Gateway

Welcome to Gateway, a Palmer community offering dynamic new construction, scenic mountain views and convenience to Anchorage, Wasilla and Downtown Palmer. "This area is becoming super popular with all the new construction that's popping up. It's a great place to buy if you're looking for land and a turnkey home," says Realtor Richelle Killian with Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group.

New construction is the name of the game here, with consistent opportunities to buy brand-new builds or lots where you can create your custom dream home. You'll find modern Craftsman-style homes, contemporary new construction with bold, geometric details and modern Victorians that offer charm and convenience. In addition to new construction, you'll find some established traditional homes and ramblers that offer lower prices. Homes here tend to have larger lot sizes, often sitting on half an acre to one and a half acre. In the community, an established home will cost between $300,000 and $450,000, while contemporary new construction can cost from $500,000 to $800,000.

Families with school-aged children in the area attend the Matanuska-Sisitna School District. "The schools in the area come very highly rated," Killian says. "I tell clients to consider the benefits of their children attending school here when choosing between living in this area and Anchorage." Pre-kindergarten to fifth-grade students attend Pioneer Peak Elementary School, which has an overall score of A on its Niche Report Card. In addition to the school's stellar academics, it offers community activities like its Movie Club and Family Movie Nights. At Colony Middle School, which scored an A-minus on Niche, students can access after-school homework help and tutoring. Students can also participate in extracurricular activities, including Chess and Board Game Club and Cross-Country Ski Club. Colony High School scored a B-plus on Niche and is notable for its comprehensive college readiness counseling. Students can attend college visit trips, get SAT or ACT prep help or access scholarship opportunities.

Located so close to the Matanuska River and Chugach State Park, your access to the outdoors is nearly limitless here. You're just minutes from whitewater rafting, fishing, hunting and hiking, making this a nature lover's paradise. The community is also close to several lakes, most notably Finger Lake. At the Finger Lake State Recreation Site, you can launch your boat onto the water, camp out, picnic or swim. Finger Lake is a go-to for summertime fun and a great spot to get outdoors during the winter. Lace up your skates and go ice-skating once the lake is fully frozen or bring a chair and pop-up tent to ice fish for arctic char or rainbow trout.

While this community has a secluded, rural feel, you're close to daily necessities or larger cities. The area is right at the intersection of Glenn Highway and East Parks Highway, making it easy to travel west to the commercial amenities of Wasilla or east to the dining and retail of Palmer. Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is also conveniently located along this intersection. Most residents here commute to Anchorage for work at major employers like Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson or the University of Alaska-Anchorage. With the convenience of the Glenn Highway, you're just 30 miles away from the city, so it's a terrific home-buying location for commuters. With your access to Anchorage, you can attend concerts, hockey games and other events or easily get to the Anchorage International Airport.

You can find all your daily necessities along the East Palmer-Wasilla Highway. At the intersection of the highway and Trunk Road, you can get groceries at Three Bears, grab a coffee at Cozy Cup Espresso or grab a hearty lunch at Burger Jim. To get to Downtown Palmer, head east down Palmer-Wasilla Highway to get to Palmer's more considerable retail and dining area. Have a farm-to-table meal with fresh, Alaskan-caught and grown ingredients at Feather and Flour or listen to live music all summer long at the Palmer Alehouse.

With its spacious new construction, well-rated schools and proximity to outdoor amenities and city offerings, Gateway is ready for you to come home.

Written By

Micaela Green

Photography Contributed By

Eli Tye

Video By

Anne Sheridan