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Anchorage Real Estate For Sale In AK
Few places in the world can match up to the mythos of Alaska. It is a land of extremes, with some of the tallest mountains, fiercest animals, darkest winters, and brightest summers in the United States. In real estate in Anchorage, Alaska, the people here have built a place that thrives in one of the most spectacular spots on Earth. Alaska Real Estate is truly at the top of the world, and if you’re looking for a property on the last frontier you’re in for a very warm welcome in Anchorage.
More About Anchorage AK
Before anything, let’s talk about the weather. It’s cold in Alaska, and it’s cold in Anchorage, but not as cold as you might think. Because Anchorage is right by the ocean, its weather is moderated by the sea, much more so than a city farther inland. Thanks to the ocean, the temperature in the winter rarely dips below 5°F. We know that it’s still very cold, but it could be much, much worse. In the summer, days peak out at around 78°F and are generally very sunny.
In June, those with Anchorage real estate get almost 17 hours of sunlight and a long twilight bright enough to read a newspaper. But of course, the pendulum swings the other way too. Though you have to go a few more hundred miles north to get true polar night, the winter nights last just as long as the summer days in Anchorage. These dark months do come with one big saving grace: the northern lights. From September to April, you have a great chance of seeing ghostly bands of green, red, and yellow wandering over the clear night sky. The aurora borealis is a jaw-dropping spectacle that few places in the more moderate world can match.
As Anchorage real estate is uniquely positioned so far north on the globe, airliners use the city as a major hub. The city is around a 10 hour flight away from 90% of the industrialized world, making Anchorage simultaneously one of the most remote and most accessible cities on Earth.
Real Estate In Anchorage AK
Compared to other cities of similar size (just under 300,000 people), real estate in Anchorage is very affordable. Most homes for sale in Anchorage run from about $100,000 to $500,000, while the median listing price for a single family home for sale lies at $350,000. Because of its remote location -less than four hundred miles from the arctic circle- the cost of living in Anchorage is higher than the average in the lower 48, though substantially less than in major cities like New York City or San Francisco.
One sign of the strength of the Anchorage real estate market is the proportion of renters to owners. 60% of Anchorage residents own their homes, while 40% rent. Most houses for sale in Anchorage real estate market were built between 1970 and 2000 and about half of them are single family homes. Anchorage real estate is unique in that almost 20% of those single family homes have 4 bedrooms, which is great news for big families looking to move to Anchorage.
Distances to Other Cities Near Anchorage
- 137 miles - Sterling, AK
- 147 miles - Soldotna, AK
- 359 miles - Fairbanks, AK
- 704 miles - Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
- 848 miles - Juneau, AK
Towns Around Anchorage AK
- Palmer- Palmer is 45 miles northeast of Anchorage and is a town of about 5,000. Real estate for sale in Palmer list for anything between $300k and $900k. Most are two stories with 3-4 bedrooms apiece and sit in the shadow of snow capped mountains through most of the year.
- Willow- If you want to live as far out as you can while still being close to amenities like schools and grocery stores, Willow, AK is the town for you. Willow has a population of just over 2,000 feet and is just under an hour and a half drive from Anchorage. Real estate for sale in Willow features homes listing between $100k and $500k.
Schools In Anchorage AK
The Anchorage, AK school district is the largest in the entire state. There are dozens of elementary, middle, and high schools to choose from, both public and private. Anchorage is also home to several public colleges, namely a campus of the University of Alaska as well as the small liberal arts school Alaska Pacific University.
FAQ about Anchorage AK Real Estate
What is the postal code for Anchorage, Arkansas?
Where is the nearest commercial airport in Anchorage, Arkansas?
The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is just five miles southwest of Anchorage’s town center.
What borough/county is Anchorage, Arkansas in?
Anchorage, AK is its own city-borough
Is Anchorage, Arkansas a good place to live?
If you don’t mind the cold and the winter, Anchorage is a paradise with plenty of community events to enjoy and breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness at your very doorstep.
What is Anchorage, Arkansas known for?
Anchorage is widely regarded as the cultural capital of Alaska as well as being the largest in the state by population.
