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

[JWilliams]

In about 30 years of travels, I've discovered that people are a lot more civil the further you get from civilization.

That's a great point and I've noticed the same. The larger a city is, the more crowded it is, the more aggression and combative the people are. I was in Toronto this weekend and a friend who lives there and I both agree that there is nothing about the place that encourages humane and selfless behavior, but that's just how it is in any large city in which a person's car moves no faster than a sidewalk. It's either join in the fray and stand one's ground or be crushed by those who are. I have noticed this in other big cities in various countries, people are simply not nice in large cities and I know that if I lived in one I'd be even less nice than I am now.

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

That is how I see it, too, and I am an immigrant to the US (for several years now). I didn't come here to make it like my homeland. I left my native country for a reason. It sounds knee-jerk, but if somebody likes their country so much, why did they leave it in the first place? If I didn't like the US, I'd go back home and I've no interest in making it like where I came from--that's kind of the entire reason I moved here in the first place! I know that in many ways I get more upset about the influx of illegals than many homegrown Americans do.

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

Actually, most do In fact, many allow it simply if a child's parent is a citizen of a country, so upon birth many kids are immediately dual citizens.

There are countries in the world that will not allow ownership of property unless you are a citizen of that country - why not us?

Because in that case, I'd still be renting an apartment. I am not sure what benefit is realized by not allowing foreigners to own property in a country. I could understand why a pissant poor nation may not want some rich folks coming in and buying up all its land, but this is not a problem in the US.

To be devil's advocate, I wonder if in part some of the illegals "bringing their flags" and all that are doing so because the US is not welcoming them. Forgive my ignorance, but I was under the impression that if a person could breath and pay for passage to the US and wasn't an overt criminal or anything, years ago they could get in no problem free and clear. That is just not possible now. People lament how so many people are coming here illegally, but for a person with a poor education and skillset it's essentially not possible to come to this country legally. I could only come here legally by spending substantial money and being educated and, on top of that, married to a person who has an in-demand profession. If a person is flying under the radar and cannot even get a social security card, they can't be that expected to assimilate into society at large and feel at home in their new country.

There is, I think, a reason the US (at least on the books) doesn't want ANYBODY coming in and I agree with it and I think the existing laws should either be scrapped, since they're not enforced, or they should be enforced. The hypocrisy is what irritates people, laws that are flaunted and politicians who do not care. As the illegal populations gain increasing footholds into the country, it will be harder to enforce laws that say they should not be doing what they're doing. They'll hit a critical mass.

Ask yourself also, if you lived in Mexico would you jump the border? That country is really not a good one to live in. I can understand why people want to get the heck out. I just hope that the US does not become in any way like Mexico with its corruption, pitiful economy and political system, etc.

[SnowAngel2007]

I used to live in Arkansas (fort smith) I still don't know why ppl would want to move here. Just my opinion. Would love to live in Alaska. I hate the heat. I rather freeze to death than fry like bacon every summer.

[Rance]

I lived in northern Arkansas on a couple occasions. I always had to leave in May, as it was already in the mid-80's and humid. But it was great from October to May.

[sommer6]

I read what everyone had to say about the changes in Alaska, and I still must say that it still seems to be a safer place to live than most of the 48's.
As it is we currently live on 40 ac. way out in the county in southern Indiana... and I cant even go to the store without a bodyguard, I'm serious !!
Reciently I got followed by two guys all the way into the ladies restroom !! My daughters boyfriend had to run them off and they still followed me to my car !! And as for hunting, the last day of our season, my son called in a realy NICE buck, there was an adult hunter about 200 yards from my son's tree stand (ON OUR LAND) well when he saw the buck he took a shot just to scare the buck off so my son couldnt get it !!! Come to find out he was from out of state hunting for a rack... we hunt for MEAT.. this guy thought what he did was just fine, nothing wrong with that at all !!! Is it just me? I think it is pathetic when you do something like that especially to a child !!!!!
I have read allot about Alaska and everything I have read tells me that this is the type of home I want my children to finish growing up in !!!

I just pray that everyone has patience with us, it will take us a bit to learn to trust our community,(and for them to trust us I know)
Like I said I cant even go to town alone !!!!! I dont want that for my girls !!
I look forward to talking with you all about our move and our new home town !

Take care and God Bless

[kimmy01]

First of all, I'd have to agree with the thought that everywhere and everything changes over time. It's a sad but true reality. That said, I am happy to say that my husband, me and our two and a half year old son and three month old daughter are moving from Medford Oregon to Palmer, Alaska in July. I was born in Soldatna, Alaska and lived for thirteen years in Alaska. From Anchorage to Homer. We moved ALOT! for silly reasons my dad moved us to Arkansas when I was young. It was nice, but VERY closed minded and even HOTTER than you could imagine. Then my mom and dad moved home (Alaska) a few years ago and I went to visit and, yes things had changed, but it is still like NO PLACE else in the US. The land is so beautiful it takes your breath away. The people (I'm not dumb enough to say EVERYONE) are nicer. And the air is different. Cleaner. Crisper. BETTER. Ever since the day my dad drug me out of Alaska, my heart has ached to be back there. My memories are of days spent sledding, skating, building bread pan igloos and moose in the front yard. Every childs dream! This whole blog probably sounds self centered and mushy, but I wanted to share MY ALASKA with you all. I am so happy that my kids will get to grow up in such a wonderful place, just like I did. Good luck to you jamracingalaska. I'll bet my first big fat dividend check that you'll be back when your year is up! God Bless you! Oh, to everyone who wants to move to alaska because of all the stuff I said, I was lyind, Alaska sucks, So please don't move there. Really. Honestly. You'll hate it. hee hee:

