Anchorage vs Fairbanks (high crime, employment, neighborhoods)

[ak.nessa]

Can I get some votes and have people explain why it's their favorite? How are Anc & Fbanks different/alike?

I am somewhat new to Alaska and I have only lived in Anchorage and I don't like it at all. I am very active and I like being able to go for hikes right outside my door, I also have 2 dogs and they come with me EVERYWHERE. I don't want to live in a heavily populated neighborhood. I don't want to live somewhere with high crime either.

I am basically stuck with living in one or the other (ANC or Fbanks), but have never been to Fairbanks. I like that it has a lower population, but is it really any safer, cleaner, prettier, better for avid dog walkers?

Any recommendations in regards to specific neighborhoods in Fbanks would be great too. I want to live somewhere SAFE and dog-friendly.

THANKS for any advice/info.

[warptman]

It's colder in Fairbanks...

[ak.nessa]

yes it is!

[LABART]

Can I get some votes and have people explain why it's their favorite? How are Anc & Fbanks different/alike?

I'm interested in this question also if we are to move to Alaska. If I'm to seek employment it will have to be in a populated area.

It's colder in Fairbanks...

I've heard that the air actually freezes in Fairbanks?

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by LABART

I've heard that the air actually freezes in Fairbanks?

maybe not the air itself, but your lungs can!

[lyoness]

Maybe an overnight trip up to Fairbanks would help you decide? Most definately do that in the winter to see the difference, if you think the cold will bother you.

[gobrien]

Have you considered living in the outskirts of Anchorage, like in the Valley? It really does get very cold in Fairbanks, and I can't imagine that the dogs would want to be walked in the winter. It is painfully cold. That said, I don't live there now but used to.

[ak.nessa]

My husband used to live in Fairbanks, so we know about how the climate is. We are fine with the cold temperatures and lots of snow, not a big deal for us. One of our dogs looks like an Alaskan husky and he prefers colder climates. If it's 35 out he gets too hot. Our other dog has snow gear, he'll be fine. Plus it's not like we're going to leave them outside, they're indoor dogs.

Anyway, what I wanted to know was more about crime - is it really that dangerous - i.e. is it necessary to pack a gun everywhere I go? I have found that Anchorage is pretty dangerous, too much crime. I heard Fairbanks has crime too, but my husband didn't see much of it when he lived there, so I'm not sure if it's true or not. He says Fairbanks seemed safer than Anchorage.

Also, I wanted to know what neighborhoods or what parts of town are safer to live in and nicer. I don't want to have neighbors but I suppose I might have to deal with that in any city.

I am not worried about the cold temperatures - I am worried about crime!

[ak.nessa]

I should note that this is a temporary thing. i.e. we will likely only live in Alaska for about 1 more year, so we only need to get through 1 winter. Unless we absolutely love it, we probably wont be staying very long. But I am excited about cross country skiing and skijorring with my dogs.

[gobrien]

If you wish to avoid chronic inebriates there is a big problem with that in Fairbanks too, but I think it may be focused in the downtown area. The Fairbanks Daily News Miner just did a series of stories about the problem.