CoastieChicks.net
:: Sitka, AK - JuneBug1019
Station/Boat Location~
Air Station Sitka (41' Boat at Air Station that does Helo Ops)

Date there~
06/2005 to summer 2008

Weather~
Rainy, a lot like Washington State, but cooler. Not polar, typically several snows each winter, but they melt off after a few days. Winter days are VERY short, and summer days are VERY long (sunrise at 3:30-ish; sunset 11:30-ish). Usually get lots of sunny days in the summer, but there are exceptions to this, as we saw summer 2006 - there were literally about 4 days of sun all summer long!

Military facilities~
Pretty good food at the galley; small gym on base. That's it!

Medical~
Small clinic with great docs on base. Otherwise, we have access to docs in the community

Housing~
Yes. It's my first time in military housing, and I can't complain. There are 2, 3 and a few 4 BR units, set up in buildings with 4 units apiece. They're townhouse style with all new appliances. Check them out at http://sitkacoastguardspouses.org/ and click on the Relocation tab at the top. The playground is nice and there are plans to cover it soon. There are no bears on the tiny island where housing is situated (which we share with the Air Sta, the CGC Maple, the airport, the Indian Hospital, and not much else), so you don't have to worry about THAT!

Shopping~
Nice little touristy shops in town. True Value is our Target; the 2 grocery stores are our Super Targets. There are cards you can buy that offer you a discount at lots of the local shops and restaurants, but everything is still expensive!

Child Care/Schools~
Child care can be very difficult to find, as I am discovering right now! There are 3 Child Care Centers in town, and several home child cares. The entire school system is somewhat behind the lower 48, from preschool on up, but I LOVE my son's preschool.

Adult Schools~
Univ of AK Southeast; Sheldon Jackson College (recently closed...supposed to reopen soon)

Fun Activities~
Beautiful hikes for all skill levels; kayaking; fishing; hunting; little farm for kids to visit; great little aquarium that allows a hands-on experience; Raptor Center - they take in injured birds of prey and either rehab them and re-release them into the wild, or keep them for public education if they're too damaged to return to their homes; lots of sight-seeing boats; 2 single screen movie theaters in town; a couple of beaches in town; scrapbooking classes at local shop; beading classes; lots of community activities; of course there's always BUNCO!

Additional Info~
Sitka is on a small island accessible only by boat or plane. Trips to Juneau aboard the fast ferry are affordable in the off season. There is a lot more shopping there - Sam's Club, Home Depot, Fred Meyer...There aren't many restaurants here, but there are a couple of really good ones. The people here are SO wonderful - so friendly and warm. There's no crime to speak of, and it really is a wonderful place to raise young children. Older kids may get bored - I'm not sure.

Homeport AK

:: Coastie Chicks