Kodiak Info? (for sale, real estate, rentals) - Alaska (AK) - City-Data Forum

UTAK · 03-02-2010, 08:03 PM

Hey, all! I currently live in Utah and there is a good chance I will be moving to Kodiak, Alaska for the summer to pursue an internship opportunity (May-August). I have done a little bit of research on the town/island, and it looks like a great place! That being said, there is still a lot of information I would like to know before moving up there.
Any information you are willing to share would be helpful. Is there anything specific I should know about Kodiak other than the general information I can find online?
I am looking forward to the outdoor opportunities that Kodiak has to offer, but what is the town like? Is there much to do? Are there any specific locations where I can go to meet the "younger crowds", such as bars, etc.? (I'm a 21 year old guy, almost 22).
I'd appreciate any info you might have! Thanks!

spleenificus · 03-02-2010, 09:39 PM

Find a place to live way before you actually move there. It's a major Coast Guard town and the base doesn't have enough housing for their members, so the real estate is notoriously hard to come by, both in rentals and for sale properties. And remember, if you use an agency that's there (Alaska One or Island Brokers) don't expect miracles like finding a place quickly or low rental rates; it's a seller's market for certain.

spleenificus · 03-02-2010, 09:42 PM

Oh, almost forgot, May is Crab Fest time so expect temporary lodging to be extra hard to come by. (Hotels and B&Bs come to mind.) As for the bar scene, they can be a bit rough with the fish processor folks and commercial fishermen; just don't be a tool and you'll be fine.

bortstc37 · 03-02-2010, 10:35 PM

bears will eat you if you're outside for longer than 15 minutes at a time. folks in kodiak are in great shape- they're always running from building to building.

they stopped reporting the bear attacks when there got to be too many to keep track of.

UTAK · 03-03-2010, 08:52 AM

Spleenificus, thanks for the info, but the internship position would provide housing for me, so that's taken care of!

Bortstc37, come on now. Nice try, but you're not fooling me!

lititzman2003 · 03-03-2010, 08:58 AM

I was stationed in Kodiak years ago and I absolutely loved the town. I've gone back several times since and it hasn't changed much.

Enjoy your stay.

AKStafford · 03-03-2010, 12:07 PM

I've never been into the bar scene, but Henry's has great food and atmosphere. There's plenty of drinking establishments in Kodiak.
As I saw it, Kodiak had 3 different worlds. There were they Coast Guard people, the locals, and those there working in the fishing industry.
Prices are higher in Kodiak, so be ready for that.
Just being there for the summer should be great. People that are there long term can go a little stir crazy.

Jason28 · 03-03-2010, 04:49 PM

If you have housing already figured out thats the hardest part. There are a few different drinking establishments here but there is nothing new or interesting ever going on in them. I personally don't drink but a couple times a year so you'll find out more than me by trying all the different places out. As far as food there are a few nice restaurants to eat in town like Henry's and the Old Powerhouse. Mountains are everywhere if you're into hiking or photography. We also have local crazies who surf here and have been spotted routinely doing so even in the winter. The fishing here is world class and nothing beats some of the fresh fish you can get your hands on. Some of the favorites here are yellow eye, king salmon, halibut, and ling cod. They also have hunting here if you're into that sort of thing for bears, black tail deer, and mountain goats. They grow buffalo here on one part of the island if you wanted to pay to go shoot one and attempt to fit him in your fridge afterwords.

Weather wise we are probably the warmest in Alaska for the winters. It rarely goes below freezing here and when it does its usually for a day or two at the most. We usually get rain all winter and it hovers in the mid to upper 30's. Summers here get into the mid to upper 60's with the occasional day in the 70's. Sometimes it will be gray outside for a few weeks in a row and won't stop raining. If you have seasonal depression be prepared to take it in the rear end.

RLansdowne · 11-03-2011, 04:23 PM

I lived in Kodiak back in 1976 and 1977. Couple of questions. When was the bridge built over to Near Island, and when did they tear down the Beachcomber Bar? It was in an old ship that was hauled up somewhere out on Mission Road. Seems like there have been a lot of changes in 35 years. I think the last time I was in Kodiak was around 1978.