Guam or Alaska Any Info on Both

Hi there! Since you are asking about Alaska, I thought I'd throw out some of what I've already experienced in mine and my hubby's 20 yrs in the Air Force. We, and our 2 kids(teens now)spent 7 yrs up at Elmendorf, which is in Anchorage, Alaska. GREAT place to live and raise kids. Ours were small when we were there and consider it "home." For all your interests for your kids, you will find it there, and outdoor stuff, you've got it all. Schools are great, too, and as you can probably tell, we'd go back in a heart beat. No slots for our job,yet, though. Anyhow, good luck and we wish you well.

M. R.

P.S. feel free to e-mail if more info needed.
____@____.com

Hi C.,

I haven't been to Alaska, but I've heard it is really nice. My sister-in-law spent 3 months there and loved it!

We are stationed on Guam and have been here for 3 years. It all depends on what you like. Some like it, some hate it.....usually one or the other, with not much middle-ground.

That said, I'm so ready to get out of here! (i.e., my gut feeling is to stay with Alaska). :) Feel free to contact me via personal email at ____@____.com. I feel like a veteran at this point, and would love to help you out with any questions you have. I have dear friends that love it here, but there are challenges, too.

I welcome your questions. Have a great day!

Not sure if you were offered Elmendorf (Anchorage, AK) or Eilson (Fairbanks, AK). We were stationed at Elmendorf and stayed for seven years until we HAD to leave to give someone else a chance to come in. We LOVED it there. So, so much to do. We lived in a postcard setting year-round. Even the winters were so lovely. We had moose in the front yard and went to Denali Park (Mt. McKinley) and saw tons of bears and reindeer (we were riding the park bus and we were always at a very safe distance). If you like the outdoors, give Alaska a chance. Whale-watching tours are so awesome, and oh, the fishing!!! Excellent for kids. No snakes, either! Anchorage didn't get too cold compared to Fairbanks which is further north. We were protected by the gorgeous mountains. I absolutely URGE you to do a stint in our truly biggest state. (Sorry Texas, but that's the truth!) :) Good luck, M. (We're in Okinawa now with three kids and would go back to Alaska in a second if it were offered.)

I would stick with Alaska. I had a friend take a HOP and she got stuck in Guam, from what I understand, it isn't a very nice place. We are over here in Okinawa, and I would much rather be closer to home. Good luck with your decision.

I would go with Guam only because I am an island girl. If you are used to long road trips this is not the one to pick. Beautiful beaches, rich culture, wonderful food, island entertainment~ luau style, hospitality, SpaceA flights to other pacific regions, warm weather all year round and a little hot in summertime, or to be blunt hot and humid~ this would describe Guam. There are classes your children could get involved with in learning the legends of the island and ancient dances, if your into that stuff. When you see something you want at the PX/BX or Commissary, you should grab it or put it on layaway because it may be a while til you see it again. Lots of shopping online.

Alaska: I can only speak on Elmondorf and my experience passing through SpaceA with a 12 hour layover. We got there around 9-ish and the sun was bright and shining, with a small breeze and it was quite chilly-FOR ME but then again I am tropical. I put on my sunglasses and off to the Burger King drive through. Customer Service was average-same as the states. I tried to order breakfast and instead of EXPLAINING why breakfast wasn't being served, she was a little short with her answers warranting me to ask more and more questions. Come to find out, it was 9 in the evening!! The sun did not let up til about 2:30am and it set for only about 2 hours and then it was bright and sunny again right before 5am. The military families are very nice. One lady talked to me about the way of living out there and she's used to the sun all day long. They just deal with it by putting up dark/heavy curtains, some foil their windows and with kids, they just watch the clock and have regular bedtimes by shutting everything to darken the house and go on with routine as if its dark out. My understanding is that during the winter, it flips the other way where its dark for majority of the day with very few hours of sunlight.

I hope I've helped you out a bit, but please do more reasearch on both as this was my experience with Guam and Alaska. I've lived in Okinawa, Japan, for 3 years now and don't mind being stuck on a small island with such nice people. Good Luck!!

Depends on what kind of person you are for Alaska if you love the outdoors and can find a part time job or just something to keep busy for the cold winter months you will love it. My brother was there for 8 years. My sister inlaw had a hard time a first then she dedcied to get into the school to get out of the house then she was good. What I've hurd about Guam is Typoons.