Things To Do In Anchorage AK
So, what exactly is there to do in this city atop the world? Quite a bit, especially if you enjoy the outdoors and winter sports. Anchorage might better be described as a city in a state park rather than a city with a state park. You’ll see what we mean as we go over some of our favorite activities in Anchorage, AK real estate.
- Attend the Fur Rendezvous Festival - In the past, a rendezvous in the West was when fur trappers of every race and creed came together to trade pelts. People still display their talents with furs and pelts, but you can also take part in pageants, snow sculpture competitions, and more during the long winter nights.
- Watch the Iditarod - For much of Alaskan history, dog sleds were a vital part of the territory’s infrastructure. Dog sleds could transport significant amounts of goods and, in one famous case, life-saving medicine. Alaskans take a lot of pride in this dog sled race, and you can watch it begin in Anchorage as teams rush through the city's snowy streets to begin a race that will take them a thousand miles west to Nome.
- Ski Cross-country - If you live in Anchorage, you need to learn to love snow. For those who enjoy skiing, this is a great city to live in, with wide-open ski trails basically at your doorstep.
- Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center - Native culture is gaining a more prominent role in everyday Alaskan life. The best way for newcomers to understand Indigenous Alaskans like the local Eklutna and Knik is to visit this center. Get educated on Indigenous culture, society, history, and modern activities that are integral to the Anchorage we know today.
- Catch a show with the Anchorage Concert Association - Thanks to the ACA, the people of Anchorage have access to some of the finest performing arts in the world. Take part as an audience member for inspired performances of jazz, classical, and world music.
- Eat at the Moose’s Tooth Pub - Beloved throughout the city, the Moose’s Tooth Pub is the perfect place to enjoy a draft beer and a slice of pizza. We know it sounds weird to serve pizza in a pub, but by all accounts, Moose’s Tooth comes through with their pizza, which has been ranked as the third-best in the entire country.
- Visit the Flattop Mountain recreation Area - The hike to the top of this mountain takes about an hour as you head up a shaded trail past singing brooks of cold snowmelt. Take in the views from the top, or walk along five miles of connecting trails and marvel at the natural beauty so close to home.
- Take a drive down to Girdwood - Only forty minutes from the city center, this picturesque little town is right by some truly spellbinding glaciers and offers even more opportunities to get out and enjoy nature. The drive there is as scenic as can be, and if you work up an appetite on the way, we encourage you to stop in at the Double Musky Inn for a steak.
Parks In Anchorage AK
- Kincaid Park - This park offers trails that dip in and out of the woods that line Cook Inlet. With the fresh scent of pines and the saltwater air, this park is a great refresher from an already refreshing city. When you’re here, keep an eye out for whales in the water, bears by the banks, and please, please, please, mind the moose.
- Chugach State Park - It’s hard to miss this state park. Point towards the giant, snow-covered mountain range just behind the city and start walking, and you’ll be in it soon enough. Most of these mountains lie within the city’s municipal boundaries. Frankly, at 498,000 acres, this park dwarfs Anchorage. We’ll leave it to you to discover what lies within the folds of these icy mountains, so grab some friends, strap on some snowshoes, and head for the hills.
Economy In Anchorage AK
Real estate in Anchorage is bolstered by an economy built on getting things off the ground. The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is a major hub for cargo flights from northern Europe, Asia, and the rest of North America. Much of FedEx’s international shipping relies directly on this airport. After the airport, the city’s healthcare system and the Fort Richardson US Army Base are the major employers for Anchorage, AK.
Transportation In Anchorage AK
Get a truck with four-wheel drive, and get yourself some snow chains. It might be a good idea to invest in a snowmobile as well - or an ATV in general. Anchorage averages over 70 inches of snowfall a year and there’s almost always a few inches on the ground every day of winter. Anchorage, AK, has its own bus system with routes serving much of the city’s populated area. For getting out of town, you’re pretty limited to your choice of roads. Expect most trips to other cities to involve going around mountain ranges the size of Rhode Island.
If you’re trying to seriously travel out of Anchorage, your best bet is to go by plane. You can take domestic flights out of Anchorage International Airport to cut travel times to other areas in Alaska by several days. In fact, it’s often that you’ll find it impossible to drive from one city to another. So take to the air.