Thinking about Anchorage (Wasilla, Talkeetna: house prices, buy, living in)

[t-town]

Im considering moving to anchorage in the near future, can some people share the experiences/issues with the city? How is the lifestyle in alaska compared to the mainland u.s.? I'm coming from Tampa, Fl

[dplaza]

Although I never lived in Anchorage, I've had to go there several times for work related stuff. As far as it goes, Anchorage is pretty much your average city, you know the usual: Traffic, bums, criminals...the usual. On the plus side, it is surrounded by beautiful mountains and it takes no time at all to drive to the Alaska wilderness where you can hunt, fish, hike, whatever you want.
In my opinion, the city is pretty dreary. Not that it's ugly or anything (for a large city) but it just has a kind of gray pall that hangs around it. I will admit, when I've been there I was pretty much locked in to remaining in the downtown area, so the outlaying parts of the city might be more fun and nicer to look at than the business district.
Coming from Florida, though, it may take some time to get used to the cold and lack of sunshine and the total absence of gorgeous bikini clad women. But if it's something that your heart is set on, then I'd say go for it (even though I still think your crazy to move from a sunny state to a frigid one...but hey...thats just me.)

[mal_flisk]

Anchorage in summer is a joy and a beauty to behold. Of course winter seems a little dark, but you're 2500 miles further north. Remember you have 19 hours of daylight in summer, and if you want a big city with the proximity of Alaska at its best, this is it. Girls in shorts and T's in winter are not an option, but you don't find them in Chicago in winter either. King salmon can be caught downtown and bears are sighted in the city limits during spring and summer. Over a thousand moose make the city their home. It is NOT rare to see them on the streets and highways, but they are a driving hazard. Anchorage gray? Only seems that way in the dead of winter. But it is alive and growing.

[Felton]

I grew up in Anchorage (now living in Denver) and while I'm somewhat biased I don't think I'd go back. Wasilla or Talkeetna would be my preference. Air pollution seems to be growing in the Mat Valley is my major complaint. Sticker shock on fresh goods/food prices from the lower 48 will be something to get used to. House prices "may" astound you also, but I'm not current on prices. All things considered, Anchorage will take some getting used to. LONG days in the summer. LONG nights in the winter. Seasonal affective disorder takes its toll of the new comers (Cheechacko)

[Alaska-Florida]

Hello T-Town! How funny- I am planning to move to Florida from Anchorage this Fall. I am from a warm climate and long for sunny skys and sandy beaches.

Alaska definitely has it's down sides (long dark, cold winters, icey rds in winter, high cost of living, etc.) but it is beautiful during the summer. If you are an outdoorsy person, you'll like Alaska. It is beautiful and has owesome landscapes and mountains. Anchorage is a good city, there is plenty of work and pay is decent, but not great in comparison to cost of living.

I recommend to anyone moving to Anchorage or the MatSu Valley areas, buy a home asap! The prices are high now, but they are climbing by the day. There is no sign of prices dropping, but there are strong signs of price increase.
[moderator CUT]

As I said earlier, I can't highly recommend moving to Alaska for several reasons, but I can tell you it does have it's plus sides.