Alaska’s wilderness makes it a popular tourist destination, but what some people might not know is how great it is to live on The Last Frontier. Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the Lower 48 combined and they sure know how to enjoy it! You’ll find plenty of nature to explore—Alaska has the most glaciers in the country and an abundance of salmon for fishing. There is never a dull moment in the Alaskan waters.
Alaska has year-round excitement. From the Midnight Sun in the summer to the Northern Lights in the fall and winter, life in Alaska is the perfect place to keep you on your toes after retirement.
1. Utqiaġvik
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 7.9%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 12.55
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 7
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 31
If you are looking for peace and solidarity in retirement, Utqiaġvik is just the place for you. It is the northernmost city in the United States and is only accessible by plane! Utqiaġvik is one of the oldest inhabited towns in the U.S. and is still, with around 4,300 residents, one of Alaska’s larger villages. Because of its long history, Utqiaġvik is rich in indigenous Inuit culture, even officially changing its name in 2016 to support the use of the Iñupiaq language.
Another way the town celebrates its culture is with the Nalukataq Whaling Festival. Along with food, singing, and dancing, the festival also includes the blanket toss. This old tradition was once a hunting technique used by Iñupiaq hunters but now is a fun activity for the whole community.
2. Fairbanks
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 11.4%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 7.84
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 43
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 198
A product of the gold rush, Fairbanks is known as the “Golden Heart of Alaska.” It is the second-largest city in Alaska with a population of about 32,500 and one of the healthiest places to live in the state. Locals consider Fairbanks to be an authentic year-round destination with activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, and dog mushing in the cold months and hiking, bird watching, floating the Chena River, and panning for gold in the warmer months.
Fairbanks’ unique past is showcased best at Pioneer Park. This park has a display of historic log cabins turned into eateries, shops, and museums as well as outdoor recreational areas that are both family and visitor friendly. In the summer, Pioneer Park hosts Gazebo Nights where local musicians can take the stage and visitors can enjoy the live music for free.
3. Palmer
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 11.7%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 2.8
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 27
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 113
A perfect balance of farming community and self-proclaimed alpine paradise creates a lively atmosphere for Palmer residents. About 40 miles northeast of Anchorage, Palmer’s moderate population provides a strong community presence, and the ongoing public events keep the community busy. In the summer, Palmer celebrates its roots with Colony Days, a three-day event that includes a parade, live music, food, games, and a farmer’s market. One of Palmer’s landmarks is the Knik Glacier at the head of the Knik River. This is one of Alaska’s oldest and most active glaciers, standing three miles wide and more than 200 feet thick. The glacier can only be reached by boat, in the air via helicopter tours, or by a fat tire bike in the winter.
Palmer’s most notable event is the Alaska State Fair. Held every year around Labor Day, the fair is a two-week event full of live music from both local and national bands, a carnival, and hundreds of market booths and food vendors. There are also livestock and agriculture exhibits. Part of these exhibits is the giant vegetable weigh-off where competitors from all over the state bring in their best and biggest homegrown produce in hopes of taking home the blue ribbon.
4. Kenai
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.2%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 9.54
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 57
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 155
At the heart of the Kenai Peninsula is a city of the same name. It is the largest city in the borough with a population of about 7,800 and it sits off the Sterling Highway about 80 miles north of Homer. Because of its proximity to the Kenai River, it is a very popular fishing destination and is best known for its world-class salmon fishing. The Kenai River has been the home of eight of the 10 largest king salmon, including a world-record-holding catch coming in at 97 pounds in 1985! In addition to the river, Kenai residents also find themselves taking in the great outdoors on the Kenai Soldotna Unity Trail. This paved trail has around nine miles of scenic views that connect Kenai to the neighboring city of Soldotna. It is perfect for bike rides, jogs, or birdwatching strolls.
Although you may not think of golfing when you think of Alaska, the Kenai Golf Course may just make you change your mind. It is the only full-service, 18-hole course on the peninsula. In the summers, it is open into the late evenings under the midnight sun, and in the winter, visitors can use the grounds as a cross-country ski destination. Because of its unique location, golfers can often catch a glimpse of some of Kenai’s prevalent wildlife such as sandhill cranes, moose, eagles, and sometimes even bears on the edges of the grounds.
5. Badger
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 9.6%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 7.58
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 37.42
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 198
Badger is a quiet city about 10 miles outside of Fairbanks that takes advantage of Alaska’s wide-open landscape while mixing the tranquil seclusion of a rural area with the energetic suburban life. Despite the space, Badger is actually the fourth largest city with a population of around 20,000! Residents and visitors enjoy Badger’s proximity to the Chena River and are never at a loss for outdoor adventures including hiking, camping, kayaking on the river, fishing in the warm months, and ice fishing in the cold months.
