Where do I want to live in Anchorage? (Wasilla: apartment, rent)

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by oh_brien

Likely sidewalks aren't a deal breaker for me.

Maybe I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I would like to live in a neighborhood that has other young professionals with families, where my neighbor might like to come over and drink some home brew, and that is close to a park or trail. It would be fun to see the occasional chicken wondering around, but obviously that isn't a necessity.

Additionally, while there are attributes of my current location that I like, I welcome the change of pace and scenery this move will offer. I have liked everywhere I've had the pleasure to live and view moving as an adventure and an opportunity for new experiences.

Now this comment really has thrown me for a loop. Palmer and Wasilla for chickens but I'm still thinking Eagle River is where you'd fit in best. My daughter and her husband would dabble in the homebrew and invite people over for tastings when they lived in ER.

[JasonAndJulie]

And here I was hoping you'd shed some light on the chickens, Stiffnecked.

[AlaskaNana]

Doubt you'll see chickens wandering around, sorry but still rofl over that one, HOWEVER a mooses is different story.....

[equinox1]

I think you'll love Anchorage and AK. While Alaska has its rednecks, it sure has the granola factor in ample supply, too. I'm buying a condo in Anchorage and have spend a fair amt of time there this summer deciding if it's "Alaskan enough" for me. I think it is. There are great trails in the city and I think the city is very walkable. There is an Anchorage bike map that shows the bike trails, but I don't know if it's a download.

As far as the area of town, people seem to like the area they are in. A friend in South Anchorage near Jewel lake loves the biking/skiing/shopping there, another is in Turnagain and loves it. (I would have loved to have found a nice condo in Turnagain due to best trails.) I'm buying near U and hospitals because I'll rent it out in winter, I have a friend who lives in and loves that area and I found a nice one there. All have trails close by. Friend says the schools on west side or south are better than on East, but I don't have kids. Eagle River would be a commute and is prob less walkable. The thing I nociticed about Anchorage is how varied the neighborhoods are. One block will have very nice houses or condos and the next might be run down or even have a very rundown trailer park. Bootlegger's Cove is about the only area not like that in the city itself and it's high rent district. The general advice is to avoid Muldoon and Hillside.

As far as the chickens, it's possible you'll find them even downtown. I stayed at a new B and B about 20th Ave last month and she kept chickens. They woke me up at 5:25 and 5:40 doing some noisy huddling thing, so I won't stay there again. The owner was definitely a granola type-very nice.

I'm using Herrington since my friend's family has used them and like them.

[AKStafford]

Originally Posted by oh_brien

Likely sidewalks aren't a deal breaker for me.

Maybe I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I would like to live in a neighborhood that has other young professionals with families, where my neighbor might like to come over and drink some home brew, and that is close to a park or trail. It would be fun to see the occasional chicken wondering around, but obviously that isn't a necessity.

If you don't mind the commute, Wasilla or Palmer might be a good choice. But again, that's where a week trip up to look around would be beneficial.

[akjam]

Man, this is a tough crowd. Someone asks for local advise and all he gets is a run around.

In terms of property management, I used Paragon Properties to find a rental when we moved back here 5 years ago. They manage a lot of properties and so there should be lots to look at. Note that the rental market is tight here so I if you find something you like, you probably shouldn't wait to commit.

In terms of a neighborhood, based on your criteria, I would say the first place to look would be near downtown - the area south of the parkstrip. Say from 9th Ave to 15th and bounded by Minnesota and C Street. Not sure if you can find much in the way of rentals in your price range but if you can, that would give you walking access to downtown which would be good. The other area that comes to mind is Old Turnagain. That would give you access to the coastal trail and is a pretty neat area.

Other folks probably have other favorite areas but these come to my mind. Good luck.

[AlaskaNana]

[quote=equinox1;25841842] The general advice is to avoid Muldoon and Hillside.


Hey! I love the Muldoon area down by the base. Don't think the OP is looking for that type of area since there are no paths there that I know of. Paths up by the college are nice, just watch out for bears as I seem to recall a couple of unpleasant encounters reported last time I was in Anc.

[jdhpa]

Originally Posted by equinox1

The general advice is to avoid Muldoon and Hillside.

Why do you suggest avoiding Hillside (Southeast Anchorage)?

[equinox1]

There are paths/sidewalks in Muldoon area per the bike map. I'd just been told that the crime rate is higher in that area.

I've biked, ran and walked a lot of the trails around the U, the Coastal trail, the Chester Creek Trail and part of the Campbell Creek Trail this summer and had no problem, though we were warned in June that a bear had been on the Chester Cr. Tr shortly before. I've seen moose on the trails, too. Quite honestly, having all those great trails right in the heart of the city with people out on them all the time is what sold me on Anchorage. Having that wth shopping and restaurants a walk/bike ride away is pretty neat.

[AlaskaNana]

I've lived in the Muldoon area twice and never had a problem. Granted I tried to remember to lock car etc, and the house when we left, but still never had a problem and none of my neighbors had any problems either and most of them didn't even lockup at all. Not to say there were not any problems just none that I knew of. I heard bad things about the Hilltop area and I can say most of my, adult, daughter's friends lived --and most still live --there. You are talking the 20- 35 year old group, a lot of them hanging out there are young military.