Anchorage Safety (Valdez, Houston: insurance, low crime, cinema)

[Barkingowl]

I'm really amazed that pot isn't legal here.

[doozydodo]

I have Traveled all OVER the place, and offer this: Crime Indices (Indexes) pretty accurately reflect what you'll find in a particular town...I've never been surprised (pleasantly or otherwise) after reading and interpreting City-data's information. The above post sounds too true-to life to even have an illusion that all is well (or safe) in Anchorage and surrounding areas. Stats don;t lie, but MANY people, by blind luck or good fortune, never experience the 'Dark Side' of a particular place. Good for them, but woe to those of us who've been assured by the Lucky that a place is "Great" only to find ourselves wishing we were anywhere else. I REPEAT: Stats don't lie. Trust them, and use your God (or university) given Brain to interpret the 'Big Picture'. I've heard Anchorage is indeed a cesspool. and have lived, worked and hung out with a lot of Alaskans who agree based on firsthand experience. Good Luck to all....the journey IS the destination...may yours be long and safe. Chris

[KMSFLA]

Originally Posted by msn26

Could you please let me know where the valley is (so at least I can keep clear). Thanks again for all your inputs.
M

I'm still working on my Alaskan geography. Is Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, etc... in "The Valley"? I was looking at some real estate there online and the house+view looked like paradise.

[lyoness]

Originally Posted by travelmate38

On the other hand, I would be in fear of my life hanging out in Fairview, Mountain View, or Muldoon after dark, or even during the day. All those are in Anchorage and feature daily shootings, muggings, drive-bys, car jackings, pimps, drug dealers, the list goes on and on. All the fine "east LA" types have to offer can be found in these areas.

So my question for all the single women living alone in Anchorage: Which areas do you consider or feel "safe" living in? The same goes for which areas of town you would not consider working in?

[snkalaska]

Originally Posted by KMSFLA

I'm still working on my Alaskan geography. Is Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, etc... in "The Valley"? I was looking at some real estate there online and the house+view looked like paradise.

I wouldn't call those places as in the valley, although I don't live in that area. Maybe the valley folks will comment. I thought the valley ended at Willow or thereabouts. I'd actually like to try living in Talkeetna some day. They seem to have a bit sunnier/warmer climate than Kenai.
I guess the further away from Anchorage the better from what these posters are saying. It's nice and quiet here in Kenai, but when I go to Anchorage I do see the changes, but really haven't felt unsafe at all running around.

[warptman]

Why isn't this in the Anchorage thread?

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by KMSFLA

I'm still working on my Alaskan geography. Is Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, etc... in "The Valley"? I was looking at some real estate there online and the house+view looked like paradise.

Yes. The Susitna Valley extends from Cantwell in the north, to Anchorage in the south. Essentially everything inside the arc of the Alaska Range and west of the Talkeetna Range is the Susitna Valley.

The Matanuska Valley extends from the Matanuska Glacier (about mile-marker 100 on the Glenn Hwy) in the east, to Anchorage in the west. Bordered by the Talkeetna Range on the north and the Chugach Range on the south.

The Palmer/Wasilla area is where both valley's meet, hence the name Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

So, technically, Talkeetna/Trapper Creek are in the Susitna Valley, not the Matanuska Valley. But everyone just says Mat-Su Valley, and we know what they mean.

[Metlakatla]

I'm still working on my Alaskan geography. Is Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, etc... in "The Valley"? I was looking at some real estate there online and the house+view looked like paradise.

When we say "the Valley" in the Upper Susitna, we're talking about Wasilla and Palmer.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by Glitch

Yes. The Susitna Valley extends from Cantwell in the north, to Anchorage in the south. Essentially everything inside the arc of the Alaska Range and west of the Talkeetna Range is the Susitna Valley.

Cantwell is actually in the Denali Borough, just north of the Mat-Su Borough, and is in the valley of Cantwell Creek less than 20 miles from where it meets the Nenana River, which flows north. It is west of the Susitna Valley, which of course flows south. Hence Cantwell is just over the divide and can be considered to technically be on the north side of the Alaska Range.

[cowpunkrva]

As far as the bears go, make sure you get the spray made specifically for bears. Otherwise you'll just make the bear mad. I don't know if you can use that on people, but since you're legally allowed to kill a rapist, I don't think it matters.