CABINETS
Ask Cora
Hey Cora, I am getting ready to leave Oregon and move to Alaska. I have a job in Anchorage all lined up. I want to live close to my work, but also, I want to experience the real Alaska. What do you suggest I do? Sincerely, Excited to be an Alaskan.
Dear Excited, welcome, we cannot wait to meet you. All the places are nice, but they meet the needs of different people. Here are some things to think about.
Home Sweet Home: Anchorage vs. Mat-Valley
When it comes to selecting the perfect place to call home in the majestic expanse of Alaska, the age-old debate often narrows down to two distinctive contenders: Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. While both places offer their own unique flavors of Alaskan living, the differences in home styles, lot sizes, affordability, and the age of homes can make your decision feel akin to choosing between a moose burger and a succulent salmon fillet – both are deliciously Alaskan, yet one might just tickle your taste buds a bit more! So, grab your favorite Alaskan brew, sit back, and let’s embark on a journey through the enchanting world of housing in these two remarkable locales.
Lot Sizes: From Cozy Corners to Expansive Estates
Let’s kick things off with a discussion about lot sizes, shall we? In the bustling city of Anchorage, homes are typically situated a bit closer together, with average lot sizes ranging from approximately 6,000 to 7,000 square feet. Picture it as living in a congenial neighborhood where you can casually borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbor without having to trek too far. Ideal for those spur-of-the-moment cookie cravings. However, as you venture into the charming Mat-Su Valley, you’ll quickly notice a delightful change in scenery; here, average lot sizes can stretch anywhere from 24,000 square feet to the average 1 acre or even more! This means you can create your own little slice of paradise, complete with a mini farm that could feature chickens, goats, and possibly even a curious moose or two that decides your back-
Experience Matters!
yard is the perfect spot for a leisurely afternoon nap or a shower in your sprinkler. Moose don’t seem to care at all about how big your backyard is. Town Moose, (Anchorage Moose) are more plentiful than valley moose. I have been to garage sales in town where moose and perusing the Tupperware and naked Barbies along with the neighbor! More space between homes in the MatSu valley means there is more room for moose to roam without being seen.
The Wallet-Watching Challenge
Now, let’s turn our attention to the elephant in the room – or should we say, the Bear in the House? Affordability is a critical factor for many potential homeowners! According to statistics from the State of Alaska website, the median home price in Anchorage hovers around $350,000. In contrast, if you set your sights on Wasilla, you can find a lovely home for approximately $300,000. (Personally, this is low! I haven’t seen a house in Anchorage for $350,000 in years!) That’s right – you can save enough to indulge in that extra snowmachine you’ve been daydreaming about! Just imagine the envy of your friends when you roll up to the local coffee shop in your brand-new ride, while they are still battling frost on their windshields! Except for this year, which was a “dumb” year for snow.
Age of Homes: Vintage Charm vs. New Beginnings
When it comes to the age of homes, Anchorage resembles a well-preserved sourdough starter – rich with history and character! Most of the homes in Anchorage were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, giving the city a vintage charm that can make you feel as though you’ve
stepped into a classic Alaskan movie. And remember, the word “vintage” in real estate means “old”. You may even stumble upon a few mid-century modern gems that inspire you to put on a turtleneck and sip on an espresso while pondering the meaning of a moose’s life.
In contrast, the Mat-Su Valley is often perceived as the rising star of the Alaskan housing market, with a multitude of homes built during the 1990s through today. Newer construction boasts all the modern amenities one could dream of – such as heated garages, custom fireplaces, outdoor living, fire pits, privacy, variety of designs and trim packages. Even extra-long garages for your true love, your lifted truck warm and ready during those long, chilly winter months. They say that a home is where the heart is; in the Mat-Su Valley it might also be where the garage is biggest, the Wi-Fi signal is strongest!
A Tale of Two Alaskas
So, whether you find yourself irresistibly drawn to the bustling urban vibe of Anchorage or the spacious, laid-back lifestyle that the Mat-Su offers, both areas have a wealth of possibilities to explore. In Anchorage, you can savor the convenience and excitement of city life, while in Wasilla, Palmer or anywhere in between, you can spread your wings and embrace your inner Alaskan homesteader, complete with a vegetable garden and a cozy fire pit for those long summer nights, and limited light pollution so you can see the auroras!
When it comes to deciding between Anchorage and the valley to set down roots, it ultimately boils down to what tickles your fancy. Do you prefer the cozy charm of Anchorage, where you might hear your neighbor’s snoring during the summer months, or the expansive freedom of the valley, where you can hurl a snowball without the risk of hitting a house? Whichever tickle you choose, remember that in Alaska, the only thing larger than the majestic landscapes is the sense of community – and the size of the fish that you caught on the Big Su. Choose wisely grasshopper, and call me to help, I am here for you.
DAIRY FARM WORD SEARCH
Find the hidden words in the puzzle
SUDOKU
(Level - Easy)
The objective is to fill a 9×9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 boxes (also called blocks or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9 only one time each.
ACROSS
1. Native American people
1. Dark blacks
7. Construct a wall to confine
13. Most inappropriate
14. A type of board
16. Sacred Hindu syllable
17. Flatterer
19. The Granite State
20. Tears down
22. China’s Chairman
23. Former Houston footballer
25. Periods of time
26. Expressed pleasure
28. World alliance
29. A Brit’s mother
30. Television network
31. Brother or sister
33. Type of spirit
34. __ Ladd, actor
36. A medium oversees it
38. One time province of British India
40. Wrong
41. The highest parts of something
43. Insect
44. Baseball stat
45. A way to use up
47. Where wrestlers compete
48. It helps elect politicians
51. As fast as can be done
53. Genus of legumes
55. Samoa’s capital
56. Monument in Jakarta
58. Former French coin
59. Exploiters
60. College sports official
61. Uninterrupted in time
64. Stephen King story
65. Marked by no sound
67. Weathers
69. Denouncements
70. More beloved
DOWN
1. Winged nut
2. It cools a home
3. Kisses (French) 4. Oxford political economist 5. Keyboard key 6. Leaf pores
7. Agrees with publicly
Not around
Czech city
Muscle cell protein
11. Greek letter
12. Movements
13. Ned __, composer
15. Popular series Game of __
18. Exclamation that denotes disgust
21. Helper
24. Gift
26. Up in the air (abbr.)
27. Treat without respect 30. Trims
32. Slang for lovely 35. City of Angels hoopster (abbr.)
37. Guitarists’ tool 38. Island nation 39. Delivered in installments 42. A baglike structure 43. Cooking vessel 46. Gets in front of
Wounded by scratching 49. More breathable
50. Medical dressings
52. Indiana hoopster
54. Married Marilyn
55. An ancient Assyrian city
57. Congressmen (abbr.) 59. Approves food
Ventura’s first name
Between northeast and east
Atomic #71
Email designation
Somewhere, hidden in this publication is a picture of a $100 bill. All you need to do is find the picture of the $100 Dollar Bill and tell us the ad and page number you found it on, along with your name, address and phone number. (If you don’t give us your address and phone number we can’t send you the money!) We will then have a random drawing from your submissions on May 21, 2025 to pick ONE WINNER Mail or bring all submissions to: GreatLander Publications 3110 Spenard Road Anchorage, AK 99503
– Please include your email address –
