Question about Muldoon area in Anchorage (rentals, crime rate, new home)

[lazysunday]

On this forum, I've read that Muldoon area (along w/ few places like mountain view, spenard, and some places near downtown) is not very good.

Recently, I've noticed that there are lots of nice houses in the Muldoon area (South of Debarr and West of Muldoon Rd). From Google Maps Street View, it looks like a
nice residential area. Going EAST, it turns into a trailer park...

I would appreciate it if you can chime in and let us know if we should avoid this area
or not (and why?). I'm looking for feedback on SAFETY (crime related) information primarily.

Thank you!

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by lazysunday

On this forum, I've read that Muldoon area (along w/ few places like mountain view, spenard, and some places near downtown) is not very good.

Recently, I've noticed that there are lots of nice houses in the Muldoon area (South of Debarr and West of Muldoon Rd). From Google Maps Street View, it looks like a
nice residential area. Going EAST, it turns into a trailer park...

I would appreciate it if you can chime in and let us know if we should avoid this area
or not (and why?). I'm looking for feedback on SAFETY (crime related) information primarily.

Thank you!

Mountain View is north of the Glenn Highway, south of Elmondorf AFB, east of Reeves Boulevard, and west of Muldoon Road. The areas south of Debarr Road and west of Muldoon Road are part of the Russian Jack, Airport Heights, or University areas of Anchorage and do not have as high of a crime rate as Mountain View or the Muldoon areas.

Anchorage Areas - Google Maps

Note: The areas in dark red are the higher crime areas of Anchorage.

[lazysunday]

Glitch, Thanks for the info.

The interesting thing is that in the link you posted, the area that I was talking about is
marked red still. Several blocks east of Muldoon road are included in the red.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by lazysunday

Glitch, Thanks for the info.

The interesting thing is that in the link you posted, the area that I was talking about is
marked red still. Several blocks east of Muldoon road are included in the red.

Anything within about half mile on either side of Muldoon is questionable until you get a half mile or so south of Northernlights. The problems start on Muldoon Road, but also spread into the surrounding neighborhoods.

The further you are from Muldoon, Mountain View, Fairview, and Spenard, the less problems you are likely to experience.

[lazysunday]

Thank you for the info!

[dmills]

Guess I'd have to disagree with the blanket statement about Muldoon. Like most areas of Anchorage, its a "pocket community." There are areas that are less than desireable, but there are also some good areas, including some places that have $500k+ new homes. I'd say there is probably a 65-35% split between nice residential homes and "rental city." While there are lots of rentals, only certain portions are really run down. I lived in Muldoon for about 5-6 years and never had a problem. People like to make sweeping statements about Mt View, Spenard, Fairview, and Spenard, but I just don't think those generalizations are totally accurate (with the possible exception of Mt View).

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by dmills

Guess I'd have to disagree with the blanket statement about Muldoon. Like most areas of Anchorage, its a "pocket community." There are areas that are less than desireable, but there are also some good areas, including some places that have $500k+ new homes. I'd say there is probably a 65-35% split between nice residential homes and "rental city." While there are lots of rentals, only certain portions are really run down. I lived in Muldoon for about 5-6 years and never had a problem. People like to make sweeping statements about Mt View, Spenard, Fairview, and Spenard, but I just don't think those generalizations are totally accurate (with the possible exception of Mt View).

Each of the areas mentioned have a significantly higher crime rate than any of the other areas in Anchorage. Just because you lived in one of those areas and did not encounter problems does not mean it is a safe place to live. The vast majority of rapes, murders, and assaults that happen in Anchorage occur in Mountain View, Muldoon, Spenard, and Fairview. Considering that all of these crimes are more than double the national average in Anchorage, that is saying a great deal.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Glitch

Each of the areas mentioned have a significantly higher crime rate than any of the other areas in Anchorage. Just because you lived in one of those areas and did not encounter problems does not mean it is a safe place to live. The vast majority of rapes, murders, and assaults that happen in Anchorage occur in Mountain View, Muldoon, Spenard, and Fairview. Considering that all of these crimes are more than double the national average in Anchorage, that is saying a great deal.

And, regardless of the crime situation, I always find the traffic in those areas to be particularly frustrating as well. Since I don't live in any of those areas, that is what is most noticeable to me in the few times we venture down there. Those areas also seem to have the highest concentrations of the cars with the annoyingly loud thump-a-thump stereos basting away. There are simply no redeeeming qualities that come to mind when I think about it.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Moose Whisperer

And, regardless of the crime situation, I always find the traffic in those areas to be particularly frustrating as well. Since I don't live in any of those areas, that is what is most noticeable to me in the few times we venture down there. Those areas also seem to have the highest concentrations of the cars with the annoyingly loud thump-a-thump stereos basting away. There are simply no redeeeming qualities that come to mind when I think about it.

I lived in Mountain View for a few years and the traffic wasn't too bad. Other than Commercial Dr./Mountain View Dr., there really isn't a major thorough-fare through Mountain View like there is through the other undesirable areas of Anchorage.

Other than dealing with a large number of police in the area, wannabe gang-bangers on just about every corner, and the odd random night-time gun fire, I also never had any problems living in Mountain View, but it is not one of the places I would recommend people live. If they can afford to live in a better part of Anchorage, they should. I lived in Mountain View to save enough money to buy my home in the Valley. Mountain View is one of the cheapest areas to live in Anchorage, and with good reason. Those who can afford to live elsewhere, move.

[dmills]

Originally Posted by Glitch

I lived in Mountain View for a few years and the traffic wasn't too bad....

Just because you lived in Mountain View and did not encounter problems does not mean that the traffic isn't bad ;-}

Seriously, I wouldn't disagree that each of those communities have their undesirable sections - and may even have more undesirable sections than other parts of town, but I think it is really unfair to paint them with too broad of a brush. As I said, with the exception of Mt View, you have to look at each of the other areas on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis.