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FT WAINWRIGHT
Your Name (if you would like it to appear): Corina Base Name: Fort Wainwright Base Location: Alaska How long have you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present) May 2005 - Current On orders to Fort Stewart, GA May 2008 What is housing like? On-post? (waiting list, conditions, etc.) Off-post? Any areas to stay away from? Average price to rent or buy? There's a lot of new housing being built but like many post there is a long waiting list. We lived off post in Fairbanks for five months until housing come available. The only bad areas I know of in Fairbanks would be along Cushman Street. We rented a 3 bedroom / 1 bath for $1375 a month in Fairbanks. Housing does currently offer the PTP (Preferred Tenant Program). PTP is a program in which housing has contracted with rental property owners in the local area to offer discounted rates to the military. Although it sounds like a great program but when we took a look at the available housing in 2005, the rentals were either in bad areas or rundown homes in need of repair. Housing is scheduled to go privatized here in Jan. 2009. We currently live on post and the housing isn't bad compared to other post. Some quarters have garages but most don't. If you don't have a garage you will most likely be parallel parking on the street or have a small parking lot area to the front, rear or side of your building. Buildings range from 6-12 family assigned quarters. Most have basements which are nice for the winter months to hang out in. Most backyards are fenced in and many areas have small playgrounds for the younger children. I live in older housing but its nice because we have textured walls, built in shelving, and crown molding. My only complaint is that we have one bathroom located on the second floor, and laundry is located in the basement. Alaska means cold temps in the winter and I have found that the windows and doors let in a lot of cold air. There's way to cover your windows to help seal out the cold air. The average cost of a home can range in the 125k - 300k. Pay close attention to what your buying in regards to how you get your water. You will be surprised when you find that awesome deal and you have no running water. Many homes located outside the city either run on well water or you have to truck the water in. Rate the PX & Commissary. The PX and Commissary are small compared to most I have been to. I don't shop at the PX often since most common items can be bought in town at lower prices. The commissary is great to shop at. I try not to go on a payday weekend at all cost. You will find that the commissary sells out a lot even if it's not a payday week. The problem is that Eilson Air Force Base 20 miles down the road has a very small commissary and many make the trip to Wainwright to shop. I don't suggest shopping for groceries off post because the prices are high in town (Fairbanks). This year (2008) sometime the local Fairbanks Wal-Mart will be converting into a Super center. You will start seeing price wars as soon as the Wal-Mart goes super center. Activities on base? There's a lot of activities, the question is if you can bear the freezing cold to want to go to the activity. The youth center is open year around and depending on the season they offer a range of indoor and outdoor activities. Some activities include an outdoor skate park, indoor ice skating rink, and movie days. I'm not to sure what else is offered but it seems to be the hangout for the teens on post. Since the Youth center is located right next to the main post shoppette you will find a lot of the youth making soda and candy runs all the time. The Frontier club offers a lot to do with indoor play area for the children and workout area for the adults. Keep a watch out in the local "Alaska Post" newspaper for events that are being held at the Frontier Club. A year ago the Frontier Club sponsored a "pamper me day" for the dependents which included free full body message, body waxing, and a bunch of freebies from local vendors. From November through early April the Birch hill sky lodge is open for skiing, snow boarding, and tubing. Sleds are not allowed at Birch Hill. During the winter months there's a lot to do outside as well. You have ice fishing, snow machining (mobiling to those in the lower 48), and of course plenty of snow to build a castle with. During the summer is the best time to get out because the sun is always shining and the temps average around 75 during the day. Interior Alaska during the summer peak which is Mid-June gets approx. 20 hours of sunlight in a 24 hours period. Wildlife such as moose, ravens, and rabbits can be found year around in housing and just about anywhere on post. There are bears on post but I have yet to see one in the three years I have been here. My husband has seen a bear while hunting so they are around but not in populated areas. There's plenty of fishing and hunting on and off post. Currently the only camping site areas are off post. Last summer the camping site location on post were closed to build family housing. I don't know if there are plans to reserve another area for camping on post. Located right next to Birch Ski Lodge is the skeet range. We personally have not used the skeet range but I hear its fun to go out and shoot a few rounds. We used the firing range off post because it's bigger and we usually take a group of friends with us. The skeet range on post does cost a fee, as in off post its free to use the firing range. Another summer activity is 4-wheeling. You can get with Outdoor recreation to find the locations in which it's allowed to 4-wheel on post. Outdoor recreation also provides for a cost many different outdoor activity items such as camping/fishing equipment and children blow up bouncy castles. The blow up bouncy castles are great for birthday parties. Active Spouses Club? None that I know of. Your best bet is joining the unit's FRG. Things to do in area? There is a 16 screen movie theater in Fairbanks that shows current new release movies. During the summer Pioneer Park (Alaskaland) has the Alaskan Salmon bake which I hear is good eating. There is a air plane museum which is interesting to some children like mine. You can also take a train ride around the park, and there's plenty of playgrounds to play in. Pioneer Park is full of history and a big part of the Fairbanks history is the cabins that have been moved from around Fairbanks and brought to the park. The cabins are rented out by local vendors as small gift/food shops. You can buy just about anything that is Alaskan inspired or made. Pioneer park also has gold panning and a dinner theater show. There is no cost to enter Pioneer Park, but just about every