Thinking about moving to Wasilla, Alaska or relocating to the Mat-Su Valley? In this full episode of the Alaskan Journey Podcast, host Jamin sits down with Logan and Courtney, who recently made the big move to Wasilla from Minnesota.They share their honest experiences navigating the relocation process—from renting an Airbnb with pets to discovering how much the Mat-Su Valley has grown in recent years. Courtney breaks down what it's like working remotely for an out-of-state company while living in Alaska, while Logan shares insights into local employment opportunities in the trades and tree care industry. Plus, they dive into the realities of extreme Mat-Su winter windstorms, town dynamics between Wasilla, Palmer, and Anchorage, cost of living comparisons, local volunteer opportunities (like Beluga whale watching and water rescue), and the pros and cons of living in Alaska's fastest-growing valley!Jamin Goecker Website (For Relocation Guide): https://jgoecker.kw.comPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AgBLvg...LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamingoecker/Instagram: / jamin_goecker App: https://jgoecker.kw.comFacebook: / gojaminrealestate Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group00:00 – Welcome to the Alaskan Journey Podcast: Meeting Logan & Courtney01:01 – Why Choose Wasilla? Finding a Central Location in Southcentral Alaska01:27 – Relocating from Minnesota: Renting an Airbnb & Moving with Dogs02:03 – First Impressions of Wasilla: Growth, Population, & Expectation vs. Reality03:30 – Coming from Minnesota: Small Town Living in the Shadow of the Twin Cities03:56 – Lifestyle & Vibe in Wasilla: Community Connections & Local Culture04:22 – Alaska Fishing Adventures: Exploring Parks Highway Rivers & Montana Creek05:02 – Working Remotely from Alaska: The Remote Work Challenge & Social Connection05:39 – Plugging Into the Community: Finding Church Groups & Local Women's Networks06:06 – Wasilla Amenities: Big Box Stores (Target, Walmart, Home Depot) vs. Small-Town Alaska07:10 – Anchorage vs. Wasilla: Big City Vibe vs. Mat-Su Valley Freedom07:44 – Living on the Outskirts: Balancing Convenience with Space & Seclusion08:28 – The Surprising Reality of Wasilla Winds: High-Wind Storms & Power Outages09:28 – Preparing for Alaskan Windstorms: Generators, Power Lines, & Fallen Trees10:03 – Generator Setups & Location Tips for Maintaining Power in Winter11:21 – Extreme Arctic Winds: Clocking 80+ MPH Wind Gusts in the Valley11:30 – If You Had Magic Powers: 4 Things We Would Change About Wasilla11:43 – Problem 1: Traffic Infrastructure & Parks Highway Congestion13:00 – Problem 2: Seclusion vs. Wind Storms (A Tree Worker's Perspective)14:03 – Dealing with Hazard Trees & Tree Removal Around Alaskan Homes16:06 – Problem 3: Cost of Living Realities (Groceries, Housing, & Land Prices)16:41 – Groceries & Scratch Cooking: Managing High Food Costs in Alaska17:44 – Problem 4: Alaskan Tree Diversity & Woodworking Realities18:50 – Employment Opportunities in Wasilla & the Mat-Su Valley19:46 – Job Market Breakdown: Blue-Collar Trades vs. Corporate Office Roles20:57 – Keeping an Open Mind: Career Shifts & Community-Based Work in Alaska22:17 – How a Local Spends a Long Weekend in Wasilla22:58 – Outdoor Access: Hatcher Pass, ATVing, Snowmachining, & Trail Hiking23:29 – Exploring Nearby Towns: Talkeetna, Denali, Girdwood, & Palmer Friday Fling24:19 – Community Events: Endless Things to Do in the Mat-Su Valley25:01 – Town Personalities: Comparing Wasilla, Palmer, and Anchorage26:10 – What Would Drive Us Away? Growth, Commercial Malls, & Proposed Knik Arm Bridge28:31 – Wasilla's Growth Ceiling: Lack of Early Zoning & Unplanned Expansion29:47 – The Pros of Wasilla: High Civic Engagement & Unique Opportunities (Water Rescue Team)31:08 – Becoming a Community Scientist: Volunteering for Beluga Whale Observation

