Alaskas housing landscape is undergoing a silver wave as the baby boomer generation (born 19461964) enters retirement.
This 73% surge in Alaskas 65+ population during the 2010s came despite overall population stagnation and out-migration.
One reason Alaskas senior boom has tempered is a recent uptick in boomer out-migration.
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Regional shifts illustrate where boomers are choosing to live out their later years.
At the same time, many rural communities in Western Alaska have smaller proportions of seniors.
Remote areas with mostly Alaska Native populations (e.g.
the Kusilvak and Yukon-Koyukuk regions) skew very young; some have only 78% of residents over 65.
In some western villages, housing shortages and limited medical services prompt elders to relocate.
Interestingly, Southeast Alaska has emerged as a retirement haven within the state.
Haines tops the list with 29% seniors.
Overall, most Alaskan boomers appear inclined to stay in-state if they can.
Even as some depart, surveys show a strong attachment to Alaska among older residents.
Many are long-term Alaskans with deep roots.
Housing Preferences: Aging in Place vs.
Downsizing
A defining trait of baby boomer homeowners is their desire to age in place.
In Alaska, this tendency is even more pronounced.
Indeed, most Alaskan boomers are homeowners and tend to stay that way into retirement.
However, not all boomers choose to stay in large family homes indefinitely.
There is a notable subset embracing downsizing or seeking senior-oriented housing, especially as health needs change.
Only about 6% foresaw leaving Alaska for independent living out of state.
Even dedicated senior housing projects have faced challenges.
However, the project met community resistance over its size and was eventually shelved.
For many boomers, the alternative to downsizing is to retrofit and remain.
Aging in place often requires modifying ones home (for accessibility) or getting in-home help.
Nationally, adults 55+ made up about 21% of homebuyers in 2023.
In Alaska, however, older buyers represent a smaller slice of the market than almost anywhere else.
That said, boomers have been a stabilizing force in Alaskas housing market.
Real estate professionals note that boomers aging in place contributes to Anchorages tight inventory.
Home values in Alaska saw steady growth from 2018 to 2023, influenced in part by boomer trends.
Boomers who did sell often reaped significant gains from decades of appreciation.
This equity windfall has enabled some to cash out and downsize (either locally or out of state).
However, not all boomer moves are local.
The Kenai Peninsula and Mat-Su Valley have attracted some Anchorage retirees.
Alaska is often perceived as high-cost, but the picture is nuanced.
Within Alaska, housing affordability often drives migration from urban to outlying areas.
Nowhere is this clearer than in the move from Anchorage to the Mat-Su Valley.
Anchorages housing prices and property taxes have steadily risen, squeezing retirees on a budget.
This search for affordability is a key motivation for boomer moves.
Cost-of-living is also a concern in rural Alaska, sometimes motivating elders to relocate to regional centers.
Beyond pure dollars, access to amenities and services plays into boomers housing choices.
Healthcare is a prime example.
The Kenai Peninsula has become Alaskas version of Florida, with fishing boats instead of golf carts.
Harsh winter conditions and high fuel costs push some retirees to move south.
Those who remain often do so because of family ties or because they enjoy the Interior lifestyle.
Southeast Alaska
Southeasts small cities and villages have become disproportionately gray as younger residents leave for jobs.
The strong sense of community in small towns provides a support data pipe that encourages seniors to stay.
Many rural boomers live a subsistence lifestyle in villages where modern housing is scarce.
Overcrowding is a chronic problem in some regions nearly 40% of homes are overcrowded or severely overcrowded.
Multi-generational living is common, sometimes by necessity.
Nonetheless, there is a cultural emphasis on staying in ones ancestral homeland among Alaska Native boomers.
Community leaders also stress the importance of aging-friendly infrastructure.
Transportation is one issue: seniors who can no longer drive need alternatives in both urban and rural parameters.
If those are lacking, they may be forced to move closer to services.
Many are working longer or embarking on second careers, which can influence housing choices.
Others immerse themselves in volunteerism and grandparenting.
