Moving to Anchorage area late JAN (Eagle: to buy, elementary school, living in)

[TL551]

As far as the gas goes....I was tickled pink when I found out the lowest grade here was 87. In Colorado, the lowest grade was 85. I always use the 87, so it would cost me more anyway.

[parkersan]

Eagle River is a nice "small town" and the commute to the base isn't bad at all. From Wasilla it could be very long. Keep in mind that there is only one road from Wasilla to Anchorage (Glenn Highway) and if there is an accident or a lot of snow, traffic just sits. On more than one occasion we've sat on the Glenn for more than an hour to go a couple miles.

The base also has pretty new housing. I haven't been inside but they look nice from outside. Ft. Richardson and Elmendorf are combined and there is a closer checkpoint to Eagle River than the main Elmendorf entrance.

[gulfcoastbands]

What is diesel like in Alaska? I won't be moving for another year but my car is a vw diesel and I'm just curious.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by gulfcoastbands

What is diesel like in Alaska?

Light brown in color. Smells real bad.

[amblicia]

Gas always seems to be high here and don't count on it being cheaper on post than off. It's held steady around $3.38 both on and off for a couple weeks now. (That's the price for 87, go up 10 or 20 cents for higher grades.)

[roadfamily6now]

it's about $3.42 now and diesel is about $3.68??

[tigre79]

Originally Posted by roadfamily6now

it's about $3.42 now

And that's probably the cheapest in AK. Delta has good prices, too. I think it was $3.50 or so a few weeks ago when we were up there. When you're out exploring, expect to pay somewhere around 50 cents more a gallon in the smaller towns on the road system.

[mizzile]

Eagle River isn't a bad commute, but you'd do better living in Anchorage, being new and all.

The commute from Anchorage to Eagle River can be HORRIBLE depending on the weather and how many idiots got into accidents on the Glenn Highway on a given day.

Do yourself a favor and pay slightly higher rent to live in Anchorage, or live on base.

[AKNana]

Have to disagree with Mizzle. Commuting to south Anchorage is a miserable treck through traffic lights and congestion, while the ride out to eagle river is much more pleasant. They take the same amount of time. Eagle river is a great place to live.
Also, OP, there are plenty of single family homes available in E.R., not just condos. Also great schools.

[tammy63]

I lived in Eagle River all summer long and commuted to downtown Anchorage and it took 15 to 20 minutes max. It took me less time to to get to work than many of my fellow workers who lived in Anchorage simply because of traffic. I absolutely love Eagle River. Good Luck!