Louise Lopez expertly guides queer individuals to vibrant, inclusive U.S. and North American neighborhoods with 15+ years of dedicated experience, ensuring they find not just a home, but a community where their authenticity is celebrated and protected.
If you’re searching for a queer-friendly place to call home, Alaska may not be the first destination that comes to mind, but moving to LGBT Anchorage might merit more investigation.
With an overall rating of 85, it does well on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (which looks at how welcoming a city’s laws, policies, and services are to LGBTQ residents). You might just find the accepting environment that you or your family need to thrive in here…
Home to a staggering 40% of the state’s populace, and a hub for the area’s queer culture, it’s no surprise that Anchorage is a desirable location to call home. Its location blends the best of both worlds: metropolitan comfort with easy access to Alaska‘s stunning natural marvels.
In less than four hours, you pick an artisan cup of coffee from downtown, drop by Cabela’s for some groceries or one of the two gay bars in Anchorage for a drink, and then be at Denali National Park.
If that seems like the experience you want, we’ll take you around LGBT Anchorage and tell you all you need to know about this vibrant and unexpectedly inclusive city.
Like Tallahassee, Forth Worth, Oakland, Knoxville, and other mid-sized cities in the USA, there is a queer scene here but it is much more low-key than say, New York or Los Angeles. This is why a gay realtor in Anchorage is worth their weight in gold as they can help you find your new perfect home here in the most gay-friendly neighborhood possible.
Despite the rather hidden LGBT culture, moving to the largest city of ‘The Last Frontier’ shouldn’t make you uncomfortable. The majority of people are accepting of the LGBTQ community, and you will soon discover that most businesses, shops, and services will serve you with pride. Given the city’s small size, the queer community tends to band together here. As a result, when you enter a bar, you might see drag queens, lesbians, and bears all partying and staying warm together during the long Alaskan winter nights…
Consider this article to be an LGBT Anchorage relocation guide that will help you know what to expect when relocating to this wonderful city. Leave all of your preconceived notions at the door because moving to LGBT Anchorage is not what you think it is…
In this article we will cover...
- Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Anchorage
- Does Anchorage Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
- Is Anchorage An Expensive City To Move To?
- The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Anchorage
- LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Anchorage
- LGBTQ+ Community Events in Anchorage
- LGBT-Owned Businesses In Anchorage
- Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Anchorage
- Finding Gay Realtors In Anchorage
Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Anchorage
Some Alaskans may call Anchorage “Los Anchorage,” an allusion to the fact that the city is a metropolis. In some ways, this is correct. In Anchorage, you’ll find many of the advantages of city living.
This includes cultural attractions such as theaters, art galleries, live music, and various amenities such as coffee shops, stores, restaurants, and bars. But what makes this city a special place to live goes beyond its metropolitan vibe.
Anchorage residents are well aware that their city has a reputation for being beige but know it is secretly full of hidden gems. Once you will live here, you will discover there is plenty of places full of color and life and that Anchorage is brimming with culture and beautiful sights just waiting to be discovered. The interior of Mad Myrna’s comes to mind, with its fabulous drag shows, club nights, and Drageoke!
Securing a relocation here will also allow you to meet others with similar interests, thanks to a quirky yet highly involved LGBT culture, which includes a few fantastic queer spots of interest in the city’s most popular neighborhoods.
Almost anything that your heart desires can be found here. There are plenty of things to look forwards to when moving to LGBT Anchorage, be it incredible nature, fascinating galleries, or lively breweries.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the aspects that make up this incredible city before we get into the details.
Traffic in Anchorage, Alaska
Many residents of Anchorage commute to work since they live a long way from their workplace. You should expect occasional traffic delays during the winter due to accidents on the highways in particular places.
If driving, subscribe to Nixle text alerts from the Anchorage Police Department to obtain the most up-to-date traffic information. Consider getting a mobile app that will show you alternate routes.
Prepare For The Cold Weather
Because Anchorage is so far north, you should expect long, cold winters. Anchorage experiences a subarctic climate, which implies that summers are short and cool. This situation is not a concern for those who enjoy winter.
Summer day temps range from 12.8- 25.6 degrees Celsius, while winter daytime temps range from 15.0- 1.1 degrees Celsius. So, if you’re moving to Anchorage, make sure you’ve packed your winter clothes and equipment.
Earthquakes
Anchorage experiences earthquakes on occasion. The most recent major quake with a magnitude of 7.1 occurred in 2018 on the Richter scale. Ensure you’re aware of the steps to take in an earthquake.
To lessen the impact of this force of nature, the local government has installed an early warning system for earthquakes. Radio, emergency broadcasts, television, smartphone app, and the federal Wireless Emergency Alerts system are used to give alerts.
