Top Neighborhoods
Juneau isn't a "one-size-fits-all" city. The difference between a 5-minute commute and a 30-minute slog, between waking up to mountain views or cruise ship horns, lies in choosing the right neighborhood. This guide cuts through the real estate fluff to give you the local intel you need.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Juneau city and
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown | Urban, touristy, lively | $1,500-$2,100 | Young professionals, no-car transplants | ~85 |
| Juneau-Douglas City | Historic, residential | $1,350-$1,700 | Families, budget-conscious renters | ~70 |
| Valley | Suburban, car-centric | $1,200-$1,500 | Families, commuters to hospital | ~45 |
| Auke Bay | Scenic, quiet, academic | $1,400-$1,800 | UA researchers, nature lovers | ~50 |
| Lemon Creek | Industrial, affordable | $1,100-$1,400 | First-time buyers, warehouse workers | ~40 |
Downtown
Overview: This is the beating heart of Juneau, where the Capitol Building sits blocks from the cruise ship docks. You'll be living above storefronts on Franklin Street or in modern apartments near Marine Park.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,500 - $2,100/mo (1BR) | $2,000 - $2,800/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $550k - $700k (condos primarily)
- 🚗 Commute: 5 min to Capitol Building | 15 min to Bartlett Regional Hospital
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~85 (Walker's Paradise)
Local Intel: Parking is a nightmare during cruise season (May-Sept). If you don't have a dedicated spot, budget an extra $150/mo for a garage. The bus terminal on Main Street has routes to Douglas and the Valley, but service drops off early evening. Pro tip: The best views are from apartments on Franklin St facing the harbor.
Who Thrives Here: Remote workers who want to walk to 10 different coffee shops, young professionals who socialize after work, and anyone who wants to ditch their car entirely.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Walk Score of 85 means groceries (Save-On-More), liquor, and restaurants are all under 5 mins on foot
- ✅ Unbeatable access to the Alaska State Museum and Juneau Arts & Humanities Council events
- ❌ Cruise ship crowds can make walking downtown feel like a theme park in summer
- ❌ Highest rent per square foot in the city; expect older building quality
Schools: Juneau School District (Average). Downtown is zoned for Harborview Elementary (7/10) and Juneau-Douglas High School (8/10).
The Verdict: Move here if you prioritize walkability and nightlife over space. Avoid if you need quiet, parking, or have a large family.
Juneau-Douglas City (Douglas Side)
Overview: Connected to downtown by the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, this historic area feels like a small town within the city. Think Victorian homes on 2nd Street and mid-century ranchers near Savikko Park.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,350 - $1,700/mo (1BR) | $1,650 - $2,100/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $420k - $480k
- 🚗 Commute: 10 min to downtown | 20 min to Valley hospital
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~70 (Very Walkable)
Local Intel: The bridge can ice over in winter, adding 10-15 minutes to your commute during bad storms. The Douglas Island Pink Chum (DIPC) salmon cannery is a major summer employer here. Avoid renting near the ferry terminal if you hate diesel fumes and truck noise.
Who Thrives Here: Families who want a tight-knit community feel, budget-conscious renters who still want walkability, and artists drawn to the slower pace.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Real neighborhood feel with locals-only spots like The Island Pub (pizza and beer) and Douglas Brewing Company
- ✅ Savikko Park has an actual sandy beach and a great playground for kids
- ❌ Limited grocery options (only a small Super Bear grocery); most residents drive to downtown for major shopping
- ❌ Bridge traffic during rush hour can back up 15+ minutes
Schools: Juneau School District (Average). Douglas is zoned for Douglas Elementary (8/10) and Juneau-Douglas High (8/10).
The Verdict: Perfect for families wanting community without sacrificing city access. Skip it if you work in the Valley and hate bridge commutes.
The Valley (Mendenhall Valley)
Overview: This is Juneau's suburban sprawl - Walmart, Home Depot, and sprawling 1980s subdivisions nestled against the Mendenhall Glacier recreation area.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,200 - $1,500/mo (1BR) | $1,500 - $1,900/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $380k - $450k
- 🚗 Commute: 20 min to downtown | 5 min to Bartlett Regional Hospital
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~45 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: This is where hospital workers (Bartlett Regional) and teachers live. The Valley is the only part of Juneau with genuine big-box stores. Traffic on Glacier Highway during 7-8am and 5-6pm is the worst in the city. The Mendenhall Mall is your indoor walking track in winter.
