10 Best Independent Living Communities in Anchorage, AK

 

Learn More About Independent Living in Anchorage, AK

 

Independent living communities – also known simply as retirement communities – in Anchorage, Alaska are geared towards seniors who are able to live on their own, without daily assistance, and prefer to live among people their age. This usually means residents are self-sufficient and do not require hands-on care. Think of Anchorage retirement communities as age-restricted (typically 55+) complexes, which provide organized activities, meal services, and transportation.

For this type of senior living, Anchorage, Alaska offers many great options, and A Place for Mom can help you find the right one.

Learn More about Anchorage, AK

 

Cost of Living

 

Anchorage has an extremely high cost of living because it is the most isolated major city in the United States. The cost-of-living index and the grocery index are both rated much higher than the national average of 100. Almost all of the goods in the city are more expensive because they have to be flown into the city during periods when the weather conditions permit air travel.

Cost-of-living index	Grocery index	Median rent	Rent burden	Median home value	Median family income	Estate tax
137	122	$1,702	19.1%	$304,137	$82,271	No estate tax or inheritance tax

 

 

Local Hospitals

 

There are 5 general hospitals serving the Anchorage area.

• Alaska Regional Hospital – This 174-bed, short-term acute care community offers robotic surgical services, cardiovascular care, cancer care, stroke care, and inpatient rehabilitation services.
• Providence Alaska Medical Center – A nonprofit Catholic hospital offering acute care services.
• Alaska Native Medical Center – A 173-bed community offering comprehensive medical services and acute, specialty, primary, and behavioral health care to Alaska Native and American Indian people living in Alaska.

 

 

Weather and Climate

 

The climate is classified as subarctic, characterized by long, very cold winters and short, cool-to-mild summers.

Seasonal Temperatures

Average summer temp	Typical summer high	Typical summer low	Average winter temp	Typical winter high	Typical winter low
59°F	69°F (July	49°F (July)	19°F	29°F (February)	9°F (January)

 

Air Quality

Average air quality index rating	Average maximum air quality index rating
36 (Good)	52 in the month of November (Moderate)

The peak air quality conditions are rated as moderate. This means that those who are unusually sensitive should consider limiting the amount of time spent on outdoor exertion.

Precipitation and Inclement Weather

Average monthly precipitation	Average maximum monthly precipitation	Average yearly snowfall	Inclement weather
1”	4” (September)	79”	Floods and earthquakes (high)

 

 

Demographics and Values

 

2016 Presidential Election

Voted Democratic	Voted Republican	Voted Third Party
34.40%	62.10%	3.50%

 

Population Statistics

Population metro area	Population city proper	Population density	Population trend
253,421	294,356	66 people per square mile	Shrinking at a rate of -0.93%

 

Age

Median	55+	60+	70+	80+
33	22%	9%	4%	2%

 

Highest Level of Education

High-school diploma	College degree	Graduate degree
24%	35%	13%

 

Race & Ethnicity

Asian	Black	Hispanic	Native American	Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian	White	Two or more
10.1%	6.1%	9.3%	8.9%	2.7%	57.3%	8.3%

 

Crime

Total crimes	Property crimes per 1,000 citizens	Violent crimes per 1,000 citizens
19,920	56	12

 

Miscellaneous

Unemployed	Participate in the labor force	Have some form of disability	Live in poverty	Widows	Veterans
6%	74%	11%	8%	3%	13%

Anchorage is considered very friendly to members of the LGBTQ+ community. This means that members of the community are accepted by the general public and can actively participate in public life without fear of bigotry.

 

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

 

Even though Anchorage is situated right on the edge of the vast Alaskan wilderness, living in the city often can feel like you are in the heart of nature. On clear nights, residents may sometimes see the northern lights from their homes. For outdoor recreation there are rafts, kayaking, or rented boat tours that can take you fishing or even off the beaten path to see unparalleled wildlife and stunning glaciers.

Culturally, Anchorage is an epicenter of Native American and First Nation art. For a fun day out there are plenty of museums and zoos, such as the Alaskan Zoo which showcases a wide array of native and exotic wildlife. The Alaskan Aviation Museum showcases how integral the history of air travel is to the region with a collection of vintage aircraft and memorabilia. Scenic views can be found in and around Anchorage, with popular spots such as Beluga Point for whale watching or the Alyeska Aerial Tram which goes a stunning 2,300 feet in the air.

 

Transportation

The People Mover bus system includes regular all-day service routes on many of the city’s major streets. Many routes terminate at the Downtown Transit Center. Usually, the services are only once an hour, though they recently went through some redesigns to better serve the people of Anchorage.