Do You Think Anchorage Is Friendly? (Seward: credit, to live, bus)

[jdhpa]

Before I had kids it was rare for strangers in restaurants, passing by on the street, etc., to talk to me. After having kids it was a lot more common. I suppose all those years people who needed help finding a street or building would rather keep looking than ask me for help, but with small children in tow I was suddenly safe

Maybe perception of other peoples' friendliness has something to do with the vibes you're giving off yourself

[Inscrutabledame442]

I lived in Anchorage for five years, and that was more than enough for me. When I lived there, I learned that during the 60's and 70's Anchorage was a rough place. Most of the older generations described is as a modern day wild west. Drugs, drinking, prostitution, robbery and murder were common place then. In fact they spoke of it as the "good ol' days". When talking to the people more my age (late twenties), they would take pride in what their older relatives did in the past. Portrayed them as a hero. I strongly believe that the mind set in Anchorage has been past down the line, and people are very reluctant to give up that sort of pride. I have been told on multiple occasions, from people that were born and raised there, that Anchoragians (?) absolutely despise any person or idea that originates from the lower 48. Regardless of what or who it is. There are some good people in that city, but they've learned to keep their heads down and mouth shut. So it's kind of hard to meet any decent or trustworthy people. Also sexism is rampant and blatant in Anchorage. I never knew what sexism really was until I moved there. It's a nice place to visit in the summer, but it can be a difficult place to live.

[flygyrrl]

Wow, that last post is very depressing. I will be in Anchorage for the summer and figured that being a Montana girl would work in my favor. I am single and fairly assertive (go figure, I'm an engineer) so hearing that sexism is alive and well is a huge source of sadness.

[Dakster]

Kinda disappointed too. I only visited with the family and I didn't notice that my wife was treated any different.... Looked like a normal mid size city with mid size city issues.

[Need4Seasons]

Originally Posted by flygyrrl

Wow, that last post is very depressing. I will be in Anchorage for the summer and figured that being a Montana girl would work in my favor. I am single and fairly assertive (go figure, I'm an engineer) so hearing that sexism is alive and well is a huge source of sadness.

You will be fine. I have never seen sexism after having lived here for 14 years. The only scenario where I see that happening would be a girl patronizing a bar or hang out place where men just came back down from the North slope where they were isolated from civilization three to four weeks at a time and coming down with a group (plane full) of other men. Some fly down back to their homes in the lower 48 and some have a rental with other North slope roomies so they have this "frat" mentality or just simply full of testosterone from simply being around hundreds of other men and have that pack mentality.

As for the history on Anchorage, we do have a shady history but that is in the past. Anchorage is like any other city in the US but very diverse. We have a lot of tourist who are always in awe (seems like zombies walking around because they are always staring at something, but that's anywhere that has tourists lol) but then we have military transplants and people that move up here for the oil or other reasons; or retire up here and they like myself get along fine with people who were born and raised here.

We have a large transient population so people may not seem friendly at first but that is just due to their own reservations and finding their own way around town themselves. Once people start talking most swap stories of how they ended up here and where they are from. The locals and people who lived here for a while are especially friendly. We have natives from remote villages come to Anchorage to shop and to them it's a big strange city so they are very reserved and keep to themselves mostly.

I don't think you need to worry. Anchorage is a diverse place and if you understand the dynamics of the many groups of people here, you won't feel that it's something you did or didn't do to get certain reactions.

[mizzile]

Originally Posted by Need4Seasons

You will be fine. I have never seen sexism after having lived here for 14 years.

Bahahahahaaaa. What?! Do you live in a bubble?

Example: read this letter about a pack of 12 year olds harassing women on the Coastal Trail.

[Need4Seasons]

Originally Posted by mizzile

Bahahahahaaaa. What?! Do you live in a bubble?

Example: read this letter about a pack of 12 year olds harassing women on the Coastal Trail.

Please quote my entire post as I did follow up with a scenario where I think something like that could happen. I do not doubt sexual harassment happening here in Anchorage but I personally do not think it is a problem that we have. If you take your own example (the link you posted) and read the comments to that letter you will see that people (MEN an women) were coming to the defense of the female writer.

Lastly, no, I do not live in a bubble. I surround myself with positive and caring people. Mean and cruel people live every where and is in any city. Your rebuttal wasn't so friendly so don't respond if you can't keep it civil.

[Dakster]

Yep. There are idjits everywhere.

[TxinRearvyew]

Pfft, if someone ignored my friendly 'hullo!'...Id lay 'em out with a bicycle kick to the back of the doome!!

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by TxinRearvyew

Pfft, if someone ignored my friendly 'hullo!'...Id lay 'em out with a bicycle kick to the back of the doome!!

With your attitude it sounds like you're suffering the effects of too many bicycles kicks to the back of the dome already.