Best neighborhoods: young/nightlife/festivals (Anchorage, Trapper Creek: ski resort, real estate, rent)

[p00t]

I will be moving to Anchorage in the coming spring and am trying to scope out possible neighborhoods. I'm looking for areas that are friendly for young people looking to get out and meet others. Ideally close to festivals, bars/nightlife, and restaurants within walking distance or a short cab ride. The UAA area seems like a no-brainer, but are there any others?

[heathen]

The Fairview and Spenard neighborhoods seem to be where young people congregate for low rents and easy access to events, venues, and whatnot. Of course any urban area with relatively low rent is going to have its share of crime, drugs, and general shadyness. Wouldn't want to raise a family there, but I don't get the feeling there's much random street crime, so it should be avoidable. Well below the danger threshold of most young people I'd think.

Girdwood is a ski resort town about 40 miles south of Anchorage, and is home to a lot of young people, and lots of social events for its size. The problem of course is finding work. The commute is too long (and often treacherous) to go to Anchorage every day.

UAA is kinda a funny university. I'm not even sure it has dorms. In any case, it seems a large percentage of students commute, and the area surrounding it doesn't have the college town youth oriented feel that you might expect.

As far as festivals go, the good ones are all way out in the woods, in the summer time. If you're here by Memorial Day, Trapper Creek is the one that kicks off the season.

[p00t]

Thanks for the tips. I heard the commute from Girdwood into Anchorage is pretty terrible.

[gobrien]

Spenard or Midtown right next to it are great, or you might consider downtown.

[petester]

Unfortunately anchorage is effected by that real estate rape.

But seeing as how you are looking forward then try to get a place in Turnagain ,its a bit off the path but well worth it.

[stiffnecked]

The UAA area actually doesn't have any of the things you are looking for. It was started as a community college and not geared toward the traditional college student. If you're looking for the party scene type of college experience you should look elsewhere.

[petester]

If you have transport and maybe if you don't Jewel Lake is a nice neighborhood.

[ConserveNature]

There's nothing really going on in the UAA area, but it is an easy drive/bike ride/bus ride away to popular bars and restaurants. Namely, Spenard is a good place for night life. Downtown Anchorage as well.

As for specific places to go, it really depends on the scene you're looking for. Club-esque places are downtown, hipster/hippies are at Taproot (bar/grill/live music) on Spenard, and the middle point between those two scenes would be Chilkoot Charlies, whic is down the street from Taproot on Spenard. It's basically a bar on steroids.

If you can afford it, I would recommend Valley of the Moon park. Downtown and midtown are easily accessible from that location, and there's plenty of young people around.

[jabogitlu]

Most of the young folks I know live in Fairview, Spenard, Turnagain, or "Spenardagain."