Negatives of living in Alaska (Anchorage, Fairbanks: homes, taxi, transport)

[Northrick]

Originally Posted by Frostnip

I've been up here for over ten years now, and my general impression is that (with the caveat that it's a huge and diverse in every way state) Alaskans tend to more practical-nice than manners-nice. Like, if my truck is in the ditch, people will immediately stop and pull me out, but they might communicate wholly in grunts while doing so, lol. It's definitely not like Minnesota where people are "nice" but disengaged - folks can be pretty rough around the edges but they've got an eye out for anyone who might need help.

Have I pulled you out of a ditch? That could be me. There has been a few times where I'm really focused on getting things done in a certain amout of time and I see someone in a bind. Often, not always, I really, really, don't want to stop, but I do. Help can be sparse up here, so you have to stop and see what you can do to help. In the end, its not the end of the world if I didn't get my tasks done, and I usually feel glad to have been of help.

[pittsflyer]

Originally Posted by Northrick

Have I pulled you out of a ditch? That could be me. There has been a few times where I'm really focused on getting things done in a certain amout of time and I see someone in a bind. Often, not always, I really, really, don't want to stop, but I do. Help can be sparse up here, so you have to stop and see what you can do to help. In the end, its not the end of the world if I didn't get my tasks done, and I usually feel glad to have been of help.

Yep, I have to put my jumper cables back in my truck as I missed an opportunity to help because they were in my garage

[BusyMeAK]

The question was about bad things in AK. But drivers ready to help are one of a few things that Alaska can be proud for. Thank you those who helped!

[riceme]

Originally Posted by alaskans

There seems to be too many negatives for some people.

And we are happy for those folks to go or stay elsewhere.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by BusyMeAK

Alaska is very hard to get out.

If one knows for absolute sure that he wants to move there and die there, it's a place for him. Getting out before retirement is very difficult, if you aren't a scientist...

Scientist? Lots of Alaskans get out regularly. We may have the highest per capita number of snowbirds in the US- well to do retirees. Also, many people rack up beaucoup frequent flyer miles from their credit card and work related travel, providing free tickets for vacations.

Bad/negative things in/about AK? That's mostly subjective. I would say the political climate is a bit oppressive right now.

[pittsflyer]

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

Scientist? Lots of Alaskans get out regularly. We may have the highest per capita number of snowbirds in the US- well to do retirees. Also, many people rack up beaucoup frequent flyer miles from their credit card and work related travel, providing free tickets for vacations.

Bad/negative things in/about AK? That's mostly subjective. I would say the political climate is a bit oppressive right now.

You have to be pretty well to do to really GET OUT and see Alaska on any sort of regular basis as it usually requires owning a plane, expensive ATV's, spending alot in gas, having a separate cabin so you can actually enjoy your time out etc.

Otherwise just being suck at home you can live anywhere else and do that.

[heathen]

Originally Posted by pittsflyer

You have to be pretty well to do to really GET OUT and see Alaska on any sort of regular basis as it usually requires owning a plane, expensive ATV's, spending alot in gas, having a separate cabin so you can actually enjoy your time out etc.

Otherwise just being suck at home you can live anywhere else and do that.

?

Alaska has a substantial road system, and a high percentage of the roads lead to places that are very scenic, interesting, and offer a lot in the way of outdoor activities. In fact I can say confidently that southcentral has more convenient road access to spectacular places than anywhere else in the country.

If you're not into self powered outdoor activities, or really into mountainous northern scenery, then Alaska's probably not the place I guess, but I can't understand how anybody on the road system could ever feel "stuck at home."

[pittsflyer]

Originally Posted by heathen

?

Alaska has a substantial road system, and a high percentage of the roads lead to places that are very scenic, interesting, and offer a lot in the way of outdoor activities. In fact I can say confidently that southcentral has more convenient road access to spectacular places than anywhere else in the country.

If you're not into self powered outdoor activities, or really into mountainous northern scenery, then Alaska's probably not the place I guess, but I can't understand how anybody on the road system could ever feel "stuck at home."

Even if you just want to drive out somewhere and hike or fish you are looking at substantial amounts of money in gas and provisions. I mean unless you just want to go combat fish in ship creek or battle for parking to hike flat top on a nice weekend day.

[Northrick]

There is all kinds of Alaska you can enjoy without spending a fortune. There's a half million acres of wilderness that starts just a couple miles east of my house in Anchorage. Some good hiking boots and backpacking gear and off you go into some of the most gorgeous scenery anywhere.


Recreating in the lower 48 is far from free. To get anywhere good outside of major metropolitan area is going to involve driving gas, traffic, lodging, and more and more often - tolls. Plus, once you get there, you will likely have lots of company.

[pittsflyer]

Originally Posted by Northrick

There is all kinds of Alaska you can enjoy without spending a fortune. There's a half million acres of wilderness that starts just a couple miles east of my house in Anchorage. Some good hiking boots and backpacking gear and off you go into some of the most gorgeous scenery anywhere.


Recreating in the lower 48 is far from free. To get anywhere good outside of major metropolitan area is going to involve driving gas, traffic, lodging, and more and more often - tolls. Plus, once you get there, you will likely have lots of company.

But the lower 48 has good jobs lol. Our economy is the worst in the nation.

Maybe if the economy ever substantially improves it may be a different story.

You have just as much company here unless you can fly out to a remote area