Palmer vs. Wasilla, any suggestions? (Anchorage: apartment complex, new home, safe neighborhoods)

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by DreamChasers8

We have lived in WA for 3 years and definitly know how to drive in snow and black ice. I think everywhere people get down right stupid when the weather changes. Must be a dumb gene that gets activated when the temp drops.

I think its one way that nature tries to keep the population down. When we lived in PA & OH it was exactly the same.

[DreamChasers8]

Tell me about it, I'm in VA right now and it's the same thing here. People are too busy to drive cause they're on their cell phones, drinking their lattes and reading the paper all while behind the wheel!!! Geniuses

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by DreamChasers8

I certainly have absolutely NO interests in making Alaska anybit like where we come from. We welcome the "Alaska lifestyle", and don't want to change it. I also don't think it's a dream - dreamchasers means following OUR dream of living wholesome country living and raising our beautiful family in an area that is not infested with crime, crooks and drugs. I know that NO place is perfect. It seems in so many ways that the lower 48, for a lack of a better term has just gone straight to hell. We even thought about leaving the country. But we still believe there are good and descent places to raise a family. Alaska may be getting worse as the population grows and believe me we may add to the population but will in no way contribute to it's downfall. But I seriously doubt that it is anything like where we are. I only hope that we and our children can grow there in a great environment and community and give it our all.
We have lived in WA for 3 years and definitly know how to drive in snow and black ice. I think everywhere people get down right stupid when the weather changes. Must be a dumb gene that gets activated when the temp drops. Thanks for the comparisons I really do appreciate it.
When you say that Palmer is tight knit, do you mean that they are rude or cold to outsiders?? Just wondering!
Thanks

Palmer residents can be stand-offish and from what I have seen they can be cold. Palmer has some nice folks as everywhere, however, they are a tight knit group and somewhat clannish. Would be best for you to go there yourself, shop, walk around and form your own opinion.

I have no problem with folks moving up here but naturally I do mind the over-crowding, and what I meant about the "dream" was many come thinking it will be the answer to all of their problems and they then find out differently. We have crime up here; Anchorage has gangs; the Valley has drug problems, burglaries, etc. No perfect place. What happens when a place gets overcrowded is crime increases and whatever was quaint or rural disappears, basically just like Anchorage.

[DreamChasers8]

Oh I definitly agree. When more people move in the "rural-ness" (if that's a word) is lost. I grew up in a city of 200,000 with other 200,000 pop. areas right next door. My father is a police man and I know what the crime can be like. We are hoping to live on the outskirts of where ever we land. I'm sure Alaska has it's problems so I don't see it as a total fix for everything wrong in our lives. I do see it as hope and a "better place". I see alot of the good for a fresh start but have also been very warned of the "downside" of Alaska. We still love Alaska and it's people and can't wait to make our move up there.Thanks for all of your great advice and info Alaskapat.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by DreamChasers8

Oh I definitly agree. When more people move in the "rural-ness" (if that's a word) is lost. I grew up in a city of 200,000 with other 200,000 pop. areas right next door. My father is a police man and I know what the crime can be like. We are hoping to live on the outskirts of where ever we land. I'm sure Alaska has it's problems so I don't see it as a total fix for everything wrong in our lives. I do see it as hope and a "better place". I see alot of the good for a fresh start but have also been very warned of the "downside" of Alaska. We still love Alaska and it's people and can't wait to make our move up there.Thanks for all of your great advice and info Alaskapat.

You're welcome and I wish you a safe trip and enjoy your new home.

[alaskaboy]

I am bias here, but I prefer Palmer over Wasilla. I see Wasilla becoming a mini-Anchorage. Nothing wrong with becoming a mini-Anchorage if you like more options. I prefered the small town feel you get from Palmer. I agree with another poster in that folks in Palmer do seem to have a different view of things then they do in Wasilla. Could just be my own perception though. Things move a little slower and people are more easy-going and laid back in Palmer in my humble opinion.

[DreamChasers8]

Thanks for all of the great advice everyone. Really appreciated, Alaskans are the best!!!!!

[Glitch]

I agree and can confirm everything Alaskapat528 and Marty Van Diest said. In addition, the housing prices in Palmer are a little cheaper than Wasilla. Palmer also gets 80+ mph winds on a regular basis. Palmer is also the location of the State Fair.

Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley is the fastest growing area in Alaska, and has been since 2000. That means that the crime rate, prices, traffic, property taxes, and just about everything else will increase until the growing cycle settles down. There are approximately 30,000 drivers from Palmer, Wasilla, Houston, Willow, and Sutton that drive to and from Anchorage on a daily basis.

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by Glitch

I agree and can confirm everything Alaskapat528 and Marty Van Diest said. In addition, the housing prices in Palmer are a little cheaper than Wasilla. Palmer also gets 80+ mph winds on a regular basis. Palmer is also the location of the State Fair.

Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley is the fastest growing area in Alaska, and has been since 2000. That means that the crime rate, prices, traffic, property taxes, and just about everything else will increase until the growing cycle settles down. There are approximately 30,000 drivers from Palmer, Wasilla, Houston, Willow, and Sutton that drive to and from Anchorage on a daily basis.

One thing I noticed about Palmer vs Wasilla when we were house-hunting is that in Palmer you can have a beautiful home on one lot and a Sanford-and-Son type of shack directly next to it. The homes in Palmer, at least the ones we looked at, seemed to be a bit closer together also. However, I may be wrong about all of this but they are my impressions.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Classic Satch

One thing I noticed about Palmer vs Wasilla when we were house-hunting is that in Palmer you can have a beautiful home on one lot and a Sanford-and-Son type of shack directly next to it. The homes in Palmer, at least the ones we looked at, seemed to be a bit closer together also. However, I may be wrong about all of this but they are my impressions.

I have seen nice homes next door to ramshackle homes or mobile homes in both Palmer and Wasilla and elsewhere. It all depends on the covenants of the subdivision. Some covenants have more restrictions than others.

The covenants of my sub-division, for example, state that property owners can not have a vehicle on their property that does not function. Also, certain exterior modifications to the home or property must be approved by the Home Owner's Association.