Having moved up to ANC from Florida, the previous comment about "Alaska Quality" construction will seem familiar to anyone from Florida where the majority of houses still say Maytag on the side if you scratch the paint--scarcely shelter from the elements! I am also in the process of trying to find a place but I’m pretty content staying at a B&B right across from the airport (maybe a 15 minute walk if I had to walk) in the Turnagain division. It isn’t the prettiest part of town, but if you’re only looking for a crash pad it’s a great location. Summer rates for living up here are prohibitively high unless you own something (and even then). As for Girdwood, it is truly beautiful but is an awfully long commute on roads that are subject to closure because of avalanches.

Concerning the previous comments about AK, they’re a great indication of the kind of folks up here. Everyone’s a storyteller. I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to the lower 48! Good luck!