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Old 03-18-2011, 05:24 PM
 
Location: Palmer
58 posts, read 128,064 times
Reputation: 51

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Hi, all. I am currently looking for an education job in speech therapy and am applying to Kenai, Matsu, and Fairbanks school districts. I'm sure I'll love wherever I end up since that's my personality, but my concern is for my 13 year old son. I want to make sure we find ourselves somewhere that is at least as friendly as average to a new kid and doesn't have big problems with drugs and alcohol (though really, I guess drugs are everywhere now.) It would also be nice if there were a few "extras" for him. For example, he currently takes karate and I would like for him to be able to continue with that, or if that's not possible it would be nice if there were other non-sports after school activities available either at school or privately (woodworking, other martial arts, rifle range target shooting, whatever--just something to keep him busy since he's not an athlete).

Do any of these towns stand out as better than the others for my situation? I was originally thinking somewhere on the Kenai Peninsula, but broadened it out to Matsu and Fairbanks. What is the scoop on Palmer? Online at least, it seems like it would be a great place to live.
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Old 03-18-2011, 08:54 PM
 
Location: Homer Alaska
1,055 posts, read 1,856,435 times
Reputation: 854
I would think that it would be diffcult to find someplace that wouldn't have alternatives for young people in all of the communities you mentioned.
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Old 03-19-2011, 10:13 AM
 
Location: Palmer
2,519 posts, read 6,995,546 times
Reputation: 1395
As Freezen said. You will find what you want at any of the mentioned locations. But you will also find what you fear at all the locations as well.

Stay involved in your child's life, keep up the communication to help him steer clear of the snags.
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Old 03-19-2011, 12:09 PM
 
Location: Palmer
58 posts, read 128,064 times
Reputation: 51
Thanks Marty and freezengirl. It's so hard to envision what it's like up in Alaska. I've wanted to move there for years but I've been so poor I couldn't even get up for a visit (single parent, 7 years in college for this darn degree that took most people only 6). Now I want to find a good place and stay there since I won't want to move my son once he gets started in high school.
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Old 03-19-2011, 12:14 PM
 
26,496 posts, read 36,354,455 times
Reputation: 29557
My first choice in your situation would be Palmer; the second Homer, the third would be Fairbanks.
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Old 03-19-2011, 09:49 PM
 
Location: Alaska
16 posts, read 24,045 times
Reputation: 21
Default Places to live in AK

Not Fairbanks. Anywhere but there. Bad air quality, too harsh in summer/winter. It's milder on the peninsula and so beautiful. Why not Anchorage? We have great schools and lots of activities, I have one starting HS in the fall, we are excited there are so many opportunities. Peninsula schools are really good too. I would say #1 peninsula #2 valley #3 Fairbanks but sneak Anchorage into the #1 spot too.
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Old 03-21-2011, 01:26 AM
 
Location: Seward, Alaska
2,741 posts, read 8,858,192 times
Reputation: 2022
From the perspective of a life-long Alaskan:
Although Anchorage has its good points, it also has very high property taxes, and has way too much bad influence from gangs and other riff-raff for a kid to be raised around, (IMO). Don't see so much of that in the smaller towns. Fairbanks is just way too cold in the winter. Palmer is cold and VERY windy in the winter, but nice in the summer and fall.
Seward is also windy in the winter, and although the summers are sometimes nice it rains an awful lot here, especially in the fall. (too much!)
I would be seriously looking at Homer, Soldotna, or Kenai. My $.02 worth

Bud
Seward, Ak
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Old 03-21-2011, 01:44 AM
 
Location: Palmer
58 posts, read 128,064 times
Reputation: 51
Thanks for all the perspectives! I guess wherever I go there will be pluses and minuses.
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Old 03-21-2011, 01:45 AM
 
Location: Bethel, Alaska
21,368 posts, read 37,933,551 times
Reputation: 13901
Come to Bethel...
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Old 04-01-2011, 11:24 PM
 
Location: Palmer
58 posts, read 128,064 times
Reputation: 51
Well, it looks like the Matsu area. I interviewed there last week and they called to let me know they were offering me a contract, which should show up next week. (yay!) I haven't seen it, but I'm guessing they wouldn't be able to promise a location. Would it be ridiculous to live in Palmer and drive to Wasilla to work if it turned out there were no Palmer openings? It doesn't seem that far, but maybe with winter driving it could be a nightmare.
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