Is anybody else sick of Alaska??? (to live in, shopping mall, moving to)

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by *Farmgirl

Amen to all of you! I just moved here and don't forsee me leaving anytime soon. After going thru winter solstice and discovering it's not all bad (because I was pretty worried about it), I realize this is where I belong. But what's up with this cold snap in Anchorage? Wasn't expecting that...but I'll take it over palm trees and 80 degrees in December any day!

Normally winter temperatures in the Anchorage bowl area are not any colder than Omaha, Nebraska. However, during the winters of 1979, 1989, 1999, and now 2009 we have seen some unusually cold temperatures lingering for about 10 days to 2 weeks. So I would expect another similar cold snap some time during the winter of 2019.

[WarmAgain]

You are not alone! I left Alaska in September 2008 after 15 years there and let me tell you, it's good to be back in America!

I am still suffering from the shock of:
Indian Summer (it was 75 degrees when I arrived here--warmer than most of the summers I spent there!) I didn't have to wear a coat until the beginning of December.
Sunlight in the winter and nighttime in the summer.
When the streets are plowed, there is pavement underneath--not 8 inches of ice!
Neighborhood businesses and corner convenience stores that are independently owned and not aimed at tourism.
Bus systems that are commuter friendly.
Access to the beauty of the land without fear of wolves, moose stompings or bear chomping or exorbitant prices.
Prices that are soooooo much cheaper--I can actually fill my car, buy a gallon of milk and a pack of smokes and get change back from my $50.00!
Less beggars and drunks on the street. Homeless people without weapons.
Police who actually care about residents and work with communities.
Excellent hospitals that one doesn't have to be Medivac'd to!
Being able to visit other cities (or even states) without having to fly!
People whose major concern is not "What's in it for me?"
Free shipping from online and mail order shops.
Government agencies where there are real people on the phones and who actually call back the same day!
Concerts, museums, galleries and plays that you don't have to hock a kidney for (lots of freebies all around me!)

Etc., etc., etc...

If you are really sick of Alaska, get out! You'll be pleasantly surprised!
When I left, everyone told me I'd be back, but I won't.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by WarmAgain

I am still suffering from the shock of:
People whose major concern is not "What's in it for me?"

Um, you live in New Hampshire, a.k.a. the Entitlement State where everyone has both their hands out robbing the taxpayer blind.

Originally Posted by WarmAgain

If you are really sick of Alaska, get out!

Sound advice, and we are glad you are gone.

[kittymama]

Originally Posted by WarmAgain

If you are really sick of Alaska, get out! You'll be pleasantly surprised!
When I left, everyone told me I'd be back, but I won't.

Yeah, that's one thing I don't understand - people who say that if you leave, you'll be back. ????? I've never lived anywhere else where people said that when you moved. I've lived a few other places, so it's not like this is all I've known and I'm in for culture shock if I move. I know people who've lived here all their lives who are apprehensive about moving b/c they've been told the lower 48 is scary (like my hubby - but he's finally relented, so we're moving this summer). He doesn't hunt, he doesn't fish, he doesn't ski, he doesn't snow machine, or do any other outdoor activity. He wouldn't sign an earnest money agreement until he could be certain high speed internet and cable tv were available. His ideal vacation is a sci-fi convention. He won't chop wood or haul water - hence the reason we live in the city. I do well to convince him to shovel the snow occasionally. When I moved here, I'd say, "let's do ___" and name some Alaskan activity I'd never experienced before (like salmon fishing - even on a charter boat) and he'd roll his eyes and say, "that's not fun." I'd say, "let's go to ___" some place in Alaska and he'd say, "there's nothing interesting there." So we've gone on all our vacations to the "lower 48" and we're about to go to Hawaii. But I've hardly seen anything in Alaska. I'll probably see it all my last month here this summer.

It's funny though. People say b/c my hubby is from Fairbanks, he'll never adapt anywhere else and we'll be back. Sometimes they even tell me I'll be back. I don't think so. He doesn't seem to enjoy or do anything you couldn't do in any other place in the USA. In fact, he's more likely to find more sci-fi geeks in just about any mid-size city in the U.S. and his chances of being able to go to a convention every year greatly increase when you can just hop in your car and drive a few hours.

[bkyhi]

Kittymama,

I've noticed the tone of your posts have changed a bit. You know, once you make up your mind to do something - everything becomes a little easier and some of the stress goes away, and I think it shows.

I think it's a bit sad as YOU haven't been able to do things YOU want to do. We know a bit about your husband, but from this last post HE sounds like someone who would be a lot happier where life is easier, and to me a bit more boring.

OK flame if you wish but he sounds like a lazy SOB.
But I'm beginning to like you.

Please enjoy your visit to Hawaii. I think you will both find something there you like. But whatever - just get out there and 'do it'.

Brian

[bkyhi]

hmmm, New Hampshire, where the state motto is: "Live Free or Die"

should be Alaska's state motto, instead of "North To The Future"

Even this is better:

Hawaii's: Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono
(Translation: The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness)

OK, now this is just plain silly:
California: Eureka
(Translation: I have found it) LOL ... ad nauseum

State mottoes may be said to reflect the character and beliefs of the citizens of the state, or more accurately, the citizens of the state when they were adopted. State mottoes can help us gain insight into the history of a state

[bkyhi]

People whose major concern is not "What's in it for me?"

Glitch,

Doesn't it sound better as:

People whose major concern is not What's in it for you.

I see Alaska as neither: what's in it for me, nor what's in it for you.

It's just what's there. It's not the reward, it's the journey.

Brian

[Smallville]

I don't know. I've never been to Alaska, but I'd love to visit it!

[Nephler]

Like so many people have said elsewhere, if you don't enjoy the outdoors, then you most likely won't get on in Alaska. I believe that to be true. No, there isn't the city life some crave for, I for one hate cities and just about everything about them. The sorter amount of daylight just means I have to plan a bit more for the things I want to do outdoors. The cooler summers, well, I can't wait to be able to enjoy the outdoors without sweating so much. I also hate the heat, anything over about 65* is just too much for me.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by bkyhi

People whose major concern is not "What's in it for me?"

Glitch,

Doesn't it sound better as:

People whose major concern is not What's in it for you.

I see Alaska as neither: what's in it for me, nor what's in it for you.

It's just what's there. It's not the reward, it's the journey.

Brian

I agree. The attitude of those I have encountered in Alaska has been friendly, independent, and helpful if needed. We don't want government handouts or interference, we just want the government to stay out of our lives. If someone needs help, then we will provide it, either individually or as a community, without government involvement.