Whether you're relocating for work, military reassignment to JBER (Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson), seeking off-grid property, or searching for affordable starter homes, this episode covers the unfiltered reality of living in Alaska. We dive deep into housing affordability, real estate bidding wars, home inspection red flags, winter commuting hazards (frost heaves & ice), heating costs (spruce/pine vs. oil/gas), zoning & land buying tips, and living alongside local wildlife like bears.Frontier Home Inspections: https://frontierteam.pillartopost.com/Kerry's Soy Wax: https://fjordtundracreek.com Jamin Goecker Website (For Relocation Guide): https://jgoecker.kw.comPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AgBLvg...LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamingoecker/Instagram: / jamin_goecker App: https://jgoecker.kw.comFacebook: / gojaminrealestate Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group01:17 – Living in Anchorage, Alaska: Physical Environment & City Life02:02 – Anchorage Population Growth & Housing Constraints02:51 – Moving from Big Cities (LA & Arizona) to Alaska03:42 – Anchorage Housing Affordability & Property Costs04:44 – Anchorage vs. Mat-Su Valley Housing Prices05:18 – The Real Cost of Heating in Alaska (Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil)07:11 – HOA Rules & Regulations in Anchorage & Eagle River08:20 – Job Opportunities & Employment in Anchorage, AK08:47 – Commuting from Mat-Su Valley to Anchorage for Work10:08 – Who Should Live in Anchorage? (Lifestyle & Amenities)11:52 – Anchorage Outdoor Recreation, Trails & Parks13:04 – Winter Challenges in Anchorage: Snow Plowing & Road Conditions15:40 – Living in Houston, Alaska: Remote & Sparse Environment16:45 – Weather & Climate Differences in Houston vs. Big Lake18:38 – Affordability & Off-Grid Living in Houston, AK19:16 – Local Community Vibe & Small-Town Privacy21:50 – Job Market & Seasonal Employment in Houston & Big Lake23:00 – Houston & Big Lake Lifestyle: Summer Tourism vs. Winter Living25:00 – Winter Driving Challenges in Houston, AK (Frost Heaves & Potholes)26:15 – Driving the Alcan Highway: The Truth About Destruction Bay Roads27:06 – Eagle River, Alaska: Physical Environment & Community Vibe28:06 – Housing Costs & Land Availability in Eagle River29:12 – Eagle River Affordability: Real Estate Prices & Natural Gas Utilities30:15 – Commuting from Eagle River to Anchorage & JBER Base32:28 – Job Market & Employment in Eagle River, AK33:06 – Trades vs. White-Collar Jobs in Alaska33:55 – Eagle River Lifestyle: Trails, Nature Center & Wildlife34:30 – Living with Bears in Eagle River (Wildlife Realities)35:43 – Unique Challenges in Eagle River: Traffic, Accidents & Highway Bottlenecks37:04 – Importance of Winter Tires & Ice Driving Safety37:46 – Living in Wasilla, Alaska: Physical Environment & Town Growth39:37 – Wasilla Housing Affordability & Starter Home Reality40:05 – Why You ALWAYS Need a Home Inspection in Alaska41:10 – Real Estate Market Competition in Mat-Su Valley (Bidding Wars & Appraisal Gaps)43:05 – Buying New Construction in Alaska: Resale Risks for Military Families44:20 – Land Buying Tips: Why You Should Buy Adjacent Lots Early45:59 – Job Market & Blue-Collar Opportunities in Wasilla, AK47:15 – Wasilla Lifestyle: Shopping, Amenities (Walmart, Lowe's) & Ski Access48:07 – Wasilla's Biggest Challenge: Parks Highway Traffic & Summer Congestion50:04 – Point MacKenzie Bypass & Eminent Domain Controversies50:49 – Proposed Anchorage-to-Point Mac Bridge/Tunnel & Highway Links51:57 – Future Town Planning & Entry-Level Commuter Homes in Point Mac52:48 – Knik-Goose Bay (KGB) Road Real Estate Price Trends53:13 – Centralized Planning & Zoning Challenges in Mat-Su Borough54:25 – Businesses Next to Homes: Alaska's "Leave Me Alone" Culture54:57 – Living in Willow, Alaska: Remote Atmosphere & Physical Environment56:36 – Tourism & Highway Traffic Through Willow57:02 – Housing Affordability & Seasonal Dry Cabins in Willow

We've got some big announcements to talk about today and what this channel will look like moving forward. I'm excited to be introducing my younger brother to the channel! Jamin Goecker Website (For Relocation Guide): https://jgoecker.kw.comPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AgBLvg...Meetup Info: / 16qa6etlpi LinkedIn: / jamingoecker Instagram: / jamin_goecker App: https://jgoecker.kw.comFacebook: / gojaminrealestate Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group

Matt and his family have been thinking about moving to Alaska for years. They've been patient and the time is nearly here to make the move happen! They're thinking about moving to the Kenai Peninsula. Do they still want to move to Alaska and the Kenai after our discussion? Find out!

