7 Safest Towns In Alaska For Senior Living
If you would like to spend your golden years amidst breathtaking natural landscapes, where the opportunities for exciting outdoor adventures are endless, then you have come to the right place. The Last Frontier is not only beautiful beyond belief, but financially speaking, you will be happy to hear that Alaska is one of the few states with no income tax. Between the mountainous landscapes of Palmer, the landmark-dotted city of Seward, and the famous fishing destination of Ketchikan, explore the safest towns in Alaska for senior living. You will feel secure residing in an area where the crime rates are low, the communities are close-knit, and the beauty is boundless.
Sitka
Living in Sitka is safe and peaceful. This quaint city of roughly 8,200 residents has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the state (95 per 100,000 people), according to SafeHome.org. Plus, the conveniently located Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center has a 25-bed critical access hospital with several specialties and primary care services.
Sitka is not only known for its extreme natural beauty, with captivating coastal views, scenic hiking routes like Thimbleberry and Heart Lake Trail, and an abundance of wildlife viewing spots, including the Arched Bridge in Sitka National Historical Park (where you can see salmon spawning in the Indian River), but for its historic downtown area as well.
Explore the area by foot as you come across spectacular museums, notable churches, fresh seafood restaurants, and lovely shops. One of the most iconic attractions on this stunning island community is Baranof Castle State Historic Site, commonly referred to as “Castle Hill“—the American Flag Raising Site where Alaska was officially transferred to the US in 1867.
Wrangell
Wrangell is also incredibly safe, with one of the state's lowest property crime rates (302 per 100,000 people, from SafeHome.org). Regarding healthcare, Wrangell Medical Center is a Critical Access Hospital with a 24/7 emergency room. Their Long-Term Care Facility offers an award-winning nursing home experience designed to help residents feel comfortable with home-like care and interactive activities being offered.
With 29.6% of the population aged 65 and older (Census Bureau), Wrangell is a popular retirement destination. This tranquil town has a close community of approximately 2,000 residents, surrounded by the exquisite natural beauty of southeast Alaska.
Discover ancient rock carvings, which are potentially 8,000 years old, at the Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site. Soak in the sights of the Stikine, a fantastic river for wildlife viewing in Alaska with mountain goats, bald eagles, harbor seals, and more. You can also learn about the town’s fascinating history at the Wrangell Museum with its original collections and enjoy wonderful water views from the top of Mt. Dewey Trail.
Palmer
According to the Department of Public Safety, the Palmer Police Department reported no robbery, criminal homicide, or attempted forcible entry (under burglary) offenses in 2022. Mat-Su Regional Medical Center has a 24/7 emergency department and a focus on healthy aging. It provides services and support and aims to create an age and disability-friendly community. Providence Alaska Medical Center, the largest hospital in Alaska, recognized by Healthgrades for the Outstanding Patient Experience Award, is also under an hour away.
If you would like to live in a peaceful oasis soaking up the sounds of Mother Nature, while having access to the major amenities of Alaska’s biggest city (Anchorage is only 43 miles away), Palmer is your perfect fit. There is a reason why this charming city of just over 6,500 residents, with breathtaking mountain views and proximity to the massive glaciers of the Mat-Su Valley, rocks the motto of "Alaska at Its Best."
Head on a scenic 90-minute drive to see the Matansuka Glacier, the biggest glacier in America, accessible by car. You can frequent Independence Mine State Historical Park to learn about the area’s fascinating gold mining history in the gorgeous Talkeetna Mountains. The Alaska State Fairgrounds also hosts the annual Alaska State Fair every summer. Here, concerts, games, exhibits, food and vendor booths, and more are set up for locals from all over the state to come together.
Homer
Homer was named one of the five safest cities in Alaska by SafeWise in 2024, calculated by both violent and property crime numbers. There were no robbery offenses reported by the Homer Police Department as per the Department of Public Safety in 2022.
Approximately 6,200 people live in Homer, with 22.5% of the population aged 65 and older (Census Bureau). South Peninsula Hospital received the 2024 Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, so you can feel safe aging gracefully here, knowing you will be in good hands.
