Sarah Palin is still the most famous person to ever come out of Wasilla. Honestly, for a lot of people, she basically is Alaska. But since the 2008 whirlwind and her stint as governor, there has been a ton of confusion about where she actually hangs her hat. Is she still a "hockey mom" in the frozen north, or did she swap the snow boots for Scottsdale sunshine permanently?
She’s always been a bit of a moving target.
If you’re looking for the short answer: Sarah Palin still lives in Wasilla, Alaska, though her relationship with her real estate has been a rollercoaster of buying, building, and selling over the last decade. She’s had a complicated love affair with Arizona, but Alaska is where she keeps her primary roots.
The Legendary Wasilla Homestead
Most people remember the iconic shots of the Palin family home on the shores of Lake Lucille. This isn't just a house; it’s a piece of political history. Todd Palin and some of his "buddies" actually built the place back in 2002, just as Sarah was wrapping up her time as mayor of Wasilla.
It’s a massive 4,000-square-foot timber-frame beauty. Imagine two stories of rustic Alaskan vibes, sitting on over two acres of prime waterfront.
👉 See also: Patricia Neal and Gary Cooper: The Affair That Nearly Broke Hollywood
But it hasn't always been peaceful. Back in 2010, the property became a literal battleground when author Joe McGinniss moved into the house right next door to write a biography about her. Sarah famously built a 14-foot "spite fence" to keep him from peeking over. Talk about awkward neighbors.
Then there was the 2018 earthquake. It was a 7.0 magnitude monster that hit near Anchorage. Sarah tweeted out that her "house is not intact," and while the family was safe, the home took a real beating. They spent a lot of time fixing it up after that, and despite rumors that she was done with the cold, she didn't sell.
The Arizona Connection: Why Everyone Thinks She Moved
You've probably heard the rumors that she moved to the desert. They aren't totally wrong. For years, the Palins used a "Safari Investments" corporation to buy up luxury property in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Why Arizona? Well, for one, it’s a lot warmer than Wasilla in January. Two, it was the home base of her late running mate, John McCain.
✨ Don't miss: What Really Happened With the Death of John Candy: A Legacy of Laughter and Heartbreak
- The First Mansion: In 2011, she bought a $1.75 million brown stucco estate in North Scottsdale. It was huge—nearly 8,000 square feet. She added a basketball court (because of course) and a putting green.
- The Big Flip: She sold that place in 2016 for a cool $2.275 million.
- The $6 Million Mystery: In 2019, her company sold another Scottsdale mansion for $6.2 million.
People assumed she was becoming a full-time Arizonan. But the truth is, she mostly used these places as vacation retreats or "snowbird" spots. She never officially moved her residency there, likely because her political brand is so tied to being the "Mama Grizzly" of the north.
Where Does Sarah Palin Live Now in 2026?
Fast forward to today. After her unsuccessful run for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat in 2022 and her various legal battles (like the long-running defamation suit against the New York Times that wrapped up in 2025), Sarah has stayed pretty local.
She still spends the bulk of her time in the Mat-Su Valley. Wasilla is her home base.
Her life looks a lot different now than it did during the "Going Rogue" years. She’s a grandmother many times over, and while she still makes appearances on national news and at political rallies, she seems to enjoy the privacy of the lake life more than she used to.
🔗 Read more: Is There Actually a Wife of Tiger Shroff? Sorting Fact from Viral Fiction
There was some cryptic posting on her Instagram late in 2025 that had people wondering if she was moving to D.C. for a spot in a potential administration. She shared a photo of the U.S. Capitol with the date "11/24" and comments turned off. It sparked a massive wave of speculation. But even if she takes a job in the lower 48, her heart (and her tax records) usually point back to Alaska.
Why she won't leave Alaska
You have to understand the "Alaskan-ness" of her identity. If she moved to Scottsdale or D.C. permanently, she'd lose the very thing that makes her Sarah Palin.
- Family ties: Most of her kids and grandkids are still in the state.
- Political viability: If she ever wants to run for office again in Alaska (and she’s shown she’s not afraid to try), she has to maintain residency.
- The lifestyle: She actually likes the hunting, fishing, and outdoor chaos. It’s not just a brand; it’s how she grew up.
Practical Insights for Fans and Follower
If you’re trying to keep up with the former Governor, here’s the reality of her current setup:
- Don't expect a move soon: Despite the rumors, she hasn't listed the Lake Lucille property. That's usually the first sign of a real move.
- Check the social media cues: She’s very active on Instagram and Twitter. If you see mountains and snow, she’s in Wasilla. If you see cacti and red rocks, she’s on vacation in Arizona.
- Privacy is key: Since the earthquake and the stalking incidents of the past, she's much more private about her daily routine.
The "Mama Grizzly" might travel for the cameras, but when the sun goes down (which happens very early in an Alaskan winter), she's almost certainly at home in Wasilla.
If you're curious about how her living situation impacts her taxes or her ability to hold office, you might want to look into Alaska's residency requirements for the Permanent Fund Dividend. It’s the best way to track who actually stays in the state for the long haul.
Next steps for you: You can look up the public property tax records for Matanuska-Susitna Borough if you want to see the latest valuation of her Wasilla estate, or check her latest social media posts to see if she's currently "snowbirding" in the Southwest.