Station/Boat Location~
There is a MSU, SFO,Small Boat Station and USCGC LONG ISLAND(110') here.
Date there~
Small Boat Station 2007-2010, CGC LONG ISLAND 2010-2012
Weather~
Valdez is the snow capitol of Alaska, and we average getting over 300 inches per year. The snow is mostly the pretty, "snow-globe" like snow, and the town clears the roads quickly making it easier to get around. It normally stays in the 20's during the winter (sometimes cooler), and in the summer it stays in the 60's, sometimes reaching in the 70's. After a winter here 70 feel scorching hot!
Military facilities~
There is a SMALL exchange that just opened this summer (2010) in CG housing. As of now it is only open M, W, F. Other than that, the closet bases are Elmendorf AFB and Ft. Richardson (Army) in Anchorage which is a 5.5-6.5 hour drive depending on what time of year you go. There is also a base (Army???) in Fairbanks.
Medical~
There is a smaller sized hospital and medical center here. Since we've been here they went from 2 doctors to 4. Anything out of the ordinary, or big surgeries, are usually done in Anchorage.
Housing~
There are 7 buildings with 4 town-house like homes in each building. There are 2, 3, and 4-bedroom houses. Each comes with an unattached garage in front of the house, and another unattached garage on the edge of housing. Each unit also comes with a storage space that you can lock yourself in the middle of the 4 houses. Each unit is also equipped with a washer/dryer, dishwasher, and a chest freezer in the mud room for those that like to hunt or those that like to stock up in Anchorage. Every house also has a family room, living room, dining room, laundry room, at least 1.5 bath, and the full bath and bedrooms are upstairs. There is also a linen closet in every unit, and most have a walk-in storage closet as well. There is also a covered back porch and a small patio in the back yard. Unfortunately, due to snow removal, there are no fences. Each building shares a lawn mower in the summer (you are responsible for mowing your own yard) and a snow blower in the winter.Quite a few people do live on the economy. Rentals are hit and miss, but there are some really good finds if you have the right timing. Just remember that heating here can cost a bundle, so keep that in consideration when budgeting with your BAH.
Shopping~
There is a Safeway here for groceries, and Rogue's Garden is a natural food store. There is a outdoors store (that has things like shoes and clothes as well), a fabric store, a hardware store, a general store, and a couple of gift shops. Most people do their "shopping" in Anchorage, especially for big items like furniture. In the summer that trip can be down to 5.5 hours, but can be up to 6.5 in the cooler months.Just so you know, if you hear about the old warehouse store, it closed shortly after we got here, so that's not longer available.
Child Care/Schools~
My kids aren't old enough for me to know a whole lot about schools, but there is a daycare in town, an elementary school, middle school, and high school here. I know a few people that homeschool here as well.
Adult Schools~
There is the Prince William Sound Community College here located in the middle of town.
Fun Activities~
In the summer there are both halibut and silver salmon derbies. There is even a women's silver salmon derby. The town puts on a lot of town wide events like Gold Rush Days (in August), 4th of July events, May Day Fly-In which is a bush pilot competition at the airport, and other fun events. Hunting is also big here. Valdez is one of only two towns in Alaska that allow ATVs to be driven on the city streets with the right registration through the DMV. So if you are looking into getting one, it may save money to get one before you come. There are usually plays open to the public to be in year round. There are many hiking trails, camping spots, and a river to raft. In the winter there is cross country skiing (on groomed trails!), downhill skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, and world famous snowboarding and snowmobiling. Sean White was even here earlier this year. There is many snowmobiling competitions here including King of the Mountain, the Valdez Hill Climb, and another one whose name slips my mind. The town also holds a Frosty Fever week long event that includes dogsledding and snow sculpture competitions. The fabric store also has classes that you can sign up for throughout the year for anyone between beginners and experience knitters and quilters.
Additional Info~
This place is beyond beautiful. It has a lot to offer if you are willing to get out and do things. There's no Wal-Mart or McDonalds, but it is a very special place. It is small, but if you give it some time before you make up your mind about it, it can surprise you on how wonderful it can be. If you choose to hate it here, you will. Valdez is a small community that makes you feel safe, and almost everyone is friendly.
You can find our weekly newspaper, The Valdez Star, online.
