Deadhorse Camp / Prudhoe Bay (Anchorage, Fairbanks: sales, houses, purchases)

[Moose Whisperer]

On a 2X2 schedule, I'd live in Seattle and commute before I'd live in the Valley. Many of my co-workers do it.

[demartile]

One of the main reasons I want to live in Alaska is the way the state laws are structured, Gun laws in particular. Coming from California, which is very much a nanny state, Alaska seems to be a place where one can come and live in relative freedom. At least I hope i'm right

[Rance]

Originally Posted by demartile

Thanks for the information. If the transfer goes through i'll be working out of kuparuk. Two weeks on two weeks off. I don't plan on living on the slope. I plan to live in the mat-su valley, and commute to anchorage to catch the flight up.

For years I worked with guys from all over the state. Some flew into Anc from villages, many from the MatSu Valley or, like myself, the Kenai Peninsula, or from out of state.
You have to factor in the weather for flights during winter months, making sure your at the airport in time to catch your jet. Some companies have a no if's and's or but's rule. You miss your flight and your out of a job!

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by demartile

One of the main reasons I want to live in Alaska is the way the state laws are structured, Gun laws in particular. Coming from California, which is very much a nanny state, Alaska seems to be a place where one can come and live in relative freedom. At least I hope i'm right

In that case I would suggest doing like Rance and looking down on the Kenai, or look at South Anchorage. If you have your mind set on the Valley, I would suggest going no further than Palmer or the Butte. Avoid Wasilly and all points beyond on the Parks Hwy. You might just as well stay in California for that.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Moose Whisperer

In that case I would suggest doing like Rance and looking down on the Kenai, or look at South Anchorage. If you have your mind set on the Valley, I would suggest going no further than Palmer or the Butte. Avoid Wasilly and all points beyond on the Parks Hwy. You might just as well stay in California for that.

For someone who lives in Anchorage you certainly have no room to talk about the Valley considering the mess you have made of that city.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Glitch

For someone who lives in Anchorage you certainly have no room to talk about the Valley considering the mess you have made of that city.

Mess or not, it's still only a 12 minute commute to work on surface streets. Why trade it for an equal mess ten times further away on idjit infested highways?

[demartile]

i dont plan on living in anchorage. eagle river maybe, i chose the valley because of home prices and relative closeness to the city. keep in mind that all my research is done online, with no actual experience. so all comments are appreciated. my wife is okay with the move as long as we are not too far from the major airport. my first choice was the penisnula, but the commute by car is longer, and for my wife's sake, too far for her from the airport. any idea how much it costs to fly from the peninsula to anchorage? rance, i am fully aware of the "miss your flight, say goodbye to your job" routine. i used to travel quite a bit when i was a radiographer and the situation was the same. my main goals are: live within an hour of the airport. live outside if the city. live in an area with good schools. be close, but not too close, to shopping, hospitals, etc. for my wife's sake. luckily, this turnaround is coming to a close and i've actually been able to view training videos from conoco's database about kuparuk. i was suprised, coming from california, to see a video about how to live and work around wildlife. quite interesting . i'm the type that would leave fo anchorage a day early just to make certain that i was there to catch my flight. if this transfer goes through, i'm uprooting my family from all they've known and i'll be damned if i lose my job on account of me not showing up. my commute here a home is 25 miles and takes me no longer than 40 minutes during all seasons and to the constant irritation of my wife, i leave an hour and a half early for work everyday. you never know when you might get a flat tire, or a major accident is in your path. does anyone work for conoco phillips at kuparuk that may be able to shed some light on the situation?

[Frostnip]

If your priorities are (the Alaskan version of) affordability of housing and proximity to a good airport, you could consider Fairbanks as well.

[demartile]

i've looked into fairbanks and the surrounding areas. at least the flight would be shorter. maybe i could give the interior another look. anyone living in and around fairbanks willing to give me an idea of the conditions? schools, shopping, hospitals? aside from the transfer going through, my wife needs to be comfortable no matter where we are. we have three small kids and i know for her, being close to some creature comforts will help. i'd be just as happy in a small cabin in the woods, if it were just me.

[Rance]

It's 99 bucks one way from Kenai to Anc or visa versa. Probably a little cheaper when you buy a round trip.
I chose to make the drive and park at Big Dimond Parking. It was much nicer coming off the slope and getting into the mountains rather than flying past them on the way home.
If your working on the slope you may be able to get a crew change discount with airfare. I think ERA still does it. And if you have a slope ID card you can get a discount at Big Dimond also.