Pros/cons of living in Alaska

Recently returning from southern Washington I've found many people wonder how or why people stay up here. I'm going to run down some of the pros and cons of life in the 49Th state.

Cons

No matter where you live in the state there are periods when it is cold out this is a given.

There's only two seasons Winter, Winter, Winter, and Construction (or insert favorite hobby).

Short growing season about 100 days +/- 10 days. seems something always come along to ruin my garden frost, moose, rain, me unfortunately.

Lack of the female counter part, almost anyone that has lived here (Fairbanks) can confirm this seems like there are 5 boys for every lady. OH and this only mattered to me before I got married I always joke and say "I imported my wife" she's from California but does well in here.

Property tax a little higher than other states but housing is cheaper

Not the best doctors this mainly goes for ones that specialize in a field.

Mosquitoes to spare depending where you live in the state they are a fact of life.

Pros

No sales tax (Fairbanks) that should be a bonus anywhere.

No state income tax

Alaska PFD(permanent fund dividend) If you live in the state longer than two years and claim residency you are eligible for a PFD(there are some other stipulations to this) once a year in the fall. This year it was just around $3,300.00 per person (yes this means for 2008 our family of 5 got $17,500.00 just for living here)

No fees to use your debit cart at any place, I've found allot of places on the west coast (that's lower 48) charge a fee to use your card and don't take credit cards. There are still fees at many atm's but that's normal.

Easy access to fire wood this goes well for the winter con above.

Great fishing this applies to almost any creek or river and the regulations are much more favorable than other states I've fished in. Very few catch and release only species and higher catch limits.

Great outdoors need I say more, allot of people I talk to(down in the states) can't seem to grasp that there is just allot of wilderness here and that's it.

Not crowded, This is the original reason my father moved here in 1969 he grew up on the east coast and wanted more elbow room. The stats motto is The Last Frontier for no good reason.

No trash fee, There are local dump sits with large bins to toss your trash into. That's all trash fridges, old boilers. People do throw out old cars sometimes in the extra large metal bins don't ask me how many guys it takes to lift a car body up 6 feet I have yet to witness this also your not supposed to throw cars out the landfill will take one a year for free.

Good schools with regular buss service.

Gold and many places to find it need I say more.

Affordable land and larger parcels of it.

Privacy not having a neighbor 100 feet from my home I would say is good.

Plenty of the great outdoors for the kids during the summer.

I'm not trying to post that Alaska is the best most of you will agree the cold is bad enough just sharing why I love life here.
Life, no matter where you live it's usually preferred by those that reside there I'm sure most of you love where you live if not you wouldn't live there.

First post to blog ME!

I have some spare time on my hands and thought I would create a blog, for no other reason other than to share some of my life experiences and where I live. Of course shortly after creating this I my mind runs blank. I suppose any blog is a great place to express ones person and to exchange ideas about various topics.

I'll post a little about myself to start this off. I have lived in Alaska all my life I'm 30 years young and have three great kids. Living in AK has always appealed to me as I have tried to live other places (California, Washington) most seemed to hot or too wet. I enjoy Alaska not only for it's climate but for its economy opportunity privacy and most of my favorite hobbies. My wife and myself built our home here in 2000 and like all homes they never seem to be finished. I am currently a full time say at home dad very rewarding but also trying job. I hope to return to work in the next couple months and allow my wife to stay home for a couple years.