attraction cost money to participate. During the summer they usually have a military appreciation day in which a lot of the attractions are free or half off to include the many different gift/food shops. From February through March the International Ice Sculpture competitions are held in Fairbanks. The sculptures are awesome, but don't worry about the kids they have a section full of ice slides and a huge ice maze. This is where you should bring your sled, because the ice slides are awesome when you ride down them on a sled. Dress in layers and if possible carry pocket warmers. Pocket warmers can be purchased at Wal-Mart or right there at the Ice Park for usually about a $1 a piece. The pocket warmer will last 8 hours but we always buy a case of them to bring with us while at the Ice Park. There is a daily cost to enter the park, but if it's something you think you will visit many times in the season than a family pass may be a great deal to purchase. Located in downtown Fairbanks is the Ice Museum. You can actually watch local ice sculptors carve mini sculptures for the museum. The Ice Museum downtown is open year around and I recommend to bring a coat. About an hour North to Fairbanks is Chena Hot Springs and the Ice Hotel. Kind of costly but this a retreat for the adults. This is a year around resort that has a lot to offer. You can go snow machining or 4 wheeling depending on the season, but the biggest attraction is the Hot Springs. It's like you have died and gone to heaven in a natural hot spring. I recommend this as an adult attraction because no one under 18 yrs of age can go into the hot springs. Then the next big attraction is the Ice hotel. You can take a tour but if your really wanting a once in a life time experience then a stay a night in the hotel. Everything in the hotel, even your bed is made of ice. Go have a drink at the bar in the hotel, guess what your cup is even solid ice. During the summer you can take a hot air balloon ride as late as midnight in Fairbanks. Since the summer has long days of light I hear its a awesome view of the city and the Alaskan mountain range. If your looking for a road trip take the time to go to the Arctic circle. MWR actually sponsors a trip during the summer for a small fee to the Arctic circle. They provide the transportation and a certificate saying you have crossed the Arctic circle. The trip usually falls in the middle of June during the summer solstice. Of course I can't forget the little town of North Pole, Alaska. Just 20 minutes down the road from post you will find candy cane painted street signs and of course the Santa Claus House. I recommend visiting around Christmas time to get into the spirit of the holidays. Bring money because you can find just about every type of tree ornament for your tree. Of course free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus is the cherry on the top of the snow ice cream. School System? On and off post I haven't had any problems. Post has Arctic Light Elem. and all other grades attend school off post. There is a bussing system for the middle and high school children. Arctic light is mandated by the Fairbanks North Star School district. Prior to my son attending Arctic Light he was attending Anne Wein Elem. while living in Fairbanks. Air Force and Army make up majority of the population in the school system. The school district works with the Army and Air Force to provide the best education and schedule for all students. Any colleges in area? University of Alaska Fairbanks "UAF" Jobs? (on post and off) I can say that your going to get great pay up here even if you flip burgers. If your looking for something quick and easy than try Wal-Mart, Fred Myers, Lowes, or Home Depot. If your looking for more of the office job check out the NAF office on post. I worked at Wal-mart here for two years. I started as a floor associate and left as a Dept. Manager. The turn around is huge no matter where you go. Either people don't want to go out into the cold or they get to enjoying the summer sun they just don't want to go to work. If you have any problems finding a job go on post to NAF and they can assist you in looking for a job. Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding city? There's a lot to do. Buy a camera because the beauty of Alaska will take you by surprise. Least favorite aspect? The freezing cold and summer mosquitoes. Local websites? (base, chamber, newspaper, schools, etc.) Fort Wainwright: http://www.wainwright.army.mil/sites/local/ Eilson Air Force Base: http://www.eielson.af.mil/ Fort Wainwright MWR: http://mwr.polarnet.com/ Pioneer Park (Alaskaland) : http://fairbanks-alaska.com/alaskaland.htm Fairbanks Ice Park: http://www.icealaska.com/ Chena Hot Springs Resort: http://www.chenahotsprings.com/ Santa House North Pole Alaska: http://www.santaclaushouse.com/ Fairbanks North Star Borough School District: http://www.northstar.k12.ak.us/ Automated Housing Referral Network (Need an AKO account to sign in): http://www.ahrn.com/ Fairbanks Visitor Guide: http://www.explorefairbanks.com/ Any other tips? Stay active! Take time to explore Alaska. Dress in layers in the winter and don't forget to plug your vehicle in. Keep an eye out for Moose & Caribou when driving. If your going to drive to Alaska I recommend taking the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry from Washington state to Haines, Alaska. You will need a passport to enter Canada from Haines, Alaska and again from the Yukon Canada back into Alaska. You drive your vehicle right onto the boat then your off on a three day "cruise" trip. The Army will pay for your family and your vehicle to take the ferry. You will have to pay for your pets (approx $20 per pet) and food. When making reservations, reserve a cabin (with full facilities) for your family. The Army will cover the cost of the cabin as well. A cabin provides you a private secured area for your belongings and a place to sleep. You will also have your own bathroom with shower and sink. Your pets do have to remain in your vehicle unless they're guide dogs. You will have access to your vehicle at lease three times a day. At that time you can take your animal for a walk in the vehicle area. The ferry does port in which your also allowed to leave the ship with your pet for a walk. This is where your Alaska once in a life time trip starts. You want to get a chance to see Bald eagles, Bears, Moose, Whales, and Dolphins then here it is. You will even get the chance to see land that hasn't been touched by man only viewed from plane or boat. It Landscape pictures are your thing then don't miss the chance to take the ferry. Alaska is the last frontier, you will truly see why from the boat. |
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