Big Lake, Willow and Talkeetna Real Estate

The gorgeous natural beauty of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough of Alaska has led to a real demand for Big Lake, Willow and Talkeetna real estate. Willow began as a community in 1897 due to the discovery of gold in the area. Willow Creek ended up becoming the largest gold mining district in the state by 1954. There were plans to move the capitol of the state from Juneau to Willow in 1976; however, funding for the project was shut down during the 1982 election. According to the 2010 census, the population of Willow stands at 2,102. Talkeetna is located at a point where the Chulitna, Susitna, and Talkeetna Rivers meet and was established almost a century ago in 1919. The population of Talkeetna is quite modest according to the 2010 census, in which the population was determined to be 876. Big Lake has a much larger population in comparison to Talkeetna with 3,500. In addition to the stunning natural environment, Big Lake, Willow and Talkeetna have all grown in demand because of their close proximity to Anchorage.

Shopping and Dining

Residents living in Big Lake, Willow or Talkeetna will find that there are plenty of restaurants to enjoy as well as many local shops to visit. Willow provides residents with several excellent dining options that include the Pizza King and Roni’s Chinook Deli & Pizza. For more traditional American food, the Houston Lodge, Top Dog Drive-In, and the Willow Trading Post Lodge are all favorites. Shops located within the area include Rock Shop Frontier Imports, Willow Hardware & Building Supplies, and Alaska Statewide Auction.

Talkeetna also has its share of restaurants. The Roadhouse provides a restaurant, bakery and inn, all in one. The Twister Creek Restaurant is a fantastic spot to grab a burger and a beer since it is attached to the Denali Brewing Company. Other choices include EAT, the Wildflower Café, Payo’s Thai Kitchen, and the West Rib Pub & Grill. For shopping, there are numerous places in Talkeetna including Tales Told Twice, True Value Hardware, Nagley’s General Store, Wal Mike’s, and more. Big Lake doesn’t have quite as many options, but close proximity to Willow and Talkeetna makes access easy.

Parks and Recreation

The region surrounding Big Lake, Willow and Talkeetna is perfect for those who are fond of outdoor activities. The Willow Creek State Recreational Area is particularly impressive--covered by massive glaciers roughly 9,000 years ago the result has been a unique rolling landscape full of elongated glacial deposits and hundreds of ponds and lakes. Visitors can view many of the mammals and birds that live in the area as well as go hiking, fishing and camping at one of the 140 different campsites. Talkeetna offers lovers of the outdoors just as many options – especially since a large part of their local economy comes from camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and hunting. Talkeetna is the base for adventurous residents and tourists looking to climb Mt. McKinley – and many go rafting or fishing for salmon as well. Big Lake boasts the Big Lake North State Recreation Site, which is right on the lake and provides picnic areas, camping spots, and a boat launch.

Living

Many of the residents living in Big Lake, Willow and Talkeetna choose to commute to Anchorage for their jobs. However, there are employment opportunities directly in the area as well. Residents who work in the city choose to live in this area due to the natural beauty and relaxing atmosphere. In fact, Big Lake has an extremely low population density of 25 people per square mile – perfect for residents looking for privacy. The average household income in Big Lake is $55,144 while the average house value is roughly $198,465. The population density of Willow is even lower, at 3.1 persons per square mile. The average household income is much higher at $71,251 – although this doesn’t affect the average house value as much, which stands at around $215,190. Talkeetna’s average income per household is much lower at $29,706.

Schools, Health and Transportation

Big Lake, Willow and Talkeetna are all part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. The school district is comprised of 45 different schools, including several K-12 schools, charter schools and alternative schools. There are several colleges located nearby in Anchorage, including Alaska Pacific University and University of Alaska Anchorage.

The primary medical facility in the area is Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer, but there are additional clinics and urgent care centers to meet local needs. Heart of Willow Medical Center in Willow and Sunshine Community Health Center in Talkeetna provide their local areas with primary and urgent care services.

Although limited, Mat-Su Transit does provide some public transportation to the communities of Big Lake, Willow and Talkeetna. There are several municipal airports in the region, but most commercial flights are serviced through Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at 907-360-7471 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.