Why do people like Alaska so much? (Anchorage, Fairbanks: theater, casino)

[MissHazelRedBone(:]

I was born in California, but raised in Anchorage, AK (well actually still being raised here, 2 more years though!). I liked Alaska until my mom took me to California for a month when I was 7, and then the next year I went to Las Vegas (since then I've been there a couple times, and I've been to Hawaii once). After that I was like why on earth would people want to stay here if there is so much more to do in other, more exciting places? The only reason my family moved here (back in 97') was for financial purposes, and have stayed ever since for the same reason. Do people ONLY come here for the nature? That just seems kind of weird to me, it's not even that great once you here for so long. And the winters are SOOOO long and depressing. There's a lot of nice people here, but the mantality is kind of like this: I can talk sh*t and they won't say anything back, because everybody is too nice. It's funny when you do say something, then there like "oh my gosh." And they all care! It's soooo annoying! IF somethings wrong it's like they keep poking at you to tell them, and they act like the sh*t really even matters. Ughh...they're all soooo lame. Plus there are A LOT of racists. I get sooo tired of it here -_-

So yeah this is part rant part question. If you're an Alaskan and you're offended by anything I said, don't be. I refrained from saying a lot more than I wanted to.

[Metlakatla]

Sounds like you're more of a warm weather person. When you grow up and are capable of earning your own living, you can move to wherever you want.

People your age usually don't like where they have grown up. It's normal. Humans are hard wired to be that way so that we don't become a society of inbreds.

[roadfamily6now]

there is something magical about parts of Alaska. No matter how many times we tried to move, we always ended up coming back.

However, I really really don't like Anchorage and these winters are really starting to wear on me. If I cannot be in a town that I love here in Alaska, then I'd rather not be here at all.

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Sounds like you're more of a warm weather person. When you grow up and are capable of earning your own living, you can move to wherever you want.

People your age usually don't like where they have grown up. It's normal. Humans are hard wired to be that way so that we don't become a society of inbreds.

Haha, inbreds.......

[cjg5]

Originally Posted by roadfamily6now

there is something magical about parts of Alaska. No matter how many times we tried to move, we always ended up coming back.

However, I really really don't like Anchorage and these winters are really starting to wear on me. If I cannot be in a town that I love here in Alaska, then I'd rather not be here at all.

Just curious, do you ever consider moving back to Fairbanks? Perhaps you've explained it before and I either missed it or have forgotten. Of course though you don't have to answer if you don't want to.

Alaska is just gorgeous! I could stare at pictures of it all day. I like the idea of the long, cold, dark winters and the spectacular summers. Especially those of the interior. Really want to experience a full year of Alaska for myself sometime! I can see myself loving it enough not to leave.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by roadfamily6now

Haha, inbreds.......

It's true though...lol, it's why teenagers get so restless and hate where they live and want to leave. It's in our genetic code to get the hell out of dodge before we start breeding to lessen the chances of inadvertently procreating with cousins and such and having pinhead offspring.

[Gungnir]

Originally Posted by MissHazelRedBone(:

I was born in California, but raised in Anchorage, AK (well actually still being raised here, 2 more years though!). I liked Alaska until my mom took me to California for a month when I was 7, and then the next year I went to Las Vegas (since then I've been there a couple times, and I've been to Hawaii once). After that I was like why on earth would people want to stay here if there is so much more to do in other, more exciting places? The only reason my family moved here (back in 97') was for financial purposes, and have stayed ever since for the same reason. Do people ONLY come here for the nature? That just seems kind of weird to me, it's not even that great once you here for so long. And the winters are SOOOO long and depressing. There's a lot of nice people here, but the mantality is kind of like this: I can talk sh*t and they won't say anything back, because everybody is too nice. It's funny when you do say something, then there like "oh my gosh." And they all care! It's soooo annoying! IF somethings wrong it's like they keep poking at you to tell them, and they act like the sh*t really even matters. Ughh...they're all soooo lame. Plus there are A LOT of racists. I get sooo tired of it here -_-

So yeah this is part rant part question. If you're an Alaskan and you're offended by anything I said, don't be. I refrained from saying a lot more than I wanted to.

I think its summed up in the following...

If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand...
If you understand, I wouldn't have to explain...

I grew up in an urban area in England, there were about 1.5 Million people stuffed into an area of about 40 miles by 40 miles, it had pretty much everything you could want from a city, great shopping, restaurants/cafe's, theaters and movies, art galleries and museums, a couple of casino's, several nightclubs, and more pubs and bars than you can shake a stick at. Most people couldn't give a crap about whether there's something the matter; which of course has its upside and downside, no one will get in your business, and no one will cut you a break because you're having a lousy day, but they might just make it worse for the pure hell of it though. Same applies to London, nice for a visit, but not so nice to live there.

Racism is not unique to Alaska either; ignorance and prejudice are not limited to Anchorage, Alaska, or even the US. Nor is it limited to any specific ethnicity, there are lots of people who can't stand Americans that come from countries that should know better; I know I came from one, where better than 30% think all Americans are "stuck up, arrogant tossers". Obviously now I'm an American then they also think that about me (including some people who knew me before I left)... Which of course illustrates the stupidity of it all.

I moved here entirely by choice (from Seattle where I had thought I'd stay for more than just a decade), and moved here for other than financial reasons, the climate and environment we certainly #1 and #2 on the list of likes. The flashing lights, and "entertainments" of cities are to me entirely transient and superficial. Once you've experienced them for a little while they lose their attraction. Much like how you see Alaskan nature and winters. However that's a lesson that only experience can teach you.

YMMV

[tvdxer]

Two words: Bristol Palin.

[Dakster]

Tvdxer was that in response to the inbred comment or why you like Alaska so much?

[Alice2]

Originally Posted by MissHazelRedBone(:

Do people ONLY come here for the nature?

I am not crazy about the town I am living in, but the 'nature' part of Alaska is something special to me. It's a big state, and I haven't seen that much of it. The rain doesn't bother me at all, the long summer days more than make up for the short winter ones, and everything around is so clean up here, relatively speaking. To be in the woods, or on the beach, or on a hill, or just near a stream, big or small, it is so re-vitalizing to the spirit. Sure there are other places on the planet that are wonderful too, but if I can't see it all, I can still be in awe of where I'm at. All I have to do to have a good day is to remember that, and don't forget to get out in nature even if it's sometimes only for a short time.

Racism? I see it baaaad here in some people, but there is that EVERYWHERE in 'some people.'

If I could afford to travel I wouldn't spend all my time here, and I can't say I wouldn't move somewhere else and possibly never come back, but I do love this state.