If you're like me and your industry requires you to work from a metropolitan area such as Anchorage, then Wasilla is alright. Palmer is better. I work in Anchoragua so I live in Wasilla (actually Palmer address) near the hospital. Spend a half hour people watching at Fred Meyer in Wasilla, Eagle River, or Anchorage and you will pick Wasilla every time. Los Anchorage is cool if you're into vehicle theft, homeless people, trash, and gun violence. Eagle River is alright but the vibe is an REI commercial and cost of living is probably more than double out in the valley. So i pick Wasilla. You'll see some pretty hillbilly stuff (literally ATV trails next to every road in town, vehicles pieced together that will bend your mind, etc.) but I am a bit hillbilly myself so no big deal.
Chugiak and Peters Creek are nice options, but my wife doesn't like winter driving and holds a great job out in the Valley. She doesn't want to commute and i don't mind my 30 minute drive into work. If you can find a job in the valley or work from home, then there are some really awesome places in the Wasilla area. Fishhook area is bad ass where you can find great prices and privacy. Also on the northwest end of town and north of Palmer there are some nice areas. Butte and Clark-Wolverine areas are alright as well.
There seems to be so much crime in every area of Alaska right now that no one is really in any place to talk much trash. Numerous bad neighborhoods seem to be only a 5 minute drive away anywhere between Anchorage to Willow. But Anchorage......F that STD.
