Living in Wasilla Alaska | The Dark Side of Moving to Wasilla

Wasilla, Alaska is a great place to live but, as with every town or city, there is a dark side of living in Wasilla. In this video, I discuss the cons of living in Wasilla.
Jamin Goecker
Website (For Relocation Guide): jgoecker.kw.com
LinkedIn: / jamingoecker
Instagram: / jamin_goecker
Podcast: anchor.fm/jamin-goecker
App: jgoecker.kw.com/myapp
Facebook: / gojaminrealestate
Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group

[@alaska_realtor]

What do you want to know about Wasilla? Post them below!

[@billd3223]

What is the homeless population like? Where do they go in the winter time? Do they seem to be seasonal and migrate to the lower 48?

[@alaska_realtor]

@@billd3223 There aren’t really a lot of homeless people in the MatSu that I’ve noticed and I believe there’s more of a migration from AK city to AK city.

[@billd3223]

@@alaska_realtor Thank you for the reply. That is such a huge issue here where we live.

[@jeremykaleschenkoikov6993]

Moving there in September from Phoenix Arizona. Am I going to freeze to death?

[@aksurvive]

@@jeremykaleschenkoikov6993 - I'll answer that one :) You will be cold during a transition period. It will not take long for you to acclimate and it will not be that bad. We rarely have extreme cold (by Alaska standards). On occasion it gets below zero, it's not terrible unless it's coupled with winds. I've lived in a lot of areas of Alaska and it's among the warmer ones.

[@Aubiee1212]

Wasilla is like ten times safer than anchorage just to let y’all know

[@Niggocs]

Eh… there’s different dangers Fr, I’ve lived in both, more fucked shit happens in the valley, but anchorage is just more often, more people,

[@arturohull14161]

Wrong. The Valley is a bunch of racist, conservative reactionaries.

[@tritontransport]

Maybe 15 or 20 years ago 🤔. Back when there was no over pass at the Glenn and parks highway and it was just a 4 way stop light 🥴. Now it’s more crime ridden than Anchorage in some respects

[@insolentfxckeryy1162]

Less people get caught in wasilla

[@axelshawAk]

Especially after they shut down the homeless shelter

[@JeffBradley-yu4tr]

I worked as a Public Defender in the Mat-Su for over a decade. I'll suggest staying away from two specific areas: (1) the Williwaw Way subdivision (just north of Wasilla Lake), and (2) all around Pittman Road. Those two areas had a disproportionate amount of burglaries and car break-ins. You'll find some nice houses along Pittman--with not-so-nice neighbors. Williwaw Way is entirely trash. A third somewhat sketchy area is along Burma Road (which is nearer to Houston than Wasilla). You'll find drugs pretty much everywhere, but most people don't really care about the drugs themselves; they are worried about avoiding the theft crimes associated with drugs. Violent crime is low. In a state where carrying a gun is as common as wearing a watch, robberies and non-family assaults are exceptionally rare. If you avoid idiots and stay out of the Mug Shot Saloon, you'll be fine. As you drive around, bear in mind that all of Alaska is a bit 'trashy.' Just because a house is wrapped in Tyvek (no siding) and has three broken down snow machines in the front yard, does not mean that those aren't good neighbors. Pretty much all Alaska neighborhoods look like the ghetto when compared to pretty much all of Connecticut. But Alaska has freedom and mountains; Connecticut has neither. I'll also specifically address the crime of Sexual Assault, because there is often confusion about the reality of that crime. If you simply read the crime statistics, all of Alaska appears to overrun with rapists. That is not the case. 99% of the sex crimes that I saw fell into one of two categories: (a) intrafamilial "pervy uncle" cases, and (b) consensual sex between 19-year-old boys and 15-year-old girls. In over a decade, I saw only one case that involved a true boogey-man-drag-her-into-the-bushes type rapist. So take the crime statistics with a big grain of salt.

[@frozenbits48]

I lived in Alaska for 50+ years. Ketchikan to Nome. I really liked the Palmer area over the Wasilla area. Even though I lived in Wasilla for many, many years, within walking distance of Lowes and walmart, nobody knew the area as it is a little isolated valley. The pizza delivery people knew us though!! But due to cold finally getting through to my old bones, it was time to retire and move. I still have friends in Wasilla, and I especially miss the drag strip over in the Butte area. Winter weather today here in the hills of Tennessee is 52 degrees and sunshine.

