Anchorage vs. other West Coast cities (Hope: appointed, neighborhoods, theatres)

[jack7y]

How does Anchorage's culture compare to other West Coast cities? How about compared to Portland?

[UpNorth]

I can try to answer your questions regarding Anchorage's "culture," assuming that you're referring to the "arts & culture" scene... I can't quite compare it to Portland, but I lived in northern California for 20 years, so I've been up and down the west coast from San Fran to Seattle.

Back to Anchorage's "arts & culture"... We do have plenty of things going on throughout the year. There are so many great restaurants that have unique atmospheres and tasty foods. I love going out to eat, and I rarely feel disappointed when I plan an evening out on the town. I don't really do the bar thing, but Anchorage has loads of them too. There is a phenomenal brew pub in town that's a great place to hang out with friends. Plenty of movie theatres to choose from... including a fun theatre pub where you can sit down to eat pizza and drink beer while watching a movie on the big screen. We have a great performing arts center downtown that brings in decent quality shows (musicals, opera, symphony...) throughout the year. There is a nice museum downtown that's currently undergoing a huge fancy expansion.

Hope that helps. Let me know if I can help more by clarifying anything. Anchorage is pretty cool.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by jack7y

How does Anchorage's culture compare to other West Coast cities? How about compared to Portland?

Anchorage IMHO is little more rugged and less formal than many West Coast cities(most west coast areas have an informal culture).

[Alaskan_Adventurer]

It is really hard to compare Anchorage with most other cities. Alaska in general draws a specific kind of person, the outdoorsy laid back type(most). Portland would have more to offer when it comes to the arts, due to its culture and the fact that it has twice the population. If the outdoors is your thing, then Anchorage reins supreme in my opinion. I definitely think Anchorage has a lot going for it.

[RayinAK]

Anchorage is just a step closer to Alaska, therefore, different than any other city in the lower-48. Seriously...there is no comparison. The only way you may be able to tell is by spending some time in Anchorage. For example, the darkness of winter, and all the sunlight of summer does not happen in any city of the lower-48, and this is only one thing of numerous I can think about. If you are a person who drifts toward depression because of darkness, this is not the place for you.

[aquariusmom]

I havn't been to Portland so can't compare- but compared to say, Seattle- Anchorage is much smaller and has much less shopping and restaurants to choose from. Compared to LA, it's obviously even much smaller. More laid back, cleaner, and safer feeling than most cities of similar size IMO. The streets are very easy to figure out, everything is in squares. Highway system is small and impossible to get lost on. All your basic needs are met, there's plenty to do, lots of bars if that's your scene. Trying to think of a comperable one in size/feel/attitude, and am thinking maybe Rochester, NY.

[NYRangers 2008]

I would like to thank Anchorage for producing 2 quality individuals and great hockey players, Scott Gomez and Brandon Dubinsky. They're doing wonders for the Rangers this year. And another favorite son from your city, Ty Conklin, is tearing it up in goal for the Penguins. It sounds like Anchorage is a hotbed for hockey.

[Rance]

Alaska has even kicked out a couple of fairly good NFL players.

[birkland]

I've been in Portland and Anchorage. Portland's culture is more like Seattle's probably. My sense (having lived and traveled in Anchorage and in the Northwest) is that there's really no "funky" neighborhoods in Anchroage equivalent to those in NE Portland, or Seattle's Fremont or Capital Hill areas. Anchorageites, has this changed? I've not lived in ANC in over 20 years--has this changed? My sense is that it would be more interesting to live near downtown now (say, west of L street) than it was when I was there.

[SweethomeSanAntonio]

Does Anchorage have any arts districts?