$403,397Average Value$287Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Finding peace and quiet in the Alaskan countryside
While the Matanuska-Susitna Valley is one of the fastest-growing areas in Alaska, there are still sections where people can find solitude in the Alaskan wilderness. One such location is Buffalo Soapstone. “Buffalo Soapstone is a little more remote. People buying there are trying to get away from the hustle and bustle. It’s also close to ATV trails and hiking trails,” says Marty Van Diest, a broker at Valley Market Real Estate in nearby Palmer. The area is extremely rural, with a few major roads and several narrow dirt roads leading to the homes. Dense pine trees make up the landscape, adding to the natural feel of the neighborhood, which is about 6.5 miles from the closest city of Palmer.
Buffalo Soapstone homes have views on peaceful lots for a real Alaska experience.
Buffalo Soapstone dog walking happens all around and many wooded trails over serenity.
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Trails and recreation areas for four seasons of activity
Buffalo Soapstone is at the foothills of the Talkeetna Mountains and offers easy access to outdoor activity. The Palmer-Moose Creek Trail is a 6-mile trail that can be used year-round. It follows an old railroad track along the Matanuska River and offers views of the water and the Chugach Mountains to the south. The trail is used for hiking, biking and horseback riding during the summer, while cross-country skiing is a popular activity in the winter. The Matanuska River, bordering the southeast of the neighborhood, is great for fishing, kayaking and white water rafting. Nearby is Hatcher Pass, a large recreation area in the Talkeetna Mountains with cross-country skiing areas, hiking trails and a historic gold mine that is open for tours. Palmer has typical city parks, such as A-Moosement Park, a small green space with a playground and picnic shelter. Sherrod Park is the place for sports, with four baseball fields and multiple soccer fields.
Hikers in Buffalo Soapstone head out the Palmer Moose Cree Trailhead for wilderness opportunities.
Buffalo Soapstone activities happen in Palmer at the community center.
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Secluded mountainside homes in Buffalo Soapstone
The residential areas of Buffalo Soapstone are rural, with small country roads leading through dense forest. Most lots are at least an acre, with some homes on 2 to 5 acres. The homes are often ranch-style or log cabins, with expansive decks and large windows allowing residents to enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains. Buyers can find homes built as recently as 2024, but many are from the 1980s to 2000s. Most are custom-built, so no two houses in the neighborhood look the same. Homes typically cost between $300,000 and $650,000. Buyers should know the neighborhood has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Smaller Ranch-style homes on wooded lots can be found in Buffalo Soapstone.
Head to the Buffalo Soapstone neighborhood for large parcels of land for your next adventure in life.
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A quick drive to Palmer for local dining
The closest city with any shopping and dining is Palmer, about 6.5 miles from Buffalo Soapstone. Locals can start their day at Vagabond Blues, a casual café serving coffee and pastries for breakfast, plus sandwiches and salads for lunch. Palmer Alehouse is a lively grill serving standard bar food alongside 40 beers on tap. The restaurant also regularly hosts live music. Groceries are available at Carrs or Fred Meyer in Palmer, and there are stores like Target and Walmart in Wasilla, about 17 miles away.
Buffalo Soapstone residents head to Palmer for restaurants like the Vagabond Blues cafe.
Fred Meyer is one shopping option for Buffalo Soapstone residents.
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One route through the neighborhood
Due to its remote location, Buffalo Soapstone is a car-dependent neighborhood. “It’s at the foothills of the mountains. It’s just one way in and one way out. There’s not a lot of traffic that goes through there,” says Van Diest. Glenn Highway passes through the community, offering a route to the nearby cities of Palmer and Wasilla. The highway also leads to Anchorage, about a 49-mile drive. The closest hospital to Buffalo Soapstone is Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, about 13 miles away.
Buffalo Soapstone locals receive health care at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Wasilla.
Public Transit is scarce in Buffalo Soapstone but the Valley Transit service is nearby.
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Palmer schools prepare students for college and careers
Students in Buffalo Soapstone might attend Sherrod Elementary School, rated a B-plus by Niche; Palmer Middle School, rated a B-minus; and Palmer High School, rated a B. The high school serves approximately 750 students and is the only school in the district to offer the International Baccalaureate program. Students can take IB classes during their junior and senior years and earn college credit. Palmer High also has career and technical education courses in agriculture, business, electronics and welding.
Palmer Jr. Middle School is nestled in the mountain foothills of Palmer, Alaska.
A moose statue sits out front welcoming Palmer High School students.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Buffalo Soapstone
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Buffalo Soapstone Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Buffalo Soapstone, Palmer sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Buffalo Soapstone, Palmer over the last 12 months is $534,300, up 42% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$490,000
Median Sale Price
$534,300
Median Single Family Sale Price
$534,300
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
9
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
42%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$287
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes
161
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
2015
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,034
Above the national average
1,930
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
48,569
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,060
Median Age
41
Population under 18
25.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$91,826
Above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$115,771
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.5%
On par with the national average
89%
College Graduates
32.7%
Advanced Degrees
10.6%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat friendly
Bike Score®
20/ 100
Not friendly
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