[@vandy8495]

I’m moving to Palmer in march to finish my flight training!!

[@edwardmiller9611]

I reside in Anchorage and was in Wasilla yesterday. The traffic was SO congested, I was glad to go back to the Big Village.

[@Zeahappy]

We went from a 6360 sq. ft piece of property, which we sold for $779,000 to a piece of property of about 88426 sq. ft. purchased for 400k less in 2022. There are good deals out in Wasilla. As far as crime goes, as long as you use common sense and don't drive like a moron, you'll usually avoid the likely crime of assault.

[@alaska_realtor]

That was a solid get!

[@naturescoper3936]

If I lived in Alaska the Mat Su would be on the top of my list .I visited last year and really liked the area .

[@alaska_realtor]

It’s hard to beat!

[@Chris_at_Home]

I had a few jobs where I had to commute over the years. My last 6 years before retirement I drove 88 miles a day round trip from north of Wasilla to Eagle River Rd. Driving through Wasilla has many lights now versus when it just had a flashing yellow light and the speed limit was 55 through there. I drove 126,000 miles in 6 years. Most of my jobs were just getting to the airport and going to work for a few weeks.

[@alaska_realtor]

That would be A LOT of driving everyday! I’m moving out to north Wasilla soon so I know exactly what you’re talking about

[@Chris_at_Home]

@@alaska_realtor I'm about 10 miles north of Wasilla about a mile off the highway. They keep adding traffic lights on the highway with 3 being added this summer. The morning commute wasn't bad but the afternoon is slow and on Fridays the traffic can back up on the Parks all the way to the Seward Meridian exit in Wasilla.Of course what we consider bad traffic up here would be considered moderate in big lower 48 cities.On my morning commutes I used to get off at Peters Creek and take the Old Glenn to Eagle River Rd. It was relaxing to get off the highway

[@z.s.n.]

@@Chris_at_Home howdy neighbor!

[@alaska_realtor]

@@Chris_at_Home I think we're actually going to be close neighbors pretty soon here lol I'm a little ways off Schrock.

[@Chris_at_Home]

@@alaska_realtor I'm off Johnson's. I guess I am more west than North. That's a nice area but cold in the winter.

[@AmorDei316]

The biggest problem lately is inflation..... also most 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartments are around 1200 a month+ just in case anyone wanted to know...

[@alaska_realtor]

It really makes you start to cut down on trips for sure

[@skiphardstuff7444]

That's nice to know. I'am interested in Wasilla friend moved there couple years ago.

[@Sbw1976]

This is rent anywhere on average

[@userak7425]

I own a beautiful 1600 st. 2 bedroom, 2 bath townhouse with garage and patio deck in Wasilla. Bought it in 2016 for $129,000, $20,000 under low book appraisal value. Beautiful! Great neighborhood behind Wasilla Lake. Great HOA for $179/month. Trees, walking parhs, close to everything. Quiet. I couldn't find anything close to this in Anchorage for less than $275,000 with a $400-500 monthly HOA in a belowaverage neighborhood. You can have Anchorage.

[@jacobrodriguez1150]

From nyc originally and recently moved to the poconos in north east Pennsylvania. I am thinking about moving again this time to Wasilla Alaska. The matsu valley is a little similar to the pocono mountains PA. They’re similar but obviously they’re also different.

[@alaska_realtor]

How many people live in Poconos?

[@jacobrodriguez1150]

@@alaska_realtor 340,300 plus people and growing rapidly. The poconos is four counties Monroe ,pike, Wayne and carbon counties.

[@jrrivera4450]

A puerto rican in the mountains😅

[@kaylees6199]

I'm finally driving up to Wasilla from W.V. next week, I've visited several times first, but the roads and layout y'all have are a total dream compared to down here. Would it be weird to ask for a video about what employment, and opportunities there are in the area? Construction is for sure a huge one (although I know it's coming to an end now), but what about teaching opportunities and how weed being legal impacts specific professions (if you do use), what limits are in place because of it, and finally how possible reasonable further education is. To simplify, because I'm a rambler, with all the rent going up in April and still seemingly rising, what job opportunities should I be line for to afford the cost of existing. I can't remember clearly, but the price of butter alone almost made me die right there in three bears. 😂

[@aksurvive]

I love Three Bears but if you're on a budget you'll need to look around. Butter at Fred Meyer's is on sale this week for $2.99. There are a lot of people hiring right now. Rent here is very sparse and quite expensive. I rent out my house in WV for $500 a month, if I had that same house here, I would charge $2,200 or so.

