Nestled between the Chugach Mountains and the Cook Inlet, Anchorage, AK, draws residents with its breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife. With its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, there is plenty to offer anyone looking to buy a home or rent an apartment in Anchorage.
For example, the average rent in Anchorage is $2,100, while the median sale price is $380,000. From hiking and fishing to skiing and wildlife viewing, this vibrant city has no shortage of activities.
With a variety of neighborhoods to choose from, each offering its own unique charm and amenities, Anchorage is a city that truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a quiet suburban community or a bustling urban center, Anchorage has the perfect neighborhood to call home. To help you get started, we’ve collected a list of 18 popular Anchorage neighborhoods to explore. Let’s jump in.
1. Airport Heights
Airport Heights is known for its proximity to the Chugach Mountains, providing residents with stunning views and outdoor recreational opportunities. The area has plenty of parks, such as Tikishla Park, Chester Creek Greenbelt Park, and Sitka Street Park, so you’ll have lots of green spaces to explore. Airport Heights features a mix of housing types, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. The architectural styles in this neighborhood range from traditional Alaskan designs to modern constructions. Whether you prefer a cozy cabin or a contemporary home, Airport Heights offers a variety of options to suit different tastes and preferences.
Median Sale Price: $340,000
Homes for Sale in Airport Heights | Apartments for Rent in Airport Heights
2. Bayshore-Klatt
Bayshore-Klatt is known for its beautiful coastal setting along the Cook Inlet. Residents of Bayshore-Klatt enjoy easy access to outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. Turnagin Refuge Park and Campbell Creek Estuary Park also provide ample green space for recreational activities. The housing types in Bayshore-Klatt range from single-family homes to condos, offering a diverse range of options for residents.
Median Sale Price: $450,000
Homes for Sale in Bayshore-Klatt | Apartments for Rent in Bayshore-Klatt
3. Bear Valley
Bear Valley is a picturesque neighborhood nestled in the Chugach Mountains in Anchorage. This area offers residents a tranquil setting with breathtaking mountain views. The nearby Chugach State Park provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and wildlife viewing. The housing types in Bear Valley primarily consist of single-family homes, ranging from rustic log cabins to contemporary designs.
Median Sale Price: $751,000
Homes for Sale in Bear Valley | Apartments for Rent in Bear Valley
4. Downtown
Downtown Anchorage is the heart of the city, offering a vibrant urban feeling. This neighborhood is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, like the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. You can also explore Delaney Park, which features various memorials, an ice rink, and sports courts. Residents of Downtown enjoy the convenience of living close to downtown amenities and the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and water.
Downtown offers a mix of housing options, including high-rise condos, townhouses, and apartments. The architectural styles in this neighborhood range from modern designs to historic buildings that reflect the city’s heritage.
Median Sale Price: $245,000
Homes for Sale in Downtown | Apartments for Rent in Downtown
5. Fairview
Fairview offers residents a mix of residential and commercial spaces, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and community centers. The Fairview neighborhood is also home to Woodside Park, providing residents with green space for outdoor activities.
The housing types in Fairview range from single-family homes to multi-unit buildings, offering many options for residents. Architectural styles in the neighborhood vary, with a mix of traditional designs and modern constructions. Whether you’re looking for a cozy home or an apartment in a convenient location, Fairview has housing options to suit different preferences.
Median Sale Price: $203,000
Homes for Sale in Fairview | Apartments for Rent in Fairview
6. Girdwood
Girdwood is a charming mountain neighborhood located about 40 miles south of Anchorage’s center. This neighborhood is known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. Girdwood is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and is home to the Alyeska Resort, a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding. The Girdwood town center offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
The housing types in Girdwood range from single-family homes to cabins and condos. Architectural styles in the neighborhood vary, with a mix of rustic designs and modern constructions.
Median Sale Price: $652,000
Homes for Sale in Girdwood | Apartments for Rent in Girdwood
7. Government Hill
Government Hill is a historic neighborhood located in Anchorage, known for its rich history and stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains. This area is home to parks like Suzan Nightingale McKay Park, Ship Creek Overlook Park, and Sunset Park. Government Hill is also conveniently located near downtown Anchorage, offering easy access to shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
The housing types in Government Hill range from historic homes to modern constructions. Whether you’re interested in a historic home with character or a modern residence with city views, Government Hill has housing options to suit different preferences.
Median Sale Price: $467,000
Homes for Sale in Government Hill | Apartments for Rent in Government Hill
8. Huffman-O’Malley
Huffman-O’Malley is a scenic neighborhood located in the southern part of Anchorage. This area offers residents a peaceful suburban setting with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Huffman-O’Malley is known for its proximity to Chugach State Park, where you can hike, bike, and view the wildlife. The housing types in Huffman-O’Malley range from single-family homes to townhouses and condos, with a mix of traditional designs and modern constructions.
Median Sale Price: $531,250
Homes for Sale in Huffman-O’Malley | Apartments for Rent in Huffman-O’Malley
9. Midtown
Midtown offers residents a convenient urban lifestyle with various shops, restaurants, and entertainment options without living in the city center. In Midtown, you can explore Cuddy Family Midtown Park, which offers seasonal skating on the pond and plenty of green spaces. The housing types in Midtown range from single-family homes to condos and apartments, with a mix of modern designs and mid-century constructions.
