Juneau, AK Homes for Rent

After spending thousands of years as a Native fishing ground, Juneau began to spring up as a permanent settlement in the late 1800s when prospectors discovered gold in the region. People came from all over the United States, hoping to strike it rich. Today, that spirit still brings homebuyers to Alaska’s capital city. “Most people move here for jobs. The major employer is the government, then you have Bartlett Regional Hospital and other medical facilities,” says Jocelyn Miles, a Juneau resident and Realtor at Southeast Alaska Real Estate. Mining is still a significant industry in the region, with local mining companies as some of the city's largest employers and taxpayers. Tourism has also emerged as a major economic driver; Juneau can see as many as 1.7 million visitors each year, many coming by cruise ship. In addition to jobs, the natural beauty and adventure of Southeast Alaska are a major draw to Juneau. The city comprises 3,255 square miles, 928 of which are ice cap and 704 are water. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails, ice-cold glacial lakes and mountainous ski areas offer plenty of year-round activity. The 31,555 residents take up just a tiny portion of Juneau’s land