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Unread 12-08-2011, 02:19 AM
 
1 posts, read 1,319 times
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Default Moving to Anchorage, is downtown a good place to live? Apartment recommendations?

Hello everyone, I recently accepted a position in Anchorage and will be moving up there in two weeks. I have been wondering if anyone has any recommendations about decent apartments in or around downtown Anchorage? I have found a few hotels with monthly rates and I am probably going to go that route initially until I find a place to stay on a more permanent basis. I'm in my mid twenties and do not have a family so I figure living near downtown will be fun and convenient? I spent a few days up in Anchorage recently and really liked the downtown area. I just want to be close to things to do, and since I probably won't be getting my car until summer, I want to be close to the people mover. If anyone has any advice on finding a place near downtown, please let me know, and if I am completely wrong in my assumption that it would be a good place to live in my situation please let me know that too! Thanks in advance!
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Unread 12-10-2011, 06:01 PM
 
Location: Eagle River, Alaska & San Diego, CA
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Downtown is nice. Close to things. Midtown also is great with some options for short term stays Marriott Residence Inn. If you are gov't you can get a sizable discount. Either is safe in my experience. with downtown having a few more drunks due to the bars. Continental apt is centrally located midtown nothing special but very convenient. Might try over near City Market on I or J street. Nice area. upscale condos and near the park.
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Unread 12-10-2011, 11:28 PM
 
Location: Anchorage, Alaska (most of the time)
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My personal opinion is that downtown is a great place to live. I don't go out much to bars (only to play pool with friends), but when I do it's of course easier being able to just walk.

The drawbacks of downtown can be the closeness to Merrill Field, the train station, fire-;ambulance- and police department/s and of course the drunks come the weekend. But, if you face the right direction (i.e. away from the water) you have less problems with that. But, you also get used to it after a while.

The McKinley Tower (next to the Children Services building on 4th) is a very decent place to live. It's got corporate suites (3 month contracts, rent from about 450 to 750/month) and apartments (6, 7 and 12 month contracts, rent from about 850-1400).
It's newly renovated and the people working there are nice. Plus with all the military moving out (deployment times), there are a lot of apartments becoming available.

(Plus you can have one pet under 25 pounds. That's quite uncommon in Anchorage.)
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Unread 12-11-2011, 03:56 PM
 
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I love the neighborhood on the south side of park strip (Delaney Park) with the old houses around 13th & H. My nephew stayed in a rental there & it's a great neighborhood. No need for designated drivers to go out downtown! New Sagaya is nearby for lattes & groceries, so one could actually walk.
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Unread 12-11-2011, 04:00 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweden View Post
The McKinley Tower (next to the Children Services building on 4th) is a very decent place to live. It's got corporate suites (3 month contracts, rent from about 450 to 750/month) and apartments (6, 7 and 12 month contracts, rent from about 850-1400).
It's newly renovated and the people working there are nice. Plus with all the military moving out (deployment times), there are a lot of apartments becoming available.

(Plus you can have one pet under 25 pounds. That's quite uncommon in Anchorage.)
Valuable info since a lot of people getting ready to move come on here looking for a place that will take a pet. That looks like a cool building with potential views of the mountain & inlet.
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Unread 12-12-2011, 05:39 PM
 
Location: Barrow, Alaska
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I was looking at rentals today in Anchorage/Palmer/Wasilla and found a few nice deals. What are the areas to avoid? A lot of people say avoid Mountain View. How about the university area?
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Unread 12-13-2011, 08:25 AM
 
Location: Eagle River, Alaska & San Diego, CA
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Anything that ends in "view". South West and Eagle River are nice. Midtown in convenient.
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Unread 12-14-2011, 07:30 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wynternight View Post
I was looking at rentals today in Anchorage/Palmer/Wasilla and found a few nice deals. What are the areas to avoid? A lot of people say avoid Mountain View. How about the university area?
We loved the university area that backs to the ski/bike/walking trails.
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Unread 12-15-2011, 06:17 PM
 
Location: Anchorage
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Downtown is very hard to find place to live. And it's very pricey. People mover runs all over Anchorage including Eagle River. BUt yeah downtown is expensive.
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Unread 12-21-2011, 06:46 AM
 
Location: Wasilla, Alaska
12,936 posts, read 7,388,758 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wynternight View Post
I was looking at rentals today in Anchorage/Palmer/Wasilla and found a few nice deals. What are the areas to avoid? A lot of people say avoid Mountain View. How about the university area?
In Anchorage avoid Fairview Area, Mountain View, Muldoon Area, and the Spenard Area. These areas are where the majority of the crime can be found in Anchorage.

Anchorage Areas - Google Maps

The University Area is a good place to live. There are lots of nearby greenbelts, but no grocery stores within walking distance.
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