What BestPlaces Users Say about Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska has been ranked as one of the top places to live in the United States due to its stunning natural scenery and abundance of outdoor activities. However, living in this city may not be for everyone. According to many user reviews on BestPlaces.net, there are both pros and cons to living in Anchorage. Some of the common themes mentioned include the high cost of living, extreme weather conditions, and the friendly and welcoming community. Let's take a look at what some users had to say about their experience living in Anchorage.
- "Anchorage is a beautiful place to live, surrounded by mountains and the ocean. The outdoor activities here are endless, and the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming." - Sarah D.
- "The cost of living in Anchorage is quite high, especially when it comes to housing and groceries. However, the natural beauty and close-knit community make it worth it." - David S.
- "I love living in Anchorage, but the long, dark winters can be tough to handle. It's important to stay active and find ways to enjoy the winter months, otherwise, it can be a bit depressing." - Rachel M.
- "One of the best parts of living in Anchorage is the abundance of fresh seafood. The salmon and halibut here are unbeatable. Plus, the outdoor activities are endless and the people are always up for a good time." - Mark T.
based on 83 ReviewsGet to know Anchorage with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Anchorage
Anchorage Weather - 3/16/2007
Most people think Alaska is all frosty and brutal cold. We are a huge state with many climate zones. Here in Anchorage, we have lovely summers with moderate temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Clear fresh air and fabulous gardens. The winters are a bit long, but comparable to a northern midwest winter. We are not dark for 6 months. The sun comes up all year long here in Anchorage. Granted, it rises at 10am-ish and sets at 4pm-ish in December, but it stays dusk and twilight for a very long time. The Northern Lights----what can I say?
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LOW WAGES BUT VERY HIGH COST OF LIVING - 3/8/2007
I earn less in Anchorage than I did in the lower 48 7 years ago at a comperable job, however a 3 bedroom in Anchorage averages $1450 a month. It is impossible to make ends meet when you only make $12 an hour. Not only is the rent outrageous, but so is food. Unlike what someone stated earlier, you are NOT intitled to a PFD for life after you have qualified. You must apply every year, and though yes it is nice to get a check once a year, it isnt even enough to make one months rent. It was also implied that by an earlier writer that it is very easy to find work here. That is not true. There are 2 military bases here, all with spouses trying to get the same jobs you
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bus system not the best - 12/23/2006
Anchorage does have a public transportation system (PeopleMover bus), but it is not very comprehensive. Buses are often an hour
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Anchorage - 9/26/2006
I grew up in Anchorage and absolutely loved it. There are endless things to do outside - camp, fish, hike, ski, etc. Yes, it is cold and it snows a lot, but you just have to learn to get used to it (easier said than done, I know). There are a lot of misconceptions about Anchorage and Alaska in general. The first day I moved down to the lower 48, somebody asked me if I lived in an igloo (they weren't joking either). I have never actually seen an igloo, we don't have pet penguins, it doesn't snow all year round, it's not as cold as a lot people think, and there is a relatively diverse culture with Caucasians, African-Americans, Asians, etc. It is costly to live in Anchorage because everything is shipped and housing and rent are fairly expensive as well. But wages seem to be higher in Alaska than in the lower 48. So it somewhat evens out. Overall, Anchorage is a wonderful place to live and I miss it very
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tell us more - 9/15/2006
please share more interesting comments about anchorage, we like to hear
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The Biggest Small Town - 8/8/2006
Anchorage has a population of just over half of the state or roughly 260 thousand residents. This fluctuates on the season with summer bringing in many new faces. Anchorage was built mostly during the oil boom of the 70's. We are a state rich in government or perhaps, just a rich government from oil. We have a very strong center for performing arts, a number of theatre groups, a few dance companies, and several performing groups for music. Unusual for our size, we boast multiple museams and even a zoo. We have quite the crop of boutique bistros and restaraunts and no shortage of ethnic influences in culture and cuisine. We are an evening culture. There are many things to do, but our idea of night life is a bit lacking. (I say this from living in London, UK) The city does not sleep at 10, but your late night options are limited.
There is a real frontier mentality that still permeates. This is good an bad. On one token, go off the road in teh snow and in less than ten
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Great Climate...for real! - 7/28/2006
I have been here two winters and this is my third summer. No storms, I think I heard lightning twice. Cool to moderate summers,this summer is great average temp 55-65 F. Winters no colder than Columbus, Ohio where I am from not a lot of snow in Anchorage,believe it or not. Overall, beautiful but can be deadly, certain neighborhoods bad crime but mayor is working on
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Colleges & PFD - 7/23/2006
I was stationed at Elmendorf for 3 years; I found it to be an excellent assignment. I did take some graduate and continuing ed classes through Univ of Alaska-Anchorage and was pretty impressed by the quality. It's a hermetically sealed campus, with enclosed walkways. Alaska Pacific U is also in town.
BTW, if you want to qualify for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, at least when I was there 5 years ago, you had to establish residence for a year before applying. After you qualify, you get the PFD for life, but when I was briefied on it, they threw some scare tactics at us--the state gov't can recover the money if you move away and never come back. Don't know often this
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Was transfered or would have never left. - 7/12/2006
Probably one of the most beautiful spots on earth. Schools are great-we had 2 sons starting in 5th and 6th grade and upon leaving had finished 9th and 10th. Husband hunted, fished, hiked, camped-definitely a sportsman/woman's paradise. Housing is very expensive! But you can find one and as it appreciates sell and trade up. Moose are everywhere and they walk around like stray dogs any place else. I never got tired of seeing them. Traffic would just stop to let them cross even on major roads. Do you like dogs? Very friendly to dog owners. It can be a little dark in the winter but at its worst you have daylight 9-3 and that is only Nov/Dec. Even if you aren't the outdoor type there is still plenty to do ALL YEAR LONG. If you want to visit don't take a cruise-instead fly in rent a car and then do all the things you want to do. The Iditarod dog race (remember Balto?) is so exciting to see-The Last Fontier is worth the visit and
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job market - 7/6/2006
Anchorage offers great job opporunities with growth in oil and gas, international air cargo hub, expanding medical industry and federal funding for military
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