It isn’t always easy to get here, but Anchorage -- and Alaska in general -- offers views, experiences, and a way of life that are well worth the trip. You might see a bald eagle sitting on the roof of your coffee shop, run into your boss fishing for salmon outside of the office during your lunch break, or walk out of a theater and see the northern lights shining over the snow-capped mountains lining the horizon. There’s no income tax here as well, making Alaska an even more appealing place to work (or work remotely) than it already was.

On the other hand. The animals aren’t the only ones that go into hibernation here, as the people (and the sun) disappear into their homes for most of the winter, leaving precious few opportunities to enjoy Alaska’s great outdoors during December and January. The persistent darkness can try the hardiest of souls, but for those who weather the storm, a summer full of sun is their reward. 



One of a Kind

LookyLOO Review of Anchorage

Life in Anchorage is largely spent enjoying the outdoors. If you aren’t interested in the snow, water, hiking, biking, camping, fishing, hunting and just general being outdoors then stay the hell away from Anchorage. 

This ain’t Yellowstone (the show), there’s no Californians turning the city into Park City. Although there are plenty of Californians among others who move here looking for reinvention. You want to start over, get work, and work hard then you’re going to dig it here. 

Check out the city's [**calendar of events**](https://www.anchorage.net/events/) if you're curious what people do for fun here: 


There is no bad weather. Just bad gear.

Lifestyle 

Anchorage is a blue-collar town. Plenty of opportunities to work hard in the oil industry, transportation/port sector, the military, and hardcore outdoor tourism. The economy is robust but assume you’ll need to make a decent living to afford the high cost of living. Plenty of people come here and find work but the majority come here to be in Alaska and the work follows.


Worklife

Anchorage isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. More people (and young people in particular) are moving here every year to enjoy the low taxes and amazing outdoor lifestyle. Grab your hiking boots, a beer, and your desire for adventure, and get up here.


It’s Alaska… I don’t really know what else to say

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**IndependenceParking8**
9mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I moved here from south Texas. Things that are difficult to get accustomed to: -it doesn’t get dark from the middle-ish of May to the middle-ish of August. It gets a little dim around 1-3 am. -from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day it feels like you never see the sun. It’s still dark when you drive to work and dark again when you drive home. If you do get to be outside during the day the sun is probably hiding behind the clouds, or the fog, or the @&!”-&):)6 snow. -it’s cold from September to May. Some years it feels like it never warms up before it gets cold again. -earthquakes

Things that are easy to get accustomed to: -seeing moose and eagles from your back yard. Maybe a bear. -not needing to run the A/C most of the summer. (We did not have an A/C unit for the first 7 years I lived here and rarely thought about it. Until the summer we hit 90 degrees in May and had high 80s and low 90s most of the summer and so many forest fires we had to close up the house.) -Combat Fishing -camping in unparalleled beauty and being able to see for miles all night.

It’s as cold and miserable as Texas is hot and miserable. But it’s a nice place to live. Mostly the people are good folk. Depending on where in Texas you are from you may know all about lousy drivers. (Anywhere along the I-35 corridor is a good example)

The best thing about Anchorage is that it’s so close to Alaska!

For more reviews of what living in Anchorage is like from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/anchorage/reviews).

Reviews of Anchorage from Locals

**The Best Thing About Anchorage?** Incredible natural beauty

It isn’t always easy to get to, but Anchorage -- and Alaska in general -- offers views and vistas,  and for winter lovers -- snow, show and snow. Alaskans in general eschew dressing up, opting to dress for the weather rather than for each other. 

**The Worst Thing About Anchorage?** Dark and gloomy winters

The sun is in hibernation during most of the winter, leaving those who live in Anchorage with precious few moments of actual sunlight. The persistent darkness can try the hardiest of souls, but for those who weather the storm, a summer full of sun is their reward.

**How You Living?** Expensively

Anchorage is expensive, with basic foodstuffs at some of the highest prices in the nation. Some of this is mitigated by lack of sales tax, but it can affect the quality of life. But there are good jobs to be had, and the remote and picturesque lifestyle might be worth the trade-off.


**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

Anchorage has no pretense and it is not going under any major change. If you are looking for a place away from the states -- and don’t mind the cold -- Anchorage might be the place for you. 


Anchorage in particular and Alaska in general attracts young people looking to reinvent, or just experience the wildest experience the United States has to offer. When these young adventurers move here they most often move to the downtown area. While nowhere near as dense a place as lower 48 cities of comparable size, it does have the apartments, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues within walking distance that people look for. It's also where you'll find the apartment/condo options for rent or purchase that will keep you close to the action of the city. 



Young Professionals

Downtown

South Addition and Huffman-O’Malley are two of the most popular neighborhoods for families in the city.  South Addition feels suburban with big yards and family-sized homes. It also has direct access to plenty of parks with ballparks and sports fields for the kiddos and nature trails and a lagoon for running, riding, kayaking and even skating in winter. Huffman-O’Malley is also popular due to low crime rates, excellent schools and a strong community feel that makes families feel safe and at home. 
- South Addition
- Huffman-O'Malley

Families

South Addition/Huffman-O'Malley

Anchorage

**IndependenceParking8**
9mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I moved here from south Texas. Things that are difficult to get accustomed to: -it doesn’t get dark from the middle-ish of May to the middle-ish of August. It gets a little dim around 1-3 am. -from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day it feels like you never see the sun. It’s still dark when you drive to work and dark again when you drive home. If you do get to be outside during the day the sun is probably hiding behind the clouds, or the fog, or the @&!”-&):)6 snow. -it’s cold from September to May. Some years it feels like it never warms up before it gets cold again. -earthquakes

Things that are easy to get accustomed to: -seeing moose and eagles from your back yard. Maybe a bear. -not needing to run the A/C most of the summer. (We did not have an A/C unit for the first 7 years I lived here and rarely thought about it. Until the summer we hit 90 degrees in May and had high 80s and low 90s most of the summer and so many forest fires we had to close up the house.) -Combat Fishing -camping in unparalleled beauty and being able to see for miles all night.

