RateItAll: The Opinion Network

The largest state in the US, much too varied to be pigeonholed as great or terrible. The south-east panhandle is really an extension of the Pacific Northwest, with a similar pleasant though rainy climate, isolated small towns, beautiful rugged coastline and mountains. Anchorage, with half the state's population, is a dull, unremarkable city. Juneau and Fairbanks, the next largest cities, are much smaller and have terrible climates (endless rain in Juneau, hot summers and freezing cold winters in Fairbanks). The cold, isolated north and west of the state resemble the third-world more than anywhere in the US outside the Mexican border; there is rampant alcoholism, high levels of poverty and extreme isolation from the rest of the country (most of this area of the state is only accessible by plane). Global warming and rising oil prices are making settlement here increasingly difficult, except for oil/mining outposts and survivalist types. Denali and the Kenai penninsula are the main tourist magnets; justifiably, as there are few more beautiful places in the US. The towns of Sitka (in the South-East) and Homer (western Kenai) are lovely, but for the most part the best places in Alaska are rural. A great state to visit but not so great to live in, unless you're looking to retire and love the outdoors, hunting, fishing, etc....

Wonderful place for visit, not so wonderful to live in. Following the statistics, Alaska has the highest income per capita, and the highest relative amount of the citizens diagnozed with alcoholism. Probably, it is too cold and too depressing at winter...

Its pretty, but there are so many other places that match it in the natural beauty department and beat it in climate(New Zeland, Chile.. to name a few). The people are okay but dissplaced in attitude like most western states. Oh and BTW, the earthquakes are much much worse than California... just ask anyone living in Anchorage. Its big, underpopulated and exactly as should be educationally expected. Its natural greatness is nothing more than a nod to its remoteness.

Fewer people in the whole state than in San Francisco, which is 7 miles by 7 miles. Appealing, but for the weather. But maybe with global warming...

Too cold too republican and too stupid.

My home state. I grew up in Seward, and then moved to Ketchikan when i was 15. Later I moved down to the lower 48 (ithaca, ny). I hope I can go back. Alaska is, in my opinion, the best state. It is so intouch with nature. Even in the biggest cities (Anchorage & Fairbanks) you can see moose and eagles. Salmon fishing is a big industry, and it's fun. The locals are some of the nicest and most interesting people you'll encounter. some downsides - the cost of living is very high. earthquakes (not any worse than california), and the weather is a put down for some people. alaska deserves more than a 5 star rating. i love it so much.

Some stunning scenary,especially near Denali National Park, and some towns in the Klondike region are charming. Anchorage and Fairbanks are not at all interesting urban centers. The rest of the state is storm and windblown in the Aleutians, and frozen in the region north of the Yukon. IMHO too republican, cold and out of touch. Pioneers? Hardly the state recieves more federal money then any 'blue state'.

A geographer and naturalists haven- too bad that may be dirtied by oil drilling. Some interesting towns in the panhandle with a long history. Anchorage is sterile- and the state is too republicanized.

Unique and worth the visit.

So beautiful, theres soooo much you can do outdoors. If you just like warm big cities then Alaska really isnt your place, but if you are the outdoorsy type......then Alaska is your vacation destination. With some of the worlds most beautiful scenery, king salmon fishing, hiking, amazing camping, in tact wildlife, and so much more. Some of the people there are wierd, but most are very friendly, probably the most friendly state I have been to. Very fun place! Though I dont see myself living there, too isolated.

the high for there is only 50% or something way to cold!

cold

Great vacation state (in the summer). Couldn't live there though.

really breathtaking scenery and the birding/wildlife watching is superb. however the people and government of this place are horrid.

The state has much natural beauty- recreational options are endless- unless you like to sun bathe- or play golf six months of the year-look elsewhere then. Too knee jerk republican-considering the giant amount of federal aid this state recieves. Last frontier-perhaps, but the people are more dependent on the Federal dole then any blue state. What a joke.

Wow a lot of fierce remarks in here about Alaska. I can say if you come here with an open mind and get past the oil and politics it is a place that can change you (in a good way). One thing this place has going for it is its unspolied scenery, more than anywhere else. The lower 48 has become so saturated in real estate and so much pristine land is gone. There is still an abundance of striking scenery, wildlife, and pristine untouched land left up there. Mountains here are more impressive than anywhere else in North America. I won't disagree there are a lot of weirdo's living up there and I can do without 9 months of winter and endless nights, but at least visit here. Like I said come with an open mind and you will find it one of the most remarkable and unforgettable places you've ever seen.

Red state. A bunch of craphole Republicans live there. ... Those stupid, long-bearded, oil-drilling, anti-environmental, pipe-line workers can be a pain in the butt. They think New Yorkers like me are pissants.

A state with much vast unspoiled natural beauty- despite a marine climate in the south- the state suffers from a lack of warmth everywhere. A paradox is the states life blood off the Federal government- yet it remains strongly republican. Something is amiss here.

A state that is called the 'last frontier' my question is a last frontier to what? As Moosekarloff stated below- the state is one big joke.

Lots of stunning scenary- however there is too much snow and ice, and even the coast which is more mild still has a lack of warm temperatures. Anchorage is a rather sterile place- and its the only major city.