Leaving Alaska..it's not the same anymore! (Metlakatla: employment, home)

[DreamChasers8]

Deep...very deep!

[FunkyMonk]

Almost every state has gone through big changes in the past 10 years. Everywhere I go people tell me about how much it has changed lately. The forums here tell that story too.

Actually most places on Earth have changed drastically. Right now I am in Asia and this place is changing faster than you would believe. That's what globalization does to the world.

This is what the 21st century is bringing and none of us are gonna stop it.

[nmnita]

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.

and where are you planning on going? Things change, that is part of live. How many of us sometimes wish we could return to the 50s or maybe 40s or 60s. But we can't, so we find the best in what is here today. We can think back to the days our fathers did hunt for much of our good or fished for it, those were good days, but since those days, we have better medical care thus we are living more adtive lives for longer. The computer age has made it easier to stay in contact with friends and make new friends with the advancement of travel, we are able to see more of the world today.

It is important for all of us to remember, we give up certain things to gain other things.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Jamracingalaska

Well, let me clarify a few things. When I mentioned welfare, what I meant was that Alaska has a higher than normal allotment rate on welfare. People get more food stamps and monthly dollars. I did not mean that more "people" are on welfare here. Sorry. Yes, people from Calif. Wash. and oregon have swarmed here and have brought those lower 48 attitudes with them. The south central area is where I have seen the most change. As for me....I have purchased 67 acres in a very rural area of Arkansas. Arkansas?? Yep, Quite the change. I guess I'm ready for four seasons. We all know Alaska has only 2 Winter and getting ready for winter!

I hope you love the remote area of Ar you have chosen. Let me fill you in about living in this state: I will first say, I absolutely love living here. The peace, the traquility, the rural life, still not far from urban areas if you want to visit. But, welfare state, OMG, this is one of the poorest states in the union and one of the least eduacated. We have meth labs, just like every other state, and people living in shacks. The good part, not to mention what I said earlier, people are friendly (most of them but some are as rude as people everywhere and many of the really small towns do not accept strangers very well) most everyone you meet are hard workers, and family oriented. The cities and country side are clean and yes, you will get your 4 seasons with none being too extreme. I don't know where you will live in the state, but the north part, east or west have milder summers than further south. Good luck, just remember, the grass is always greener on the other side.

For those who think we have hot summers, not so compared to many places in the country. Humid, yes, hot, not really. I did notice one thing, this thead is very old, wonder what happened to the OP? Did he/she relocate???
Nita

[DreamChasers8]

I visited Arkansas's famous Diamond mine about 1 1/2 years ago, it was HOT. It was August with 110% humidity and 105* to boot...don't get much hotter than that!!! Just a note I was raised in N.C. and VA and have experienced hot and humid but Ark was one of the worst.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by DreamChasers8

I visited Arkansas's famous Diamond mine about 1 1/2 years ago, it was HOT. It was August with 110% humidity and 105* to boot...don't get much hotter than that!!! Just a note I was raised in N.C. and VA and have experienced hot and humid but Ark was one of the worst.

DreamChaser, very rarely here in NWA does the temps get much highter than low to mid 90s. Yes the humidity can be high. Thank God for air, but still this is all in how one looks at the weather and where you are accustom to living. We had one or two days this year that hit 100 degrees, they were down lower then where we live and yes, it was hot. I was driving the one day, outside 102, 1/2 way up the hill 98 and 96 as I drove into our drive way. After living in Wash DC, Dallas and Albuquerque most of my life, plus born and raised until adulthood in so Calif the weather here is mild. Of course DC didn't have too many days much above the low 90s either. Dallas is really the worst, visit there mid summer and then see what heat really is. As for 110% humidity, that I have never even heard of much less seen anywhere. for real humidity but still I have never heard of 110% try Houston or New Orleans...

[warptman]

I don't think I can handle this 79% humidity today...lol

40 °F / 4 °C
Overcast
Windchill: 36 °F / 2 °C
Humidity: 79%
Dew Point: 34 °F / 1 °C
Wind: 6 mph / 9 km/h / 2.6 m/s from the WSW
Pressure: 30.07 in / 1018 hPa (Rising)
Visibility: 10.0 miles / 16.1 kilometers
UV: 0 out of 16
Clouds:
Overcast 3600 ft / 1097 m
(Above Ground Level)

[Alaskapat528]

Well as you know hubby and I (along with our 2 dogs) left Alaska 3 weeks ago. We took a week driving down doing a bit of sight seeing. We've been in Ohio 2 weeks now. Here is what we have found so far. Now remember, I am known for being blunt and to the point.

We are in a small type town not far from Dover and New Philadelphia. Well, Ohio is NOT a dog state. We don't want to buy a home since we dont want to be in a long term commitment. Hard time finding a place to rent because they don't want dogs. I can understand this since some people are real slobs who own animals. We don't see a dog or dogs in every other car or truck as you do in AK.

I am from Ohio (born/raised) so maybe I never noticed it when I lived here. However, after being away I do notice now how rude and just downright ignorant the people here are. Not trying to offend anyone, just stating what I have found. Husband is amazed at how when we went twice to a steak house in a small county how they blatantly stared at us. I asked my sister who has lived down here in this area for 15 years and she said, "yes, they do notice if you're not from here." The drivers, well, don't get me started on that.

We moved down here so I could be closer to family and hubby got a really good job offer (which is surprising due to unemployment rates down here). I love my family, but geez, in 2 weeks time have seen my son once (he is about 90 miles away). Seems he's always busy. I don't expect him to drop everything for us but I quess all mothers out there know what I mean.

Are we happy down here? He** NO to be perfectly blunt! Do I like the people, he** NO. Have only found a handfull that even give a smile when you smile first. I am a friendly person, however, I get a bit defensive when someone blatantly stares at you and you give a smile and they just keep staring like you have 2 heads.

Are we coming back to AK? Quite possibly. Our 2 vehicles that we had shipped are due down here Monday or Tuesday. May leave one of them here if we return.

All I can say is we are both pretty fed-up.. Add to that the heat and humidity has been horrible and there was no power in the area for a week due to the high winds last weekend. They finally got it restored. We spent several nights in a hotel.

I also don't want to see Alaska ruined. Nothing wrong with folks moving there but don't try to make it like the place you left because then Alaska will have a good percentage of unfriendly, cold people who only care about their own agenda..

So just my 2 cents and then some lol.

[Metlakatla]

Pat, I feel badly for you. I think you should go back to Alaska.

I agree with you about so many things and reading your post makes me feel pretty lucky that my lower 48 experience has been way more positive than not. And I feel lucky that I don't have to choose; I fully intend on having the best of both worlds until I get so old they stick me in a home somewhere.

The people...I just don't know. There's a certain breed of Oregonian that's damn near insufferable and they seem to have multiplied exponentially in recent years. Smug people. And then there's the whole Wal*Mart culture crowd. The whole thing can wear you down sometimes.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Pat, I feel badly for you. I think you should go back to Alaska.

I agree with you about so many things and reading your post makes me feel pretty lucky that my lower 48 experience has been way more positive than not. And I feel lucky that I don't have to choose; I fully intend on having the best of both worlds until I get so old they stick me in a home somewhere.

The people...I just don't know. There's a certain breed of Oregonian that's damn near insufferable and they seem to have multiplied exponentially in recent years. Smug people. And then there's the whole Wal*Mart culture crowd. The whole thing can wear you down sometimes.

Hi Met. Sorry for venting but just has been a miserable weekend. At this point we just aren't sure what we should do. I do want to make a decision soon but I don't want to be too rash with it either. Yes, the Walmart culture can be a bit challenging. LOL