Getting it right (Anchorage, Kenai, Wasilla: homes, buy, camp)

[Metlakatla]

But the more time that I spend here (lower 48), the more I understand. I look around me at the piles of tires, washing machines dumped down formerly-pristine mountain hillsides, random trash everywhere,

Take a small airplane ride over the mat-valley sometime....

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Take a small airplane ride over the mat-valley sometime....

I guess I'll have to since Google Earth can't zoom in far enough.

[ASpilot2be]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Take a small airplane ride over the mat-valley sometime....

I spent 60 hours flying over the Mat-Su and didnt see any trashed dumped all over the place. Unless you count the area next to the Palmer airport.

[Metlakatla]

I've seen quite a bit -- around the Caswell area in particular. Maybe not trash per se but old appliances, junk cars, et al.

[ASpilot2be]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I've seen quite a bit -- around the Caswell area in particular. Maybe not trash per se but old appliances, junk cars, et al.

I guess I was looking in the wrong areas

[Metlakatla]

Depends on the time of year too...after break it up it can look pretty Clampettesque in certain areas During summer the birches and aspens hide a lot of it and of course in winter it's snowed over.

[DreamChasers8]

Hey I know I'm new at this but everyone has been great so far, very helpful. Just to put it out there we don't want or expect anyone to change for us as DannyL put it. I'm sure there have been quite a bit of knuckleheads who have asked alot of stupid questions (I hope I'm not one of them). We have been researching Alaska and different areas of Alaska for over a year. The main reason we are moving is because we are trying to find a better place (knowing that no place is perfect) to raise our family. We will do whatever is expected of us and whatever we need to do to bring up our kids in a good environment. We hope that we will be able to offer alot to Alaska and to raise our kids to be Alaskans. We did just find out about this forum and almost turned away thinking it was just a chat room but decided to keep looking into it. I have read Megensmom thread and have learned so much. We too are southerners and the south is not what it use to be. Alaska has been settled by people all over the U.S. like us who wanted to leave the lower 48 for various reasons to start a new and better life. I have alot of Faith that we are making the right decision for our family. Here's to making new friends!!!!

[Metlakatla]

Honestly--I don't know anymore.

My son was born in this state and yet I chose not to educate him here--tough decision but it ended up to be right on. But that decision was location specific--Alaska is a huge state and you can probably find what you are looking for...but.it ain't all that different from the lower 48 in a lot of places. People move up thinking it will fix their lives and be so different from what they are trying to leave behind...

but what they've left behind is usually right behind them.

I'm not saying that you or anyone else shouldn't move up; I am saying that you should do so with as clear eye as possible. Moving a family up here is a major commitment.

So many people think that the North is going to be a miracle cure. I'm not saying that you're one of them. But I am saying that it isn't all Little House on the Prairie or in the Woods. Lower 48 bs has taken hold even in the rural areas and that trend is only going to continue.

[DreamChasers8]

I agree with that completely, and yeah we're nervous, a ton of things could go wrong. But we are trying to do everything that we can to be able to handle those things. Not perfect just goals. I think the public school system in America all together is horrible and a let down to our kids. Alaska being in the US I don't expect to be much different tho I could be wrong. That's why I homeschool all 6!

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by DreamChasers8

That's why I homeschool all 6!

there's no reason to do that here in juneau unless you just want to. juneau has an excellent school system, you should check them out.