Moving to Wasilla Alaska! The Ultimate Guide!

Thinking of Moving to Wasilla Alaska? Hello, I am Sheila Monson, Realtor here in Wasilla Alaska. If you are thinking of moving here and need help to find a home I would love to help you! Feel free to call me with any questions you may have. 907.841.0840 Until then, enjoy this page with lots of important info about Wasilla, Alaska! Are you looking for a remote property in Alaska? Then go to my remote property website to see my remote property listings, and learn more about living remotely in Alaska.

Sheila Monson
Alaska Living and Real Estate
Keller Williams Alaska Group

Moving to Wasilla Alaska: Wasilla Population

According to the 2017 Census there are 10,151 people making it the 4th largest city in the state of Alaska. Wasilla is in the Matanuska Susitna Borough. The population of the Mat-Su Borough is 110,000.

Wasilla Demographics

The Median age in Wasilla, Alaska is 34. 1% higher than the Alaska average of 34. 53% of the people over 15 are married, 91% speak English, Spanish speaking residents represents 3%. Residents in Wasilla represents 42% born in Alaska, 52% born outside of Alaska, and 6% from another country.

Wasilla Weather

The weather in Wasilla varies greatly. Long dark cold winters gradually replaced by long 24/7 days of sunlight in the summer. It typically doesn’t get much colder that 15 below a few days in the winter, and doesn’t get much above 65 degrees in the summer. Much of the summer is overcast with lots of rainy days.

Moving to Wasilla Alaska: Companies Headquartered Wasilla

There are no major corporations in Wasilla. A very high percentage of people who live in Wasilla commute to Anchorage where the large corporations and companies are and the pay is generally much higher. Wasilla businesses consist of your average chain stores, small mom and pop businesses, and the industry that currently is driving the economic boom in Wasilla right now and that is construction.

Jobs in Wasilla

Right now the economy in Wasilla Alaska is booming. Jobs are plentiful if you want to work. The average income per single resident is $28,000 per year. The average household income where both adults are working is $62,000 a year.

Average Home Price In Wasilla

As of April 2019 the average sale price of a home in Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley is $280,000. the further west you go towards Meadow Lakes, Big Lake and Willow, the less expensive they tend to be depending on location. Example. A lakefront Home in Big Lake will hold its value right up there with Wasilla and be substantially more money than a home with dry land which will be less expensive the further you get away from Wasilla.

Wasilla Average Commute times

Anywhere in the Mat-Su valley can be reached within 15-30 minutes if you live in the Wasilla core area. Anchorage. The average commute time from the core area of Wasilla to the core area of Anchorage, as in Mid town, Northern Lights blvd and Benson blvd, will be roughly an hour depending on weather and traffic. In the winter add a half hour minimum due to icy conditions and road hazards such as wrecks and people going in the ditch. Commute times to Anchorage can take hours one way if there is a road hazard that stops traffic.

The Best Restaurants In Wasilla

Wasilla has some fabulous restaurants. Of course there are all the chain restaurants, but I am going to stick to the local hangouts. From the best and most expensive to the least. Here are the top 10.
Settlers Bay. Food Type: Steakhouse, Seafood
Grapetap. Food Type: American, Wine Bar
Evangelo’s. Food Type: Italian
Everett’s. Foor Type: Steak,Seafood
Last Frontier Brewing Company. Food Type: American, Bar, Pub
Basil Ginger. Food Type: Chinese, Sushi, Asian
Humdingers. Food Type: Pizza
Trout House and Windbreak Cafe. Food Type: American
Chepo’s. Food Type: Mexican
Hacienda. Food Type: Mexican

Wasilla Nightlife

The night life in Wasilla is pretty laid back compared to Anchorage. Its just different here. In the summer people are up all night fishing, camping, boating, and just living the Alaska lifestyle. And a great dinner, a cocktail or beer, summer or winter can be had at any of the local restaurants that are listed above along with many others that didn’t make the list. The Wasilla lifestyle is geared more towards working families with kids. To get the best nightlife scene you will need to go to Anchorage.

