Hey yall Alaskans (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Eagle: sales, apartment, for rent)

[lovinitaswell]

Well, my hubby just got orders to JBER? Elmendorf AFB i guess? I'm so excited!!! I've never seen snow before. i've been looking on the internet at it and i have a bunch of questions. My husbands buddies were over tonight and a couple of them have been up there before. They were sayin we'd have to get our cars coolant changed out for antifreeze or something and everything is real dear up there. They also said we'd have to plug them in during winter time. Can we buy the plugs down here for cheaper? I've never heard of such a thing. Can we do that down here before we come up in June? Or will it mess the cars up? We're down in Florida for about the last year, we got married when I met him at his technical school outside San Antoinio, he's a Airforce cop now. They also said if we drive up, we need to buy a special glass protectant film for the windshields, or rocks would bust them up. They said to buy those in the states cause the Canadians will rip us off if we wait to late. Is that true? I can't find them online. I been aiming at living in Eagle River cause they said Anchorage is a getto, but whew! Eagle River is real prideful! Is it really that much better? My hub is an E-2, we'd like to rent a small house or a big townhouse, I'm sick of "ghosting" in his dormroom at MacDill. Is it really cold there? I have a pair of Ugg's but I've never worn them. Do you think I could work up there? I can take in wash and cook some (I worked at Sonic for a year). I'm looking at getting my GDE next year. I'm just so excited! I've never left the country before! Please help! Thanks ya'll!

[stiffnecked]

Your best bet for the money is to try to get on-base housing.

[terracore]

Since your friends don't seem to know what they are talking about, I will try to answer your questions:

You won't need any windshield protection for coming up the Alcan, and I've never seen any Canadian places that even sell them. You do rarely see vehicles with (custom) windshield guards, but only the ones that "live" on the Alcan and they are usually speeding.

Don't worry about plugging your car in. You're not going to Fairbanks.

Anchorage is not a ghetto. Like every other city it does have places that are more desireable to live than others.

Most likely, your car already has a 50/50 ratio of antifreeze in it. You'll want to get this checked (probably just better to do a flush anyway unless you've done it in the last 24 months). Contrary to popular belief, any mixture of more than 60% antifreeze will make things worse. Pure antifreeze is ethylene glycol and it freezes at 8 degrees. It is by mixing it with water that makes it "work". Since you are coming up in June, you can wait until you get here to deal with it.

Don't Fill Her Up with Antifreeze, Alaska Science Forum

[RayinAK]

I will add that renting a house, or a big townhouse will be quite expensive. Yes, once married you can live in military housing at Elmendorf. If they don't have a house for you to live at on base, then the AF will provide you with a housing allowance that should be enough for renting an apartment in Anchorage, or maybe Eagle River. But living at Eagle River means that you will have to travel longer distances to Elmendorf. You still can get your car winterized at the gas station in Elmendorf, or just at one of the local shops in Anchorage. It costs from $200. to $300.00 for most vehicles.

[AKStafford]

A lot of your questions have been asked and answered in other threads on this forum. Take some time and read through them. You've got some time to gather the necessary information to help make your move as smooth as possible.

[warptman]

How to Drive to Alaska in the Summer - ExploreNorth

[JavaPhil]

Living on base or in Eagle River is your best bet. Cost of living is higher, but throwing out sales tax (about 6% in FL currently) evens it out a little. Gas prices are going to be higher, currently about $.60 more a gallon. The Alcan is not that bad a road, but winter's leftovers, otherwise known as frost heaves, can come as a surprise. The water under the road bed expands as it becomes ice in winter, and settles in spring and summer, causing rises and falls in the road. Take it easy. Do what you have to, but remember that normally in winter, Anchorage is usually warmer than northern MN or ND. We do get more snow. Take a deep breath, and get in gear. Above all, have fun. Most people save for a lifetime for a trip to Alaska, and you get one free, courtesy of your benificent, kindly Uncle Samuel.

[roadfamily6now]

Excellent advice and I agree it seems as though your boyfriend's friends were mostly trying to scare you.
Since you are coming up in June, I'd wait to do all the winterizing when you are here. It's much easier to get it done when people actually know what they are doing. Things might be cheaper in the lower 48 but it's NOT cheaper when you have to do it twice.
There is a decent military wives forum at Cafe Mom. Alaska Military Wives Group - CafeMom that might be of help too.

[stiffnecked]

I'd add my daughter and her husband lived in Eagle River when they first got transfered. After 6 months they got into on-base housing. They both said they'd wish they did that from the start. Saved them lots of money and close to everything.

[akravenlady]

One more point, you are not leaving the country. Alaska is part of the US.

Originally Posted by lovinitaswell

I'm just so excited! I've never left the country before! Please help! Thanks ya'll!