[@danielramsey1959]

Wasilla isn't Anchorage. ....it's dirty, the roads are gravel, you won't see identical housing development if at all, frankly some homes are built out of whatever is available, shipping containers, pallets, box cars.

[@caryyoung4710]

I love AK but just can't get myself to make a permanent move for a variety of reasons. If one wanted to do a house exchange for a year (Maui for AK) Where do you think would be the best place in the state to do this considering we have two kids in high school and love skiing, fishing, hiking etc...?

[@roycemaslyk3612]

Omg the red drape is beautiful in the room in backgrounds for videos.

[@krs6924]

Relocation guide. Thanks.

[@brendalea1606]

IT depends... like any town there are good and bad. I hate HOA yet you have to scope out the area.

[@keriprice3481]

What’s the drive like from eagle river to providence hospital? Is it bad during winter?

[@alaska_realtor]

I think it’s about 25 minutes. It’s not bad, especially if you’re coming from an area where you’re used to commuting.

[@leticiabeebe2079]

It’s awful! Terrible traffic and you’ll regret getting work in Anchorage.

[@JeffBradley-yu4tr]

I'd agree with the 25 minute assessment. Add 5-10 minutes during rush hour. If you are doing shift work at a hospital, you might miss the rush hour anyway. There are a handful (3-6 maybe) days per year when the drive is miserable due to ice. It only happens when things are freezing up (November or December) and when they thaw again (March or April). On those days, it's always a surprise and it makes the whole city late to work. Most of the year, even in winter, it's just fine.

[@STILLPHENOM]

my wife's in the medical profession. I work remotely. I don't really like to live in the city but don't want to be too isolated either. what areas do you think is best? I'd also like to be close to Salmon fishing grounds :) Thank you!!

[@estherkinneen8996]

Hello, my name is Esther, and I grew up in the the Palmer Ak/Bodenburg Butte area. For a point of of reference, about 30 minutes away from Wasilla. I would highly recommend, as it has more of a small town feel. However just keep in mind the farther you get from Palmer, the colder and darker it gets. One upside is the Mat-Su valley area has very rich soil for growing important crops like carrots and potatoes that are extra sweet. I hope this is helpful. Have a wonderful day.

[@seeky907]

There is a hospital in Wasilla. There are 3 in Anchorage which is less than an hour's drive away.

[@belleve5709]

Check out Juneau, for medical professionals and fishing is awesome

[@maximasforrester8689]

Are the trees in Wassila resemble the trees in Anchorage

[@donnalthood3102]

I lived in Anchorage for a year for work....yeah, crime in Anchorage exists, as anywhere...I was told do not move to anywhere with "view" in the name in Anchorage......but I was also told by locals that Wasilla is the Crystal Meth Capital of Alaska with gangs. I do not know from personal experience but I have heard these things time and time again.

[@userak7425]

This guy does not know what he's talking about. TYPICAL REALTOR.

[@zarnell]

My wife and I are abandoning Juneau and headed on up to Wasilla next year, I cant wait!! Should I bring the capital with us?

[@JeffBradley-yu4tr]

No. Please leave the politicians in Juneau.

[@zarnell]

@@JeffBradley-yu4tr LOL but about 80 or 90% of them come from up their already

[@LoneWolf-og3wq]

"Dark side" bro being gentle on his info. Location though tough to beat.

[@brandonpacheywiredforlife]

Do you have a video like this for Palmer?

[@alaska_realtor]

Not yet, but it’s probably going to be on the list for next month’s videos 😃

[@brandonpacheywiredforlife]

@@alaska_realtor Great, appreciate the transparency! Listening to the podcast now too!

[@alaska_realtor]

@@brandonpacheywiredforlife Great! Let me know if you have any other topics you'd like to see covered :)

[@brandonpacheywiredforlife]

@@alaska_realtor how about dealing with naysayers and more on the Ferry system, both from Seattle and navigating Alaska?

[@alaskansummertime]

LOL I'm planning a move from Anchorage to the Valley and did the crime map of Big Lake compared to Spenard. Ha ha ha ha ha.

[@alaska_realtor]

Thanks Ken!

[@jerryd.2087]

wasilla, big lake is awesome.

