A Question..... (Cleveland, Toledo, Millbury: apartments, condos, crime)

[Alaskapat528]

Has anyone in Ohio ever moved to Alaska and then moved back to Ohio? And, if so, why did you move back?

[lyoness]

Hmmm....looks like maybe no one has ever moved back, can't say I blame them much, compared to the beauty and way of life in AK. I know the Toledo area has changed dramatically in the past few years, definitely not for the better, and I for one can't wait to get out!

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by lyoness

Hmmm....looks like maybe no one has ever moved back, can't say I blame them much, compared to the beauty and way of life in AK. I know the Toledo area has changed dramatically in the past few years, definitely not for the better, and I for one can't wait to get out!

Are you heading to Alaska when you leave? I have family in Southeastern Ohio and it's very pretty there with the rolling hills and farmland. We drove down to the lower 48 this past June and got back in AK. in July. We came through Millbury there outside of Toledo. I had lived there once for 6 months a long time ago and it sure had changed. Yes, no doubt about the beauty of Alaska. The downsides are the longgg, dark winters and a sense of isolation from loved ones who live in the lower 48.

[lyoness]

I've dreamed my whole life about living in AK, some people just aren't ment to live in suburbia I was finially going to move this past spring, but my "little ducks" got scattered every which way so I'm trying to hold out now for next spring or summer. I can transfer with in my company to most larger cities, looking in SE, maybe Palmer or Wasilla (think Wasilla may be to big for me though). How long have you lived there? Which do you think are the nicer areas? I'm sorry, I could ask a million questions!
I'm a little worried to be so far from my kids & grandkids (they all live about hour away now), but we talk on the phone more than we can see each other in person anyway, mostly just holidays anymore. Might just convince a few of them to come up with me I wasn't to concerned about the dark & cold, grew up in Michigan and have that here now (go to work when it's dark, come home in the dark) and much prefer the cold to hot humid.
What were your favorite things about living in AK? Now southern Ohio is very pretty, especially down around Hocking Hills.

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by lyoness

Hmmm....looks like maybe no one has ever moved back, can't say I blame them much, compared to the beauty and way of life in AK. I know the Toledo area has changed dramatically in the past few years, definitely not for the better, and I for one can't wait to get out!

Or maybe there just haven't been a lot of people from Ohio that have moved to Alaska. Ohio is not as bad as a lot of people make it out to be, different opinions on different places right... To each their own.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by lyoness

I've dreamed my whole life about living in AK, some people just aren't ment to live in suburbia I was finially going to move this past spring, but my "little ducks" got scattered every which way so I'm trying to hold out now for next spring or summer. I can transfer with in my company to most larger cities, looking in SE, maybe Palmer or Wasilla (think Wasilla may be to big for me though). How long have you lived there? Which do you think are the nicer areas? I'm sorry, I could ask a million questions!
I'm a little worried to be so far from my kids & grandkids (they all live about hour away now), but we talk on the phone more than we can see each other in person anyway, mostly just holidays anymore. Might just convince a few of them to come up with me I wasn't to concerned about the dark & cold, grew up in Michigan and have that here now (go to work when it's dark, come home in the dark) and much prefer the cold to hot humid.
What were your favorite things about living in AK? Now southern Ohio is very pretty, especially down around Hocking Hills.

My husband and I live in Wasilla. We've been up here for almost 8-years now. I'm originally from Cleveland and he is a former New Yorker. Wasilla has grown alot since we moved here. Alot of folks don't think so cause they're thrilled about Target, Costco, and other stores coming here. But IMO they have built way tooooo much in Wasilla; apartment buildings, condos that are still not sold, everytime I turn around they are tearing down lots of trees to build. Palmer is a cute area and basically smaller but they're now starting to build alot of condos and home developments over there.

Love the summers here (when we have them) as you probably learned from the AK. Forum lol about all the rain and chilly temps this summer.

Being from Cleveland was use to lots of snow and cold. Up here the ice stays under the snow all winter. What I don't like anymore is the isolation I feel being away from family and missing them. I miss my son and 2 little grandchildren as well as my sisters, nieces/nephews. The once a year trips home just don't get it anymore. My mom passed away a couple years ago in Conn.

Alaska is absolutely beautiful, I love the mountains and lakes. But for me, the way I see it, life's too short and I don't want to be away from my family anymore. Don't wanna live on top of them lol, but plan on being about 50 miles away from them.

