6 Charming Alaska Communities To Retire Around Anchorage

For those jetting into their sunset years, retiring in Alaska is surprisingly a smart move. The Last Frontier is one of only eight states that do not impose a state income tax. And with no state sales tax as well, retirees pay less for everyday expenses. As for specific recommendations, people love Anchorage because it provides nearly every single amenity to think of, as well as proximity to outdoor beauty and attractions. Fortunately, you don't have to endure the hustle of retiring in a big city. The following are 6 charming communities around Anchorage where you can retire.

Palmer

Palmer offers a nice, pastoral experience while being only about 40 miles from downtown Anchorage. If you can't do the short trip to Anchorage, you will still find plenty of amenities next door in Wasilla. An agency called Mat-Su Senior Services offers comprehensive services to eligible seniors, including adult day care, home-delivered meals, help with household chores, and best of all, transportation to medical appointments. Also, a retiree here can take advantage of Alaska Pioneer Homes, a financially convenient system of assisted living established in 1913 by the state legislature. Currently, Palmer is one of only six locations in the state with Pioneer Homes. The median listing home price in Palmer ($510,000) is within a reasonable range of the price point in Anchorage. Nature lovers have the Matanuska River, Finger Lake, and the nearby Finger Lake State Recreation Site, a peaceful campground with lots of tent sites and good fishing opportunities, especially from the dock or boat.

Wasilla

Located just over 10 miles from Palmer, Wasilla is generally a bit more lively than its neighbour to the east, but still much quieter than Anchorage. Fortunately, this level of serenity comes at a lower price point compared with Anchorage. In June 2025, the median listing home price in Wasilla was $449,900. Interestingly, Wasilla boasts excellent shopping opportunities, especially for a location of its size. Target, Walmart, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Home Depot, and Fred Meyer all have a presence in Wasilla. Although its quietness has gone down a bit, Wasilla still has moose, bears, and other wildlife within its city limits. Once in a while, a retiree can spend time at Wasilla Lake, the 350-acre Lake Lucille, or Carter Park, a nice little space with heart-melting views. On healthcare access, the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center has been nationally recognized for stroke and cardiovascular care.

Big Lake

Big Lake is just over an hour from Anchorage, but less than 15 minutes from Wasilla, one of the biggest cities in the area. Three Bears is right in town and provides a solid shopping experience, while other amenities include an airport and a nice little library with amazing services and good books. Above all, Big Lake is a water lover's paradise. A retiree has immediate access to the eponymous lake, and several other glimmering beauties, including Rocky Lake, Beaver Lake, and West Beaver Lake. Big Lake has a large population of sockeye salmon, making it a popular fishing destination for area residents. The median listing home price in Big Lake was $509,500 in June 2025, just a hair above the median price in Anchorage. While the Mat-Su Health Services in Big Lake provides standard primary care services and chronic disease management for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or asthma, Mat‑Su Regional Medical Center in nearby Palmer is often a better alternative.

Knik-Fairview

Knik-Fairview, or just Knik, is a cheap place to retire, at least a bit cheaper than Anchorage, especially considering the town's median house listing price was $445,000 in June 2025. With a population of nearly 20,000, Knik-Fairview has the level of vibrancy and culture that most small towns lack, while still providing the relaxing atmosphere typical of laid-back locations. A retiree will find several cultural attractions and fun-packed events and festivals in the nearby towns, such as Palmer and Wasilla, such as the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, famous for its record-setting giant vegetables. The event often comes around in late August and early September. There is the Settlers Bay Golf Course if you want to enjoy a good game with friends, the nearby Scout Ridge Loop Trail for some epic hiking, and Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge, a stunning place to walk or snap pictures. The 19-year-old Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is the go-to place for medical services in the area.

Meadow Lakes

Meadow Lakes is just about 50 miles from Anchorage, meaning you can get to the City of Lights in less than an hour. It is also affordable, especially as houses in the area fetch a median listing price of $444,500, cheaper than Anchorage by more than $30,000. Although it has witnessed significant growth in the recent past, Meadow Lakes still has the rural feel of a laid-back small town. Whether you are alone or with grandchildren, places like the Meadow Lakes Park and the nearby Nancy Lake State Recreation Area provide the kind of tranquility and beauty that make life rich and fulfilling. You can easily find groceries at the Three Bears Alaska or in Wasilla. As for hospitals, the 125-bed Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is the principal hospital for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

Eagle River

Eagle River is right on the northeastern wings of Anchorage, yet it often feels a world away, especially because of its quiet suburban feel with mountain views. You will enjoy a strong community spirit, lovely forest trails, and a setting that is clean and gorgeous. Eagle River flows south of town, while Knik Arm, one of two major “arms” of Cook Inlet, flows to the west. But it just gets better. Nature lovers also enjoy easy access to one of the best hiking spots in Alaska: Mt. Baldy Trailhead. Don't even mention healthcare access. Eagle River Medical Plaza houses Alaska’s leading provider of diagnostic imaging and offers Alaska's only High Field Open MRI. The plaza also houses Katmai Oncology, one of Alaska's most esteemed oncology providers. With all these attributes, a median listing price of $549,900 sounds like good value for money, even if a bit higher than the equivalent in Anchorage.

Retirement doesn’t have to mean slowing down, although that is crucial. Alaska offers epic outdoor adventure experiences and boasts some of the most untamed landscapes on the planet. But you don't have to live with grizzly bears in the middle of nowhere. Anchorage is nice and has every kind of amenity in the books. The trick is to set base on its wings, so you don't have to worry about its hectic pace. And that's why the above highlighted communities should pique your interest.