[@NattyStateJake0911]

It's funny what's considered a big amount of crime in Alaska compared to the lower 48 lol I lived in a l I type fish bowl called Estes Park smaller than Wasilla but more populated and the people there got what was called winter depression. Idk what it is about winter rolling around in small mountain towns that makes people do the dumb shot they do but from what I've read most of alaskas crime is alcohol fueled but again I haven't read every little crime report so can't be for sure in my statement

[@jaycoco1019]

Any good schools around the area?

[@alaska_realtor]

That’s a great question and something I’ve wanted to explore in more detail. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of firsthand experience with not having kids of my own so it would be interviews. I’m looking for people to talk with!

[@BADGER6-7]

the prudent move is homeschooling!

[@empirekruse9574]

Not really and even with the few good ones you're still taking a big risk. Homeschooling is going to be your best option!

[@spamanator666]

"Gusty" is one way to put it. :D

[@alaska_realtor]

lol

[@BigManAlaska]

Great video 😊. We moved out of Wasilla into Anchorage because too many people moved to Wasilla. Not enough stores or roads to handle the local traffic and a short trip to the store could be up to 45 minutes one way in some cases. We've also experienced less crime in Anchorage compared to Wasilla 😂. Even though the statistics say otherwise 😮.

[@davidgrant2772]

I have a question. I want to move to Alaska. I want to live in a rural area yet be somewhat close to shopping. (FIguring within half hour or so) I want to be in an area where I don't have to go far to get to good hunting and fishing and Four-Wheeling area. I've been looking into the Fairbanks area but someone who lives in Alaska said look into Wasilla/Palmer area or Homer area. What would you recommend for areas? I am trying to balance my outdoorsy lifestyle with my work and I have a CDL so I'm trying to find an area where I can get a trucking job like dump truck job or local delivery type job.

[@Niggocs]

NO NOT FAIRBANKS, it’s unbelievabley cold in the winter and sooo hot in the summer, there is nothing there and it’s a small sad town to many drugs and homeless, wasilla would be that place but not a lot better, fairbanks has the most suicide in the nation per capita and if you go you’ll see why

[@davidgrant2772]

@@Niggocs Yeah but you will have the drugs and homelessness and crime rate anywhere you go. I mean I got all that where I live now and if anything, our crime rate is going up due to drugs and alcohol and other factors. I am researching the Wasilla, Palmer and Eagle River areas as I've been told by people in Alaska to look there.

[@Niggocs]

@@davidgrant2772 not like alaska man, if there was as many people in alaska as there was in chicago or Atlanta the crime would skyrocket past what those cities are rn. It’s just different up here different situation, different people, drugs and homelessness are everywhere (damn shame) but they are different up here because of the weather and access and how spread out everything is it’s hard for people to commute, I love it up here. Lived here my whole life probably for the rest of it too, wouldn’t change it the drugs crime and homeless people add charecter

[@davidgrant2772]

@@Niggocs I'm focusing on Wasilla, Palmer and Eagle River area. I just want to find an area where I'm close to shopping and everyday life but also where I can be out in the woods hunting or fishing in an hours time. Hunting and Fishing is huge to me. I've also been looking into the Homer area as well.

[@davidgrant2772]

@@Niggocs I kind of expect a lot of crime and i expect the stats to be different because it's such a large area and not as inhabited as other places. Crime is just something you have to deal with in life.

[@nohyphens]

I know a lot of people call it wa-silly - that's what I know but am not sure why, I can only guess. There's a few people there trying to "make Alaska great again".........pun intended. I have family, close family and friends who choose to live there. I'll visit one day.

[@Koskicat]

They call it Scankerage and Wasiphillus. For a reason. To be fair most homeless people hang out in the woods

[@sogxeuro]

Looked at street view of this town and it likes super depressing. Then again most of Alaska looks depressing 😂

[@alaska_realtor]

I have some 360 footage from the town I'll be posting soon after it's been edited. That will hopefully give you a better sense for it.

[@floridadad2817]

You don't go to Wasilla to look at the town. Building materials are expensive to get there and the environment is destructive. You go there to look at the 360 degree view of the outdoors to see amazing it is everywhere around there.

[@sogxeuro]

@@floridadad2817 That applies to all of AK. Ugly towns surrounded by beautiful nature

[@JeffBradley-yu4tr]

Alaska is not a place to go admire the architecture. Even the churches are just corrugated steel buildings. But most of the ugly is covered by snow half of the year. And you'll be too mesmerized by the mountains to bother looking down at the street.

