Moving to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
JBER combines Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson next to Anchorage, hosting Air Force fighter and airlift units and the Army's 11th Airborne Division. Families get big-city conveniences in Anchorage with mountains, glaciers and wildlife just outside town. Winters are long and snowy, summers are bright, and Alaska assignments come with overseas-style paperwork.
| Branch | Joint (Air Force/Army) |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Anchorage, AK |
| Airports | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) |
| Climate | Cold, snowy winters with short daylight; mild summers with very long days |
| Cost of living | High; one guide cites a 2024 median home price in Anchorage of about $400,000 |
| On-base housing | Aurora Military Housing (privatized, 19 neighborhoods across JBER) |
| Medical care | 673rd Medical Group (JBER hospital and clinics) |
| Family support center | Military & Family Readiness Center (also Army Community Service) |
Where families live
On-base Aurora neighborhoods
Nineteen distinct neighborhoods spread across Elmendorf and Richardson, managed by Aurora Military Housing.
Anchorage
Alaska's largest city with the broadest choice of shopping, restaurants, apartments and homes.
Eagle River
Suburban community north of Anchorage popular with Army families who want space and a quieter pace.
Wasilla
Mat-Su Valley town with more affordable and larger lots, but a longer, weather-sensitive commute.
Schools
The Anchorage School District operates the K-12 schools for military children on base and serves families living off base in Anchorage and Eagle River. Wasilla-area families are in the Mat-Su district instead. Contact the installation School Liaison Office for transfers and registration.
- Anchorage School District — Operates the on-base schools and serves most of Anchorage and Eagle River.
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District — Serves Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley.
On the installation: Anchorage School District schools on JBER (check ASD for current names and boundaries)
JBER School Liaison Office through the Military & Family Readiness Center, 907-552-4943
Things to do near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
- Chugach State ParkoutdoorsLarge mountain park on Anchorage's doorstep for hiking, skiing and wildlife.
- Denali National Parkday-tripA longer trip north for mountain views and wildlife.
- Fishing and camping in AlaskaoutdoorsSalmon runs and campgrounds across the region.
- 5th Avenue MallfamilyDowntown shopping and dining in Anchorage.
- JBER fitness centers and recreationsportsMultiple base gyms with group classes.
- Skiing in the ChugachsportsWinter downhill and cross-country options near the city.
Realtors & local services
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- Aurora Military Housingproperty managementJBER
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Local programs & support
- Rental Partnership ProgramPartner landlords may offer discounted rent, reduced fees, waived deposits and payment by allotment.
- Volunteer Realtor ProgramRealtors are on site at JBER-Elmendorf daily from 11:00 to 14:00, with a home buyer seminar on Wednesdays.
- Temporary loaner furnitureAvailable to PCS members for up to 90 days with 48 hours' notice.
- Joint Newcomers OrientationTwo-day orientation mandatory for Air Force and Army members and encouraged for families.
PCS tips for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
- Contact your sponsor early; Army members use ActNow within 72 hours of assignment.
- Attend the Joint Newcomers Orientation and consider the virtual Pre-Arrival Orientation.
- Alaska assignments need concurrent travel approval for family members, so start paperwork before you leave.
- Winterize your car with a block heater, quality tires and an emergency kit before the first snow.
- Download the JBER Connect app for base updates.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the Alaska & Hawaii
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.