In addition to the short trip to Fairbanks, Badger residents can also find a unique Alaskan experience just five miles down the road in North Pole, Alaska! This quaint little town embraces the name with a year-round Christmas theme which includes candy cane-shaped streetlights. This charming attraction is sure to get you into the Yuletide spirit no matter the time of year.
6. Meadow Lakes
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.2%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 7.46
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 21.97
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 113
Meadow Lakes is in the southern part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, about 50 miles from Anchorage. This borough is one of Alaska’s fastest-growing subdivisions, but Meadow Lakes still has the rural feel of a small town. Meadow Lakes is surrounded by many other great cities including Houston to the east and Wasilla to the west to provide anything you can’t find in Meadow Lakes.
Getting outdoors is easy as it sits in the middle of some of Alaska’s best trails and mountains. The Meadow Lakes Park and Sports Field has access to two of those trails and keeps the walk exciting with a hidden stream inside the park. You can find all your favorite Alaskan-made goodies at the Meadow Lakes Market located down the road in Wasilla. It has around 80 different vendors year-round supplying the best jams, spices, coffees, and locally sourced honey around. You can also find handcrafted work like jewelry, metal and glass art, and soaps.
7. Kalifornsky
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.3%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 2.73
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 30
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 155
Bookended by the Kenai River to its east and the Cook Inlet to its west, Kalifornsky is a small town with a population of around 8,500 but its community is tight-knit and residents are always ready to show up for their neighbors.
Part of what makes Kalifornsky so unique is the beautiful landscape that surrounds it. At Kalifornsky Beach, residents can swim in the cool waters of the Cook Inlet and fish for some of Alaska’s famous salmon. On a clear day, you can see Mount Redoubt, the active stratovolcano that overlooks the beach.
8. Knik-Fairview
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 10.5%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 4.4
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 53.14
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 113
Sitting in the southernmost part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is Knik-Fairview with a population of around 19,000. Knik-Fairview sits on the western bank of the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet. The borough is full of other great cities, such as Palmer and Meadow Lakes, that are within driving distance of Knik-Fairview which keeps the area well-rounded.
One of these cities, Wasilla, is home to the Settlers Bay Golf Course. This 18-hole course invites Knik-Fairview residents into the natural beauty of the area. From woods to wetlands surrounded by snowcapped mountains, this course embraces all that Alaska scenery has to offer. The club also celebrates its home state by naming each hole after a stop on the Iditarod National Historic Trail. And don’t worry, those harsh winters are no match for the club’s groundkeepers! Special steps are taken every winter to ensure the course is ready and safe for you to enjoy.
9. College
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.9%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 7.84
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 43
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 198
Though some lump this city into Fairbanks, College, Alaska is actually its own city! Aptly named for being the home of The University of Alaska, this small town is one of the most populated cities in Alaska with a population of around 12,700. It neighbors cities like Fairbanks and Badger in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, a borough that is roughly the same size as New Jersey! The people living in College make up a very close-knit community and create an atmosphere that feels like everybody knows everyone.
Along with the dozens of miles of wooded biking trails and mountains to hike, College is also just a short drive from the Chena Hot Springs Resort. This resort is open year-round for locals and visitors alike. The hot springs offer a relaxing break from the chilly weather, and there are several options for how you can enjoy the springs from outdoor tubs to indoor family pools. The resort also offers guided tours, dog sled rides, and an ice museum to check out some of Alaska’s best ice sculptures.
10. Tanaina
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 7.8%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 4.4
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 53
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 113
Tanaina is one of Alaska’s highest populated cities with roughly 10,000 people. It shares the Matanuska-Susitna Borough with cities like Wasilla, Palmer, and Knik-Fairview. Residents in Tanaina love its family and pet-friendly environment and how safe being in a tight-knit community makes them feel.
Given its location, Tanaina has many great options for entertainment, local eateries, and outdoor adventure. One of these adventures is the Iditarod Headquarters, the starting point of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. This specialty museum offers a look at all things Iditarod including footage of past races, trophies, and photos. The museum is also home to Togo and Balto, two statues that commemorate the dogs’ teams who aided in saving Nome, Alaska from the diphtheria epidemic of 1925 and paved the way for the dog sled races.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, American Hospital Directory, and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.
Jessi Gonzalez writes on the topics of home-buying, home decor, and home-ownership for New Home Source. She has a degree from Coastal Bend College and is currently enrolled in the English degree program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.