Snow-capped mountains, breath-taking landscapes, and an abundance of majestic wildlife make Anchorage a truly unique city. The largest and most populous in Alaska--it accounts for nearly half of the immense state's population--the city still has a small-town, rural feel compared to fast-paced hubbub of most American metropolises.
If you are considering relocating to the peaceful city of Anchorage, this guide will shed some light on what you should know before making the move.
Anchorage Climate
Alaska is certainly not known for its warm, balmy weather--and this city is no exception. Anchorage has a subarctic climate, with winter temperatures rarely rising above freezing. Summers are cool and mild, with highs usually peaking in the 60s.
Most of the precipitation falls in the summer in the form of rain, but the winters receive a considerable amount of snow--it falls for an average of 40 days of a year, accumulating to about 75 inches annually. The city is also subjected to infrequent ash clouds resulting from its proximity to active volcanoes.
Even if you believe you won't have a hard time adjusting to the cold, one of the most difficult aspects of assimilating to life in Alaska is the lack of sunlight in the winter and its abundance in the summer. Anchorage does not suffer from this phenomena as badly as some parts of the state, but in the winter, the sun doesn't rise until about 10:30 a.m. and is already down by 3:45 p.m. Contrastingly, in the summer, the sun in the sky by 4:30 a.m., and does not set until 11:45 p.m.
Anchorage Neighborhoods
If you're seeking safety, Anchorage neighborhoods with the lowest crime include Sand Lake, South Addition, and Downtown Anchorage. The Downtown area is also optimum if you are looking for ready access to amenities such as shopping, restaurants, entertainment and public transit. This is an optimum location for young singles because of the nightlife options.
As you move east, homes become larger. Abbott Loop is a residential neighborhood great for families and singles alike, with spacious homes and a close proximity to schools. On the western side of the city, there are more apartments--and in the north neighborhoods, you'll find high-rises inhabited by young singles.
Registering Your Car
Once you arrive in your new city, you will have just ten days to register your car in the state. You will need your title, out of state registration, your completed application, and payment of the appropriate fees. Bring your documents and payment to the nearest DMV office to complete the process and obtain your new Alaska plates.
To transfer your out of state driver's license, you will need to take a written exam on Alaska's traffic laws (the test costs $20). You will also need to pass a vision test, and provide primary and secondary of legal name, Social Security number, and proof of residency.
Anchorage Schools
If you will be relocating with your school-aged children to the city, you will be enrolling them in the Anchorage School District. There are nearly 100 facilities in the system, educating approximately 50,000 students. In attendance are children that live in Anchorage, as well as the outer lying areas of Eagle River, Chugiak, Fort Richardson and the Elmendorf Air Force base.
If you opt to send your children to a private school instead, there are a variety of religious-affiliated and nondenominational institutions to choose from. These include the elementary Montessori School for elementary education, the Atheneum School for grades 7-12, and the Aurora Waldorf School of Alaska, which encompasses pre-K through grade 12.
If you or an older child plan to pursue a college education in your new city, there are several notable universities in the region, including University of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University, and Charter College.
Anchorage Employment
If you are relocating to the city to snag a job you may be in luck--unemployment rates in Anchorage are just 4.9 percent as of March 2013. Historically, the city has weathered periods of economic downturn quite well, and has actually seen a steady growth of two percent annually.
The diverse economy offers opportunities in the transportation, military, tourism, municipal, corporate and resource extraction sectors. The petroleum industry is a prominent one in the city, and while Anchorage is not the center of production for oil, it is a hub for the administrative side of the industry. Many headquarters of oil companies are located there.
The largest employers in the city include Providence Health System Alaska, Safeway Stores, Wal-Mart/Sam's Club, Alaska Airlines, BP Exploration, Inc., Banner Health System, ASRC Energy Services, Federal Express and VECO, Inc.
Living Costs in the City
Before making the trek to any new city, you will want to ensure that typical living expenses are within your means. Overall, the cost of living in Anchorage is about 30 percent above average. Healthcare and housing are the priciest necessities (36 percent and 53 percent above average respectively), with groceries right behind at 26 percent greater. The median home price in the city is $284,900, and the average apartment rents for $728.
Transportation costs are lower, at eight percent above average, and utilities are the most affordable--just one percent higher than the typical American city. You will certainly be grateful for the manageable utility bill when it comes to heating your house during Alaska's long, frigid winters!
Fortunately, the elevated cost of living may be balanced out because the state charges no income tax nor sales tax. However, there is a city-instated sales tax on fuel, rental cars, alcohol and tobacco.
Anchorage Moving Resources
There are numerous moving and storage companies located in Anchorage that are waiting to help you relocate to your new home. Be sure to do your research and obtain estimates from several different services before choosing one for hire. You can compare online quotes from many different moving companies and other services to aid you in your move, whether you are coming from the next city or overseas. Visit the following pages here at Movers.com to get fast quotes for the following services:
Anchorage Transportation
Because of its isolated location, owning a car in the city will certainly facilitate getting around. However, if you opt to utilize public transportation, the system in the city is known as People Mover. This bus service has routes that transport passengers throughout the city and outer lying suburbs. There is also a paratransit system for disabled residents known as AnchorRides which provides door-to-door service.
The possibility of commuter rail and light rail systems for the city are currently being discussed.
Culture and Contemporary Life
Beautiful landscape, captivating wildlife, and modest, folks have fun doing leisure activities in the city. Not known for its fancy restaurants and thrilling nightlife, downtime in Anchorage is more typically spent skiing, sledding, fishing, hunting, and hiking.
The University of Alaska Anchorage hosts the annual Anchorage Folk Festival each January, which features concerts, workshops and performances by volunteer musicians, dancers and storytellers. The city is also home to many museums that celebrate its history and Native American culture, including the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center and the Alaska Native Heritage Museum.
The city is also hub for winter sports, including sled-dog races, hockey, and skiing. The hockey team known as the Alaskan Aces is the city's single professional sports team and the University of Alaska Anchorage has Division I teams in gymnastics and hockey. The world's largest sled-dog race is held in the city as part of the Fur Rendezvous Festival each February, and are 105 miles of maintained ski trails throughout the city.
Located in downtown Anchorage, the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts hosts a multitude of exciting events. Among these is the International Ice Carving Competition, which is part of the annual Fur Rendezvous Festival-- a ten-day carnival held at the close of every winter.
Anchorage Relocation Tips
- Visit first. Life in Alaska is drastically different from most of the continental United States--from the weather, to the wacky daylight hours, to the isolation and the quiet. While many of us would relish in the silence living in a wilderness unscathed by over-development, the seclusion might drive others up a wall. Taking a trip or two to experience life in Anchorage firsthand will help you to decide if it's the right place for you.
Bring warm clothes! Temperatures in Anchorage rarely rise above freezing in the winter months--parkas, thermal underwear and snow gear are essential.
- Make sure you prepare your vehicle for the cold and snow--studded tires are a popular choice for Alaskan drivers in the winter months to increase traction on ice-covered roads. However, you will need a set of regular tires as well- studded tires are outlawed between April and September because they can damage the roads when there is no ice or snow covering them.
- Beware of the wildlife--while beautiful, there are many dangerous animals living within the city. Black bears, grizzly bears and wolves are not uncommon in the city. Moose are among the most frequently spotted, and can be very aggressive and violent as well.