Station/Boat Location~
USCGC STORIS
Date there~
2005 - decommission
Weather~
LONG WINTER!!! It rains, A LOT! Don't get me wrong, it is beautiful in the spring/summer/fall. It is always around 60s/70s...but when winter hits...it never stops raining. It stays in the 30s primarily, but the wind can be pretty harsh. I've seen a trampoline blow down my street...so beware of damage to your car! This past winter we had 86 days in a row of straight rain. It doesn't rain hard usually...just that crappy mist stuff. When it does get cold enough to freeze, watch out for ice. Some people use studded tires, but if you drive reasonably, you don't really need them.
Military facilities~
We have most everything on base. There is a gas station, commissary, exchange, pizza parlor, galley, bowling alley, movie theater (though they play movies that have been out for quite some time in the "real world"). A good portion of housing is on base too, as well as the air station and the fire station is right behind Upper Gov't.
Medical~
The clinic on base is mostly for enlisted, but you can go in town to Providence or any small clinic. Any specialty problems you'll have to get a Med flight to Anchorage (free if you have the right paperwork).
Dentist are great, but they can have hidden fees, so check what Prime Remote covers.
Housing~
I love the housing, but I got lucky with Upper Gov't. There is housing on Lower Gov't (not as nice), Aviation, and Lake Louise. You can live in town or the Flats if you chose, but I think there are some rules that you have to BUY and not RENT to live out of housing. They just started that this year, so I'm not sure what the whole thing is about.
Housing is mandatory, but you may request a waiver if you buy a house. You must furnish documentation for your purchase.
Shopping~
Learn to shop online. We have a Walmart, Subway, McDonalds, Dominos, Pizza Hut, and a bunch of mom and pop stores...that's about it. Don't expect to get what you want, when you want it. You need to plan WAY ahead! You can go to Anchorage for free on the Med flights or PMEL flights...just sign up in the Air station, Hanger One. If the flights are full, you might not get on, but keep trying! It is fun to get off the island for a day. They usually leave early in the morning and come back by dinner. If you are under the age of 25, go with a buddy who is 25 or older so you can rent a car in Anchorage. Otherwise you are stuck on Elmendorf A.F. base!
Child Care/Schools~
There are a few DCs on base. The schools, in my opinion, are not good AT ALL. They are way behind the standards I'm used to in the mid-west. The private schools are great, but many people home school here because the programs are very hit or miss. There are four elementary schools, Peterson being the one "on base", Main, East, and North Star. There is one Middle School and one High School that connect by the music department hallways. You have to really pay attention to your kids here because if they get in a bad crowd here, drugs are a HUGE problem. I don't have kids, but I've worked in the school system and I would home school if I did!
Adult Schools~
Kodiak College...hardly a Tech. College. Most adults do online or fly to Anchorage or Juneau for a decent education here.
Fun Activities~
Bars: Mecca (dancing), Bernie's (karaoke), Village (smokey), Tropic Lounge (bowling), Rondevou (get away), Golden Anchor (on base)
You have to be into outdoors: Hiking, surfing, snow mobileing, four-wheeling, beaches
GETTING OFF THE ISLAND!
Additional Info~
I really do like it here, but if you are depressed easily by the weather, go somewhere else if you can because this place makes people lose their minds. I've seen many marriages go bad in the short time I've been here. You have to be into the outdoors, or make friends. Join ANYTHING remotely interesting to you to meet people.
Homeport AK
USCGC STORIS
Date there~
2005 - decommission
Weather~
LONG WINTER!!! It rains, A LOT! Don't get me wrong, it is beautiful in the spring/summer/fall. It is always around 60s/70s...but when winter hits...it never stops raining. It stays in the 30s primarily, but the wind can be pretty harsh. I've seen a trampoline blow down my street...so beware of damage to your car! This past winter we had 86 days in a row of straight rain. It doesn't rain hard usually...just that crappy mist stuff. When it does get cold enough to freeze, watch out for ice. Some people use studded tires, but if you drive reasonably, you don't really need them.
Military facilities~
We have most everything on base. There is a gas station, commissary, exchange, pizza parlor, galley, bowling alley, movie theater (though they play movies that have been out for quite some time in the "real world"). A good portion of housing is on base too, as well as the air station and the fire station is right behind Upper Gov't.
Medical~
The clinic on base is mostly for enlisted, but you can go in town to Providence or any small clinic. Any specialty problems you'll have to get a Med flight to Anchorage (free if you have the right paperwork).
Dentist are great, but they can have hidden fees, so check what Prime Remote covers.
Housing~
I love the housing, but I got lucky with Upper Gov't. There is housing on Lower Gov't (not as nice), Aviation, and Lake Louise. You can live in town or the Flats if you chose, but I think there are some rules that you have to BUY and not RENT to live out of housing. They just started that this year, so I'm not sure what the whole thing is about.
Housing is mandatory, but you may request a waiver if you buy a house. You must furnish documentation for your purchase.
Shopping~
Learn to shop online. We have a Walmart, Subway, McDonalds, Dominos, Pizza Hut, and a bunch of mom and pop stores...that's about it. Don't expect to get what you want, when you want it. You need to plan WAY ahead! You can go to Anchorage for free on the Med flights or PMEL flights...just sign up in the Air station, Hanger One. If the flights are full, you might not get on, but keep trying! It is fun to get off the island for a day. They usually leave early in the morning and come back by dinner. If you are under the age of 25, go with a buddy who is 25 or older so you can rent a car in Anchorage. Otherwise you are stuck on Elmendorf A.F. base!
Child Care/Schools~
There are a few DCs on base. The schools, in my opinion, are not good AT ALL. They are way behind the standards I'm used to in the mid-west. The private schools are great, but many people home school here because the programs are very hit or miss. There are four elementary schools, Peterson being the one "on base", Main, East, and North Star. There is one Middle School and one High School that connect by the music department hallways. You have to really pay attention to your kids here because if they get in a bad crowd here, drugs are a HUGE problem. I don't have kids, but I've worked in the school system and I would home school if I did!
Adult Schools~
Kodiak College...hardly a Tech. College. Most adults do online or fly to Anchorage or Juneau for a decent education here.
Fun Activities~
Bars: Mecca (dancing), Bernie's (karaoke), Village (smokey), Tropic Lounge (bowling), Rondevou (get away), Golden Anchor (on base)
You have to be into outdoors: Hiking, surfing, snow mobileing, four-wheeling, beaches
GETTING OFF THE ISLAND!
Additional Info~
I really do like it here, but if you are depressed easily by the weather, go somewhere else if you can because this place makes people lose their minds. I've seen many marriages go bad in the short time I've been here. You have to be into the outdoors, or make friends. Join ANYTHING remotely interesting to you to meet people.
Homeport AK
