$557,276Average Value$268Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
South Fork offers quiet mountain living in Anchorage
Hidden away in a valley northeast of Downtown Anchorage, South Fork is a rural community known for its hiking trails and scenic views. Winding roads lead across hillsides and through dense forest, making it feel as if you’re escaping into the Alaskan frontier. While the seclusion is a major draw for most homebuyers, city life is not far away. Highly rated schools, supermarkets and locally owned restaurants are just minutes away in Eagle River, and the nearby Glenn Highway provides a straight shot into Anchorage.
With homes tucked into heavily wooded lots, residents enjoy abundant privacy in South Fork.
Rushing streams flow down from the mountains through the South Fork Valley.
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South Fork housing styles and what they cost
Most homes in South Fork are cabins or Craftsman-style houses on spacious wooded lots. Many properties sit high on the mountainside, overlooking the valley below and the surrounding ridges. “It’s an area where you have one road going into it, and it’s for people that want to be rural, but close to Anchorage. They’re after the views,” says Terry Beal, a Realtor with Re/Max Dynamic Properties with over 50 years of experience. Eagle Pointe is the lone subdivision in the area, featuring New Traditional houses on quarter-acre lots. Homes here are on public water, while the rest of the community relies on private wells and septic systems. Houses are spacious, averaging around 2,300 square feet. Homes under 3,000 square feet cost between the mid-$400,000s and the upper $800,000s. Larger houses range from the upper $600,000s to just over $1 million.
Three-level log cabin homes with picture windows provide stunning valley views.
Hillside homes offer residents sweeping vistas of the surrounding mountains.
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Spirit Park sits atop the western slope of South Fork and promises picturesque vistas.
Popular trails and parks in the Chugach Mountains
Hiking is a popular activity in South Fork, with several trails in and around the neighborhood.
The South Fork Valley Trail is 4.8 miles one way and leads to the scenic Eagle Lake.
Rendezvous Peak can be reached by a 6-mile trek that also starts at the South Fork Valley Trailhead.
South Fork Falls is a quick and easy 1.3-mile hike to a roaring waterfall.
The Harp Mountain Trail is a moderate 1.5-mile trail leading to a 5,000-foot peak.
For a traditional park setting, visit Spirit Park for its playground and basketball court.
Highly rated schools in nearby Eagle River
Students in South Fork will likely be part of the Anchorage School District and attend the top-rated Eagle River High School. The school has been ranked as one of the best in the state and is known for its engineering program. Students in the program gain hands-on experience with the same technology used by leading companies like Lockheed Martin and Intel. Eagle River also has a successful athletic department, winning championships in sports like softball and co-ed cheer.
Homestead Elementary is a highly rated school.
Middle school students can attend Gruening Middle School in nearby Eagle River.
Eagle River High School is a top-rated school in the Anchorage area.
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Eagle River Shopping Center is one of many shopping areas along Old Glenn Highway.
Where to go for shopping, dining and medical care near South Fork
While South Fork feels like it’s far away from the rest of the world, daily necessities are just 8 miles away in Eagle River.
Shop for groceries and other household items at Walmart, Carrs or Fred Meyer.
Snack on burgers and bar food at Eagle River Alehouse.
Visit Providence ExpressCare if you need a doctor.
A simple commute into the city
Hiland Road is the main avenue through the neighborhood, connecting to Eagle River Loop Road and Glenn Highway for the 17-mile drive into Anchorage. “If you’re back in the valley, say 5 miles, it probably takes you 10 minutes to get to Glenn Highway and then another 20 minutes to get into town,” Beal says. “It gives a person a chance to wind up for the day and unwind at the end of the day.” While the drive is straightforward and scenic, backups can happen due to accidents and bad weather, since the highway is the only route into the city. If your commute takes you north of the neighborhood, you’ll have a 35-mile drive to Palmer or a 36-mile drive to Wasilla.
Wildlife safety tips for living in rural Anchorage
In a rural neighborhood where you’re likely to see wildlife, especially bears, there are some common-sense tips to practice. Alaska Waste provides bear-proof trash cans to customers in high-risk areas. The company also encourages you to keep trash inside or in your garage until pickup day, keep any other bear attractants indoors and take bird feeders down in the spring when bears wake up from hibernation.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Photography Contributed By
Chad Jackson
Video By
Ellie Brown
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Wendy Bringhurst
Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group of Eagle River
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
South Fork
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
South Fork Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in South Fork, Anchorage sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in South Fork, Anchorage over the last 12 months is $744,500, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Views of Eagle River, the Inlet, and Valley. 1.5 Acres ready for your new house at the end of cul de sac. Easy access at the end of paved Stonehill Drive. Surrounded by large parcels. View this opportunity today. Electric and natural gas is next door.
Escape to pure Alaskan back-country on this expansive 40-acre parcel tucked inside world-renowned Chugach State Park. Accessible only by established trail (hike, ski, or snowmachine), this rare tract offers unmatched privacy while keeping you just minutes from Eagle River amenities and a quick drive to Anchorage.Highlights" Panoramic views of Eagle River Valley and surrounding peaks"
Frontage on the South Fork of Eagle River Located on West side of Valley. 1.6 Acres with 451' feet of frontage on the River. Underground electric and natural gas adjoining parcel. Near State Park. Lots of maps and information available. Walk and view this site today for your new home.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
