Questions on Anchorage (Kenai, Wasilla, Prudhoe Bay: property taxes, apartments, rent)

[sun queen]

Originally Posted by Rance

I'd be first in line to rant about outsiders working here and not living or spending here. But for anyone that pioneers their way up here...beats the street and get's themselves a job...then settles in for the long run...I would give them the shirt off my back. Or anything else I could do to help. Those are my kinda people.

Hey Rance u sound like a good human being to know in AK...the "shirt off your back" maybe just the motivation a new-comer needs to finally make the move to AK. I have experienced southern hospitality, but I am glad to see that same kind of neighborly spirit in the "last frontier" too.

[Metlakatla]

If I rent, and don't pay state income or sales taxes, and get a dividend check every year, I would say, "yes, they pay you to live there".

There actually is a sales tax in most communities outside of Anchorage.

And I agree with Rance 100%--if someone wants to come and make a life here and contribute to the area rather than take, I'd be willing to help them all I could.

It's like any other place; what you get is in direct ratio to what you give.

[Tarina]

It is our dream to move to Alaska. I was hoping someone could help me find a town that is nice with friendly people and good schools. Interested in the Mat-Su area. Such as Wasilla, Palmer, Willow or Eagle River, My husband is in law enforcement so we are not so worried about him finding work. The only bad thing I read on Wasilla was Meth capital not sure if there is any truth to that but with teenagers it is a worry. Thanks and any info would be greatly appreciated.

Tarina Marble

[Rance]

Well Tarina...if none of those you mentioned above are to your liking you might consider the Kenai Peninsula and it's numerous small towns. Although I'm not sure of the law enforcment work available.

[Trigger23]

Originally Posted by Rance

Well Tarina...if none of those you mentioned above are to your liking you might consider the Kenai Peninsula and it's numerous small towns. Although I'm not sure of the law enforcment work available.

The Kenai peninsula is a beautiful part of the state, but not the ideal place to bring a teen. 9/10ths of the teenage population there (at least Kenai/Soldotna/Nikiski) are involved in drugs of one variety or another; and frankly, after having gone through the public school system down there, I'm unimpressed to say the least. Having said that, the fastest growing segment of the population on the peninsula is retirees; they recently had to shut down one elementary school in the area due to continually shrinking class sizes and the expenses of operating two facilities when all the students would fit into one became too much of a strain on the economy (which was reeling from K-Mart's massive downsizing).

You're a lot better off looking at Eagle River, especially if your husband is in law enforcement, as the Anchorage Police Dept. is still looking to increase their numbers. Anchorage is about a 15-30 minute commute depending on where you live in Eagle River.

As far as the valley (palmer/wasilla), stating that it's the 'meth capital' just means that's where most of the domestic Meth Amphetamine is produced, not necessarily where use levels are the highest (Anchorage). This is mostly due to the fact that there are a lot of houses on relatively large land plots, which provides inconspicuous locations to set up shop. Drugs are a problem pretty much anywhere you go, and Alaska is no different. I wouldn't let that deter you.

[mal_flisk]

I'm inclined to agree with Rance concerning the people who come up here for the job and stay. I came for a job, and found a home. Others have done the same thing. I just don't like going up to the slope in a plane with a bunch of folks who get their living expenses in Alaska and go home to somewhere else on their rotation. The money they take out doesn't get recirculated in the Alaska economy, but goes out to the lower 48.

[jrmontag]

Does Anchorage have any nice loft-type apartments in the 'downtown' area that you don't have to be rich to lease?

Does it even have a downtown area?

[Trouthunter]

"Interested in the Mat-Su area. Such as Wasilla, Palmer, Willow or Eagle River, My husband is in law enforcement so we are not so worried about him finding work."

If you are going to buy a home in Eagle River it will cost you at least 75K more than the Mat-Su or Kenai area, but it is far closer to Anchorage (where most of the jobs are at).

"9/10ths of the teenage population there (at least Kenai/Soldotna/Nikiski) are involved in drugs of one variety or another"

Give me a break, or for that matter give Kenai/Soldotna/Nikiski a break!
It seems that there are people within these forums that will paint a picture from their perspective only (which is sometimes emotionally skewed) about different towns or communities. They have had a bad experience and so everyone including the town must be at fault.

So let me tell you something about Alaska. Drugs are a problem everywhere in Alaska just like the rest of the U.S., but there are places that are worse than others. There are people within every community that are into the drug scene, and as a parent you have to be diligently snoopy about what your kids are doing and who they are hanging out with. I'm sure you know this. If your husband is a law enforcement officer, have him do some asking around from the people who really know (the police). They most likely will give you a very clear indication where to move or not to move. I would also ask realtor agents about good/bad neighborhoods in the places you are looking into.

[Rance]

Originally Posted by Trigger23

The Kenai peninsula is a beautiful part of the state, but not the ideal place to bring a teen. 9/10ths of the teenage population there (at least Kenai/Soldotna/Nikiski) are involved in drugs of one variety or another;

I've lived on the peninsula all my life. I don't see it that way at all. I know many teens that are fine upstanding citizens. No way is 9/10ths on drugs. Sure some of them dress funny, but still good kids. I attended school in Sterling, Soldotna and Kenai...and I turned out just fine. Just ask me!

[mal_flisk]

There is a "downtown" Anchorage, but loft apartments are pricey. "Location, location, location". Check out some of these in Bootlegger Cove area. Certain areas of downtown have older single family dwelling homes that are being converted to small business. Most of the high rises are corporate buildings (oil company and service company buildings.