It’s as cold and miserable as Texas is hot and miserable. But it’s a nice place to live. Mostly the people are good folk. Depending on where in Texas you are from you may know all about lousy drivers. (Anywhere along the I-35 corridor is a good example)

The best thing about Anchorage is that it’s so close to Alaska!

**Life in Anchorage**

I’m from a big city. The crime is bad here. But it’s nothing you haven’t seen before. It’s new to Alaska. Stop listening to the SB91 crap. Do your homework. Politics are weird, too. So’s Alaska. Libertarians disguise themselves as republicans. It’s funny.

The commute from Wasilla or Palmer (aka the Valley) is an hour plus one way. In winter, it can be worse. There’s only one way in or out to about every place in Alaska. When goobers goof the turns, it shuts the whole place down. It’s cheaper there, but crime is also bad there. You’ll have to choose car time vs house payment.

We love it in Anchorage. Everyone is talking about the distance from “home”- yes. It’s not easy. But, you plan and adapt. It also keeps most people from just showing up on your door for a weekend without notice.

Winter is dark. But the snow and cold make it magical and no place handles it better. Alaska works better when it’s cold and snowy in winter. You go outside. There’s no bad weather. Just bad gear. Activity makes winter survivable and fun. We don’t get the huge winter winds like the Midwest or CO plains. That makes all the difference. It’s a dry cold. It’s not Minnesota or Montana.

Summer is amazing. Anchorage gets ocean and land influences and can be cloudy at times, sometimes rainy for stretches, but equally warm. Average highs top out in the mid 60s. It usually is “hot” for a week in the summer. We don’t do A/C up here. But unlike CO, the afternoon storms don’t always kick up and the sun doesn’t set to cool you down each day. There’s usually a run on box fans that week.

There are bike and hike and ski trails all over. The mountains call. People love their dogs, their salmon, their blueberries.

Come have a blast. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. Alaskans make new family out of who’s here. There are only 2 degrees of separation up here. You’re welcome to join.

Edit: Homes with southern exposure are good for sun worries in winter. Check that if you’re concerned.

Guns are everywhere. It’s a hunting state. You don’t have to have a gun to hike and be safe, but you’ll need to learn animal safety and likely want bear spray at very least.

**u/david-bowies-buldge**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I grew up in here and moved away from Alaska for 8 years and moved back last spring, I couldn't be happier to be home! I don't think I'll ever leave again. Being away just made me appreciate home even more. Anchorage is quirky. I like how there's not a ton of people here or traffick. People are friendly but also have a reserved/mind your own business vibe 😂 I think there's an unspoken bond we have as Alaskans living in a somewhat harsh climate and our own little nook of the US that's so different from other states. After being away and missing Alaska so much, the winters are still a bit rough but not as bad as I remember. I come in more prepared than I have been in the past. Really the darkness is what bugs me most but I keep reminding myself just to get to mid February when we get more sunlight. I'm definitely happier now than I've ever been and won't leave again! Alaska hits different when you've had some time away from it. But of course not everyone feels this way! Not everyone is cut out for Alaska. If you're feeling called back, I would do it.

**WishfulGardenAK**
1y ago
🦉🦉

The breath taking beauty is still here, easy to access and soak up. I have a similar story where we moved away before I started high school and I moved back to AK after getting married. I couldn't stop dreaming of Alaska and my home in Anchorage and I feel very blessed to be back in my childhood home. But, things very much feel different. I do think a big part of that is seeing through the lense of an adult now, so more serious and negative. There is new development, more cars and people, and less of a rustic feel than before. Also, the community feel has definitely faded, especially after covid. I also live in South, South side and oh my god, the speed racers down our road are driving me nuts. But, I still love Alaska and its people and couldn't pull myself fully away until my grandparents aren't here anymore or if the safety of my child is even more compromised. It might fulfill your soul...or suck it out.

**10 Reasons Everyone is Moving to Anchorage, Alaska. **
Why is everyone moving to Anchorage? This is a question a lot of people from Anchorage wonder all the time. 
In my experience, it is kind of rare to find an Anchorage local that is willing to give the city a glowing review.
 The website area vibe gives a letter grade for how locals feel about where they live. Anchorage gets a D-.  A D-. Chicago gets a C+ 
  Anchorage has its problems but it still can be a nice city to live in.
In the 2020 census, they had their first decade where the population declined. It went down by .2%. Not a big drop but drop nonetheless.
But, since 2020 they have started to gain population. Anchorage has grown in population by 3.2% and it is expected to continue for at least the next 6 years. 


Anchorage, Alaska

The Hanging Basket Capital of the World

Looklyloo Score: 87