As far as questions galore, please feel free to ask anytime or feel free to DM me.

[lyoness]

Originally Posted by Traveler87

Or maybe there just haven't been a lot of people from Ohio that have moved to Alaska. Ohio is not as bad as a lot of people make it out to be, different opinions on different places right... To each their own.

Didn't mean to make it sound like Ohio is horrible Traveler! IMO every state has it's own unique beauty and every town or city has it's own "flavor", it's just a matter of finding one to suit your pallet. I was just stating my opinion that Alaska is so much more open, beautiful, less populated, which is perfect for some people (like me) who just are not ment to be fenced into a rat race. (I think maybe I was just born in the wrong era ) I've lived in Toledo for about 10 yrs now and totally hate everything but the wonderful parks and zoo...the traffic, nothing but stores, crime (yesterday there was a rape on my own corner!!), neighborhoods changing, gang bangers walking pitbull with studded collors in front of my house, and until 2 yrs ago this was a great safe neighborhood, companies closing....I could go on and am aware that this is the same in every large city everywhere....just solidifies that Alaskas is more my "flavor".

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by lyoness

Didn't mean to make it sound like Ohio is horrible Traveler! IMO every state has it's own unique beauty and every town or city has it's own "flavor", it's just a matter of finding one to suit your pallet. I was just stating my opinion that Alaska is so much more open, beautiful, less populated, which is perfect for some people (like me) who just are not ment to be fenced into a rat race. (I think maybe I was just born in the wrong era ) I've lived in Toledo for about 10 yrs now and totally hate everything but the wonderful parks and zoo...the traffic, nothing but stores, crime (yesterday there was a rape on my own corner!!), neighborhoods changing, gang bangers walking pitbull with studded collors in front of my house, and until 2 yrs ago this was a great safe neighborhood, companies closing....I could go on and am aware that this is the same in every large city everywhere....just solidifies that Alaskas is more my "flavor".

Yes I've heard Toledo has gotten pretty bad. However, don't move to Anchorage because although Anchorage is still way behind in crime, they've got it. Gang bangers, shootings, robberies, car-jackings. The area I'm in has increased crime as more people move here. The difference here is that one can go into more isolated areas if they choose but then they'll contend with bears lol.

[lyoness]

I've been reading and researching for a few years now, and boy Anchorage has gotten way to big for me It is sad to see so many changes, though undoubtedly many for the best. But I worry that as people spread out to get away from the build up, the beauty and way of life there will slowly disapear until it looks like.....Ohio Granted you can live "out in the country" in any state, but it's the quality of life that is different in places like Alaska. IMO progress is not all it's cracked up to be! I figure if I live at least within a half hour drive from a place to be able to shop I should be good.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by lyoness

I've been reading and researching for a few years now, and boy Anchorage has gotten way to big for me It is sad to see so many changes, though undoubtedly many for the best. But I worry that as people spread out to get away from the build up, the beauty and way of life there will slowly disapear until it looks like.....Ohio Granted you can live "out in the country" in any state, but it's the quality of life that is different in places like Alaska. IMO progress is not all it's cracked up to be! I figure if I live at least within a half hour drive from a place to be able to shop I should be good.

Eagle River is almost a half hour from Anchorage for shopping. However, Eagle River has become very crowded. Eagle River has a Walmart, a Fred Meyers and other stores. But if you want to shop at a mall, you'll have to go to Anchorage; nice mall there. I personally don't feel all the changes in Anchorage were good. Anchorage use to have the "last frontier" look and feel to it. That is now gone as they put up taller buildings, apartments, etc. Yes, Alaska has become the "place to be" and many others may disagree, but what I see is that it will become just like any other place. Granted there are places up here that are totally unliveable. The Borough for Palmer and Wasilla are intent on raising property taxes to pay for road improvements, school fences, etc. Progress is fine but it can get out of hand and spoil the beauty of a place. Quality of life up here depends on employment and where you live. I would not discourage anyone wanting to move up here, people should go where they choose, however, with so many moving here, I do think Alaska will become like other places. The more remote areas are really beautiful but they come with very few conveniences, such as good employment, high heating oil and gasoline and very high food prices. I would never bad-mouth Alaska. It's beauty is awesome but that doesn't always make up for other factors. I can understand you wanting out of Toledo. What areas of Alaska is your employer in?