Homeport AK
There is a MSU, SFO,Small Boat Station and USCGC LONG ISLAND(110') here.
Date there~
Small Boat Station 2007-2010, CGC LONG ISLAND 2010-2012
Weather~
Valdez is the snow capitol of Alaska, and we average getting over 300 inches per year. The snow is mostly the pretty, "snow-globe" like snow, and the town clears the roads quickly making it easier to get around. It normally stays in the 20's during the winter (sometimes cooler), and in the summer it stays in the 60's, sometimes reaching in the 70's. After a winter here 70 feel scorching hot!
Military facilities~
There is a SMALL exchange that just opened this summer (2010) in CG housing. As of now it is only open M, W, F. Other than that, the closet bases are Elmendorf AFB and Ft. Richardson (Army) in Anchorage which is a 5.5-6.5 hour drive depending on what time of year you go. There is also a base (Army???) in Fairbanks.
Medical~
There is a smaller sized hospital and medical center here. Since we've been here they went from 2 doctors to 4. Anything out of the ordinary, or big surgeries, are usually done in Anchorage.
Housing~
There are 7 buildings with 4 town-house like homes in each building. There are 2, 3, and 4-bedroom houses. Each comes with an unattached garage in front of the house, and another unattached garage on the edge of housing. Each unit also comes with a storage space that you can lock yourself in the middle of the 4 houses. Each unit is also equipped with a washer/dryer, dishwasher, and a chest freezer in the mud room for those that like to hunt or those that like to stock up in Anchorage. Every house also has a family room, living room, dining room, laundry room, at least 1.5 bath, and the full bath and bedrooms are upstairs. There is also a linen closet in every unit, and most have a walk-in storage closet as well. There is also a covered back porch and a small patio in the back yard. Unfortunately, due to snow removal, there are no fences. Each building shares a lawn mower in the summer (you are responsible for mowing your own yard) and a snow blower in the winter.Quite a few people do live on the economy. Rentals are hit and miss, but there are some really good finds if you have the right timing. Just remember that heating here can cost a bundle, so keep that in consideration when budgeting with your BAH.
Shopping~
There is a Safeway here for groceries, and Rogue's Garden is a natural food store. There is a outdoors store (that has things like shoes and clothes as well), a fabric store, a hardware store, a general store, and a couple of gift shops. Most people do their "shopping" in Anchorage, especially for big items like furniture. In the summer that trip can be down to 5.5 hours, but can be up to 6.5 in the cooler months.Just so you know, if you hear about the old warehouse store, it closed shortly after we got here, so that's not longer available.
Child Care/Schools~
My kids aren't old enough for me to know a whole lot about schools, but there is a daycare in town, an elementary school, middle school, and high school here. I know a few people that homeschool here as well.
Adult Schools~
There is the Prince William Sound Community College here located in the middle of town.
Fun Activities~
In the summer there are both halibut and silver salmon derbies. There is even a women's silver salmon derby. The town puts on a lot of town wide events like Gold Rush Days (in August), 4th of July events, May Day Fly-In which is a bush pilot competition at the airport, and other fun events. Hunting is also big here. Valdez is one of only two towns in Alaska that allow ATVs to be driven on the city streets with the right registration through the DMV. So if you are looking into getting one, it may save money to get one before you come. There are usually plays open to the public to be in year round. There are many hiking trails, camping spots, and a river to raft. In the winter there is cross country skiing (on groomed trails!), downhill skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, and world famous snowboarding and snowmobiling. Sean White was even here earlier this year. There is many snowmobiling competitions here including King of the Mountain, the Valdez Hill Climb, and another one whose name slips my mind. The town also holds a Frosty Fever week long event that includes dogsledding and snow sculpture competitions. The fabric store also has classes that you can sign up for throughout the year for anyone between beginners and experience knitters and quilters.
Additional Info~
This place is beyond beautiful. It has a lot to offer if you are willing to get out and do things. There's no Wal-Mart or McDonalds, but it is a very special place. It is small, but if you give it some time before you make up your mind about it, it can surprise you on how wonderful it can be. If you choose to hate it here, you will. Valdez is a small community that makes you feel safe, and almost everyone is friendly.
You can find our weekly newspaper, The Valdez Star, online.
Homeport AK
