Prosperity and recreation in the Alaskan state capital
After spending thousands of years as a Native fishing ground, Juneau began to spring up as a permanent settlement in the late 1800s when prospectors discovered gold in the region. People came from all over the United States, hoping to strike it rich. Today, that spirit still brings homebuyers to Alaska’s capital city. “Most people move here for jobs. The major employer is the government, then you have Bartlett Regional Hospital and other medical facilities,” says Jocelyn Miles, a Juneau resident and Realtor at Southeast Alaska Real Estate. Mining is still a significant industry in the region, with local mining companies as some of the city's largest employers and taxpayers. Tourism has also emerged as a major economic driver; Juneau can see as many as 1.7 million visitors each year, many coming by cruise ship.
In addition to jobs, the natural beauty and adventure of Southeast Alaska are a major draw to Juneau. The city comprises 3,255 square miles, 928 of which are ice cap and 704 are water. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails, ice-cold glacial lakes and mountainous ski areas offer plenty of year-round activity. The 31,555 residents take up just a tiny portion of Juneau’s land area, making it easy to get to know one another. Plus, with the city only being accessible by boat or plane, it’s hard to avoid the neighbors. “I like that it’s a small community. People know you. It’s literally six degrees of separation. I love the nature. It’s a beautiful place to live.”
An outdoor wonderland in the last frontier
With thousands of miles of wilderness, Juneau has endless outdoor recreation options. “It’s really gorgeous. I love living here. There are things to do in the summer, like fishing and hiking. People go hiking every day because there are so many trails. You can hike up Mt. Juneau or the Perseverance Trail,” Miles says. Juneau has over 250 miles of trails to explore, more mileage than the roads in the city. While Juneau has several traditional parks with playgrounds and areas for sports, the outdoor adventures that the city offers are unmatched by other cities in the U.S. The Juneau Icefield is a 1,500-square-mile icefield—larger than Rhode Island—home to 38 glaciers. Mendenhall Glacier is the most accessible, with a visitor center that offers unobstructed views and information about the glacier. There are also hiking trails and kayak rentals, allowing visitors to get close to the ice. Eaglecrest Ski Area on Douglas Island has 640 acres of recreation, including slopes for all levels of skiers.
Range of homes throughout Juneau's neighborhoods
Juneau has a broad mix of housing styles that vary by neighborhood. Buyers can find century-old Victorian and Craftsman homes downtown alongside late 20th-century condos. Manufactured homes are common in the Lemon Creek area, while the Mendenhall Valley and Douglas communities feature ranch-style and new traditional houses. Miles says the city is currently a sellers’ market. “You should be prepared to look for a while and put an offer on something if you like it. Don’t play games,” she says. “If it’s priced right, it’s going off the market quickly.” The median home price is around $389,000, down 6% over the past year.
Touristy and local shopping and dining
Multiple shopping and dining destinations are within the city. Downtown has a high concentration of restaurants, including craft breweries, pubs and seafood spots. This neighborhood can be touristy due to the nearby cruise ship docks, so some locals might prefer dining at the casual restaurants in Lemon Creek and Mendenhall Valley. The Valley has a couple of shopping centers with chain retailers and grocery stores.
Despite being a relatively small city, Juneau has plenty of cultural offerings. The Alaska State Museum offers a look at the state's history through several permanent and rotating exhibits. The Alaska State Capitol is open for tours Monday through Friday. Events in the city include the Alaska Folk Festival and the Juneau Jazz & Classics Festival, free events highlighting musicians of various genres. Celebration is an annual festival in June honoring the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people through dance, art exhibits, a marketplace and food contests.
Highly rated Juneau schools
The Juneau School District serves approximately 4,300 students throughout the city and is rated an A-minus by Niche. It is the fifth-largest district and fifth-highest-rated district in the state. The system is made up of six elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school, an alternative high school and a Prekindergarten through grade 8 Montessori school. It offers an Indian Studies program to meet the educational needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students. The University of Alaska Southeast has a campus in the city, with facilities in Auke Bay and Downtown. This regional university has an enrollment of around 3,500 students and offers biology, education, environmental science and liberal arts programs.
Fly or ferry in and out of Juneau
Some of Juneau’s neighborhoods—mainly Downtown—are walkable, but most residents use a car. The city has a bus system with nine routes stretching from Downtown and Douglas north to Mendenhall Valley. Although Juneau is not an island, it is separated from the mainland by the Icefield and rugged mountain terrain. Because of this, the only way in or out of the city is by plane or ferry. Egan Drive offers a 9-mile drive from Downtown to Juneau International Airport or a 14-mile drive to the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. Juneau is about a 90-minute flight from Anchorage and a two-hour flight from Seattle. The ferry terminal is served by the Alaska Marine Highway, which offers trips north to the cities of Haines and Skagway. These trips take between 4 and 6 hours. Miles says that most people moving to Juneau will drive to one of these cities and take the ferry in so that they can bring their car.
Moderate climate, but growing risks in Juneau
Juneau is in the Tongass National Forest, the world’s largest temperate rainforest. This causes an average of 222 rainy days per year in the city, with an average of 56.5 inches of rain and 93.2 inches of snowfall. Despite its northern latitude, Juneau has mild temperatures, with highs of 63 degrees in July and 35 degrees in January. The city is at risk of hazards like avalanches, landslides and flooding. The city website has several resources to help prepare for these hazards.
Decreasing crime in Alaska's capital
According to data from the Juneau Police Department, crime has been decreasing in the city over the past several years, including multiple years with double-digit decreases. Despite this trend, Juneau still has higher rates of both property and violent crimes than the national average.
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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.