Median Sale Price: $255,000
Homes for Sale in Midtown | Apartments for Rent in Midtown
10. Mountain View
Mountain View is a diverse neighborhood known for its strong sense of community. This area offers residents a mix of residential and commercial spaces, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions like the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature. The housing types in Mountain View range from single-family homes to multi-unit buildings.
Median Sale Price: $252,500
Homes for Sale in Mountain View | Apartments for Rent in Mountain View
11. Northeast
Northeast Anchorage is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. This area offers residents access to green spaces like Cheney Lake Park, Nunaka Valley Park, and Windsong Park. You can also find cultural centers like the Alaska Native Heritage Center located in this neighborhood. The housing types in Northeast range from single-family homes to townhouses and apartments.
Median Sale Price: $322,500
Homes for Sale in Northeast | Apartments for Rent in Northeast
12. Old Seward-Oceanview
Old Seward-Oceanview is located in south Anchorage and has stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding mountains. This area offers residents a mix of residential and commercial spaces, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and recreational facilities. The nearby Chugach State Park Headquarters and the Potter Marsh Wildlife Viewing Boardwalk provide residents with ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The housing types in Old Seward-Oceanview range from single-family homes to townhouses and condos.
Median Sale Price: $443,500
Homes for Sale in Old Seward-Oceanview | Apartments for Rent in Old Seward-Oceanview
13. Russian Jack Park
Russian Jack Park is known for its beautiful park of the same name. The Russian Jack Springs Park offers residents green space for outdoor activities such as picnicking, hiking, and cross-country skiing. The neighborhood is also conveniently located near shopping centers and restaurants. The housing types in Russian Jack Park range from single-family homes to townhouses and apartments.
Median Sale Price: $148,000
Homes for Sale in Russian Jack Park | Apartments for Rent in Russian Jack Park
14. Sand Lake
Sand Lake is home to countless recreational opportunities and beautiful lakes like Sand Lake, Jewell Lake, and Campbell Lake. Residents of Sand Lake enjoy easy access to outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. The nearby Kincaid Park and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail are major attractions, providing residents with stunning views and opportunities for outdoor adventures. The housing types in Sand Lake range from single-family homes to townhouses and condos.
Median Sale Price: $415,000
Homes for Sale in Sand Lake | Apartments for Rent in Sand Lake
15. Spenard
Spenard is a vibrant neighborhood filled with an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. This area offers residents a unique blend of urban amenities and natural beauty, with easy access to Point Campbell Park and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Whether you’re looking for a historic home with character or a contemporary apartment, Spenard has housing options to suit different preferences.
Median Sale Price: $350,000
Homes for Sale in Spenard | Apartments for Rent in Spenard
16. Taku/Campbell
Taku/Campbell offers residents a mix of residential and commercial spaces, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and recreational facilities. The nearby Campbell Creek Greenbelt provides residents with green space for outdoor activities such as walking, biking, and wildlife viewing. The housing types in Taku/Campbell range from single-family homes to townhouses and apartments.
Median Sale Price: $315,000
Homes for Sale in Taku/Campbell | Apartments for Rent in Taku/Campbell
17. Turnagain
Turnagain is a scenic neighborhood known for its stunning views of the Turnagain Arm and the surrounding mountains seen from Point Woronzof Overlook. This area offers residents a mix of residential and commercial spaces, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and recreational facilities. Earthquake Park provides residents with green space for outdoor activities and offers a glimpse into the area’s history. You can also explore the Alaska Aviation Museum, which features a variety of historic aircraft. The housing types in Turnagain range from single-family homes to townhouses and condos.
Median Sale Price: $356,850
Homes for Sale in Turnagain | Apartments for Rent in Turnagain
18. University Area
The University Area, more commonly called U-MED District, is a vibrant neighborhood located near the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. This area offers residents a mix of residential and commercial spaces, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Goose Lake Park provides residents with green space for outdoor activities, and the Chester Creek Trail offers a scenic pathway for walking and biking. The housing types in the University Area range from single-family homes to townhouses and apartments.
Median Sale Price: $367,000
Homes for Sale in University Area | Apartments for Rent in University Area
Methodology: All neighborhoods must be listed as a “neighborhood” on Redfin.com. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during October 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com during October 2023.
Anchorage, AK is a vibrant city with many positives including its stunning scenery, no sales tax, and friendly community. However, the city also has its downsides, such as limited job opportunities and challenging traffic and transportation conditions. The short summer season and long winter nights can also be factors that potential residents need to consider. So, is Anchorage a good place to live? Whether you’re looking to rent an apartment in Anchorage on Redfin or purchase a home in the area, the answer may depend on your priorities and lifestyle preferences. In this diverse and complex city, it’s important to consider the benefits and drawbacks before making a decision about living in Anchorage.
