Anchorage - Can we live without a car? (Palmer, Willow: rental, mover)

[reina28]

My husband has applied for a job and I will be going to school. If all goes to plan, after my degree we will be going into the bush to teach. So is it possible to live in Anchorage for about three years without a car? Is the public transportation reliable and available? We will already be on limited funds and I hate having a car anyway.

Also, I have just skimmed the classifieds in preparation and it seems housing is hard to find if we have pets. Is it really that hard to find a place to live if we have a St. Bernard and a Bloodhound? They are both good doggies and I have read up on the leash laws and we know our responsibilities. My husband spent 19 years of his life in Alaska so he knows a little more than me what to expect but some things have changed it seems, including rental prices. Thanks in advance.

[stiffnecked]

??? Giant dogs and no cars???

[reina28]

They love to walk.

[Tressa]

It's going to be fairly hard to find a place that will take two large dogs. But it's possible just have to search good and hard. I would venture to say the People Mover is a reliable source of transportation, a great deal of folks rely on them to get them back and forth to work, just make sure to check your route.

[JoeMama2009]

I lived in Anchorage from 2004-2005. I went to UAA and worked at the Brewhouse Restaurant. I lived on W 14th AVE near the green belt, behind a large park, great bike commute in Midtown. If you can afford it - Rabbit Creek or up on the hill in the mansions overlooking the city.

[DannyL]

"Anchorage - Can we live without a car? "



sure you can....

[MeganAK]

I did it for a year- rose the bus to work, school, etc. It was tough in the winter when there was lots of snow- but possible. It was also hard going to the grocery store! It is definitely something that can be done. South Anchorage to North Anchorage is harder, takes more time, but if you live in Midtown, getting to the University would be easy. Good luck!

[Jonotastic]

It's possible, but I wouldn't recommend it. I couldn't do it myself, especially in the winter. Why not get a $1000 car?

[Crossfire600]

Yes you "could" No I wouldn't.. The idea of being trapped in the city for 3 years with no way to get to those mountains you will see everyday and enjoy what they have to offer would be worse than water boarding to me. Then again that is me..

Your going to be in, without a doubt, the most beautiful place in the world and feel like your looking at it from the inside of a cage with no key to the lock...

Here are a couple of things you will miss in the 3 years..


"The High One" Denali taken from about 40 miles out on the Parks Highway.



This is a section entering Hatchers Pass from the Palmer side...



Of course this needs no explanation! The start of the Iditarod in Willow..



These guys are the real athlete's in this race...

[MommaF8]

I haven't driven in 26 years...granted, we just got here to AK...but I've biked, walked, or taken busses to where I needed to be whenever my husband was tdy (which has been alot...about 6+ years out of 15!!!) & neither myself or our 7 kids have suffered! They are all healthy & can walk MILES w/o tiring!
The only problem I see here in AK w/o a vehicle are the bears & moose. Honestly...groceries are easy to haul in a wagon, cart or on a sled in the winter! ((Been there, done that!)) A snowmobile ((or snowmachine as these Alaskans call 'em!)) would be a great addition during winter months when you couldn't bike! ((Though I've seen PLENTY of folks still riding their bikes in the winter too...?))