Sterling (Kenai, Soldotna, Seward: hair salon, apartments, rental)

[Rainy]

Hi. I'm considering applying for a job in one of the lodges in Sterling, and I was wondering what the place is like (I'm a resident of Alaska, though I have never lived on the peninsula). From what I have found out on the internet it seems very nice, just about the right size. How hard is it to find a place to live there?

[Rance]

If it's at the Great Alaska Fish Camp...they may have housing. Otherwise there is some stuff around. It will get better come spring for places to rent etc.

[Rainy]

Thanks Rance...I probably will be in either Sterling or Seward for the summer at least. I'm basically looking for a place within the state to relocate and both of them seem to be good, about the right size and the right distance from the city.

What does Sterling have in the way of stores there and things to do in the winter?

[archytype]

Seward is great but housing prices are high and options limited. There are rent controlled apartments however, depending on what you are looking for. Sterling would be easier financially because you can commute to Soldotna/Kenai.

[Rance]

Sterling has: A couple gift shops, 1 Mom and Pops grocery, 1 Sadlers Furniture store, 1 Hair Salon, 1 gas station with food, 2 auto parts stores, 1 Post Office, 1 bar, 1 ice cream parlor, 1 pizza place with a beer and wine only type bar, 1 equipment rental place, a handfull of bed and breakfasts, 1 laundrymat with showers, 1 elementary school, a handfull of church's, and a couple restraunts. That is just the immediate area within a mile either side of the Moose River bridge. Seems everyone calls the 10 mile stretch of highway to Soldotna...Sterling. Us older/original residents call everything east of the bridge Naptowne. There are many small businesses along the 10 mile stretch toward Soldotna, but I refuse to call any of that Sterling.
Things to do in Sterling: Hunt, fish, boating, flying (many small airstrips), skiing, snowmachining, ice fishing, hiking, camping, the one bar has bands on weekends and poker tourny's, bingo at the senior center. Other than that you have to go to town to watch movies at a theater, fitness centers, major grocery stores, doctors or hospital.
I'm sure I'm forgetting something but this should give you an idea. It's fairly spread out over a couple miles.

[archytype]

I was referring to the fact that one can commute from Sterling to Soldotna/Kenai not that they were all one in the same.

[JavaPhil]

Soldotna has a Freddy's.

[SWCMale]

any dog sledding trails nearby?

[Rance]

Sterling has many dog sled trails. Winter and summer. Sterling borders the Moose Range and there are many trails. Plus you can run up Moose River. There are powerline trails and gas line trails. Mystery Creek Road runs for miles along the base of the Kenai Mountains. There are a couple guys that run all over the place just in the ditches. Heres a couple shots from Mystery Creek area:
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/9810/mystery13npwh3.jpg (broken link)



http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5164/mystery32btzh7.jpg (broken link)

[MAINEr]

Rance,

You say your no photographer, but you are, if you keep posting these photos my head will explode. I can't possibly move there for 2 years 4 months, minus 2 days.

Anywho, your pics are wonderful thanks for sharing.