Is there any particular reason why people live in places like Barrow, Alaska?

Question

I never heard of it until yesterday. There was a story on ESPN about Barrow and that it has alot of issues. Issues including 50% of the kids drop out of school, drug addiction, and unemployment to name a few. They wanted to bring a football program there to get the kids to be involved in something positive.

my question is though, why do they choose to live there? i understand that some of them really don't have a choice (financially), but for those that do and choose to live there. it doesn't sound like a pleasant way to live. there are no paved roads, the temperature is way below freezing most, if not all of the year, no grass, no trees, and also during the winter months, they have little sunlight. according to ESPN, they will not see sunlight again this year until January 26th or so. so from now till jan 26, it'll be dark the whole time.

i know alot of alaska is beautiful, but look at these pictures. this is far from: http://www.bergsby.com/alaska/barrow/index.htm

for those of you who don't know, Barrow is the Northern most part of the United States.

Answer 1

i guess what everyone else said. if i were there though, i would want to move out ASAP!

Answer 2

The folks talking about the indigeous peoples living there gave the best answer..

BUT....Barrow is NOT always the coldest part of Alaska! Within the last 2 weeks there was a biting cold spell in Interior Alaska that was much less pronounced at the coast (including the North Coast) Barrow as running a relatively balmy 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit compared to Faribanks which was running -10 to -15 F during the same period!

Answer 3

My husband was in Barrow for 6 weeks this past August/September doing marine mammal surveys. Yes, it is a depressed area. One of the reasons people stay there is that its their home. The Inupiut people (Eskimos) have lived in that area for centuries. Their families, their culture, their way of life are all centered in this place. Its the largest Inupiut town in North America. Those kind of roots run very deep.

There are other people that work there for various reasons. Oil is probably one of the biggest businesses. Like I said, my husband was there doing environmental work.

He was actually there for the first football game! He said the people were very excited. The temperture is NOT below freezing all year. The summers are not bad. Its true that there are no trees, but the tundra has its own beauty.

Answer 4

I think they are relatives and children of people who already live in Alaska. Like Generations of Eskimos. In order to move away from that state you'd have to get a passport and travel through Canada, and some people don't have enough money, so they choose to stay and have grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and work in the oil factories.

I don't think people choose to live there, they have no other choice. Hope this gives you somewhat of an answer :)

Answer 5

Some of them are hicks and are too scared to leave. You could ask that about other crappy towns around the United States. No matter how bad things get in some areas people just wont leave even if they can afford it. They are afraid to leave their comfort zone.

Answer 6

Many in Barrow are native Inuit who have lived up there for thousands of years.

The mixing of their culture and ours has introduced social and economic problems that were neglible in centuries past.

Answer 7

because SOME people don't like to be surrounded by crowds, LIKE nature and solitude and fresh air for that matter, i could see why someone would want to live in Alaska its gorgeous!

Answer 8

good money on the pipeline-on the 70s and 80s-
dont know why anyone would stay though.

Answer 9

not sure but its def not to let their kids play football on gravel football fields