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Old 01-22-2019, 01:53 PM
 
23 posts, read 32,943 times
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Hello. I live in the DC area, and a part of me really wants to move to Alaska. I've been twice in my life so far. Both times were in early winter. Once was for a job interview, which I didn't end up getting unfortunately. I'm still searching for jobs in my field there. I can't get over the scenery! I also felt very free there. I've heard though that Alaska can be a depressing place to live.
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Old 01-22-2019, 02:11 PM
 
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The only thing depressing about living in Alaska is that there is no other place in the world as beautiful ! It's as good as it gets !
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Old 01-22-2019, 03:53 PM
 
Location: on the wind
23,310 posts, read 18,877,894 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travel360 View Post
Hello. I live in the DC area, and a part of me really wants to move to Alaska. I've been twice in my life so far. Both times were in early winter. Once was for a job interview, which I didn't end up getting unfortunately. I'm still searching for jobs in my field there. I can't get over the scenery! I also felt very free there. I've heard though that Alaska can be a depressing place to live.
There's this romantic view of Alaska many people have who have never lived here. Understandable if you are looking at scenery. Every single place on the planet has it's downside. No different here. Social ills can be severe here and upsetting to watch. That sort of reality isn't in brochures, magazine articles, or on websites. Freedom comes from within. A place won't do all of that for you. It seems freeing to live in an isolated place on your own terms. It is also backbreakingly hard work every single day to maintain yourself.

Yes there are aspects of AK that can be depressing. Winters are long, cold, unrelenting, and dark depending on where you live in. Goods and services may not even be available or if they are, so distressingly expensive money can be tight a lot of the time. If you are someone who depends on entertainment and diverse social life you may not find it. Scenery can be inspiring but not if you can't see it or get to it. You may be too far from people you've spent your life with. So many people give it a try, last a year or so, then leave because they just don't have the connections with family or friends down south. Distance means money, so if they don't plan ahead they end up stuck in a place they resent. Many people simply get bored...can't be out having grand adventures every minute.
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Old 01-22-2019, 07:40 PM
 
Location: Airports all over the world
7,487 posts, read 8,006,642 times
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Probably what bothered me the most was lack of roads. After a few weekend drives there was nowhere left go for an afternoon drive.

Want to fly stateside for a spur of the moment trip or a family emergency? Can be very hard to do and quite expensive. A co-worker once had a family emergency during the winter and was not able to get 2 airline tickets out of Alaska to anywhere. Ended up having to drive 3.000 miles.

The winter darkness was a problem for me. However the extra light during the summer was awesome.
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Old 01-24-2019, 08:30 PM
 
Location: Alamosa, CO
53 posts, read 48,217 times
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Hi, I grew up in Alexandria VA and have since lived in MN, AK, and CO. If you live around Anchorage, you will have most of the major amenities that are you are used to having if that matters to you. And it might, even if you don't think so now. Winters are long and dark and that takes some time to adjust to but usually less damp. I feel like I used to feel colder at the end of the day in DC than I did in AK. That damp just settles in your bones. It is really far from anything and yep, there are not a lot of roads so if you like road trips, it can be frustrating. It is also much more expensive...well maybe not home prices for you, but everything else will be.

It is beautiful. It is vast. I miss the northern lights. Many days I am tempted to come back but you have to understand that to accept and love Alaska also means letting go of some of the conveniences that you find normal now.
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Old 01-25-2019, 07:31 AM
 
6,089 posts, read 4,991,082 times
Reputation: 5985
Amazon Prime is worthless.
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Old 01-25-2019, 09:49 AM
 
Location: NP AK/SF NM
681 posts, read 1,207,808 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliRestoration View Post
Amazon Prime is worthless.
Really?? Over the past 3 years I have bought and shipped 4 sets of snow tires with Amazon Prime. All were sent Second-Day Air......for FREE! My Prime account has been paid for several times over.
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Old 01-25-2019, 10:11 AM
 
Location: sitka, Alaska
284 posts, read 405,340 times
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I live on an island with 14 miles of road. There are no big box stores. There is a McD's and a small Subway for fast food. It rains tons. There are 2 traffic lights. And the wife and I love every minute of our lives here. I get to look out over the ocean every day. I have mountains looking out another window. I have great neighbors. Lots of great fishing and hunting and berry picking. There is no downside for us. Its what you want and make out of life, not what you might miss in my opinion. Folks that give you the downside of living here--ask them if they want to leave. Bet you won't get any that do. You will either love it or hate it here. We left for a bit and worked in several states and couldn't wait to get back--can't stand the lower 48. Dirty, noisy, congested traffic, panhandlers everywhere, all the crazy crap that goes on down there, so unfriendly, can't trust a soul. I can't even imagine actually living in D.C. Was there in like 1996 for a few days to see the sights--it was a nasty, dirty place then; can't imagine its changed much.
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Old 01-25-2019, 10:12 AM
 
Location: Anchorage
2,058 posts, read 1,668,141 times
Reputation: 5403
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alaskan Mutt View Post
Probably what bothered me the most was lack of roads. After a few weekend drives there was nowhere left go for an afternoon drive.
This is what I probably like most about Alaska. Plenty of other ways to get around the state and they usually come with some adventure.


Darkness is what I hate most. I definitely suffer from SAD and taking the usual steps (get outside for a bit every day, keep busy, etc.) helps but doesn't eliminate it. However, we have turned the corner and the lengthening days are already noticeable.
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Old 01-25-2019, 02:59 PM
 
6,089 posts, read 4,991,082 times
Reputation: 5985
Quote:
Originally Posted by akpls View Post
Really?? Over the past 3 years I have bought and shipped 4 sets of snow tires with Amazon Prime. All were sent Second-Day Air......for FREE! My Prime account has been paid for several times over.
Uh yes, really.



That's the fastest prime shipping option for my Palmer address.

Shipping to my home in South Carolina, I get 1 day and 2 day options.
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