The only place you want to live is south Anchorage. Eagle River gets no sun in the winter and the valley is too far away. If you choose to live up in the valley/Eagle River be ready for some bad traffic. There is only one highway and it goes right through town. In winter the traffic is pretty bad. I lived in California for two years and this is far worse.

However if you choose south Anchorage, be ready of sticker shock. Plan on at least $200 per square foot and about $10,000 per year for property taxes.