Against the dramatic backdrop of the Chugach Mountains lies the Alaskan city of Anchorage. It's a city with a story to tell. After the United States bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for two cents an acre, the city was established as a railroad construction port. It has grown rapidly to be both the largest city in Alaska and the northernmost American city, with a population of around 300,000 people. Its summertime flowers are famous all over the US, giving it the charming nickname of the City of Lights and Flowers. Alongside the city's dramatic backdrop and thriving flora, there's plenty more for expats living in Anchorage to explore. The Alaska Native Heritage Center tells some of the state's extraordinary stories of Alaska's Native cultures and traditions, and the Anchorage Museum gives international visitors and expats a vivid introduction to the subarctic state and its largest city.
Despite being pretty far north – it's a little north of Helsinki and a little south of Reykjavík – moving to Anchorage won't be too much of a climate shock. Thanks to strong maritime influences, the climate is mild and summertime temperatures can reach the high twenties. InterNations has a great selection of articles and information to help expatriates get to grips with cooler climes, and you'll find plenty of tips from other members who have made similar transitions. Anchorage being a modern, friendly part of the world, you shouldn't have much trouble settling in, and the Expat Magazine provides helpful information on everything from expat insurance and finance to settling in and adapting to life as an expatriate. It shouldn't be long before you've found your feet in the city, but in the meantime InterNations has plenty of content to make the transition as easy and enjoyable as possible.
The Alaskan city makes a one-of-a-kind workplace, with inspirational geography and wildlife in every direction. There is plenty else going for Anchorage, too, not least the fact that it has been named the most tax-friendly city in the US. In fact, in many ways working in Anchorage is as American an experience as it gets. The city has been named All-America City four times and the dynamic economy is a classic American success story. With so much going on, it's not surprising that there are plenty of global minds around, and InterNations members can get in touch with other expatriates easily over online discussion groups, forums and using private correspondence. There are a number of communities living in Anchorage and organizing a meet-up with other international residents should not be too difficult. In fact, given the extraordinary growth story of the young city, which turned one hundred this year, the prospect of finding or starting a thriving expat community here doesn't seem far-fetched at all.