Why do people that have never been to Alaska want to move to Alaska? (construction, live)

[ysr_racer]

Am I missing something here? Is it something they saw on TV?

And how many of them actually move? And how many of them move out within two years?

[karlsch]

Because when they move to Alaska they can start their lives anew. All their problems will be left behind when they move to America’s Shangri-La. This article in America’s Finest News Source explains it all. It is about Portland, another Shangri-La, but it might as well have been about Alaska:

Moving To New City To Solve All Of Area Man's Problems | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

[naturesdreams]

Not quite sure what to tell you... for me personally I fell in love with Alaska due to a very long correspondence with a 38 year resident. I did a lot of research, read local newspapers, watched the weather and then did a 25 day visit. I only got to see the SE but next time I visit it will be a different area. I don't watch a lot of TV at all... I prefer to be outdoors most of the time so NO nothing I watched that gave me the "Alaskan Fever"... LOL

You just don't know if my dreams will become reality but I love to work hard, use the natural resources without leaving a "trail"... much more satisfaction in working for the simple things of life... you never take for granted what you have... sorry just my 2 cents worth

[Glitch]

Why do people that have never been to Alaska want to move to Alaska?

Originally Posted by ysr_racer

Am I missing something here? Is it something they saw on TV?

And how many of them actually move? And how many of them move out within two years?

For the adventure. Why else?

[tigre79]

I think Glitch is right. Not sure why you'd assume that other people would make major life decisions based solely on TV shows. Bad economic times have always made people consider pulling up roots, for one thing. But also a lot of people seem to be coming to the realization that we are, as a society, getting far too caught up in consumerism, and too often trading real experiences for comfort and convenience. Surely a lot of people do romanticize it before they get here, but so did the trappers and gold rushers and all the adventurers who came here a hundred or more years ago. People are softer now for the most part, but so is Alaska. Why act like there's some problem with new people coming here?

[Metlakatla]

It's true that there are a lot of tv shows now about Alaska but I don't think they're all that responsible for people just deciding to move here.

The population in many parts of Alaska is not growing at all; some places are actually shrinking.

Where are these people who want to move to Alaska but have never been here? If you're using this forum as a frame of reference, there's only a handful of them. Do you know a lot of people in real life who want to do this or something?

[SityData]

I was first drawn to Alaska in 1976; as being un-employed and TAPS was in full construction mode hiring hundreds of Electricians.

I was only able to work 13 weeks = $26,000. I had to return to Boston as work was winding down.

Back in Boston I was truly discusted; working on a job that was only 7 miles from my house. It would take me four hours (every day), just to drive those 7 miles. Wrong time of day and against traffic. It was brutal and such a total waste of time & too much agravation. I wanted away from the Rat Race and all the over population & traffic.

I fell in love with the Arctic when I worked in Prudhoe bay twice in 77.

I just had to go back to Alaska - to escape this maddness of too much traffic & overcrowding w/filth & crime.

That's the reason(s)I returned to stay in Alaska! `81 I came back... TO STAY.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by SityData

I was first drawn to Alaska in 1976; as being un-employed and TAPS was in full construction mode hiring hundreds of Electricians.

Those were the good old days. Sadly, we don't build anything in this country anymore.

[tigre79]

Originally Posted by Moose Whisperer

Sadly, we don't build anything in this country anymore.

Nope, not a thing.

[mitgreb]

I wish they would quit coming up here....