Flightseeing
Flightseeing is one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities available in Anchorage. To explore Alaska from above, all you have to do is hop on an aircraft.
Flightseeing is offered all year, regardless of the season. This sport is kid-friendly, so you can bring your kids along to see Anchorage’s natural beauty.
Flightseeing is best done during the winter season since the landscape is stunningly gorgeous then. It will be a fantastic journey for you, your family, or your friends to see the diverse wildlife from above.
Go To The National Park
The city’s proximity to nature is one of the most admirable aspects of living here. Nearby are a handful of national parks with beautiful natural scenery and animals. Aside from that, you can participate in various outdoor activities like fishing and bear watching. Denali National Park,
Katmai National Park and Lake Clark National Park are just a few parks near the city. You might see a grizzly catching salmon at the Brooks River falls if you’re lucky.
Aside from the activities listed above, there are a variety of other outdoor activities available in Anchorage. For example, kayaking, salmon fishing, hiking, and watching the northern lights are possible throughout the summer.
Does Anchorage Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
Anchorage is most likely not the first area that crops up when considering an LGBTQ-friendly city to live in. However, the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index of 2017 gave it high MEI marks. The MEI assesses how inclusive a city’s municipal policies, laws, and services are to LGBTQ residents. Anchorage earned a score of 85 out of 100 and deserves applause.
As home to Alaska’s Pride organization and Identity Alaska (the state’s leading LGBTQ support group), Anchorage generates a culture of inclusion for its LGBTQ citizens with a parade that draws more than 10,000 people. Pride celebrations aren’t the only queer-friendly activities that take place all year round.
Mad Myrna’s is a gay bar and lounge in the region that holds various events such as dance parties, drag shows, and Drageoke! Anchorage is perfect for people looking for a welcoming environment with lots of entertainment and the outdoor experiences that the state is renowned for.
Anchorage is one of the state’s first cities to advocate for LGBT rights successfully. Identity, Inc. has lately fought back against attempts to repeal LGBT rights.
The LGBT community has informally settled in the north side of downtown, which now offers a variety of shopping and entertainment options for LGBT families, such as the legendary Mad Myrna’s. Anchorage also hosts the official state LGBT pride festival.
In 2014, same-sex marriage became legal. Nevertheless, there are regulations in place that allow for active discrimination, specifically in the context of transgender people.
There is a program where drag queens read books to children in the local Anchorage library. Unfortunately, protests against the program are held regularly – a sad issue that plagues cities around the nation (liberal or otherwise!). A “Queens Guard” is even on guard to serve as a buffer for those attending the event. Consider the gays who stand in front of demonstrations at pride events; it’s almost the same concept.
Fortunately, Anchorage has a local LGBT scene consisting primarily of three bars. The most popular is Mad Myrna’s, located in downtown Anchorage, which hosts drag shows, karaoke, and other activities every week.
Is Anchorage An Expensive City To Move To?
Anchorage has a high cost of living. The overall cost of living here is 28% more than the country’s average. The reason for this is that most everyday essentials must be imported into Anchorage.
This doesn’t mean you can’t find affordable alternatives for your everyday purchases. Anchorage locals have found different methods to save money, and you can follow in their footsteps by buying your basics in bulk at Costco. Fishing and purchasing groceries at farmer’s markets are two other strategies to reduce your expenses.
Cost of Housing
Housing is the most expensive item on your list. You should expect to pay about $900 for a studio apartment or $1340 for a two-bedroom house. These amounts are 48 percent more than the country’s average.
Anchorage has the highest median listing price in Alaska, around $345,000 for a home. However, since the city has the state’s largest harbor and 95 percent of Alaska’s imports go through its docks, there’s a lot higher demand for homes.
Cost of Food
The next substantial expense in your budget is groceries. Because so much of the foodstuff on Anchorage’s shelves has to be imported from elsewhere, prices have risen proportionally. Expect to pay around 38% more for groceries than the U.S average, particularly for fresh fruit and veg.
Many Alaskans augment their diet by capturing fish and crabs, which may be one of the reasons you’re thinking about moving here. The typical single adult can reserve just over $3,000 per year for food.
Cost of Transportation
Anchorage is a driving town, especially during the winter when there’s minimal light and low temperatures. Transportation expenditures are around 13% more than the country’s average because vehicles must be outfitted to manage snow and ice. However, the majority of Anchorage residents experience an average 18-minute commute.
The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Anchorage
There are thankfully many places to reside for those who are looking for a calmer yet still LGBT-friendly environment as not all LGBT people want to be close to the (relative) chaos of downtown Anchorage.