[otto-focus]

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.

when i first moved to eastern oregon i paid 50k for a 3 bed 1 bath house and when i went to the hardware store i had a order that the clerk said was a little spendy and he just knocked the price down by 20%.during hunting season you would see stores closed down with signs "gone hunting",when i rewired my house i didn't get a permit or have the electricity shut off when i replaced the fuse box with a 200 amp circut breaker box.in order to use the fireplace i had to remove all the grout and white paint from the bricks and mix up some mortar with fire clay in it.then i built a mantle out of 1" red oak and lined the towel and sheet cabinet with aromatic red cedar.i didn't use much oil to hest the place due to i could get a stamp to go out to the woods and get enough wood to run the fire place all winter.i still had to wear my red long johns to bed.we are surrounded by wilderness areas and i'm thinking about building a cabin and living in the woods,there are already people that are doing the same.you see them every year at the gold miners get together selling there self created products.guns were like currency then and i started doing some gunsmith work under the guidence of a world renound stock smith.he was very kind to share his knowledge and wood with me.but as you say "spendy" isn't a word you hear much any more and the guns are not what they used to be worth,i dont see any gonne hunting signs any more.as you said it's time to move on now whether it's to the eagle cap wilderness area or another place i'm not sure.best of luck to you in recapturing a place like the alaska you knew in the past..otto

[cuivre]

jamracingalaska, it's probably too late to advise you to store a lot of your stuff in northern Washington on your way to Arkansas, if you didn't already think of that yourself. There used to be a cruise ad on TV (forgive me for mentioning this thorn in Alaska's side) that said, "you never completely leave Alaska." It's the God's truth. I never, ever have. Not in my heart. Nor have I ever left the pre-1980s South Texas in my heart. I came to the conclusion, when I say "I love Texas and Alaska," that I love a memory. I'm deeply grateful to have lived those memories.

However, at this stage of my life, I'm asking myself "Isn't it time you took a stand against these interlopers and greedy <bleeps>? Why are the good people keeping their mouths shut and just *enduring* this insanity?" There are obviously plenty of folks who share our sad and angry views. I have come to the belief that there's nowhere to run anymore. I will decide this summer where I'll take my stand.

[GSD101]

It's amazing how many people feel about the state of our union and the places we live. There seems to be no care for our land and the other creatures and people who live on this planet.
I'm not originally from FL, but have lived there most of my life. We moved to Jupiter, FL when I was 6 years old. There was nothing there, we only had a small grocery store and a couple of convienence stores. It was a nice place. We played in the school playground after hours, and then one day they put up a fence around it. Today there is a fast food restaraunt on every corner and just about every available space is taken up where we used to roam through the woods.
I eventually moved form there to a couple different places and I was in Melbourne for quite a long time. The beach line is nothing but condos. You used to be able to park on the side of the road and go to the beach. Now someone owns it. I really do not understand how they can build those condos when the dunes are suppose to be protected.
The traffic is terrible even in the summer time now, not just the winters anymore. It broke my heart everytime they bulldozed down trees to make way for housing developements. I had to leave and ended up in TN, but still plan to move on. It took some time to get used to going slowly. Fl was always rush, rush, rush. Everything happens for a reason and my being here is to let me know I can slow down. Unfortunately my career does not give me time to be with my kids, and I need that to change.
Everyone is so caught up on what the TV tell us what to do, how we should live, what cars we should drive. I got rid of cable when my daughter started memorizing the commercials. I really hate TV and commercialism, it take away from reality and who we really are as people and friends, and neighbors. I truly believe that is what is hurting our country. Even this computer I am sitting at is not good for humanity. People are running away from the crime and traffic and pollution, but they forget about the criminality of their televisions and that follows them around wherever they go.

[Liz1_06]

I'm really new to this forum ... and I've read alot of great things...

It seems to me that I'm not the only person who wants to "get back" to a simpler way of life...

I've lived from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, to Texas and back again.... ( *smile* and not in that order )

I've been to every state in the union except Hawaii and Alaska.... I have seen some of the most beautiful places on earth battered, abused, and torn up by housing developments, and commercial industry... I've seen wildlife standing on freeways that used to be the wilderness they called home...

Call me a backwoods hick, a redneck, or what ever term you may want to come up with ~ but the fact of the matter is I'm ready to give up this so called city life and find my peace and serenity... I'll trade in my "cable tv" for a big bay window with a view of the mountains and wildlife, I'll trade my cell phone for a fishing pole, and my two bedroom apt in the city for a cabin in the woods.....

This is what I think of when I think about moving to Alaska... The wilderness, the wildlife, the kind caring people, life the way life used to be in the lower 48... so forgive me for wanting to "intrude" .... This is one "transplant" that always promises to respect, cherish, and appreciate the people, wildlife, and land around me.

[bushman]

I am so tired of Minnesota and it's crap. Can't wait to get to Alaska. Hopefully moving there this Fall if all work's out right