You might think that the coffee capital of the U.S. is Seattle, but did you know that the actual espresso capital is the area surrounding Lakes? Lakes and the rest of the surrounding Anchorage metropolitan area actually has more espresso stands per capita than anywhere else in the country, so if you end up living there, you won't have to worry about getting tired, no matter where you are!
Located in the great Anchorage Metropolitan area is a scenic suburb called Lakes, which has a ton of, you might have guessed it, lakes! Lakes is just a 43 mile drive from Anchorage, so it's an easy place to be if you want to commute into and out of the big city nearby. It's also a great place to be if you like to spend time in the great outdoors and you enjoy sports and recreational activities. People here enjoy an active, vibrant pace of life and they often take advantage of all the beautiful natural resources at their fingertips.
Moving to Lakes
If you're planning to move to Lakes, you might want to conduct your search for apartment rentals in the spring through the fall. Of course, if you're going to move to Alaska, you'll probably like the cold or be able to tolerate it, but searching a bunch of different apartment complexes in your parka might not be the most comfortable of experiences!
Once you plan the dates of your apartment hunt, begin an apartment search using an apartments locator for available properties in Lakes. Think about what your priorities are in an apartment, and narrow down the places that really fit the bill for you. Some things to consider are location of the apartment, its size, its convenience for a commute and the other amenities close to it.
Once you've narrowed down the right choice of house rentals in Lakes, AK, then you'll want to schedule appointments to see as many as you can. It's rare to land on your dream home in the first try, so seeing as many apartments as possible ensures that you'll end up living somewhere you like.
Next, once your appointments are set, prepare to submit a rental application. Rental applications are basically documents so that potential landlords can verify if you're qualified to pay for a rental apartment, and some of the things you may want to include are bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, proof of income, a letter of employment and copies of your IDs. If you're worried about qualifying financially, you can also consider applying with a guarantor. Guarantors will be someone who is in better financial shape than you and can guarantee your apartment financially should you end up not being able to pay for it.
Finally, be prepared to pay a deposit on your apartment. Deposits usually range from two months' rent upfront to three months' rent upfront, so save your pennies before you move. If you take all the right steps, your move to Lakes will be easy and painless!
Neighborhoods in Lakes
One of the other most important parts of moving is ensuring that you end up in the right neighborhood. After all, what's the point of living in a sweet house if you don't like the area it's in? Once you've narrowed down the neighborhoods you'd be happy living in, you can save a lot of time and energy on your housing search. To learn more about Lakes neighborhoods, check out the information below. It can help you figure what areas of Lakes are the best ones for you.
Southern Lakes: Southern Lakes is home to (surprise, surprise!) many lakes. Mostly a suburban area with easy access to Interstate A-4, you can take advantage of property on Mud Lake, Cottonwood Lake and Finger Lake here. There are some great restaurants in this area. Some of the best include slow-roasted coffee joint Bistro Red Beet and popular Alaskan bagel spot Bagels Alaska.
Northern Lakes: The northern part of lakes also has its slew of lakes. This part of town is homes to Kings Lake, Anderson Lake, and Neklason Lake, among other smaller lakes. Northern Lakes is the more rural part of town, although no part of Lakes is a real bustling metropolis. There are a couple of great spots to shop here, despite its country feel. These include Arctic Treasures Thrift Stores and Little Miller's Ice Cream. The Valley Country Store is also in this part of town.
Living in Lakes
Lakes, AK is an Alaskan wilderness paradise with a twist of suburbia. The city is home to many lakes, including Mud Lake, Cottonwood Lake, Finger Lake, Anderson Lake, Kings Lake, Dry Lake and Neklason Lake. As you might have guessed, it's definitely a great place to be if you like recreational sports -- and particularly ones that take place on the water!
Residents here like ice fishing, ice skating and snowmobiling in the winter, as well as fishing, boating, swimming, canoeing, kayaking and more in the summer. For those people who don't like to spend time outside or doing active things, there are other things to do in Lakes (though, not many.)
For those who like to dine, there's a good selection of restaurants, like Bagels Alaska, Taco Cancun Mexican Grill, Bistro Red Beet and more. Most of these eateries are located in the southern part of town, closer to Anchorage.
If you want bigger city action all the time, your best bet is to go into Anchorage, the state's biggest city. There, you can find world-class attractions and amenities, and there's always something for everyone to do! Some of the most popular things to do in Anchorage include the Anchorage Museum, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Alaska Zoo, and the Oscar Anderson House Museum. For people looking for a little more outdoor activities, you can take advantage of Chugach National Forest, Kincaid Park, Chugach State Park, Flattop Mountain, and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (as well as many, many more!)
To get to Anchorage, hop in your car and drive about an hour to town. There's also a bus from Lakes to Anchorage, if you want to depend on public transportation. Bus Route 10 runs from one city to the other, and the buses run every hour, so the schedule is relatively dependable. Living in Lakes offers the best of both worlds: easy access to a big city, with a real rural retreat and escape when you want it.