If you like to host/ask your questions directly, reach out on my website below and let's talk!

Jamin Goecker Website (For Relocation Guide): https://jgoecker.kw.comPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AgBLvg...Meetup Info: / 16qa6etlpi LinkedIn: / jamingoecker Instagram: / jamin_goecker App: https://jgoecker.kw.comFacebook: / gojaminrealestate Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group

Chino and Nina moved to Alaska in 2025, multiple times actually, and so they have great insights about what it's like moving to Alaska and what it's like to actually live in Alaska. They also share insights into what type of people are likely to take the leap and move to Alaska. You don't want to miss out! Jamin Goecker Website (For Relocation Guide): https://jgoecker.kw.comPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AgBLvg...Meetup Info: / 16qa6etlpi LinkedIn: / jamingoecker Instagram: / jamin_goecker App: https://jgoecker.kw.comFacebook: / gojaminrealestate Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group

Jeremy and Lindsey share their perspective of what it's like living in Wasilla, Alaska, after having lived here for a year. They unpack the good, the bad and everything in between. Don't miss out on this episode! Jamin Goecker Website (For Relocation Guide): https://jgoecker.kw.comPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AgBLvg...Meetup Info: / 16qa6etlpi LinkedIn: / jamingoecker Instagram: / jamin_goecker App: https://jgoecker.kw.comFacebook: / gojaminrealestate Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group

The Wright family don't go small. They moved to Alaska and started their chiropractor business in Anchorage, Alaska and have been diving into living on the Last Frontier. Learn from their journey! Ascent Health: www.ascentak.comInsta: @ascenthealth_ak Jamin Goecker Website (For Relocation Guide): https://jgoecker.kw.comPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AgBLvg...Meetup Info: / 16qa6etlpi LinkedIn: / jamingoecker Instagram: / jamin_goecker App: https://jgoecker.kw.comFacebook: / gojaminrealestate Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group

For some people, the life in southcentral Alaska is too busy; they want something that is even more remote. For them, places like the interior Alaska around Chickaloon, Valdez, Sutton, or the entire Copper River Basin, could be a great option. Today, we talk with Carrie, who has years of experience of living in this part of the state that gets little attention. Carrie (Tell her I sent you :) : https://www.servicerealestate.biz/ Jamin Goecker Website (For Relocation Guide): https://jgoecker.kw.comPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AgBLvg...Meetup Info: / 16qa6etlpi LinkedIn: / jamingoecker Instagram: / jamin_goecker App: https://jgoecker.kw.comFacebook: / gojaminrealestate Keller Williams Realty Alaska GroupCarrie Schliesing, Service Real Estate

Chuck and his wife moved to Alaska, specifically Wasilla, a few years ago. In his work though, he has had the chance to visit many parts of the state. They also recently purchased a property on the Kenai Peninsula, and in our discussion he talks everything that he has learned about this area as well. Enjoy!Jamin Goecker Website (For Relocation Guide): https://jgoecker.kw.comPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AgBLvg...Meetup Info: / 16qa6etlpi LinkedIn: / jamingoecker Instagram: / jamin_goecker App: https://jgoecker.kw.comFacebook: / gojaminrealestate Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group

Today we have a special treat! Jeremiah and his family are planning on moving to Alaska from Texas and they have questions about what it's like living on the Last Frontier. Today, they interview me and ask all the questions that you have probably wanted to hear asked before. If you would like to ask your own questions, reach out to me on my website and let's make it happen :)Jamin Goecker Website (For Relocation Guide): https://jgoecker.kw.comPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AgBLvg...Meetup Info: / 16qa6etlpi LinkedIn: / jamingoecker Instagram: / jamin_goecker App: https://jgoecker.kw.comFacebook: / gojaminrealestate Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group