Who Thrives Here: Families who need square footage, healthcare workers who want a 5-minute commute, and anyone who wants to own a car without paying downtown parking premiums.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Most affordable homeownership in Juneau proper; you can still find homes under $400k
- ✅ The Valley's trail system (Perseverance Trail, Nugget Falls) is world-class and literally your backyard
- ❌ Zero walkability; you will drive for everything, including coffee
- ❌ Heavy industrial noise from the hospital helipad and airport flight paths
Schools: Juneau School District (Average to Above Average). Mendenhall Valley Elementary (8/10) is highly rated.
The Verdict: The smart choice for families prioritizing home size and outdoor access. Avoid if you want walkability or hate driving everywhere.
Auke Bay
Overview: 12 miles north of downtown, this scenic fjord community is home to the University of Alaska Southeast and the Mendenhall Wetlands. Think: researchers and remote workers with mountain views.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,400 - $1,800/mo (1BR) | $1,800 - $2,300/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $450k - $550k
- 🚗 Commute: 25 min to downtown | 15 min to Valley
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~50 (Car-dependent, but walkable within the small core)
Local Intel: The University is the main employer. The Auke Bay harbor has small boats, not cruise ships. The drive to downtown is gorgeous but can be hazardous in winter - black ice is common on the cliffs near Auke Bay. The "Auke Bay Loop" is a 3-mile scenic drive locals use for exercise.
Who Thrives Here: UA faculty/staff, federal researchers (NOAA, USFS), and remote workers who want to live where others vacation.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Access to Auke Bay Labs and University of Alaska Southeast without commuting to downtown
- ✅ The Auke Bay harbor area (specifically the Auke Bay Restaurant) is a locals-only gem
- ❌ Only one way in/out (Glacier Highway); an accident can trap you for hours
- ❌ No real grocery store - you're driving to Valley or downtown for Safeway
Schools: Juneau School District (Above Average). Auke Bay Elementary (9/10) is one of the best in the district.
The Verdict: Move here for the scenery and academic community. Don't if you need regular downtown access or hate isolated living.
Lemon Creek
Overview: The industrial corridor between downtown and the Valley. This is the "get your foot in the door" neighborhood with older homes and warehouses, but it's rapidly gentrifying.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,100 - $1,400/mo (1BR) | $1,400 - $1,700/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $350k - $410k
- 🚗 Commute: 15 min to downtown | 10 min to Valley
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~40 (Very Car-dependent)
Local Intel: This is the cheapest place to buy in Juneau proper. The area is zoned mixed-use, so you might live next to a legitimate warehouse. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry terminal is here - great if you use ferries, but expect truck traffic. The neighborhood is safe, but property crime happens at the industrial lots.
Who Thrives Here: First-time homebuyers on strict budgets, blue-collar workers at the cannery or ferry terminal, and investors looking for rental properties.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ The only neighborhood where you can still find homes under $350k
- ✅ 10-minute drive to both downtown and the Valley gives you flexibility
- ❌ Heavy truck traffic on Glacier Highway and industrial noise
- ❌ Few amenities - no real coffee shop, just a Starbucks in the Safeway parking lot
Schools: Juneau School District (Average). Zoned for Riverbend Elementary (6/10) and Juneau-Douglas High.
The Verdict: The pragmatic choice for buyers priced out of everywhere else. Rent here only if you work nearby or are saving aggressively for a down payment elsewhere.
Final Advice
For young professionals: Downtown is worth the premium for walkability and networking. If you can't afford it, Douglas gives you 80% of the lifestyle for 70% of the cost.
For families: The Valley wins on home size and school quality. If you want a true community feel, Douglas is the move, but be prepared for the bridge commute.
For budget buyers: Lemon Creek is your only sub-$400k option in city limits. Buy here, live frugally, and upgrade in 5-7 years.
Traffic pattern reality check: The Juneau-Douglas bridge and Glacier Highway (Valley route) are your choke points. If you work downtown, live south of the bridge or downtown itself. If you work at Bartlett Hospital, the Valley is unbeatable.
Counterintuitive recommendation: Don't rule out Douglas just because it's "across the bridge." The ferry to downtown costs $2.50 and takes 8 minutes - often faster than driving in summer tourist traffic.