Life in Nikiski revolves around nature
Nikiski rests along the rugged western coast of the Kenai Peninsula, where snow-capped mountains frame the dense spruce forests and rocky Cook Inlet shores. “It’s absolutely gorgeous with the birch, pine and Aspen trees and the many lakes,” says Lisa Roberts, an Alaskan native and Realtor with Realty One Group Aurora. “It’s a very small community, and a lot of families have passed down their properties for generations.” Apart from taking 10- to 15-mile trips into Kenai and Soldotna for groceries, residents typically stay in Nikiski and work on the local oil platforms. With only a few restaurants and recreation spots, the community is relatively secluded and offers a slower pace than more developed areas.
Homes and cabins sit off country roads, surrounded by trees
In Nikiski, houses are often secluded in the woods or situated on the lake. Options cater to many preferences, and Robert says, “You could have a mobile home next to a mansion.” Manufactured homes are available in the $100,000 range, and small ranch-style builds and log cabins may sell between $150,000 and $350,000. Larger A-frame houses and contemporary homes start at around $400,000, and properties with barns and detached workshops can reach nearly $1 million. “You definitely want a Realtor if you’re going to buy property in Alaska so they can go through the covenants and restrictions,” Roberts says. The CAP Index Crime Score is a 2 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Trails, lakes and beaches offer outdoor activities year-round
With the Cook Inlet along the western border, a handful of lakes and a breadth of native species roaming the land, most of Nikiski’s recreation revolves around hunting and fishing. “You can walk through your backyard and see all this wildlife,” Roberts says. “Most of the lakes are stocked with fishing game, or they have natural land-locked salmon.” Hiking and biking trails cut through the diverse terrain, which comprises rocky beaches and wooded trails. Freezing temperatures also accommodate ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. Captain Cook State Recreation Area is one of the most popular spots for camping and riding four-wheelers on the inlet’s beaches. Indoor activities are available at the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area, which hosts fitness classes, art groups and youth sports leagues. It also has a playground, ice rink and a domed aquatic center, which rivals an indoor water park.
Education through the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Children begin at Nikiski North Star Elementary, which scores a C-plus on Niche. Nikiski Middle/Senior High earns a B-minus and offers career and technical education programs in welding, computer design and construction.
Dining locally and shopping in Kenai
Due to Nikiski’s rural layout, commercial development is minimal. “They have a general store, a few restaurants, three or four churches, a hardware store, and that’s pretty much it,” Roberts says. Tree House Restaurant and Stop N Go Café serve comfort food in diner-style settings. Olde Goat Café is a coffee and pastry shop that makes breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Though residents must head to Kenai for big-box retail, like Walmart and Three Bears, the community can enjoy fresh fruit without leaving town. “There’s a guy who grows trees that actually produce apples,” Roberts says. “It’s a very short growing season, but it’s pretty awesome to be able to pick fresh fruit; that does not usually happen out here.”
Reaching larger metropolitan areas via state highways
Kenai Spur Highway is Nikiski’s main road, and it leads to Kenai, 15 miles south. The area is 24 miles from Soldotna, where drivers can access Alaska Route 1 toward Anchorage, 171 miles away. “It’s not far from Anchorage as the crow flies, but it’s a drive to get there because there’s no bridge on the Cook Inlet, and I doubt there ever will be,” Roberts says.
From winters well under freezing to summers in the sun
The sun follows different patterns in Alaska than in other parts of the country. “In the winters, the days are short, and the opposite is true in the summer, so it takes time to get used to,” Roberts says. “You’ll learn to sleep in the daylight.” Nikiski is known for its high volumes of snowfall, though the warmer months can also reach high temperatures. “The summers get to about 65 to 70 degrees, but the angle of the sun is different here, so when it’s 70, it feels like 80 or 90 degrees,” Roberts says.
