Living in Anchorage, Alaska

Misconceptions about Anchorage are everywhere, portraying the area as a cold, dark and isolated place.  In fact, Anchorage is a beautiful, welcoming city, offering visitors and residents a variety of opportunities, culture and activities.

The climate here is surprisingly mild year round – Anchorage is far south of the Arctic Circle, protected by the Chugach Mountains and warmed by Japanese currents in the Pacific Ocean.   Spring through fall, temperatures can reach into the mid 20s (degrees C), with summer highs averaging 18 degrees C.  The winter brings snow, and temperatures dip to -10 degrees C.

And it’s not dark all the time either! In Anchorage, there are 24 hours of functional daylight on Summer Solstice. The further north you travel, the more sun you get in the summer (in Barrow the sun does not set for 84 days). The day with the least amount of daylight is on Winter Solstice, yet Anchorage still enjoys five hours, 28 minutes of daylight. During winter, the farther north you venture, the fewer the daylight hours.

If you prefer an active lifestyle, Anchorage offers choice.  An extensive trail system winds through the downtown and is a delight for runners, walkers, bikers and cross-country skiers.  Fishers enjoy plentiful fishing, within 40 miles of the city.

If that doesn’t wow you, how about 4 downhill ski areas within easy distance of the city?  Or take in the awesome Northern Lights, aurora borealis – the best time to see them is during a cold, clear winter night.

Anchorage also offers conveniences – there are many national chain stores, and grocery stores are usually open 24 hours a day.

There are many other fringe benefits of an Alaskan life - residents pay no state taxes, the public school system is excellent, and there is a strong and diverse economic base.