Abbott Loop - Anchorage, AK

After Alaska became a U.S. territory in 1912, city planners began to design the Anchorage area as a railroad-construction port and the construction of the Alaska Railroad became its biggest economic strength. The railroad boom continued through the early part of the 20th century, halting only briefly for the Good Friday Earthquake, which caused over $2 billion in damage. Now, Abbott Loop acts as one of the many residential neighborhoods that has branched off from the city of Anchorage. With the largest population density in Alaska, people were forced to move further from the city, allowing builders to create new residential areas. Most cultural attractions such as museums and art galleries require a trip to Anchorage. However, artists can find plenty of supplies to restock on at Art Values, a local art supply store, or a nearby Michaels. Most annual events take place in the nearby neighborhood parks such as Far North Bicentennial Park. Check the park website for holiday events throughout the year such as the Turkey Trot or October Haunted Trails.

Abbot Loop provides several noteworthy places to go for a nice meal or just to grab a bite to eat. Lahn Pad Thai serves up authentic Thai cuisine both for sit down or take out. Lots of people rave about the Panang curry and drunken noodles. Lahn Pad Thai also proves to be a great place to catch a late meal to go, with business hours lasting until 8 p.m. even on Sunday nights. If you're looking to go out for a light lunch, House of Bread will no doubt meet your needs. Specializing in home-baked pastries, grilled sandwiches, and tasty seasonal soups, this casual cafe always draws a sizeable lunch crowd. People love visiting the bakery section to sample the day's freshly baked bread. In fact, House of Bread Bakery even offers custom bread baskets wrapped as gifts. Abbot Loop houses one of the best dive bars in the region right in its backyard: Long Branch Saloon. Acting both as a bar and hip burger joint, Long Branch Saloon excels in providing a fun and casual atmosphere for locals to relax, eat and grab a drink. Burger lovers will be pleased to find large helpings of fries, toppings and homemade buns on their gourmet sandwich. Here's an insider tip; stop by on a Thursday night for ladies' night, when all ladies eat free with the purchase of their second drink.

If you plan on moving to the Abbott Loop area, be sure to bring a car with you. The neighborhood covers a considerable amount of land, and most errands will require a motor vehicle of some kind. Public parking remains prevalent throughout the neighborhood, and car owners enjoy easy access to Lake Otis Parkway and Seward Highway for fast travel to Anchorage and other cities. Public buses also service the area with multiple stops lining Lake Otis Parkway. The bus line takes residents south to the major shops and restaurants of the area and as far north as South Anchorage. The neighborhood provides sidewalks mainly for recreational walking rather than commuting. Some residents can bike to run errands, though this proves not very common due to cold temperatures during most of the year. Cabs can be a rare sight in Abbott Loop, so plan on calling ahead of time if you need a ride. Uber also presents an option for transport, though the drivers prove far less frequent.

Known for its scenic trails and natural environment, Abbott Loop provides plenty of outdoor activities and parks for its residents. Abbott Loop Community Park acts as the nearest park to the neighborhood. Located inside the boundaries of the larger Far North Bicentennial Park, Abbott Loop Community Park provides multiple Little League baseball fields, a multipurpose field and a picnic shelter as amenities for visitors. Parking for the area remains plentiful with up to 200 spaces available for motor vehicles. Past Abbott Loop Park lie the many features and amenities of Far North Bicentennial Park. Options for outdoor activity in the park include the Hilltop Ski Area, Karl Eid Ski Jumps, lakes and cross-country skiing. With over 4,000 acres of land available, the park provides plenty of space to bring dogs to play including a dedicated section for dogs to run around. There are even certain trails dedicated for dog mushing. The park's trails total over 100 miles of multi-use paths. In addition, Far North Bicentennial Park includes a portion of the Alaska Botanical Gardens. The Municipality of Anchorage holds multiple events throughout the year in the parks of the area. Some of the most popular events include the Family Ski Day and the festive Gingerbread House/Holiday Carnival.

Although houses comprise most of the residential areas of Abbott Loop, there are apartment complexes in the neighborhood. Those looking for a one-bedroom apartment in Abbott Loop should expect to see an average price of $900 per month. Residents of Abbott Loop experience a general cost of living about 25 percent higher than the national average. The difference in expenses may result from the harsh winter conditions that the Anchorage area can experience. Prices for food and drinks also rank higher than the national average. Coffee lovers may need to cut back, as the average price per cup in the area reaches up to $5.49 per cup.

Most of the shops in Abbott Loop represent large and recognizable chains. Folks who live in the neighborhood can visit Safeway or Fred Meyer for all their grocery needs. People looking for a bargain deal should head to Value Village and scour the used and vintage goods for rare finds. Outdoor enthusiasts will be delighted to find a Sportsman's Warehouse just off Seward Highway, offering guns, fishing equipment, sports equipment, and more. Dimond Center acts as the area's nearest shopping mall. The mall contains various clothing stores such as Gap and Forever 21. However, the shops of the mall often take a backseat to its main attraction: an indoor ice-skating rink. Located on the bottom level, shoppers can take a break from browsing by strapping on some skates and gliding around the regulation-size rink for a break. The nearest farmers' market occurs a few miles south of the neighborhood on Saturdays during summer months. Be sure to come early in the morning for the best selection of produce. The market also opens for business on Wednesdays from July to September. Along with fresh produce and local meats, honeys, jams and locally made ice cream can all be found at the stalls in South Anchorage Farmers Market.