Anchorage Alaska

Anchorage, the largest city in the State of Alaska, is located in what Alaskan's call “Southcentral Alaska” at the head of Cook Inlet. It takes around 3 hour flight time to reach Anchorage International Airport from Seattle. Anchorage is located at the foot of the Chugach Mountains where the land meet the sea, or Cook Inlet to be more procise. The area encompasses 1,697.2 sq. miles of land and 263.9 sq. miles of water. The average temperatures in January range from 8 to 21 degrees Fahrenheit. In July, average temperatures range from 51 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation is 15.9 inches and annual snowfall is 69 inches.

The major airports inside Anchorage include the State-owned Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Lake Hood Float Plane Base, the Municipality owned Merrill Field, and U.S. Army and Air Force facilities. The Port of Anchorage handles 85% of the general cargo for the Alaska Railbelt area. There are five terminal berths, with 3,488 linear feet available. Several barge and trucking companies are available. The Alaska Railroad connects Anchorage to Seward, Whittier and Fairbanks.

Best Way To Get Around in Anchorage AK.

If you are staying in downtown Anchorage, you can get to most places simply by walking. Anchorage has an inexpensive public transportation system that operates quite well called People Mover. This is a public bus system that gets used quite heavily during the summer months at least in the main tourist areas of Downtown Anchorage. Upon their first visit to Anchorage, many people are rather surprised that parking in this northern city is very limited in the downtown area and what parking is available can be very expensive. We advise folks visiting only the downtown areas that renting a car is often not advisable to using taxis or the public transportation system.

Alaska Floatplane Rides See Alaska the way Alaskans do, from a floating bush plane.	Anchorage Bear Viewing Learn about the other locals that stroll the streets of Anchorage.	Anchorage Airport .	Anchorage Winter Solstice Alaskan's love their winter solstice festivals and frosty events.

Vacation Guide to the Anchorage Borough.

Things to do & places to see in Anchorage Alaska - Anchorage has a long history of cultural diversity. Many of the residents participate in nearby recreational and subsistence activities. Anchorage has over 162 parks, including 10 large reserves. Recreation activities include downhill and cross-country skiing, ice hockey, fishing, golf, swimming, hiking, biking and camping. The George Sullivan Sports Arena, Alaska Performing Arts Center, Egan Convention Center and many other facilities host cultural and entertainment event.

Municipality of Anchorage.

The Municipality of Anchorage is home to 42% of Alaska's residents and possesses excellent air, road, rail and seaport connections. Located in the northeast corner of Cook Inlet, the 1,700 square mile Municipality is bordered to the north and west by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, to the east by the Valdez-Cordova Census Area, and to the south by the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Communities located within the Municipality include Eklutna, Chugiak, Eagle River, Rainbow, Indian, Bird Creek, Girdwood and Portage. In addition, two military bases operate within Municipal boundaries.

Anchorage AK Municipal Taxes:

• Sales Tax: Not at this time,
• Property Tax: 14.93 mills
      (avg. of 44 service areas),
• Anchorage City Tax Rates:
  • 12% Bed tax;
  • 8% Rental Car;
  • Airport Rental Car Pickup,
        $4.87 Per Day Additional Fee.
        11.11% Anchorage airport rental tax.
  • $113.2 mill Cigarette Tax;
  • 55% Other Tobacco Products.

Anchorage Real Estate

• Median Home Price, First Quarter of 2013: ↓ $252,269
• Home Price Gain (2012-2013): ↓ 3.3%
• Home on Market during 2013: Averages 1100 to 1300 days

State of Alaska Tax Rates:

• State Income Tax Rate: N/A
• State Sales Tax: N/A
• State Gas Tax: .08¢ per gallon.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Tax Rates:

• Borough State Sales Tax: Entire Year 3%
• Homer – Entire Year 7.5%
• Kenai – Entire Year 6%
• Seldovia – Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec 5%
• Seldovia – Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep 7.5%
• Seward – Entire Year 7%
• Soldotna – Entire Year 6%
• Outside of Cities – Entire Year 3%

Health Care, public and private providers of the Anchorage Municipality.

Local hospitals or health clinics include Alaska Regional Hospital; Providence Alaska Medical Center; Alaska Native Medical Center; Elmendorf AFB 3rd Medical Group; U.S. Army Medical Clinic - Fort Richardson; Air National Guard Medical Squadron - Kulis, Alaska Native, Alaska Regional, Providence and Elmendorf AFB Hospitals are qualified acute care facilities. Ft. Richardson provides emergency support only. There are numerous public and private providers of specialized care. The Municipality provides the Safe Cities Program (community service patrol) and other services Auxiliary health care is provided by Anchorage Fire Dept./EMS; Chugiak Vol. Fire; Elmendorf AFB 3rd Medical Group;Ft. Richardson Medical; Air Nat'l Guard/Kulis Medical Squadron; Girdwood Fire & Rescue.