Station/Boat Location~
ESD Valdez
Date there~
2005 - 2007
Weather~
Winter is pretty cold. It is always in the 20's and 30's, but there have been days when it is freezing. Beware! This is the snow capitol of Alaska and the snow piles up fast! There is a very short and chilly spring. Summers are very beautiful here. It doesn't get very warm, but maybe 70 on a good day. The fall is also a very quick season.
Military facilities~
The are no military facilities in Valdez. If you are willing to make a 6 hour drive, you can go to Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage where they have a BX/PX, commissary and other facilities available.
Medical~
In town, we have the Providence Valdez Medical Center. It is a small hospital and clinic, but very good. I did find it inconvenient that there was not an optometrist or dermatologist in town. They have visiting specialists come here monthly and some do not accept Tri care. In those cases I travel to a doctor in Anchorage or to Elmendorf AFB, but the majority of medical situations can be handled here in Valdez.
Housing~
The CG does have housing in town but it is limited. Housing is nicely located in the back of town. My husband and I do not live in housing and we found a small 3 bedroom apartment which was covered by BAH. Many coasties live in rented houses or apartments in and out of town.
Shopping~
There is almost no shopping in Valdez. We have a grocery store, hardware store, a small warehouse store (like a Costco but way smaller), gift shops, and an outfitter store called the Prospector. If you want to do some "real" shopping you'll have to take the 6 hour drive to Anchorage or the 7 hour drive to Fairbanks. The best shopping in Valdez is done at home on your computer.
Child Care/Schools~
I do not have children and I cant say if the school system is either good or bad. There is Herman Hutchens Elementary School, Gilson Jr. High, and Valdez High School. There is also one preschool/daycare in town and a few in home day cares.
Adult Schools~
Prince William Sound Community College is located right in town. It is a small extension of University of Alaska.
Fun Activities~
Fishing is huge here! All summer long there are fishing derbies for men and women for halibut and silver salmon. There is also camping, hunting, snowmobiling, ATV, hiking, and pretty much anything you can do in the great outdoors is done here. In the winter, activities get slim so there are movies at the civic center, dart leagues, snow shoeing, "Valdez Idol" (a local version of American Idol) and other town generated activities to keep us from getting "cabin fever".
Additional Info~
Although I found it somewhat hard to adjust here, especially without Target, it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I never get tired of the panoramic view of snow covered mountains. You either love it here or you hate it here. I somehow fell somewhere in between.
Homeport AK
ESD Valdez
Date there~
2005 - 2007
Weather~
Winter is pretty cold. It is always in the 20's and 30's, but there have been days when it is freezing. Beware! This is the snow capitol of Alaska and the snow piles up fast! There is a very short and chilly spring. Summers are very beautiful here. It doesn't get very warm, but maybe 70 on a good day. The fall is also a very quick season.
Military facilities~
The are no military facilities in Valdez. If you are willing to make a 6 hour drive, you can go to Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage where they have a BX/PX, commissary and other facilities available.
Medical~
In town, we have the Providence Valdez Medical Center. It is a small hospital and clinic, but very good. I did find it inconvenient that there was not an optometrist or dermatologist in town. They have visiting specialists come here monthly and some do not accept Tri care. In those cases I travel to a doctor in Anchorage or to Elmendorf AFB, but the majority of medical situations can be handled here in Valdez.
Housing~
The CG does have housing in town but it is limited. Housing is nicely located in the back of town. My husband and I do not live in housing and we found a small 3 bedroom apartment which was covered by BAH. Many coasties live in rented houses or apartments in and out of town.
Shopping~
There is almost no shopping in Valdez. We have a grocery store, hardware store, a small warehouse store (like a Costco but way smaller), gift shops, and an outfitter store called the Prospector. If you want to do some "real" shopping you'll have to take the 6 hour drive to Anchorage or the 7 hour drive to Fairbanks. The best shopping in Valdez is done at home on your computer.
Child Care/Schools~
I do not have children and I cant say if the school system is either good or bad. There is Herman Hutchens Elementary School, Gilson Jr. High, and Valdez High School. There is also one preschool/daycare in town and a few in home day cares.
Adult Schools~
Prince William Sound Community College is located right in town. It is a small extension of University of Alaska.
Fun Activities~
Fishing is huge here! All summer long there are fishing derbies for men and women for halibut and silver salmon. There is also camping, hunting, snowmobiling, ATV, hiking, and pretty much anything you can do in the great outdoors is done here. In the winter, activities get slim so there are movies at the civic center, dart leagues, snow shoeing, "Valdez Idol" (a local version of American Idol) and other town generated activities to keep us from getting "cabin fever".
Additional Info~
Although I found it somewhat hard to adjust here, especially without Target, it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I never get tired of the panoramic view of snow covered mountains. You either love it here or you hate it here. I somehow fell somewhere in between.
Homeport AK
