Alaska 4

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.