Pretty, but populated by inbred hillbillies. Lack of quality services really hurts.

It's a dump, populated by slackers, moochers and losers who like to think themselves as The Last American Pioneers and exemplars of independence and self-sufficiency, but who would be living an even more dreadful existence than they currently do if it weren't for the tax largesse of the lower 48. It's an underperforming backwater filled with clods and drunks who can't take care of themselves, so, they vote Republican. And politically speaking, it's a frozen cesspool of corruption that's offered prolonged careers to some of the most egregious phonies, liars and grafters in American history. A good idea would be to talk the Chinese into buying this White Elephant and finally take it off the hands of the beleagured taxpayers in the more civilized corners of the country who have largely been footing the bill for nearly five decades.

too cold

Alaska, like any other state, has it's ups and downs.
It's a very beautiful state. I haven't seen scenery like this anywhere else. The mountains, the inlet, northern lights, all of the wooded areas. I also love the animals, sea life, moose, porcupines, etc.
The summers are also amazing. They can get pretty hot, the sun shines for a long time, more wild flowers come out, it's just amazing. It's the best time to come to Alaska for tourists.
Alaska is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. It's a great place to camp, hike, fish, hunt, go dip netting, and clam digging.
The towns and cities are small. Anchorage is the most populated area, but I admit there's lack of things to do here, sometimes. However, Alaska is growing and growing. I predict that in the next 10-20 years Anchorage could be just as big as one of the more popular major cities in the lower 48, with more people and more things to do. Even with the way things are now, you can still find things to do. I'm always finding some way to keep myself entertained.
Winters can be brutal. Lots of snow, cold weather, and a lot of darkness. At the same time, it can be really great. Kids enjoy playing in the snow and winter is a great time to pick up on snowboarding or skiing. The winter festivities are also enjoyable, such as the ididarod and the fur rendevouz.
The prices are ridiculous. Alaska has some of the highest prices in the U.S. and that's definitely a down fall of living here. That's the one thing I dislike the most about living here. However, if you're living or visiting Anchorage, you don't have to worry about sales tax. And if you're born here or are a resident for 3 years, you get money for it every year. The Permanent Fund Dividend, ahh yes, it's a great thing. (This year it's $3,200.)
The thing I love the most about Alaska is how diverse and accepting we are. I've visited and lived in other states, and I've never found such a culturally diverse place like Alaska. Most of the places I've visited and lived in were quite segregated. Sure we're not going to be 100% accepting and racist-free, but for the most part we are pretty open minded.
I reccomend Alaska as a spot for tourists and people who want to retire. Living here is another thing. I enjoy it, but there are some who don't.

Alaska is beutifal and the day I get old and retire it may be an option

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.

See Moosekarloff's critique below- which says it all. Either frozen 8 months of the year- or with vast deserted forests. There is Empty tundra in the north. Some Great scenary, but the majority of the populace is crazy.

A wee too cold for me- with a lack of warmth year round. Magnificent scenary- great outdoor recreation possible- However- it is a bit too remote, too white and far too republican for my tastes.

A little out there, i dont think there is such a thing as a native alaskan so i can't comment on that. I think the wilderness would be great, eventhough you would proably only be able to see it for about a month.

I have friends who live in Alaska who absolutely love it. They always talk about how it's not as cold as everyone thinks. Yea, right, when I see the weather in the newspaper and the high in July is like 50 degrees. Sorry, I know Alaska is beautiful and I'd love to visit, but I like warm weather and enjoying outdoor activities for more than just 2 months a year.

Alaska has its own unique flavor that one can't experience unless that one sets foot on its soil. Of course, that would be true of all places, wouldn't it? The outdoors of Alaska are incredible, and I, personally, wouldn't have been able to comprehend it had I not been there. So go there to check it out. The people change from region to region. Overall, they were different from what I'm used to, and I appreciated that. By all means, go to Alaska to understand. Don't go though if you're looking for any kind of exciting nightlife.

Too far away for me to visit. Too darned cold in the winter and spring, despite the Gulf Stream around Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. Breathtakingly beautiful state, though. If I could somehow cross the continent from New York, I would go to see the glaciers and the indigenous Native populations. Too expensive to live there. Don't feel like living half my life in seaplanes and waiting six months for my next shipment of Van de Kamp's Pork and Beans to be flown in. Too Republican. I do admire the native Alaskans wanting to be left alone. I can respect that, and so I will leave this state alone.

I lived in Juneau briefly in jr. high. It was beautiful. Every morning before the we were allowed to walk to school (in the dark) we had to make sure the street had no bears on it. If I remember right, they had a bear watch on my street. Like a burgalar watch. Thunder Mountain is incredible! Beautiful waterfalls all over the mountain terrain and the wildlife was so pure. Mendenhall Glacier was a huge attraction as well. I love to go there and just sit on the outlook at watch the birds fly (saw an eagle or two there also). Gorgeous state, but the highway is very limited in Juneau. When I lived there, there was only 40 miles of road way so you were very limited to were you could go. Back then, drugs were a BIG problem too. That is one of the reasons that we moved.

I really enjoyed my time in Alaska. Aside from the insects when you're in the backwoods it was a beautiful, fantastic trip. Denali was incredible. The trip in over the cliffside roads was awesome. Spent a lot of time in Valdez, drove up the coast from Canada and saw tons of wildlife. Definitely something I would do again.

They give you money in Alaska. It's kind of like living in last century or in a very rural area.

Yep you can still leave the clutter and noise behind. The Arctic Plain is not littered with oil derricks and the helicopters don't fly everywhere. But the cities are ugly and mean.

I'm from there, and the wilderness is awesome! Mankind hasn't spoiled mother nature. It's so much if you like the outdoors. Some people who like city-life wouldn't want to live here, but they'd have fun vacationing.