Outdoor Activities in Wasilla

Hiking

The opportunities for outdoor recreation in Wasilla are so numerous, its overwhelming in its scope of where to begin. So lets start with hiking. Hatcher Pass. Just a short 15 mile drive north of Wasilla is one of the most spectacular hiking spots in the entire state. With numerous hiking trails of every experience level from nature walk to advanced to multi day. Whatever you choose and whatever your hiking ability, Hatcher Pass has it. With 3 large paved parking lots, there is plenty of room to park. The will be a day fee for parking so be sure to have some cash on hand for that. Hatcher Pass is another area that is used a lot by another highly popular recreational activity here in Wasilla and that’s snowmachining (lower 48 calls it snowmobiling). Hatcher Pass can get a lot of wind so in the winter the higher peaks can get wind scoured a lot. But the deeper bowls that can be hidden from the wind are a prime playground if you love to snowmachine.

Biking

The biking in Wasilla and the entire Mat-Su Valley is amazing! There are paved biking trails that go from Palmer, to Wasilla (13 miles) And from Wasilla you can ride paved bike trails all the way to Talkeetna. My husband and I have actually done this. Not all in one day though! And almost every mile of the way is surrounded by breathtaking beauty.

Fishing

This is perhaps the most popular thing that people love to do in Alaska and there is no exception in Wasilla. In the summer starting in May with the King Salmon, all the way through September with the Silvers, not to mention the Rainbow Trout, The Dolly Varden, Arctic Char, Grayling, Burbot, Lake Trout, I could go on and on. There are numerous large and small lake for fishing, and the Deshka river and the Little Susitna river are the hot spots for Salmon. The best way to catch Salmon is to have your own boat. But if that’s not an option you can hire a guide, or do what a lot of locals do. And that’s combat fish. This is where you stand elbow to elbow with lots of other anglers casting your lure out into the river hoping to catch a Salmon. So, can you say “snag?” Get used to that word!

Camping

Camping in and around Wasilla is amazing. Lots of places to choose from but I will give you just a few. Right in Wasilla is Finger Lake State Recreation Site. Situated right in the middle of Wasilla and Palmer on Finger Lake, its close to everything in case you need to run to a grocery store or gas station. Lake Lucille Park is right in Wasilla on Lake Lucille. There are also numerous privately owned campgrounds and RV parks that can easily be found via a simple google search.

The Views in Wasilla

The scenery and Mountain views in Wasilla surround you on all sides. The Chugach Mountains to the Southeast, The Talkeetna’s to the north, and the Alaska Range to the west. Even if you don’t end up living in a home with a view, you will never be without one as you drive around Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley.

Housing Affordability in Wasilla

The average sale price of a home in Wasilla in April 2019 is $280,000. Renting in Wasilla can be daunting and very expensive. An average 2 bed one bath apartment in a safe neighborhood can go for $1000.00 a month or more. to rent a 3 bed 2 bath home with a garage can be as high as $1500.00 to $2200.00 a month depending on location.

Wasilla School Districts

All the schools in Wasilla are part of the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District. Mat-Su Borough School district has over 40 schools that are spread out over an area the size of West Virginia. Currently there are 18,000 kids enrolled at 47 schools.

Highest Rated Schools in Wasilla

Iditarod Elementary, and Matsu Central are rated the highest schools for kids below high school age in Wasilla. Wasilla High School is the only high school in Wasilla.

Wasilla Neighborhoods

Wasilla and basically all of residential homes in Alaska are different than just about anywhere else you will live. Yes, there are neighborhoods. But sometimes these are neighborhoods with no HOA’s, covenants, or restrictions. When looking to move to Wasilla you should be very careful as to the neighborhood you choose to live in. You could buy a $300,000 home right next to a neighbor that has chickens, goats, and several abandoned vehicles in their yard, and whose property wouldn’t be worth $50,000. So for this instance I will give you a list of some of the more popular neighborhoods that are actually in subdivisions with HOA’s and covenants. Keep in mind that these subdivisions don’t have websites that I can link to. But it will give you a reference when looking for a home. Equestrian Acres, Midtown Estates, Colonial Park, Brentwood Estates, Settlers Bay, and that is just to name a few. Always keep in mind how far you will have to drive to get to work when picking your neighborhood in Wasilla.

Homes for Sale In Wasilla

Hello, my name is Sheila Monson. And if you are looking to buy a home in Wasilla, I can help. I lived in Brentwood Estates in the heart of Wasilla for 16 years and no one knows the area better than I. I raised my kids in Wasilla and I can answer any question you may have. Below is a list of homes in Wasilla. Don’t hesitate to call or message me at 907-841-0840 with any property you may want to look at!