$323,097Average Value$265Average Price per Sq Ft37Homes For Sale
Willow offers an Alaskan outdoors lifestyle north of Anchorage
Willow is a hidden gem in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, offering a lifestyle immersed in the Alaskan wilderness. Located along George Parks Highway about 70 miles north of Anchorage, this rural area is isolated from the more heavily populated parts of the state. It’s at least a 30-minute drive to large stores and restaurants, and people like it that way. If you live in Willow, the spacious lots, nearby rivers and scenic lakes give you plenty of options for enjoying the great outdoors.
Spacious wooded lots give you privacy and access to nature
Custom houses fill the tree-lined streets of Willow. Homes are mostly a mix of cabins and Craftsman styles with plenty of room around them. “You’ve got a lot of space. Lots are bigger, and you have more trees,” says Sheila Monson, a Willow resident and Realtor with Real Broker Wasilla. The lot sizes range from a half-acre to over 200 acres, with most falling within the 2- to 3-acre range, larger than in nearby cities like Wasilla. House prices have a wide range, between the $60,000s and the mid-$600,000s. Undeveloped lots under 1 acre range from $6,000 to the mid-$60,000s, while larger lots cost between $10,000 and the low $200,000s.
Sledding, snowmachining and fishing in the great outdoors
Exploring the Alaskan wilderness is a favorite pastime for Willow residents. “It’s peaceful and quiet. You don’t have the wind. You have colder temperatures in the winter and more snow,” Monson says. “There are hundreds and hundreds of miles of groomed trails.” These trails offer room for activities like snowmachining, dog-sledding and cross-country skiing. Summer brings hiking and biking, as well as fishing for trout and salmon in Willow Creek, the Susitna River or one of the many lakes in the community. If you want to just sit and enjoy the natural beauty, a pullout on Parks Highway offers a scenic view of Mount McKinley, still commonly referred to as Denali among locals.
How to get around Willow
Parks Highway is the main road through Willow, connecting it to larger cities nearby where you’ll find employers and essential services. Wasilla is about 28 miles away, while Anchorage is about a 72-mile drive. The drive to Anchorage typically takes a little over an hour, but Monson says people are willing to commute. The closest hospital is Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, about 35 miles away in Palmer.
Highly rated schools and community gathering spots
Students in Willow will likely attend schools in the Matanuska-Susitna School District, including Willow Elementary School and Houston High School. “The school system out here is fabulous. There are teachers on a waiting list to get into the school system to teach,” Monson says. “Typically, once teachers get in Willow, they stay for the rest of their careers. So you have teachers that are teaching generations of families.” The elementary school also serves as a community gathering spot, with an ice rink in the winter and a pickleball court in the summer. High schoolers can take career and technical education courses in topics like business, health and woodshop.
Utility services for rural homes and snow removal in Willow
Private wells and septic systems are standard in the area. You don’t need to worry about the rural location affecting your internet connection, as multiple companies offer services to Willow with competitive prices. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough provides some essential services, including snowplowing, which is important in a place that can receive over 70 inches of annual snowfall. Here's what you can expect:
School bus routes get plowed first, before collector and secondary roads.
The Borough starts plowing once 4 inches of snow have accumulated.
A 4-inch snowstorm normally takes about 48 hours to clear.
The state maintains some roads, including Parks Highway, which can take up to 18 hours to clear after a storm.
A long drive to get to groceries and supermarkets
Shopping in Willow is limited to a few convenience stores and a hardware store. Burnt Toast is a popular restaurant on Parks Highway, serving burgers, pulled pork and other sandwiches. For more shopping options, you can head about 22 miles southeast to Three Bears, a family-owned grocery and sporting goods chain. Wasilla has a Fred Meyer and Target, about 30 miles away.
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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Willow Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Willow, Houston sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Willow, Houston over the last 12 months is $240,000, down 30% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled deep in a serene forest, lies a cleared area for a home or getaway cabin with driveway and electric. This amazing view lot of Willow Creek, surrounded by State land protects your unobstructed views of the Alaska Mountain Range. Live here and enjoy the sounds of cascading water, being surrounded by lush vegetation, and walking the plentiful trails. Come live where nature is your neighbor!
Discover this 37.38 acre of prime potential land in the growing community of Willow. This expansive parcel offers a rare opportunity for development with electric and shared well already in place. With level ground and easy access the property is ready for your vision. Whether you're looking to subdivide, build your dream estate, or create a multi-use project, the possibilities are endless.
This 3.86 acre lot represents a great opportunity to own prime, versatile land in a stunning setting. Whether you envision a tranquil residential retreat or a thriving commercial enterprise, it can accommodate your dreams. A back drop of breathtaking natural beauty with electric on site Willow known for its plentiful snow is great for snow riding, with lots of trails. Near the Sheep Creek Lodge.
Nestled deep in a serene forest, lies a cleared area for a home or getaway cabin with driveway and electric. This amazing view lot of Willow Creek, surrounded by State land protects your unobstructed views of the Alaska Mountain Range. Live here and enjoy the sounds of cascading water, being surrounded by lush vegetation, and walking the plentiful trails. Come live where nature is your neighbor!
Build your dream cabin or Alaskan getaway on this prime 1.08-acre parcel nestled right near Nancy Lake! Prime recreation location. Six million acres of state land and the Haessler-Norris trail system are less than 1000 feet from the property down Sue Dr. This property would make a great basecamp for hunting, fishing and snow machining.
Grab your crew and lock down the ultimate Alaskan basecamp at an unbeatable value! Tucked away on 2.23 private acres near Nancy Lake, this cozy 320 sq ft cabin with power is built for pure recreation. Instant access to the Haessler-Norris Trail System and 6M+ acres of public land for hunting, snow machining, and fishing. The budget wilderness escape you've been waiting for!
A rare find. A two-bedroom, one bath home on a 150' x 150' corner lot. Just a half a block from the Willow community Center and Willow Lake home to the Iditarod Restart and the Willow Winter Carnaval. The historical section of this log home was the grand prize for the 1974 Willow Winter Carnaval Raffle. The home is serviced by a clean private well, complete with filter and water softer. The .....
Nestled deep in a serene forest, lies a cleared area for a home or getaway cabin with driveway and electric. This amazing view lot of Willow Creek, surrounded by State land protects your unobstructed views of the Alaska Mountain Range. Live here and enjoy the sounds of cascading water, being surrounded by lush vegetation, and walking the plentiful trails. Come live where nature is your neighbor!
EVERYTHING IS BETTER ON THE LAKE!!! The views. The peace. The solitude. The serenity. Waiting for YOU. Hearing the loons, watching the cranes... RARELY does an offering capture the essence of Alaska luxury as completely as this extraordinary 3.75-acre unrestricted lakefront retreat on Crystal Lake. With over 400 feet of private frontage, your own p year-round paved road access, and the ability to
Where are you spending Christmas!!?? HERE!! in your beautiful new home in the woods all tucked away from the rest of the world. New price point making it easier than ever! New Rain Gutters installed! Fresh paint on Decking! Ready for a quick close! Act NOW! AND get ready to experience the magical winter wonderland Willow has to offer. Serenity & peace, so quiet you can hear the snow flakes!
80 Acres! SPACE! Custom luxury that make sense! This is the Premier & Exquisite Willow Estate. Your own Private Airstrip and Customized everything, and one of the very finest! Rare opportunity to own an 80-acre property in Willow, Alaska featuring multiple livable structures, a private airstrip, and convenient access near the Parks Highway. Property was burned back in the Sockeye Fire 2015.
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