Anchorage Real Estate & Information

Arts, culinary and cultural center for an entire region of Alaska, Anchorage is a four-time All-America City winner. The city’s strong Russian roots began nearly 100 years before Alaska was purchased by the United States in 1867. Until that time, Russian traders of fur and other goods dominated the area. Incorporated as a city a full 39 years before Alaska became a state in 1959, Anchorage ironically owes much of its modern appeal to one its worst natural disasters. In 1964, a 9.2 magnitude earthquake, referred to today as the Good Friday Earthquake, just 80 miles from the city demolished much of the architecture with damages totaling in the hundreds of millions of dollars. It was due to this annihilation, that when North Slope oil money began to stream into the state treasury, much of it became earmarked for renewed infrastructure, rebuilding and beautification of the city. By the 90’s, and still holding true today, Anchorage sparkles as the gem it is among American cities, offering uncommon amenities such as a 259-mile trail system, some of which serves both hikers and skiers.

Shopping and Dining
Whether you’re discovering the shopping or dining scene in Anchorage, the key word here is “FRESH,” fresh deals (with no sales tax!), uber fresh seafood and your fresh start after you decide to relocate to Anchorage. A bounty of indigenous hand-made articles awaits browsers and collectors alike. Anchorage has the largest collection of these items for sale. Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers Co-op is just one example. This native-owned co-op produces hand-woven Qiviut items including hats, scarves and stoles. Insulating eight times better than sheep’s wool, Qiviut, the underwool of the Arctic musk ox, is lightweight and feels downy-soft and completely non-irritating. This and many other unique regional treasures await Anchorage shoppers, and a great many of these can be found at the Anchorage Market and Festival. Held weekly, every Saturday and Sunday, from May through September, the Anchorage Market serves up local food, hand-made items, live entertainment and even a special Kids’ Market area. For those looking to buy more everyday and conventional items, the city is also a center for grocery stores, home improvement retailers and shopping malls. Northway Mall has all your favorite retailers (Claire’s Boutique, Payless Shoes and Foot Locker) as well as a few special Alaska offerings (Great Alaska Tobacco Shop and Alaska Communication Systems wireless technology). After a busy day of shopping, relax at the local favorite Glacier Brewhouse or Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse. Enjoy some of the finest dining in the area at Simon & Seafort’s Saloon and Grill or Kinley’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, recipient of the ‘07/’08 honors for “Best New Restaurant” and “Best Wine.’

Parks and Recreation
Everything about Alaska seems bigger and bolder than the rest of the country. So it is with the city and state parks in the Anchorage area. First of all, 223 municipal parks totaling almost 11,000 acres include 11 recreational facilities, 110 playing fields, 259 miles of trails (135 of which are paved), and five swimming pools. The list of sponsored activities will blow your mind as well. Sure, it’s not surprising to see classes for yoga, swimming and volleyball, but where else can you sign up to take Beginning 18th Century Highland Broadsword classes? Bordering the city and encompassing almost 500,000 acres, Chugach State Park, the third largest state park in the U.S., provides ample opportunities (not to mention wide open spaces) for hiking, rafting, skiing, camping, rock climbing snowmobiling and much more. Ski enthusiasts will also enjoy an Olympic qualified downhill ski resort, only 40 minutes from downtown, or explore the cross country and biathlon ski trails. Also, don’t miss beautiful scenery of the coastal walking trails along the inlet.

Living
What’s so great about Anchorage is you can always have your choice of the great outdoors or the plethora of activities within city limits. In fact, even if you don’t want to choose, you don’t really have to since you can head downtown for a day of fishing in Ship Creek, virtually without even leaving the sidewalk! Or just squeeze in a few hours between visits to the 4th Avenue Theatre, the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Children will love the Light Speed Planet Walk (an educational and interactive scale model of our solar system) at the corner of 5th and G and the Imaginarium Science Discovery Center (an award-winning, hands on science museum). A short car ride out of the city can bring you to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Alaska Botanical Garden or the Alaska Zoo. Spend a few days or even a few weeks here, and you’ll quickly realize you need to relocate to Anchorage to experience it all.

Schools, Health, Transportation
Parents, imagine your children learning about Alaska’s history at one of the more than 90 public, charter or independent schools in the Anchorage School District. Here, students continually score higher, on average, on standardized tests than other areas in the state and across the U.S. Recent high school grads on up can benefit from the main campus of the University of Alaska right in Anchorage. And residents of all ages can learn, live and play with the peace of mind that the Providence Alaska Medical Center and the Alaska Regional Hospital have multi-faceted facilities here and skilled emergency departments. So go ahead, free your spirit in this wonderful and wild city, and free your mind to imagine your new life here. Every kind of experience (and every kind of real estate listing) awaits your consideration in Anchorage.