Leaving Alaska..it's not the same anymore! (Anchorage, Fairbanks: vacation, job)

[tkx7]

Mr_Evergreen, if i were you, I would consider New Hampshire as a place to live. Many rural areas and their motto is "live free or die." The state government doesnt tell you how to live, there are few taxes, and fewer laws than other states. You will be accepted as long as you believe in less government. It's very libertarian.

[Retiredmaga]

My husband and I will be retiring to warmer temps in the winter in the next couple of years, Alaska has been home for more than 40 years our kids will continue to live here in Alaska so we will be back every summer. Summer in my opinion is the absolutely best time to be in Alaska the weather is comfortable the country is beautiful and the air is clean. Winter is just too harsh for us to bear anymore. We live here in Anchorage even though it is getting more crowded there still not a more beautiful city to live in mountains on one side and the ocean on the other all within veiwing at the same time. We searched many places and decided that trying to find a location comparable to Anchorage was pretty much a non happening things. I know this in not followig the thread here but I just wanted to put in my two cents about our beautiful state. Only if global warming would warm us up in the winter months I would stay, but sure I won't live that long.

[AlaskaJack]

What an interesting thread.... and some wonderful insight provided by several folks!

I came up here (from California, Lol) 41 years ago in a '55 Ford panel truck. I had been traveling around the western states looking for my niche and ended up in Fairbanks.... too broke to go any farther and to top everything off I had two flat tires at once! I ended up getting a job at the gas station that fixed my tires! I worked there through the winter (yup, -55 degrees) and the following spring got a better job at a power plant. I worked there for a couple of years... spending all of my money on flying lessons, eventually getting a commercial pilot's license, flight instructor certificate and eventually an airline transport certificate.

After around 30 years as a bush pilot and then as part owner of a small air taxi I feel blessed through all of the wonderful people I have met and the places I have seen.... I do not have the words to describe it all!

I have led an interesting life up here. Had a wonderful wife (we are no longer together... but remain true and loyal friends) and we raised two "untamed" boys and countless pets. I've built two remote cabins in the woods and lived without electricity or indoor plumbing for eight years.... it was great! (well, ahem, most of the time!)

In '04 and '05 I made winter trips across "lower America" in my camper.... looking for the "promised land" ... and warmer winters. Oddly enough, I too have been doing a lot of internet research on northern Arkansas, which is how I happen to have found this forum.

Having grown long in the tooth... I must admit that the long dark winters are taking their toll on me... but reading some of your very heartfelt comments certainly give rise to further consideration about "moving on!" I guess it all boils down to either sitting in front of the fireplace up here all winter.... or sitting in front of the air conditioner down there all summer!

As for me.... well, spring is just around the corner.... so I'll just sit tight for a while!

May God bless you (us!) all. Jack

[nsm]

Originally Posted by Jamracingalaska

After almost 20 years of living in my Alaska, the time has come to move on. It saddens me to see the changes here that have taken place over the years. Long gone are the sourdoughs, the bush families monthly visits to town, cheechakos today, are not the same as they were. This used to be such a unique place to live, but not anymore. The people who have moved here in the last few years have really changed what Alaska used to be. Words have even changed. Things here were never expensive, they were "spendy". nobody says that anymore. The lower 48 attitudes have arrived in Alaska and have polluted it. Years ago I would travel by dog team to so many places. That too is gone due to the fact that everyone moved in and posted no tresspassing signs and blocked off all of the trails. (more unsocial behavior)
I remember going into the store and knowing everyone, today, I dont know anyone! Things change I guess. I remember a day when "meth" didn't even exist in Alaska. Now all of the clowns from Eastern Washington have moved here and brought their own type of white ice with them.
They all learned that Alaska has one of the highest levels of welfare, so you can imagine the quality of people that has attracted as well.
Hunting for your family used to be a part of life. I don't even go anymore because the clowns have either lied about residency and gotten tier 2 permits and I didn't, or they just go poach a moose which leaves less for others.
Alaska has changed....or, is it I who have changed? I've pondered that question and I guess it goes both ways, but I've concluded that I changed because my Alaska changed. Do I sound bitter? yeah. This was my edge of the earth. My solitude, my refuge and they came and changed it. Part of life I suppose. So one Alaskan moves out and four more "cheechakos" will move in!
The reality of this thread is that this is part of my seperation from my home. It will be so difficult for me to get to the border and look back and see all of the fond memories here. The growth of my family, the northern lights on a clear night, salmon spawning in the creek. So many good memories.
Thanks for letting me vent. It is going to take a lot for me to detatch from here and this is just a part of it. Thanks for the memories.

wow, that is so sad. I live in the northeast and want very badly to visit alaska. I think its because of the way you described how it used to be. I would love to see that because it always seemed to me so different and kind of like an untouched area. Its a shame that the bad element has to move there and spoil it.

