old 10-03-2010, 06:43 AM
 
Location: Alaska
200 posts, read 277,909 times
Reputation: 171
Default Soldotna hospital

Thanks everyone for the replies! I am looking at the hospital in Soldotna for possible employment, but have read in the paper where there is some tension in the community/city government due to talk of selling the hospital. How do the local residents feel about this possibility?
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