Palmer vs. Wasilla, any suggestions?

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by Glitch

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.

I'm not sure what the covenants are in our subdivision but we don't have to worry about it because all of the homes are very nice and on big lots. Ours is 4.5 acres.

[Jeanieb]

We moved here in August from Tucson, AZ - do you want to talk gangs!! Our friends moved to Palmer because of the smaller town charm and I, too, love Palmer. We moved to Wasilla, however, because we did not want to be too close.
I disagree with the term "little Anchorage" as it implies gangs, unsafe neighborhoods, etc. Let's face it, there are "drugs" in every city and state and country on the face of the earth.
We have been extremely happy with our new home and area just outside of "downtown Wasilla."
This winter I slid off my driveway and into the snow bank and not more than 5 minutes later, I had 3 people stop to help me get out. When it snows, the kids in the neighborhood come over to see if they can help shovel the snow.
This Christmas Eve our doorbell rang and there stood about 10 kids singing Christmas Carols to us.
I don't know about you, but I have never been as warmly welcomed in any other town that we have lived.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Classic Satch

I'm not sure what the covenants are in our subdivision but we don't have to worry about it because all of the homes are very nice and on big lots. Ours is 4.5 acres.

Your realitor should be able to get you a copy of the subdivision covenants, and you should get a copy with all your other paperwork when you close.

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by Glitch

Your realitor should be able to get you a copy of the subdivision covenants, and you should get a copy with all your other paperwork when you close.

Oh, we have it, but my wife "filed" it somewhere and I can't get a hold of her because she's at work right now. I don't go digging through her "filing" system because I'll get yelled at for "messing" things up.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Jeanieb

We moved here in August from Tucson, AZ - do you want to talk gangs!! Our friends moved to Palmer because of the smaller town charm and I, too, love Palmer. We moved to Wasilla, however, because we did not want to be too close.
I disagree with the term "little Anchorage" as it implies gangs, unsafe neighborhoods, etc. Let's face it, there are "drugs" in every city and state and country on the face of the earth.
We have been extremely happy with our new home and area just outside of "downtown Wasilla."
This winter I slid off my driveway and into the snow bank and not more than 5 minutes later, I had 3 people stop to help me get out. When it snows, the kids in the neighborhood come over to see if they can help shovel the snow.
This Christmas Eve our doorbell rang and there stood about 10 kids singing Christmas Carols to us.
I don't know about you, but I have never been as warmly welcomed in any other town that we have lived.

I think Wasilla is considered "little Anchorage" because of its rate of growth over the last decade. A lot of Anchorage residents moved to the valley to escape the high property taxes and property values in Anchorage. However, now that property values have more than tripled over the last 5 years and the property taxes are as high, or higher, than Anchorage, you will begin to see this rapid growth in the valley begin to dwindle.

The "Meth Epidemic" in the valley has been greatly over-exaggerated and sensationalized by the media. The reality is much different. In the last 3 years there have been 26 properties in the entire state identified as a Meth Lab, and fewer than 25% of those, or about 2 per year, have been in the Wasilla area.

When I first moved to Alaska 17 years ago, I moved into a four-plex apartment. When the residents of the apartment complex came outside and began removing things from my trailer, I first thought they were trying to rip me off (I moved from Los Angeles). I was shocked and amazed to find out that they were helping me move in. I knew right then that I was in a completely different, and much better, environment from whence I came.

My experience has been that Alaskans typically leave others alone, until it becomes apparent that someone is in need of assistance, then they generously go out of their way to help those in need. It reminds me of a time I thought was long gone. I am very pleased to see that old fashion values are still alive and well in Alaska.