Life in Sutton-Alpine revolves around the outdoors
Located along the Matanuska River's northern banks, Sutton-Alpine offers peaceful living in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Framed by the rocky peaks of the Talkeetna and Chugach mountains, this community of approximately 1,300 residents is defined by its natural beauty. “It’s extremely scenic with mountain views all the way up,” says Jamison Peters, a Realtor with Valley Market Real Estate, who has 16 years of selling experience across the region. While its rural location provides proximity to abundant recreation and the slow pace of life synonymous with Alaska living, locals are not far from daily comforts. "Palmer and Wasilla are more rural than Anchorage, and Sutton-Alpine gives you the next level of quietness without being that much farther away.”
Hunting, trails and Alpine Historic Park offer options for recreation
Most of the community’s recreation caters to its natural setting. “There is fishing and trails for hiking and ATVs,” Peters says. “Hunting is also a big draw to the area.” The state maintains land for fishing and hunting, including Jonesville Public Use Area, which fills a portion of the Talkeetna mountains on the community's north side. The area's multiuse trails lead to the Eska Falls’ 100-foot cascades and Coyote Lake Recreation Area, a popular destination for finding fossils dating back to the Devonian period. Alpine Historic Park offers a playground, community gardens and exhibits highlighting the area's coal mining and indigenous history. Sutton Public Library offers programming for all ages, from Yoga Tuesdays to Book Club and Youth Arts & Wellness. The community is also within a 40-mile trip from Independence Mine State Historical Park and Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site.
Cabins and chalet-style homes blend in the with natural terrain
Sutton-Alpine's narrow, rural roads flank Glenn Highway and stretch toward the mountains. Cabin and chalet-style homes sit within small clearings, where dense forest provides a sense of privacy. Some are perched on overlooks, allowing for sweeping views. In late fall and winter, paper birches and other deciduous trees drop leaves and open the horizon. Many homes bring the surrounding nature in, with interior design featuring wood paneling and exposed beams. Almost all properties source water from wells or septic tanks, and wood pellet stoves are common for heating. Plot sizes vary across the community, ranging from 1 to 20-plus acres. The median sales price is around $400,000, less than Palmer's figure of roughly $460,000. However, small cabins can start around $60,000, and larger acreages may surpass $1 million.
Palmer High School offers International Baccalaureate courses
Children begin their education at Sutton Elementary School, which gets a B-minus from Niche. Palmer Middle School also earns a B-minus, and Palmer High School scores a B-plus. The high school offers a selection of International Baccalaureate courses, allowing enrolled juniors and seniors to earn high school and college credits simultaneously.
Residents do most of their shopping in Palmer and Wasilla
Sutton General Store & Jonesville Café sits back from Glenn Highway. The store sells daily essentials, coffee and fast foods like burgers and fries. Alpine Inn is the local joint to grab a beer. The no-frills bar has dartboards and TVs for catching a game. Palmer, 14 miles southwest, offers a Carrs for groceries and a collection of locally owned gift shops and boutiques. Wasilla is 10 miles farther in the same direction with several big-box stores, including Target and Lowe's Home Improvement.
Glenn Highway supports local and regional commutes
Glenn Highway frames the community’s southern edge, linking residents to neighboring cities like Wasilla and Palmer. The latter is home to the nearest hospital, Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. The thoroughfare also leads to Anchorage, 56 miles southwest, where commercial flights take off from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
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Written By
Matthew Simmons
