Leaving Alaska..it's not the same anymore! (Wales: house, rent)

[Peanutmouse]

I know exactly what you mean, Jamracingalaska. I have been in Alaska (Valley) for about 16 years. It used to be so different. I know other places change but the change in Alaska is different. I grew up in the 'burbs of St. Paul, MN. When I go home to visit, yes there is change but not so drastic as I have seen in Alaska. I also wonder sometimes if it is just me that changed. Sometimes, when we go snowmachining out in the middle of nowhere and the Northern Lights are shimmering behind Pioneer Peak I think "aaahhh, this is the Alaska I remember. The Alaska I fell in love with." And then you come back to reality. Pretty sad. Good luck in Arkansas. My best friend left AK for Arkansas a few years ago and loves it.

[c.adam]

You will NEVER find another place like Alaska. If Anchorage is too much like the lower 48, then head up to Fairbanks. If Fairbanks doesn't work for you, head out further.

My wife and I hoped Colorado would be a happy medium between the Lower 48 and Alaska, well Geographically it's the case... but the people here stink compared to Alaska. It's as equally bad anywhere in the Lower 48.

This is why we are returning to Alaska.

[Beenthere]

If you're headed to the lesser 48 to get back to something that Alaska has lost in the last 20 years, you may as well get a time machine too. And just remember, each of us that move to Alaska (or anywhere else) bring changes to it, that has always been the case. Good luck in your new milieu.

[alaskagrafe]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

I said the same thing in 1977 when we left Alaska for better job opportunities. Husband had hit the top of his profession. Always regretted it and always wanted to go back. Lived there from 53 to 77 and remember the statehood celebration. Lived thru the pipeline years and the "outsiders" coming in with their "attitudes". Boy was it nice when there was no TV, no McDonalds and safe neighborhoods.

[Husband says I am remembering thru rose colored glasses and I probably am but still would like to live there again.]

Sweetana3 ... you're seeing 20/20 through those glasses of yours. Much of Alaska is very similar to when you were there. If the road system is left alone ... which I believe it should be ... that virgin Alaska will still be there for you to return to in the future. Bring your husband along!

[norcal5453]

well come on down to california and get even for what our people have done to your state. I appologise on behalf of all californians for their actions. the same things happened to Westport, CA, a little slice of RURAL northern california i USED to call home. big city folks from san fran moved in, took control, water bills up to $125 a month, NO FIRE PROTECTION FOR 6 MONTHS, and numerous other illegal activities. This is a town of 65 people, and we had people do drive by shootings at our house(not the one that made the news, that was one of the folks who moved there from San fran) twice this happened, so we left. We in northern california are not what the typical californian is stereotyped as. I would like to someday move to alaska, and live off the land, cause everyone from southern california took all of ours up in Northern CA for vacation homes, and developements.

[Hatless Wonder]

What other country in the world allows citizenship just by being born on its soil?

Canada, Ireland, France, and Australia, for starters.

[Georgia]

Wow! Reading the many post we all know our home areas have changed.
I left my hometown of Martinsburg, WV in 1992 for good! Used to be a small Norman Rockwell/Mayberry town, then the Washington DC speed train came.
Since the place has turned into a high crime cesspool.

Had the opportunity to live in Fairbanks, Ft. Wainwright in 1982 - 83. Good I loved Alaska, I hope Fairbanks and the N.Pole are still the same

Live in Georgia now, not bad but rather crowded, illegal invasion, plus California and Florida. If your moving to RKansas, get ready for a culture shock, not to mention chicken plants. When it comes to Chicken Plants, illegals, and **** infested creeks, old GA and RKansas are kissin' cousins.

[Jamracingalaska]

I wanted to say thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread. My house has sold and I'm leaving tomorrow. How fun it will be to travel the Alaska highway once again. It was 48 below in Northway this morning. Cant wait! LOL
Thanks for your encouraging words, your advice, and thanks for just posting. This has been so difficult for me to leave. Although I complained in my original post, I am having a hard time leaving my home here in Alaska. I am however, looking forward to a new start. I will give it one year, If it does not work out, I'm coming home regardless of who has moved here. Thanks to you all, and above all......Thank you Alaska!! Thanks for giving me the best place in the world to raise my family. Thanks for showing me real beauty and thanks for saving my life so many years ago!! Thanks for the loon in the lake that day...it healed me forever! THANKS

[Rance]

Have a safe trip. Take your time. You've got some mileage to cover.

[Dondec14]

Jamracing Sorry to hear that you are leaving such a spectacular environment. I guess I am one of the four cheechakos replacing one Alaskan. I have no intention of changing nor demanding anything to change in Palmer, I am moving because the quality of life seems much friendlier, simplier, and peaceful than East Texas, and hope to embrace the Alaskan way of life and get to know the people in my new town. If you are running from Alaska to "get away" from the Californians that move in "because they just love the way of life" then demand it to change it; my suggestion is to stay and protect your town from the mass development, strip malls, and fast food restaurants. It is no different in the lower 48, particularly in the "country" and "rural" areas. My little town east of Dallas has fallen victim to the Californian invasion. They move here because they want a nice lil country town to live, then complain that they need to travel over an hour to "shop" and complain about the inconveniences, so then demand strip malls, and all the "stuff" that they supposedly left California to get away from. Its not much different down here, except Texas and the south are more convenient for them to get to from California, and we have two seasons, Hot and Very hot. Good luck