Palmer vs. Wasilla, any suggestions? (Anchorage, Chase: appointed, house, living in)

[DreamChasers8]

Hey guys and gals,

You all have been so great with your advice and I see alot of you live in different parts of the state but some are around Palmer and Wasilla. I have posted on here before that we were planning on moving to Wasilla. I have looked at some of this forum's views on Wasilla and another forum group as well. All I have is what I can find on the internet. So I was hoping to get the views from the folks who actually live in those areas (or are familiar with the areas). I here Wasilla is becoming a "little anchorage" and not in a good way. I here Palmer is very windy but has great soil and more family appeal.

If anyone would like to make any suggestions I welcome them. Thanks

[HighlandLady]

We looked at homes in both areas, DreamChasers8 and found one we love outside of Wasilla. Our soil appeared perfect (but in Wyoming we contend with betonite clay and sand). It definitely was windier in Palmer. It did seem more 'rural' or 'agricultural' but that was merely on the surface. Wasilla seemed to be busier, yes, but where we will be it is calm and nearly serene. I think it all depends on exactly where a home that appeals to you is located. I did notice - and this is merely my opinion - that as far as housing was concerned, Wasilla seemed to offer more room, i.e. acreage. Palmer had some homes with acreage, but the way the home was situated compared to the neighbours, the homes still seemed close to each other. Those are just my perceptions and could be just where I was looking at the time. It also seemed to me, Palmer and Wasilla are not that far apart in the slightest.
I am content for the most part with the area we are going to live...it has the seclusion and quiet I crave.

[DreamChasers8]

Oh I know they are definitly close to each other, I just hear of BIG differences!! I just thought I would see some of the opinions out there. Thank you. I'm glad you found a house in a peaceful area, that's exactly what we want too. Do you mind if I ask what y'all do for work? Hubby's a carpenter and we've gotten some good leads on work around Palmer. Thanks again

[HighlandLady]

Originally Posted by DreamChasers8

Oh I know they are definitly close to each other, I just hear of BIG differences!! I just thought I would see some of the opinions out there. Thank you. I'm glad you found a house in a peaceful area, that's exactly what we want too. Do you mind if I ask what y'all do for work? Hubby's a carpenter and we've gotten some good leads on work around Palmer. Thanks again

Not at all...my husband works for Schlumberger (safety coach and quality engineer) on the North Slope in Kuparuk. As for me...I still have my licenses for EMT-I and nursing, but with my husband's job, I am allowed to stay home for the now and pursue my passions - photography and writing another novel. From what I saw in the short time I was there, there did seem to be a 'slower' pace in Palmer than in Wasilla - but I have lived in far larger cities and areas...this will be a most welcomed change for me.

[DreamChasers8]

Wow that sounds great. How did your husband land a job on the slope if y'all don't live there, or haven't been there for a year? That would be so cool to write a novel. I have 6 kids...don't see any writing for me for a while... haha

[HighlandLady]

I have but the one offspring...my darling son. He has worked for Schlumberger nearly 12 years now (I think) and has worked his way up the ladder. He was given the Slopes position two years ago and was recently given a promotion, but it was contingent on us moving there. He didn't feel it would be a problem

[DreamChasers8]

That's cool. I'll bet you're looking forward to moving out there then...I know we sure are!!!

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by DreamChasers8

Oh I know they are definitly close to each other, I just hear of BIG differences!! I just thought I would see some of the opinions out there. Thank you. I'm glad you found a house in a peaceful area, that's exactly what we want too. Do you mind if I ask what y'all do for work? Hubby's a carpenter and we've gotten some good leads on work around Palmer. Thanks again

Living in Wasilla I can tell you some of the differences. Palmer residents tend to be somewhat clickish; there's a story behind it about folks who were brought up here in the 30's or 40's and given land to start farms on. Palmer does have some building of homes / apts. going on but they fight having big box stores.

Wasilla has become crowded. Many Anchorites (Anchorage residents) have moved out here as well as folks from the lower 48. Wasilla has alot more to offer in the way of stores and shopping then Palmer does. Palmer appears to be a more quiet place. Traffic has increased in Wasilla and on the Parks and Glenn Highways.

Just know that if you live in Palmer or Wasilla and work in Anchorage, you will be traveling the Glenn Highway in winter with dark, snowy, icy roads and many times thick fog. Be sure you know how to drive in snow and ice. As with anywhere you will encounter those who think it's ok to do 70 mph in these conditions and needless to say they end up in ditches or bad wrecks. Anytime it snows up here an inch or more there are all kinds of accidents on the highway and in Anchorage especially. Don't be surprised to hear of 70-80 accidents and all kinds of ditch divers when it snows. People totally forget how to drive.

Not to discourage anyone but if you are coming with the thought that Alaska is the dream, perfect place you will be disappointed. Alaska is beautiful, however the sad thing is in my opinion everyone now thinks "this is the place to be" so it is becoming overcrowded in Anchorage and in the Valley. Burglaries have increased in Wasilla. I don't like what I see has become of the Valley area. Many come here wanting to make it just like the place they left, so go figure.

Good luck with your decision.

[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

[Marty Van Diest]

Bottom line is that it is easier to find a house in Wasilla because there are more of them.

So just look at both places, keep an open mind and don't rule out either one.

If you have to commute, measure everything from the Parks/Glenn Intersection. No matter where you live, you have to get there before heading to Anchorage.

Wasilla and Palmer are both pretty much equi-distant from that intersection.

I live near Trunk Road. I have a Palmer address but it's really between Palmer and Wasilla. At some point in between you just draw a line and say one side is Palmer and the other Wasilla. But the fact is that the city limits of each are really very small.