New to Elmendorf AFb, with Twins (Anchorage, Eagle: schools, living in, prices)

[PBnj2009]

Hi Everyone,

We just moved here from Hawaii and we have 7 month old twins. We also have a six year old daughter. I was trying to find a multiples support group and people in the area. This move has been a huge adjustment and I'm not sure where to start.

Where can I go with infants? What are the best places to eat? Any advice on living in the snow would be great.

Thank you for your time and advice in advance!

[AADAD]

You have arrived in the "dead of winter" so don't be hasty to think it's Mars.

1) are your vehicles "winterized"? if not take them to a local shop or dealer and get that done.

2) do you have AWD/4WD or studs on your tires?

3) If you live near Eagle River or Anchorage there are many shopping areas. Costco, Sams Club, Fred Meyers and Carrs are the big ones.

4) google schools in your area and find out where your 6 year old will go and ask them for contacts to groups of welcome moms etc.

5) by lots of comfort foods, and coffee and stay warm.

How's that for 0530 before work? =)

Welcome. Spring is right around the corner.

[PBnj2009]

Thank you for the warm welcome! We bought a vehicle as soon as we arrived which is weatherized and has studded tires. Phew, that was a nightmare. It is a 4x4 as we learned that is imperative to drive around anchorage. We enrolled our daughter on base and she is loving school (they ski for P.E., who would have thought!).

Right now, I am taking your advice and ordering coffee to stay warm. The winter seems very light, is it always this way or is this year not as heavy as it usually is. I thought there would be plenty more snow.

Thanks again!

[gobrien]

Originally Posted by PBnj2009

Thank you for the warm welcome! We bought a vehicle as soon as we arrived which is weatherized and has studded tires. Phew, that was a nightmare. It is a 4x4 as we learned that is imperative to drive around anchorage. We enrolled our daughter on base and she is loving school (they ski for P.E., who would have thought!).

Right now, I am taking your advice and ordering coffee to stay warm. The winter seems very light, is it always this way or is this year not as heavy as it usually is. I thought there would be plenty more snow.

Thanks again!

It's just part of the Alaska mythology. I don't know (but I've been told) that some parts of North Dakota and Michigan have worse winters.

[Alaska Deb]

Originally Posted by gobrien

It's just part of the Alaska mythology. I don't know (but I've been told) that some parts of North Dakota and Michigan have worse winters.

Yup, when we came, people told us that Vermonters wouldn't have a clue how rough the winters would be here. Nope, the winters are significantly milder than in the Nek. But winters...summers...falls...springs...are each totally beautiful here.

[22crewchfswifey]

Gwennies on Spenard is awesome! one of my fav places to eat here. It used to be a brothel back in the day. Reasonably priced and HUGE portions. The childrens pancakes are the size of dinner plates. The best burger I have had is at the Lucky Wishbone downtown. Love their bacon cheeseburger. That place has been around forever too. Humpys is awesome and the Glacier Brewhouse is a nice date night place. Pricey but sooooooo worth it. Their food is yummy too. Good luck with the shopping. You live in Alaska now...there isn't any place to shop here but the mall, target, kohls and walmart. That is what I am looking forward to when we leave Ak...more places to shop.

[22crewchfswifey]

oh and about the winter...it has been mild this year. Not too bad. Last year it was really cold. It doesn't get really bad until January and February which are the coldest months. The summers are awesome! Light almost all day and the greenest trees I have ever seen. And I orginally come from Washington state so that is saying alot. Good luck with your tour up here. You will hate it here at first but it grows on you.

[doug1980]

Welcome. My wife and I came up here in 2008 and that winter was awful. Last summer was beautiful though. I assume you live on Base, if so then if you have any questions about housing let me know I work for Aurora. Also I have found that the Commissary is the cheapest place for groceries, but sometimes runs out of things like fresh produce fairly regularly.

[FloridaKash]

I wish I had access to the commissary. Their prices are amazing.

[abreo]

Hi just wanted to welcome you here we r kind of new we got to elmendorf the 30 of june 2009 we have a almost 1yr old and almost 3 yr old e mail me if you want to have a play date with the kids. [email]chrissyabreo@yahoo.com[/email]