When moving to LGBTQ Anchorage, a.k.a the City of Lights and Flowers, bear in mind that some areas are more conveniently located for all the fun queer events and activities. By being aware of them in advance, you can arrive at your new residence in the gay-friendly neighborhood that best suits your needs.
Discover your delightfully ideal new home in one of these prominent gay and LGBT-friendly communities in Anchorage. Each one has its own distinct personality, a friendly neighborhood, and facilities you’ll love. Give yourself lots of time to get to know the many different and diverse areas of Anchorage, and bare in mind that this city has plenty to offer everyone – queer or otherwise!
Now let’s take a look at where the handful of marvelous gay areas in Anchorage are and talk about the Anchorage gayborhood where you might feel most at home! Or speak to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today.
The Midtown District
If you’re willing to do some urban walking, this district can provide greater value than the Downtown area, thanks to an increasing number of inexpensive, mid-range hotels. You don’t have to go far to find good food.
Midtown and the surrounding districts of Taku-Campbell and North Star have a lot of excellent breakfast options, a good selection of Korean restaurants (a specialty in the city), and one of the city’s beloved breweries: Moose’s Tooth, a match made in heaven of custom-brewed beer and gourmet pizzas.
The Cuddy Family Midtown Park, which has a magnificent kids’ play area and a waterfowl-filled pond, is the only green space in the district. The western entryway to the wilder region of Far North Bicentennial Park, the Campbell Creek Trail, runs through the district’s southeastern section.
This district is easily reachable from Anchorage’s waterfront, positioned north of Chester Creek. The Midtown District is home to a booming entertainment and performing arts industry and a slew of LGBTQ-friendly shops, restaurants, and hangouts. The Midtown District’s median property value is around $220,000.
Downtown
Compared to the Midtown District, downtown Anchorage has a more business feel. It is a famous tourist destination because it is positioned right on the water. Only approximately 1,600 people live in downtown Anchorage, nearly 90% occupied by renters. Even though the median property value is higher than the country’s average, the median rental price is moderately higher.
W 9th Avenue, L Street, and the Knik River run through the neighborhood, lined with condos and luxury mansions. There’s a lot to see and do here, including multiple five-star restaurants, the city’s gay and lesbian community center, and a slew of vibrant and fun LGBTQ nightclubs.
The neighborhood has the city’s most diverse selection of restaurants, stores, employers, and nightclubs. This walkable waterfront district also offers ample business opportunities and a wide range of home options and pricing ranges. According to the MLS, the median price of properties for sale in the area is $435,000.
South Addition
With larger estates and residences, and several walkable streets, South Addition provides a more residential atmosphere to its people. Living in South Addition also gives easy access to various parks with sports grounds, nature walks, and a canal where you can kayak during the summer or skate during the winter.
The region also has a fascinating history: it was built in the 1940s to accommodate Army personnel stationed there. Tragically, many were drafted in World War II, and others never got to live in the homes built for them, which are still enjoyed by many families today.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Anchorage
To progress the LGBTQ agenda, the queer community commonly has to rely on donor organizations or non-profits.
Wherever you live, it is imperative that you assist such organizations in any manner you can in order for them to reach out and aid others in the neighborhood. These Anchorage LGBT community organizations are some of the best.
Every LGBT person has benefited from their tireless labor to secure the advancement and rights we enjoy now being aware of them is good whether you need their help now or potentially in the future.
These are wonderful places to start if you’re looking for LGBTQ groups to join, seek support from, meet new people with or volunteer for a cause you care about.
Anchorage has a flourishing LGBTQ population that is well-supported, growing, and well-supported by many community resources around the city. Among them are the following:
Identity Alaska is an Anchorage-based LGBTQ community center dedicated to advocating for, educating, and connecting the state’s LGBTQ community. Identity fulfills this objective by providing LGBTQ people, allies, and friends in the city with events, resources, support, and networking opportunities.
PFLAG Anchorage is the city’s chapter of the national PFLAG organization. In the U. S., PFLAG is the most prominent community organization of its kind. PFLAG has been a valuable resource for LGBTQ communities around the country for decades, offering support, advocacy, education, resources, and networking opportunities.
An alliance of parents, youth, mentors, and community members formed Choosing Our Roots. It is a non-profit organization whose goal is to find an effective and long-lasting solution to solve the homelessness of LGBTQ+ youth in the state.
Choosing Our Roots offers more than shelter to the youth: COR works with queer youth aged 13- 24yrs by forming long-term supportive partnerships with volunteering host families and community members.
COR collaborates with community stakeholders and partners to provide wrap-around services and develop a support network for its members and provide secure housing and bring families together.