[@laraoneal7284]

Are they still paying ppl 30 k for moving there.?

[@alaska_realtor]

NOPE

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

4:00 YES! CONGESTED MAIN ROAD. We live outside of Fairbanks. From our perspective, the slow traffic is the dark side. Driving the Parks Highway from Houston thru Wasilla to Palmer at rush hour or Friday afternoons traffic is heavy. Of course we are spoiled were the traffic is relatively light on most roads in interior Alaska.

[@alaska_realtor]

Agreed. I have heard that there are plans to bypass Wasilla with the Parks Highway to alleviate that traffic, which would be a gamechanger for the area.

[@Niggocs]

Sooooo many drugs out here…. So much crime just not in the news

[@Camposlearningjourney]

Awesome name! My son is Ezra as well. Never met an Ezra before! Other than the Bible and Star Wars ones 😂

[@brendaeberwein8338]

I totally agree. Way too much crime and not in the news.

[@JohnEllisLearningConsultant]

KGB = Knik-Goose Bay Road

[@farnorthliving6709]

Wasilla is safer then Anchorage but the crackheads run rampid here. Especially during winter. They all work at all the local gas stations. Every single one I've been to, some crackhead behind the counter .

[@karmathephoenix2474]

That suck!! I cannot stand stopping at gas stations just to run into a Zombie drug addict working behind the counter who doesn't feel anything and can't communicate effectively.

[@sgtbrown4273]

How about this , 20 dollars an hour for skilled labor lmfao 🤣

[@alaska_realtor]

You get what you get and you don't complain! lol

[@sgtbrown4273]

@@alaska_realtor no kidding lol I guess you could open your own business up there but I here government regulations is pretty intense.

[@user-xi9kx6sq5s]

Wasilla is a creepy, parochial place. Drive through with the doors locked.

[@jimmyjunkmail]

That is so true! I live in a Small town Calif and we just had a guy hacked up with a machete1/4 mile from my house!

[@arturohull14161]

Wasilla has terrible public transportation.

[@JeffBradley-yu4tr]

Correction: Wasilla has no public transportation. It's not Brooklyn. You need a car.

[@simonhadley8829]

Has Wasilla recovered from the mountains of debt that Palin left them with as mayor?

[@JacquelineLarsen-Burda]

I have had family in Wasilla for thirty years. The amount of Christian fundamentalism and racism is challenging, especially if you're BIPOC and/or LGBTQ. From my perspective as a longtime visitor this is the biggest "dark side".

[@arturohull14161]

Definitely. My buddy who is a Black Sunni Muslim ran for state house out there and faced racism and Islamophobic. He moved back to Anchorage. Alaska sucks in general. Alaska is too racist, confusing and reactionary.

[@JeffBradley-yu4tr]

This is an interesting criticism. I'm looking at it from the opposite perspective, and--like you--had a negative view, but for the exact opposite reasons. I loved Alaska's natural beauty, but found it to be a Godless culture. The churches are weak and have largely caved to the popular culture. I didn't think there was enough Christian fundamentalism. They do have some racism, but it's unique. I suppose every place has their own flavor of racism. In Alaska, it's all about whether you are Native or not. Everybody else gets lumped in together. So being black in Alaska is basically the same as being white--you are an interloper, intruding upon Native land. In Anchorage, you also have a large contingent of Pacific Islanders (Samoans, etc.) who tend to cluster and live somewhat apart. Having seen racism in a variety of places, I would grade Alaska's brand of racism to be fairly mild.

[@arturohull14161]

@@JeffBradley-yu4trAlaska has hella racism

[@BarnabyWild13]

I canvased in Wasilla door to door for Obama in 2008. Only two people threatened my life.

[@robert1739]

The valley sucks.

[@alaska_realtor]

To each their own. What's your poison?

[@Zeahappy]

Either "Robert" has had a bad experience in the valley or is 3 years old. But I do agree with the fact that there are some places in the valley, just like anywhere else in the world, that actually do suck. For example Baileys Furniture Store.

[@brendaeberwein8338]

The valley is a crime scene. Every day someone is caught stealing for their next fix. The Drug cartel are all in Wasilla and the whole valley. Especially Wasilla. I used to live there in Wasilla but never again.

[@arturohull14161]

@@alaska_realtor The Valley is trash.