Wasilla: famous for all the wrong reasons (Anchorage, Valdez: health insurance, homes)

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

an why on earth would they want to step outside of Alaska???? wow.... seems a bit of an arrogant statement....

Are you one of these people?

I don't know how to explain it. Generally speaking, if a person has no desire to see what it's like outside their normal surroundings, the odds are they aren't that friendly unless you are exactly like them in your beliefs, religion, personality, background, social level etc. There's people like that in any area, not just here. They think because I lived here my entire life I deserve the right to be smug and an a-hole. The people I've seen in Wasilla that fit this category are the ones that are missing a couple teeth, probably high school drop out and they see you... damn city slickers with their slick hair n fancy smancy clothing apparel n seeeeeeech lol (exaggeration).

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by Alaskapat528

You know I don't fall into that category as I wasnt born in Alaska, have one child, and travel quite often.

Many transplants are nice but more and more many look and act like trash. BTW what category do you fit into?

I know you weren't born in AK, Pat, and that you've only lived here a few years.

I always think it's weird when people who are fairly new to a place start complaining about others pretty much just like them.

I wonder why that is.

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

Are you one of these people?

I don't know how to explain it. Generally speaking, if a person has no desire to see what it's like outside their normal surroundings, the odds are they aren't that friendly unless you are exactly like them in your beliefs, religion, personality, background, social level etc. There's people like that in any area, not just here. They think because I lived here my entire life I deserve the right to be smug and an a-hole. The people I've seen in Wasilla that fit this category are the ones that are missing a couple teeth, probably high school drop out and they see you... damn city slickers with their slick hair n fancy smancy clothing apparel n seeeeeeech lol (exaggeration).

no I am not "one of these people"....thanks for explaining as it does put a whole different impression of your first post! got it now....

[Nephler]

The friendliest people I've met around here and other parts of the state have been those that have lived here a long time, the old timers and natives. Maybe it's because I can relate to them more and have more in common with them, even though I've only lived here a couple years.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I know you weren't born in AK, Pat, and that you've only lived here a few years.

I always think it's weird when people who are fairly new to a place start complaining about others pretty much just like them.

I wonder why that is.

More than a few years; 10 years. Not complaining, just some are trashy. You always bad-mouth Wasilla, why the change? Are you living back in Oregon yet? Seems to be you're home.

You sure criticize some newcomers to the forum, so don't act goody goody.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by Nephler

The friendliest people I've met around here and other parts of the state have been those that have lived here a long time, the old timers and natives. Maybe it's because I can relate to them more and have more in common with them, even though I've only lived here a couple years.

I agree.

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by tigre79

A tiny flicker of curiosity about the rest of the world, perhaps?

I've got to agree with BMW there to a point. The people I've liked least up here have been those who were born here and just seem to have stayed out of inertia or lack of gumption or whatever it is that keeps them in a place they don't even seem to enjoy living in. I'm sure there are plenty of people from the Lower 48 who moved up here for reasons that weren't well thought out, but most of the people I've met who came from somewhere else are good folks who have other options but choose to live here because they love it (of course that could be because the weather down here chases off the ones that don't).

well we've met people all over...Maine, MA, Sweden, Norway, Jamaica etc that have never left their town let alone travel to another state....they are quite content and love where they are....you will find "redneck hillbilly" most anywhere you go in the world I think....to each their own....there are gracious people in this world then you have crass people. some people do not enjoy life and it would not matter if they had the "inertia or gumption" or traveled....they are miserable in life....aren't you glad your not one of them!!! I sure am!

[Evan_Lanctot]

Wait till you folks have Mayor Johnston!

[Sapperdoc]

Some personality types are accepting of new people, new cultures, new ideas, expansion of their social circles and horizons. They tend to make good neighbors. Others, well, others look for reasons to be divisive. It's "them" and then "everybody else." Religion, gender, geographical heritage, or the choice of planting herbs instead of ornamental flowers in the garden beds under your front window. They can be the not-so-good neighbors. In my experience regardless of living in Las Vegas, Mannheim, Uijeongbu, or Ad Dujahl, whatever, people are people, the social interaction is basically the same (well, almost, in AD the not-so-good neighbors had IEDs, heh). If you make the effort to immerse yourself where you live, many fall in the first category. For some, no matter what you do, you'll never be "local," and they will stay firmly in the second category. I've been stationed/living in Missouri almost 6 years now (the longest the Army left me anywhere, and subsequently retired here), and I still have neighbors that won't talk to me because "you'ns not from round HEEah." And trust me, I fit right in, huge truck, huge dog, guns, bows, mandatory project vehicle (Jeep) broke down in my yard... But I'm still "city folk." Whatever, no skin off my rear end. Funny story, I have a buddy who IS local, born and raised here, bought his farm 20 years ago... But when the locals talk about his place, they always refer to it as the "Hernandez place" (last name of the former owner) like he just moved in yesterday. He often jokingly wonders if the guy that buys it after he's gone will have to put up with 20 years of the "Hutzell place." Is it just an opportunity for folks to show "how local they are" with their vernacular, you think?

People are weird.

I aspire to Alaskan residency soon, if the stars align properly, and I hope sincerely that my neighbors (few that there are, according to google earth!) are more of the first and less of the second.

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by Sapperdoc

Funny story, I have a buddy who IS local, born and raised here, bought his farm 20 years ago... But when the locals talk about his place, they always refer to it as the "Hernandez place" (last name of the former owner) like he just moved in yesterday. He often jokingly wonders if the guy that buys it after he's gone will have to put up with 20 years of the "Hutzell place."

ahahha for the first 25 yrs friends look'n for us.....yup...know 'um they live the "Thiebeau house" ...our home was only 11 yrs old at purchase an only Thiebeau lived here...according to neighbors it will be refered too by our last names for the new owner of it!!! only took 32 yrs to be known as our home!!! hahahha