Meadow Lakes is a scenic community surrounded by nature
Surrounded by lakes, lush forests and soaring mountains, Meadow Lakes is a serene Alaskan utopia. Quiet and filled with wildlife like moose and elk, Meadow Lakes is a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of Anchorage. With a population of over 9,000, it’s the fifth-most-populated CDP in Alaska. Situated on a 10-mile-long lake between the Little Susitna River and the Alaska Railroad, residents enjoy majestic views of Baldy Mountain, Chugach Mountains and the beginnings of Talkeetna Mountain. The neighborhood also treats residents to views and access to over 10 lakes, including Seymour, Visnaw and Beverly.
Serene landscape features an assortment of homes
Meadow Lakes offers rambler-style homes, spacious traditional Alaskan log cabins, lakefront properties and sprawling estates, perfect for horse farms or parking your boat or farm equipment. Most homes range from $200,000 to $950,000. However, you can get one-bedroom rustic cabins for under $120,000 or spring for a higher-end property on up to 30 acres with ultimate privacy for up to $1.2 million. Higher-priced homes, which are predominantly in the Northern Comfort Estates subdivision, have the most land, but all residents enjoy spacious lots starting around 42,000 square feet. Lakefront properties tend to be more affordable than Wasilla and Palmer, but the commute to Anchorage is longer, which is under 30 miles away. Homes come complete with beautiful Artic entries, multi-car garages, firepits and large chalet windows letting in natural light and all the incredible views Alaska offers Higher-end homes come with gardens, greenhouses, wrap-around porches, and decks – perfect for entertaining. Invoking ultimate tranquility and privacy, Meadow Lakes is enveloped by a blanket of spruce and hemlock trees. While its rural setting and laid-back lifestyle are the draw, big city life isn’t far.
Area schools are full of sports and other extracurricular activities
Served by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, local students attend Meadow Lakes Elementary, Houston Middle and Wasilla High School. The elementary school earned a B-minus from Niche and offers after-school basketball, a coding club and a battle of the books program. Houston Middle earned a C-plus from Niche, and Wasilla is ranked the No. 5 best high school in the borough. Wasilla holds titles in baseball and cross country and provides a Road Warriors Car Club, Clay Target Team and Science Olympiad.
Local region allows for outdoor recreation around the year
Meadow Lakes is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you like fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking, or even cruising on a snowmobile, the neighborhood provides endless opportunities. And at the 34-acre Meadow Lakes Park, you can reserve the pavilion, play pickleball or practice your soccer game on the Olympic-sized field. The park also has 12 undeveloped wooded acres with a hidden stream and natural trails and a community-planted orchard filled with apple, cherry and apricot trees and serviceberry bushes.
Restaurants to thrift stores, Meadow Lakes has an array of businesses
Three Bears Alaska is within walking distance for all your grocery needs, and you can find locally made goods at Meadow Lakes Market, including jams, handmade soaps, spices and more from over 80 Alaskan vendors. At Meadow Lakes City Center off George Parks Highway, you’ll find a pet groomer, several thrift stores, a hardware shop, a laundry mat and Pizza King. And right next door is Cadillac Café, the go-to for classic comfort food – with hearty dishes like brisket pappardelle, burgers and hot turkey clubs. Spunky Monkey Alaska is also right off the highway, where you can fuel up on freshly roasted coffee made in downtown Juneau, the Alaska capital.
Meadow Lakes council backs community programming
Meadow Lakes Community Council is responsible for much of the neighborhood improvement projects, including a playground, senior housing, trails and kids’ programs. The council provides outdoor activities for children at their Little Explorers Camp, Summer Survival Camp for older children, and a Wilderness First Aid class. The council also hosts moose awareness in the local schools and puts on bike rodeo, a regular “Art in the Park” series and an annual community picnic at Meadow Lakes Park.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