Pros of Living in Anchorage
1. Scenic beauty
Anchorage, Alaska, is known for its breathtaking scenic beauty with its picturesque mountains, stunning glaciers, and expansive forests. One of the most popular attractions is the Chugach State Park, which covers over half a million acres of wildlands, including glaciers, lakes, and forests. The park offers many activities including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, a scenic 11-mile trail along the coast, is another must-visit destination. It offers incredible views of the Cook Inlet, the Chugach Mountains, and even the occasional glimpse of beluga whales. Anchorage is also home to several beautiful gardens, such as the Alaska Botanical Garden and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, where visitors can admire the region’s distinctive flora and fauna.
2. No sales tax
One unique aspect of Anchorage is that there is no sales tax on goods and services. This is due to the city’s reliance on property taxes and other revenue streams, such as fees and licenses, to fund city services and operations. The lack of a sales tax in Anchorage can be a significant draw for residents. Additionally, businesses in Anchorage can benefit from the lack of a sales tax, as it can make their products more affordable and competitive compared to businesses in other states with sales tax.
3. Outdoor recreation opportunities
Anchorage, Alaska, is a hub of outdoor recreational activities. One of the most popular activities in Anchorage is hiking. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a popular trail for visitors and locals alike, offering incredible views of the Cook Inlet and surrounding mountains. In the winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities, with several groomed trails in and around Anchorage. Downhill skiing and snowboarding are also available at Alyeska Resort, located about an hour’s drive from Anchorage. During the summer months, visitors can go kayaking, fishing, or take a wildlife viewing cruise. Anchorage is also known for its incredible wildlife, including moose, bears, and bald eagles, which can be spotted on many outdoor excursions.
4. An abundance of daylight during the summer months
Anchorage is known for its long summer days, which are characterized by an abundance of daylight. From late May to early August, the sun remains above the horizon for up to 19 hours a day, giving residents plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors. This phenomenon is due to Anchorage’s location at a high latitude, which means that during the summer months, the sun never sets below the horizon.
5. Access to fresh seafood and other locally sourced food
Anchorage, Alaska, is known for its access to fresh seafood, thanks to its location on the shores of the Cook Inlet and proximity to the Gulf of Alaska. The city is home to several seafood markets and restaurants that offer a variety of fresh seafood options, including salmon, halibut, crab, shrimp, and more. In addition to local markets and restaurants, Anchorage also hosts several seafood festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Anchorage Salmon Daze Festival.
6. Friendly community and welcoming atmosphere
Anchorage is a city that is renowned for its friendly community and welcoming atmosphere. Despite being the largest city in Alaska, Anchorage has managed to maintain a small-town feel. The community is made up of people from all walks of life, and this melting pot of cultures creates a unique community. Anchorage residents are known for their warm hospitality and welcoming nature, which is reflected in the numerous community events and festivals that are organized throughout the year like the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Anchorage First Fridays, and the Anchorage Market.
7. Opportunities for northern lights viewing
Anchorage is one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. The city’s location within the auroral oval, a band of light around the Earth’s magnetic poles where auroras occur most frequently, makes it an ideal spot for viewing this natural phenomenon. The northern lights are most visible during the winter months, from late September to early April when the nights are long and dark. Anchorage has numerous locations where residents and visitors can view the northern lights, such as the Chugach Mountains, the Arctic Valley, and the Knik River Valley.
Cons of Living in Anchorage
8. Limited job opportunities
Anchorage offers fewer job opportunities compared to other cities. This is due to government agencies, the healthcare sector, and the oil and gas industry being the primary employers, leaving limited prospects for other industries. The Ted Stevens International Airport, Providence Alaska Medical Center & Hospital System, and Fort Richardson US Army Base are among the largest employers in Anchorage.
9. Isolation
Anchorage is located in a remote area, separated from the rest of the United States by vast stretches of wilderness, which can make it difficult to access goods, services, and resources that are readily available in other cities. In fact, Anchorage is around 350 miles from Fairbanks and around 850 miles from Juneau, two of Alaska’s major cities.
10. Traffic
Despite having a relatively small population, Anchorage has limited road infrastructure, which can lead to congestion during peak travel times. During rush hour and other busy periods, the city’s main roads can become congested, resulting in long delays and frustrating commutes. The harsh winter weather conditions can also exacerbate traffic conditions, as snow and ice can make roads slick and difficult to navigate.
11. Cold weather
Anchorage is known for its bitterly cold weather, which can make daily life challenging for residents. The winter season in Anchorage can last from October to March, with average temperatures ranging from 5 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold weather can be exacerbated by wind chill, making it feel even colder.
12. Limited Public Transportation
The city’s public transportation system is relatively small and primarily consists of the People Mover bus system. However, the frequency and coverage of these routes can be limited, making it difficult for residents to rely on public transportation to get around the city. Anchorage residents typically rely on People Mover if they choose not to drive themselves.
13. Short summer season
While summer in Anchorage can be beautiful and enjoyable, the season is relatively short compared to other parts of the country. The summer season typically lasts from mid-June to mid-September, which means that residents have only a few months to enjoy the warm weather and outdoor activities before the cold winter months set in. Additionally, the weather during the summer months can be unpredictable, with rain and cold temperatures still possible even in the heart of summer.