Thanks to the abundance of wildlife in the magnificent Kachemak Bay, Homer is not only one of the best places for fishing in Alaska, but it was named “The Halibut Fishing Capital of the World.” You might be able to catch halibut directly from the shore at Homer Spit, a famous 4.5-mile landmark with fantastic glacier-mountain views. While you are there, enjoy fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants like Harbor Grill or Kachemak Shellfish Growers, and head on a scenic stroll surrounded by the expansive beauty of Bishop's Beach.
Seward
With an annual crime rate of 47.05 per 1,000 residents (as per CrimeGrade.org), Seward is safer than 89% of cities. Just over 2,700 people reside here, with access to the city’s 24/7 Providence Seward Medical Center. The Seward Senior Citizens Center is also working to support the older residents, offering several services, volunteer opportunities, and interactive activities.
Home to Kenai Fjords National Park, one of the most breathtaking parks in the country (known for its coastal fjords, ancient glaciers, and abundance of wildlife), Seward offers no shortage of natural beauty. Chugach National Forest is another extraordinary site that you will love. Covering over five million acres, Chugach is the second-largest forest in the United States and is a prime spot for fishing, hiking, or even renting a cabin.
On top of fascinating natural parks, Seward has a historic downtown area filled with galleries, shops, museums, and other gems you might not have expected. Discover magnificent mammals at the Alaska SeaLife Center, the only public aquarium in the state that combines education, marine research, and wildlife response. You will also find Waterfront Park nearby. Sit back, soak up the wonderful views, and see if you can spot sea birds, sea otters, and bald eagles.
Valdez
The town of Valdez is a safe harbor for senior living. There were no criminal homicide, robbery, knife-firearm assault, or motor vehicle theft offenses reported by the Valdez Police Department in 2022 (Department of Public Safety). Providence Valdez Medical Center has various departments available to the town's 3,700 residents, as well as Advance Care Planning.
Perhaps one of the most stunning cities in all of Alaska, you will be astonished by what Valdez has to offer. Valdez Glacier Lake is beyond gorgeous and can be explored by kayak within the Chugach Mountains. Head on a day cruise to see the Columbia Glacier, one of the fastest-changing glaciers in the world, and go whale watching in Prince William Sound.
Tour the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive to unravel artifacts, art exhibits, and photographs covering the area’s culture and heritage. The Valdez Senior Center also hosts various activities, including poetry, bingo, swing dance, pickleball, water aerobics, and pasta making, to help you stay connected and keep your mind and body active.
Ketchikan
Named one of the five safest cities in Alaska by SafeWise for 2024, Ketchikan is a great place to retire. The annual violent crime rate is only 3.213 per 1,000 residents, making it safer here than 80% of cities, according to CrimeGrade.org. Various services also help organize transportation, meals, and housing for seniors. PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center is open 24/7 and offers many services to the 8,000 residents.
Ketchikan is an exciting city in which to live. Dubbed "The Salmon Capital of the World," you can see several types of salmon spawning in Ketchikan Creek Falls from July to October. Totem Bight State Historical Park is great for learning about the area’s totem pole history in an extraordinary 11-acre park.
Enjoy a lovely stroll through Creek Street, an antique boardwalk with locally-owned shops, one-of-a-kind museums, and quality restaurants. There are also several day cruises available to take you to see local wildlife, small islands, and totem poles nearby. You must see the Misty Fjords National Monument, where you will be surrounded by snowy peaks, glacial lakes, and gorgeous waterfalls in the renowned Tongass National Forest.
Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in America, covering approximately 17 million acres.
The Safest Towns In Alaska For Senior Living
With extraordinary natural landscapes, serene towns with historic downtown districts, and low crime rates, there are plenty of great retirement destinations in The Last Frontier. Surround yourself with the ancient rock carvings of Wrangell, the gorgeous glacier views from Homer, or the iconic state landmarks of Seward. Take your best pick out of the safest towns in Alaska for senior living, and get ready to switch to a more peaceful pace of life in a community where you will feel safe and secure.
