Is Anchorage really like this or did I just get unlucky? (Palmer: house, bankrupt)

[CaliRestoration]

Originally Posted by Frostnip

Don't get me wrong, I think Anchorage (or at least big swathes of it) are pretty unpleasant, either they're jacked up, or because they're smarmy suburban sprawl. But this is a lot of melodrama for one rough night out in a rough part of town, like, I came to a dive bar looking for the northern lights over the tundra and instead I found sad drunks

That's true, I did have some misconceptions about Anchorage, I just didn't realize it was going to be Skid Row on the Tundra.

Sorry for the high expectations.

[AADAD]

Anchorage is a clash of growth and standstill. The culture in crisis in the Native as they want to remain in their cultural heritage and that creates a clash for native men and women unable to access the same opportunities. The native culture wants to retain as much heritage as they can (who can blame them) but it leaves doors to the outside world barely open. This leads to alcoholism high unemployment and crime.

The bridge to the caucasian culture is a weak link as the native remains suspicious of anything outside. Despite plenty of funding, the growth which would assuage this dynamic is not motivated and accomplishments are set aside just for them. This "special" treatment is evident and leads to either success or failure and very little in between.

Put into the middle of this is Anchorage. A city with many opportunities and communities. So you see the very good (fine restaurants excellent schools) and also you see the failure of alcoholism, stagnation and lack of opportunity. I did not see many fights but the downtown after dark was clearly seedy. Nordstrom and staggering drunks.

That said I had many good times in town with friends and family. At the edge of the United States Anchorage is a frontier town still finding it's way. But for freedom of ones person and the ability to do your own thing....you can't beat it imho.

[Unsettomati]

Originally Posted by CaliRestoration

That's partially my fault. Before I flew in, I spent too much time on youtube watching videos of people in Alaska salmon fishing, Katmai National Park, and some other stuff on the travel channel (which tends to air very positive and nice looking content).

I love Yellowstone National Park.

But I'm smart enough not to fault Cheyenne for lacking geysers and herds of bison.

[stiffnecked]

What you see in Anchorage when you're not hanging out downtown.

[Chilkoot]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

What you see in Anchorage when you're not hanging out downtown.

Nice looking bull. Looks like what the OP wanted to see but decided to go to a bar instead and then complain about it. He chose the wild life over wildlife...

[Candle]

Originally Posted by CaliRestoration

I wasn't making a racist assumption, these guys were tatted up, and dressed the part, and had the mannerisms. As someone who has lived in Los Angeles, and New York, I think I know a LITTLE about what I'm talking about. If it were a bunch of white guys I'd think the same thing. So I'm not sure why you thought to bring up the typical lefty race card.

The reason I visited Anchorage is because my friend lives on the outskirts of the city (which was nice). But the actual city seemed like it suffered from large amounts of homelessness, and substance abusers. Judging by the poll, it seems people who live there agree with me.

I just think it's sad that with so much natural beauty surrounding the area, the actual city of Anchorage resembles skid row in Los Angeles. You actually live there, don't you think that's kind of ridiculous and sad?

Yeah the centre of Anchorage sucks big time. It's a typical American city unfortunately.

The southern areas are nice though. I was fortunate enough to live in the best parts of town (De Armoun Rd and the University area) a few years ago. I wouldn't live in Anchorage again, although not for reasons related to your first post.

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by Chilkoot

Nice looking bull. Looks like what the OP wanted to see but decided to go to a bar instead and then complain about it. He chose the wild life over wildlife...

I took that pic in Kincaid Park. You can almost see downtown from there. I'd post up my bear pics if they weren't so blurry. Them things kinda catch ya by surprise over there.

[Chilkoot]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

I took that pic in Kincaid Park. You can almost see downtown from there. I'd post up my bear pics if they weren't so blurry. Them things kinda catch ya by surprise over there.

Yup. I'm up there almost daily in the fall. Watched 3 bulls interact in the field across from the old FCC building last month. The sheep rut is coming to an end shortly and I've been down at Windy Point watching the rams butt heads and go after the ewes lately.

[heathen]

: smack:

I think I need a break from the internet after reading this thread. And it's not because of the OP.

[heathen]

Well... Mostly not because of the OP...