[nsm]

Originally Posted by Jamracingalaska

Joeklr... Your words are profound and deep. I very much enjoyed reading them as they are very well written. I so like good post's. Great job.
to tkx7... this is getting off the sublect a little, but you made a great point about immigrants today. So let me give my two cents due to the fact that I started this thread. Over 100 years ago, my ancestors came to this country via Ellis Island. They stood in long lines, went by the rules, and then, when all that was required of them was done, they were allowed to become American citizens! They were handed NOTHING but an opportunity for a better life. They embraced this country and made it home. Todays immigrants are a bit different. They cross the border at their own will, ignoring the laws of this country. They come here with their hand out expecting something, and worst of all, they carry the flag of their previous country and say hey, were still (??? Whatever country they came from) and we dont want to conform to your ways. Just give us the rights you all have, but we want to do it our way!
THIS is not what America is all about and yes it even happens here in Alaska. Thanks for the forum. jamracingalaska

You stated that perfectly. The immigrants that come to Ellis Island way back in the day..did not want a hand out. They wanted to work and contribute and were very proud. And you are right, they wanted to follow the rules of the USA and embrace our wonderful country. They never marched with the flag of their country.

[Alaskan454]

The system is broken everywhere....look at the crooks & liars we put in office, most outta be locked up like the dirtbag we just kicked out as governor of Alaska.

Ben's a crook just like his old man.....the list goes on & on.

Anyone that leaves Alaska for the lower 48 thinking they are going to find something better is a fool.....what you're going to find is a country fulla mexicans ie Bush's "guest workers"....telling us there are only 13 million of them is total crappolla...

[AtlantaCruiser]

What a cool post!

Originally Posted by AlaskaJack

What an interesting thread.... and some wonderful insight provided by several folks!

I came up here (from California, Lol) 41 years ago in a '55 Ford panel truck. I had been traveling around the western states looking for my niche and ended up in Fairbanks.... too broke to go any farther and to top everything off I had two flat tires at once! I ended up getting a job at the gas station that fixed my tires! I worked there through the winter (yup, -55 degrees) and the following spring got a better job at a power plant. I worked there for a couple of years... spending all of my money on flying lessons, eventually getting a commercial pilot's license, flight instructor certificate and eventually an airline transport certificate.

After around 30 years as a bush pilot and then as part owner of a small air taxi I feel blessed through all of the wonderful people I have met and the places I have seen.... I do not have the words to describe it all!

I have led an interesting life up here. Had a wonderful wife (we are no longer together... but remain true and loyal friends) and we raised two "untamed" boys and countless pets. I've built two remote cabins in the woods and lived without electricity or indoor plumbing for eight years.... it was great! (well, ahem, most of the time!)

In '04 and '05 I made winter trips across "lower America" in my camper.... looking for the "promised land" ... and warmer winters. Oddly enough, I too have been doing a lot of internet research on northern Arkansas, which is how I happen to have found this forum.

Having grown long in the tooth... I must admit that the long dark winters are taking their toll on me... but reading some of your very heartfelt comments certainly give rise to further consideration about "moving on!" I guess it all boils down to either sitting in front of the fireplace up here all winter.... or sitting in front of the air conditioner down there all summer!

As for me.... well, spring is just around the corner.... so I'll just sit tight for a while!

May God bless you (us!) all. Jack

[bushman]

I live by 80th and Cahill. By Cub Foods.

[ireneswolves]

I am from new zealand originally, during my marriage to a US servicman,i travelled all over the USA,but i always wanted to go to Alaska,we could never get orders there.So we lived in CA,for awhile and it was going downhill too.However i last lived in the South (ark,miss,tenn)before coming north to ny and vermont.( I divorced my husband of 20yrs just so i could go noprth and have a happy life.)I have to tell you you will not like the south unless you like hot humid weather,and not much except ice for winter.They dont have the same love and respect for animals as i have found northern people do,and that includes Alaska,Down South they are taught to shoot and kill from boyhood most of the men are,if it moves hunt it etc etc,and they grow up with that attitude.i have even caught some at illegal hunting..The south is given to tornadoes,straight line winds,and i could go on.Most of the time in the north one knows what to expect,like today st Patricks, and we are in the middle of another storm here in Vermont.but inspite of it,i love it,we have those seasons up north 4 in one day sometimes..Its not easy to get free land,but i would love some free land to work with,among Gods creatures.When i came to Vermont almost 4yrs ago,it was different too,and in 4yrs,i have watched things go downhill here with taxes,short of housing,no real decent paying jobs,unless your in the medical field.and dope addicts to beat the band.life is change,everywhere,everything changes at some time,its part of ones growth and journey in life to experience it,so sometimes one has to learn to change with it,and accept those things one cant change..So, it would seem to me perhaps you are running from something alot bigger than Alaska's problems..because no matter where you wind up,there will be change..Would i go back to the South no,i hate the weather,and all the Casinos.I love the cold,i can dress up or down as warm as i want,curl up and read a good book or write one...Be happy wherever you go little one,only you can make your space a happy one,dont leave it to other people and governments to make you happy,you will have lived a wasted life..yep i know i am a free spirit,and i believe ones personal happiness is what one makes of their lives...thanks for letting me vent and God bless..

[Rance]

ireneswolves they are giving away free land in Anderson, Alaska right now. You'd have to build a house of at least 1000 square foot within 2 years. Might be what your looking for.