Your Guide to Homer, Alaska Vacation Rentals
While researching vacation rental management companies, or Alaskan real estate investing, it’s worth considering your priorities. The Arrival Co. Property Management in Homer, Alaska has options for every priority (click here for current vacation rental property listings). Here are some priorities you might consider while looking for a property in Homer:
The View
Homer’s view is world-renowned and is probably the reason why Homer, AK is a destination for artists of all mediums. The view is different from every property at every hour of every season. With the major tidal changes and weather events that Homer experiences, you will never see the same old thing when you look out your window. Still there are some fine points to consider:
If you want unobstructed views of Homer, the Spit, Kachemak Bay and the mountains and glaciers beyond, choose a property on East Hill, West Hill, or Skyline Drive behind Homer.
If you want to get as close to the view as you can, so close that you can feel the fading light of the midnight alpenglow reflecting on your face, choose a property out East End Road or on the Homer Spit.
If you prefer to see the active volcanoes of the Alaskan Peninsula while you sip your morning coffee, choose a property on Diamond Ridge, or west of Homer out towards Anchor Point.
Convenience
Homer, beautiful as it is, is also a bustling community with shops and services downtown, including a hospital, grocery stores, police station, fire department, library, swimming pool, and everything else that a year-round community needs to thrive. If it is important to you to be within walking (or biking) distance to all that Homer has to offer, then consider renting a property within city limits, or just a mile or two outside of town in Kachemak City, which is connected to Homer proper with a road and bike path.
Family-Friendly
Homer loves its children, and Homer locals take pride in their community youth programs and facilities. As such, there are no “bad neighborhoods” for families in Homer, however, the further you are from town, the closer you are to bear territory. If you’re traveling with little ones, you might look for a property that is conveniently located near Hornaday Park in downtown, Bishop’s Beach in Old Town, or the Wynn Nature Center on East Skyline Drive.
Off the Beaten Path
Alaska is already off the beaten path, but if the pavement of downtown has you yearning for more rugged adventure, then look for a vacation rental property in these more far-flung locales:
Out East End Road, you might bump into homesteaders, ranchers or Old Believer Russian Villagers. You’re likely to find a “dry cabin” for rent out on the East End.
Across the Bay, you might find yourself in a “yurt” in the wilderness, or in a cabin in the Alaskan native village of Seldovia. Either way, you’ll need a water taxi or a boat to get you home!
In Anchor Point, you’ll likely run into a fishing family who moved here to be closest to Anchor River, home of the King Salmon.
Although Alaskans pride themselves on their resilient and rustic culture, there are some “rustic” elements to a Homer, AK vacation rental that might surprise the new arrival. Here are some things to look out for when researching Homer, Alaska real estate properties for rent:
If a place advertises an outhouse, that means it probably does not have an indoor toilet.
If a place does not advertise its view, it probably does not have a good view.
A “dry cabin” means it does not have running water or an indoor toilet.
A “yurt” is a round house, made of canvas material. Sound flows through it and light streams through the skylight at the top. Although there are fabulous yurt accommodations in Homer and across the bay, be prepared to be immersed in the natural elements when staying in a yurt.
Moose are everywhere…always be on the lookout when you step outside. And be especially mindful of mama moose in the spring and early summer!
Contact the Arrival Co. to book a property or to learn more about real estate in Homer, AK.
