What is Alaska like?

Answer 1

Guess I'm different from the other posters because 1) I live here and 2) I'm happy about it.

I long ago got to all 50 states and Alaska was the one I was going back to the most often. So we moved up 8 years ago.

Ignoring the Western Alaska and Northern Alaska villages (many of which are off the road system, that leaves:

Southeast Alaska (Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, etc.) which are heavily forested, very rainy, and surrounded by water. Only Hanies and Skagway have roads to the outside. The rest are only accessed by ship and plane. If you want to be be on sheltered salt water (a serious fisherman, kayaker, sailor and some artists come to mind), and can put up with the isolation and expense of traveling "Outside", then it might be a choice. Fishing and servicing the tourists are pretty seasonal and timber is very much in decline so have a job lined up in advance. I think of the weather as "Very North Seattle" cloudy, rainy, a bit of cold during winter.

Southcentral Alaska (Anchorage, Palmer, Mat-Su, Kenai, Soldotna, Homer, Seward) have more serious winters, but only 20"-40" of precip (half as snow). They are on the road system which helps one's mental health, retail prices, and travel options. They have supermarkets, theaters, etc. They all have gorgeous views and access to the mountains, rivers, and oceans. Jobs are like most places. Sure, some percentage are commercial fishermen or guides, but mostly people work in stores, schools, hospitals, etc. I live in Kenai and have 700' of beach, views of three 10,000-foot volcanos across the salt water, and 13 acres of apruce/birch forest. For vastly less than our 0.08 acre lot in Seattle cost. Land further from town would be cheaper still.

Interior Alaska (Fairbanks) has some serious winters. Some -40F most years. Very short days in Dec-Jan. Hot (by Alaskan standards) summers with some 90's and some forest fires most years. It would be the most stereotypical Alaskan experience, but personally, I like the better airline connections and less serious winters we get in SC AK. We also have a greater variety of terrain - mountains, fjords, glaciers, etc, in SC AK.

People here are, on average, more politically conservative than other coastal states, more libertarian (live and let live), more helpful (no one needs an autoclub to rescue them, the next person along does that), and versatile (my doc runs the Iditarod, lots of people fly their own plane, build their house, etc).

Don't come up to escape problems or a bad relationship. You'll still have the same issues but be waiting for the bus at -20F in January. Come up if you value the scenery, recreation and/or the critters (I saw 5 grizzlies last summer on various hikes and we see moose most days around town). And if you can see the weather, distance to the 48 states, and short winter days as a challange and not as a burden.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Before I moved to Alaska I thought there would be alot of wildlife, pine trees and not so many people.
After moving here I found out, there is alot of drugs and crime and tons of people (Anchorage-Wasilla Area) .
I also found out while there are moose here there are no Deer or Elk. The trees are mainly leaf trees (95%).Last summer, it rained just about every single day and the highs were about 70.
Alot of the people are rude, and customer service is something not to be desired! Prices are too high , and you cant even buy a lottery ticket. I asked a guy yesterday if he missed power ball tickets,,,he didn't even know what they were!
There are some pretty areas here, but you better bring some pepper spray (for the bears, even though I haven seen any) and a handgun for protection from the people.
I havent seen any BEAUTIFUL beaches,,,I was told to stay they hell off the "beach" cause the mucky mudd will suck you in!
Hope this helps

Answer 3

cold

Answer 4

cold

Answer 5

beautiful beaches, hiking, mountains and views

Answer 6

BEAUTIFUL but very boring