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North Star

North Star

$344,443 Average Value
$236 Average Price per Sq Ft
7 Homes For Sale

North Star has parks, schools and convenient shopping

North Star is a central Anchorage neighborhood known for its parks and highly rated schools. The community is on the younger side, with a median age of 37 and about 22% of the population under 18. Homes range from modest cottages to elaborate custom designs and contemporary condos. Whether you’re doing some shopping in Midtown or heading to a job in Downtown Anchorage, this convenient location makes it easy to get around the city.

Midtown Mall features diverse shopping and dining options in the heart of Anchorage.
Midtown Mall features diverse shopping and dining options in the heart of Anchorage.
The North Star neighborhood mixes convenient access to the city's amenities with suburban life.
The North Star neighborhood mixes convenient access to the city's amenities with suburban life.
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What to pay for single-family homes and condos

Winding streets lined with tall trees and thick shrubs give the neighborhood a natural feeling, despite being in the center of town. As you drive through the community, you’ll see cottages, ranch-style houses and custom builds. Some homes offer scenic sunset views overlooking Westchester Lagoon. Single-family houses range from the upper $200,000s to the upper $500,000s. Condos include seven-story buildings and smaller two-unit structures, and cost between the mid-$100,000s and the lower $200,000s.

Homes are often one story with a single-car garage.
Homes are often one story with a single-car garage.
Log cabin homes can be found in North Star.
Log cabin homes can be found in North Star.
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Recreation ranges from playgrounds to fishing spots

North Star has lots of options for getting outside, including Valley of the Moon Park, one of the city's most popular spots. “For one, it’s got a huge field where you can play badminton or volleyball,” says Paul Lambert, a Realtor at Herrington and Company LLC with 25 years of experience. “They’ve got a couple of pavilions in there, so you can call the city and rent them for a couple of hours, and they have grills. I actually had my kids' first birthday in there.” The park is also known for its playground, one of the largest in Anchorage. The Chester Creek Trail offers more activities like biking, running and cross-country skiing. The surrounding greenbelt will make you feel like you’re in the middle of the wilderness without leaving the city. Just west of North Star, the Westchester Lagoon is great for fishing, spotting wildlife or a round of disc golf.

Valley of the Moon Park has plenty of areas to just sit and enjoy nature.
Valley of the Moon Park has plenty of areas to just sit and enjoy nature.
The Westchester Lagoon Nature Trail is a well-maintained path in the neighbohood.
The Westchester Lagoon Nature Trail is a well-maintained path in the neighbohood.
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Highly rated neighborhood schools and programs

Students in North Star will likely be part of the Anchorage School District. The highly rated Romig Middle School and West Anchorage High School both serve the neighborhood. Commonly known as West High, the high school has a range of programs, like:

  • Language immersion classes in Russian and Spanish
  • An Air Force JROTC chapter open to students in all grades
  • The International Baccalaureate program that prepares students for college
  • A dance program allowing students to create and perform their own choreography
  • A medical academy for students interested in health care careers

North Star Elementary offers a strong academic foundation in a welcoming neighborhood setting.
North Star Elementary offers a strong academic foundation in a welcoming neighborhood setting.
West Anchorage High features advanced STEM programs and strong college prep in a vibrant community.
West Anchorage High features advanced STEM programs and strong college prep in a vibrant community.
Romig Middle School provides diverse learning opportunities in a supportive community environment.
Romig Middle School provides diverse learning opportunities in a supportive community environment.
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Easy drives and bus routes connect you across Anchorage

Living in North Star gives you multiple commuting options. “A lot of people like living there because it’s so easy to get around,” Lambert says. If you need to head downtown, you’ll have about a 2-mile drive north on A Street, which takes about five minutes. Bus routes in the neighborhood stop on all the major streets and take riders to downtown, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Providence Alaska Medical Center and the Dimond Center mall. Biking and walking are also options for getting around, with the Chester Creek Trail connecting to other neighborhoods and sidewalks along the main roads.

Groceries, big-box stores and local dining spots within quick reach

You’ll have an easy time running errands here. “North Star offers all the amenities of city living. There’s a Walmart, Fred Meyer, malls and banking centers — all right within North Star or in the vicinity,” says Gary Cox, a licensee at Real Broker Alaska with 16 years of experience. “It’s not really a ‘walking city,’ but you can get to so many essentials so easily.” In addition to the stores he mentioned, Midtown Mall has a Carrs supermarket, REI and Nordstrom Rack. Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria is a locally owned spot known for its beer and reindeer sausage pizza, while Charlie’s Bakery is loved for its Chinese food.

Residents can get their groceries at Carrs by the Midtown Mall.
Residents can get their groceries at Carrs by the Midtown Mall.
Bear Tooth Theater Pub offers a unique dining and movie experience in a vibrant Anchorage setting.
Bear Tooth Theater Pub offers a unique dining and movie experience in a vibrant Anchorage setting.
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What to expect when snow piles up

Anchorage gets around 75 inches of snow each year, so winter road maintenance can be a big concern for homebuyers. The state plows main roads in the neighborhood, like Seward Highway, Minnesota Drive and Fireweed Lane. The city maintains the rest of the area, sending plows out to main and collector streets once 2 inches has accumulated. After those roads are cleared, the city declares a “Plow Out” and aims to clear all residential streets within 84 hours.

Matthew Atkins
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Evan Melgren
Photography Contributed By
Evan Melgren
Ellie Brown
Video By
Ellie Brown

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Merrill Field

9 min drive

Bus

Hillcrest & Romig Place ESE

Bus

Arctic & 22nd Avenue NNE

Bus

A Street & Fireweed NNE

Bus

Spenard & Fireweed NNW

Bus

Spenard & 19th Avenue NNE

Bus

Spenard & Hillcrest SSE

Bus

C Street & 22nd Avenue NNW

Reviews

Are you familiar with the North Star neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime North Star US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

North Star Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$230,000
Median Sale Price
$229,250
Median Single Family Sale Price
$438,512
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$521,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$215,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
24
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-37%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$236

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
613
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Median Year Built
1970
Months of Supply
3.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,903
On par with the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,454
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,094
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
653
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,840

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
3,256
Median Age
37
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$75,914
On par with the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$101,525

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90.7%
College Graduates
43.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.5%
% Population in Labor Force
77.5%
Above the national average
64.9%

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

75 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

60 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

45 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
North Star