Turnagain

If you’re relocating to Anchorage from out of state, you won’t have to go far from the airport to find your next home. The Turnagain neighborhood is located on the shores of Cook Inlet and just minutes from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. “It’s a small, charming community. It’s built around the coastal trail and the inlet,” says local real estate agent Kari Disbrow with Jack White Real Estate. “The homes are on the coast. There are lots of parks and recreation. It’s very desirable.” With walkable streets and plenty of natural recreation opportunities, Turnagain is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the city.

The residential part of Turnagain is full of tree-lined neighborhood streets with traditional homes set on good-sized lots. The houses are close enough together that you’ll get to know your neighbors, but you won’t feel crammed. Spacious front yards have plenty of room for landscaping or for kids to run around. The neighborhood has many ranch-style homes, mostly wood siding and side-gabled roofs. Newer houses are often contemporary, with various colors and shapes incorporated into the design. Built-in garages are standard, offering privacy and security for residents.

You can find a three-bedroom town house in the neighborhood for around $330,000, but single-family homes typically start at $400,000. Homes closer to the coast will be more expensive, with several listed for more than $1 million. They often have four or five bedrooms and lots of nearly an acre.

Students in Turnagain might attend Turnagain Elementary School, conveniently located in the heart of the neighborhood on Northern Lights Boulevard. Romig Middle School and West Anchorage High School are also nearby and share a building connected by a hallway. West Anchorage is rated an A overall by Niche and serves approximately 1,800 students. The school offers several unique academic programs, including Spanish and Russian language immersion curriculums and a medical academy for students interested in a career in healthcare. The school also offers an Air Force JROTC program.

The location near the shores of the Cook Inlet gives residents plenty of room for recreation. You can easily access the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, an extensive trail system that runs along the coast from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park. The trail is ideal for walking, running or biking and takes visitors through coastal marshes and across forested hills. The trail runs through Lyn Ary Park, a popular local spot for sports. This city park has several baseball fields, two tennis courts and a playground.

With the airport nearby, you can visit the Point Woronzof Overlook to watch planes take off and land. The Alaska Aviation Museum details the history of plane travel in the state with interactive displays, memorabilia and films. The museum is located just northeast of the airport on the shore of Lake Hood, the busiest seaplane base in the world, with more than 87,000 takeoffs and landings each year.

After a busy day of hiking or watching planes, you’ll probably be hungry. Fortunately, there are several popular restaurants nearby. “Other than downtown, Anchorage doesn’t have many neighborhoods with walkable restaurants nearby,” says Disbrow. “Turnagain has some of those rare opportunities to walk to some of the local haunts for lunch or dinner.” Disbrow says Rustic Goat is one of the most popular eateries in the neighborhood. This brightly lit restaurant with industrial décor serves upscale American fare like innovative burgers, calamari and pulled pork nachos. The restaurant also has an extensive drink menu with craft beers from local breweries.

You’ll have easy access to groceries with a Carrs located on Northern Lights Boulevard. And with Minnesota Drive on the neighborhood’s eastern side, you have a straight shot into downtown Anchorage.

Written By

Matthew Atkins

Photography Contributed By

Elizabeth James

Video By

Michael Carey