Community Information

Palmer

Palmer has maintained a historic downtown area with bookstores, cafes, art galleries, and other local shops. Outside town, residents can take advantage of the natural surroundings to enjoy various recreational activities including hiking, skiing, rafting, and horseback riding.

If you slowly turn in a circle in Palmer, you will more than likely see spectacular views of mountain peaks in every direction. Palmer, an economic center of the Mat-Su Valley, is located approximately 40 miles northeast of Anchorage. Its scenic landscape and small-town charm inspire individuals and families to relocate to this quaint city.

Downtown Palmer draws residents and visitors alike with local businesses including bookstores, galleries, and quaint cafes. Browse through antique shops for a peek into the city's early history. Countless recreational opportunities are available in the Palmer area such as hiking, skiing, snowboarding, rafting, and horseback riding. Camping is also a popular activity for locals and visitors wishing to explore the Mat Su Borough’s surrounding wilderness or Still Water fish on one of the valley’s lakes without spending thousands of dollars.

Established in part by President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal plan, Palmer began as a farming community and trading post for miners and hunters. Settlers moved into the area and those who adjusted to the harsh landscape prospered. Even as more industries come into the area, agriculture remains an important part of Palmer’s economy.

As industries and job opportunities in Palmer increased, so did the population. The Palmer/Wasilla area is home to more than 60,000 residents. More than 5,000 people currently call Palmer home. Additional income has led to substantial improvements to the city’s infrastructure including streets, sewer, water, and other services. Tourism also plays a large part of Palmer’s economy. The Alaska State Fair held annually in Palmer draws approximately 300,000 visitors each year to see over 10,000 exhibits on agriculture, arts & crafts, music and food.

 

Wasilla

Whether you are moving to another street or from another state, Wasilla, Alaska offers residents countless opportunities to satisfy every lifestyle. With a population of nearly 7,000, Wasilla is large enough to provide plenty of jobs and services but small enough to maintain its rural charm and hospitality. The Palmer/Wasilla area is home to more than 60,000 residents.

Although many residents commute to Anchorage, the government, retail industry, and tourism-related services provide many job opportunities. Major employers in the area include the Mat-Su Borough School District, Fred Meyer, Wal-Mart, and Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. The Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, which is a new medical facility that replaces Valley Hospital, provides general medical and surgical care for inpatient, outpatient, and emergency room patients.

When residents are not working, they can enjoy numerous activities and attractions. Hike, bike, and horseback ride in the summer, and snowmobile, ski, and dog sled in the winter. Residents and visitors from all over the world also come to the Mat Su Borough to enjoy camping and Still Water fishing. Visitors can drive, fly, or rent a recreational vehicle and discover the beauty of Alaska by taking advantage of its campgrounds and access to thousands of lakes. Whether you have only the weekend or an entire week, camping in the Wasilla area is a great way to explore the valley’s lakes, mountains, and glaciers.

Several annual events draw large crowds to Wasilla. The Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race® may be the most famous race in the world, and it passes through the city. Mushers and their teams of dogs race more than 1,100 miles from Anchorage to Nome across the frozen terrain – through mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and heavy winds – with temperatures below freezing. The Testoro Iron Dog Race, the longest annual snowmobile race in the world, allows Trail and Pro Class teams to travel more than 1,000 miles from Wasilla to Nome and Fairbanks.

Moving around Wasilla is convenient for residents and visitors alike. In addition to the Wasilla Airport and Anchorage International Airport, there are approximately 10 private airstrips throughout the area with floatplanes landing at several lakes. The Mat-Su Transit (MASCOT) provides passenger bus services from Wasilla, Palmer and Anchorage. The George Parks Highway and the Glenn Highway connect Wasilla to Palmer, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Canada. Alaska Railroad Corporation operates cruise and commuter trains between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Wasilla offers a variety of housing options including single family homes and luxury properties, and many of these communities are located along major roadways.

 

Anchorage is one of the world’s most spectacular cities located in a beautiful natural environment. As Alaska’s largest city, its modern conveniences are surrounded by six mountain ranges and it thrives as both a cultural haven and recreational wonderland. Living the good life takes on a new meaning when you buy a home in Anchorage.

Recognized as an "All-America City" four different times, Anchorage boasts an amazing quality of life. Here you will find year-round outdoor adventures unlike any other city in America. Scenic trails lead you through the beauty of the mountains and fishing spots, glaciers are within easy traveling distance, and the serenity of kayaking through Prince William Sound will reinvigorate the spirit. Numerous cultural events celebrate Anchorage’s natural beauty, holidays and character, including the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

The marvels of Alaska’s natural environment are complimented by Anchorage’s conveniences of modern life. Anchorage boasts a wide variety of shopping experiences that include everything from antiques, unique shops and boutiques to retail malls that have something for everyone. And where else can you enjoy watching a moose stroll through before enjoying dinner at a five-star restaurant serving the freshest seafood in the world, or other establishments whose menus include any other taste you and your family might crave. Anchorage’s talented artists and their work and crafts are on display in many galleries and museums, showcasing the states rich history and heritage. From its zoo, botanical garden and plethora of performance venues for plays and music, entertainment options are nearly endless in Anchorage.

Anchorage residents also enjoy a vibrant economy boosted by petroleum, tourism and the stability of two U.S. military bases, Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson, to its north. Education opportunities in Anchorage include the 88 public schools in the Anchorage School District and many private educational facilities that have created recognition for Anchorage’s education system among the top in the nation. Four higher-education institutions offer bachelors and masters degrees, too.

Eagle River

Located within about a 15 minute drive from downtown Anchorage and as one of the communities within the Municipality of Anchorage, Eagle River is the largest suburb of Alaska’s largest city. Nearly 23,000 people currently call Eagle River home, and it continues to grow as an attractive real estate market for those who commute to Anchorage for jobs or those in Fort Richardson and the Elmendorf Air Force Base.

An incredible population growth over the past two decades has resulted in both an increase in housing options and amazing improvements in local services in Eagle River. The number of local restaurants, reflecting the diversity of the local residents, has coincided with increased shopping venues. In addition, Eagle River has continued to improve infrastructure and increase the number of healthcare facilities and its booming business base.

Living in Eagle River means having amazing access to America’s outdoor playground. Activities like rafting, skiing, biking and hiking in the local mountains like mount Baldy, which overlooks Eagle River, or the Crow Pass Trail that runs 26 miles from the Eagle River Nature Center. Local sports are extremely popular in Eagle River, and both indoor and outdoor athletics are available to everyone at every age. Eagle River’s sidewalks are routinely cleaned from debris and snow so that residents can enjoy them for walking and jogging along both Business Boulevard and Old Glenn Highway. Ice skating of all kinds, from hockey and figure skating to just strapping on the skates for a few leisurely turns is available at the Harry J. McDonald Center ice rink

Eagle River’s community comes together for several events that include the Highland Games in June at Lion’s Park and July’s Bear Paw Festival. With a pageant, 5K race, parade and unique competitions like the Slippery Salmon Derby, Stinky Sneaker, Dog and Cat Look-alike this is a popular event for both Eagle River residents and visitors.

Homes in Eagle River offer a variety of price ranges and styles to suit any family’s needs. Whatever type of home in Eagle River you are looking for, you can rest assured that good neighbors and great schools are included.