LGBTQ+ Community Events in Anchorage
After moving to a new city, you will likely want to create new connections, meet new people, and network. Thankfully, LGBT Anchorage plays host to a variety of annual events for lesbians, transgender persons, gays, and anyone else who wants to have a good time.
While there are many queer events in the city, the ones listed here are the largest and greatest and are all worth marking in your calendar as you won’t want to miss them.
Anchorage Pride is the largest yearly celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and everything it contributes to the larger Anchorage region. This annual celebration has offered fun, festivities, advocacy, support, education, and community for 42+ years. It’s an event you shouldn’t miss!
The Anchorage Folk Festival is a once-a-year folk music jamboree held in Anchorage in January. Free public concerts, jam sessions, clinics, and a banjo tournament are available to attendees. It’s a fantastic time for everyone!
Volunteer Skill Sharing
Volunteer skill sharing, information sessions, and community events are available online. Join COR community partners, investors, participants, and volunteers for events regularly.
LGBT-Owned Businesses In Anchorage
After moving to LGBT Anchorage, it’s only natural to want to support queer businesses. One strategy for establishing a safer and more inclusive society is to create a secure environment where people may rest, buy, dine, and connect without fear, and this is exactly what LGBT companies should strive for.
To safeguard the queer community’s survival and success, it is critical to support these initiatives wherever you are. When you shop locally, you put in a personal investment in your city and community. Here’s a short list of LGBTQ+-owned businesses in Anchorage you can invest in with your pink dollars…
Copper Whale Inn Bed & Breakfast
A block from Elderberry Park and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, this homey clapboard 2-building inn is on the east end of Downtown. Warm rooms are decorated with unique Alaskan art, and many have fabulous views of the Cook Inlet or Alaska Range. Gay Friendly, this is a great place to stay if you plan to visit Anchorage before the big move…
Popular gay bar and social club in the LGBT district of north-east Anchorage. Resident DJs at Mad Myrna’s fill the large and colorful bar with dancing music. Additionally, the bar frequently holds karaoke nights and cabaret performances.
There is no reason to miss the weekly drag show – typically held on Friday and Saturday nights and a local queer highlight. Although Alaska may not come to mind when considering a gay-friendly location, Mad Myrna’s is an LGBT+ haven in the Last Frontier.
A smaller, more intimate gay bar in Anchorage that we recommend visiting to strike up a conversation and make friends with locals. The underwear parties are worth planning a night out around if that is your thing…
A warm coffee shop in Anchorage serving house-made pastries and handcrafted international drinks. Proving a safe space with queer and Latinx identities, they often spice things up with drag performances on the last Friday with Mexican bingo, mocktails, prizes and lip-syncs.
Since opening her coffee business in 2021, Estrella “Star” Rodriguez-Northcutt has worked hard to make Cafecito Bonito a secure and friendly place for all – and thinks this is the perfect event to support and get to know the local LGBT Anchorage community.
Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska, is a fantastic city. Even in the cold, dark winter, the city is attractive and inviting. In addition, if you enjoy winter beauty, the winter months here are ideal for sightseeing or other outdoor pursuits.
Remember that life is what you make it, and wherever (or if ever) you decide to start your new chapter in LGBT Anchorage, we wish you the freedom and security you deserve. Living in a gay-friendly area, visiting nearby LGBT businesses and events, and joining queer community groups and sports teams are always the best methods to discover more about LGBT Anchorage.
We guarantee that if you follow these recommendations, moving to LGBT Anchorage will be less difficult for you and that you’ll quickly find like-minded individuals with whom to establish your new chosen family.
Finding Gay Realtors In Anchorage
When searching for the ideal realtor, why would you consider someone’s sexuality? This may seem strange at first, but there are numerous reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Anchorage is a great way to find your dream house.
After all, when undertaking one of life’s most important transactions, it’s not unreasonable to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who understands the queer community’s particular needs and wishes.
Furthermore, unfortunately, many people (up to a third of Americans) continue to believe that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in housing, adoption, employment, and other areas of life.
So it’s no surprise that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors often express feelings of discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt. Everyone deserves a gratifying, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being sufficiently represented, and this is why we feel you should engage a gay realtor to help you in finding your perfect future home.
LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be knowledgeable about the diverse communities in their area and understand which ones may be best suited to you when searching for a home. That’s not to say heterosexual realtors are not competent, but they’ve probably never had to handle many of the issues LGBT people face.
Rather than just being concerned with how bustling, fashionable, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or what it may appear like), gay realtors perform extensive research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to ensure that clients are safe.
It used to be challenging to uncover professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Anchorage – and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral. Thankfully, you no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Anchorage to do all of your homework for you.
Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradesmen, and more. Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then select the one who is right for you. It’s essential that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exhilarating occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
