- You’ve Learned to Drive in Snow and Ice Like a Pro
– Forget worrying about the first snowfall—you’re already prepared with the best snow tires, and you’re sliding around icy roads with ease (and confidence). - You’ve Bought Groceries Like It’s Your Last Trip to the Store
– You know that in Alaska, trips to the grocery store are strategically planned because bad weather might keep you indoors for days. Your cart is stocked with the essentials (and maybe a few extra packs of frozen fish). - You’re Fully Equipped for 24 Hours of Daylight (Or Darkness)
– When the sun doesn’t set for weeks in the summer or you barely see it in the winter, you’ve learned to embrace the weird light cycle—sometimes with blackout curtains, other times with an absurd amount of coffee. - You’ve Seen a Moose in Your Yard (And Didn’t Freak Out)
– Moose sightings are practically a rite of passage. When they start wandering through your neighborhood or your yard, you’ve learned to just shrug and continue with your day. - You’ve Gotten Comfortable with the ‘Ice Worm’ Convo
– You’ve probably heard (or shared) some wild stories about ice worms. Yes, they exist—and no, they’re not as scary as you once thought. - You Can’t Complain About the Cold Without Getting Side-Eye
– The moment you start whining about 30-degree weather, someone with more Alaskan experience gives you a knowing look, followed by a story about surviving a -40 winter with only a parka. - You’ve Embraced the Art of Home Brewing or Canning
– With long winters and limited access to fresh produce at times, you’ve mastered the fine arts of home brewing, canning, and preserving fish or moose meat. You’ve got a stockpile for when the cabin fever sets in. - You Know How to ‘Dress for the Weather’ (No Matter How Weird the Outfit)
– You’ve perfected layering—seriously, it’s an art form. You can easily go from wearing every piece of clothing you own in a single outfit to stripping it all off when you step inside for warmth. - You’ve Got the ‘Northern Lights’ Viewing Down to a Science
– When the aurora borealis lights up the sky, you don’t just watch it—you know the best spots to view it, you’ve got your camera ready, and you’re fully prepared to freeze your fingers off to catch a perfect shot. - You’ve Lost Track of Time, Thanks to the Midnight Sun
– After weeks of endless daylight in the summer, you’ve occasionally had to check the time just to remember if it’s actually midnight or 3 p.m. You’ve mastered the art of getting things done at odd hours.
Living in Alaska for long enough has a way of turning you into a true local who knows how to handle the extreme weather, unique wildlife, and endless daylight or darkness!
SOURCES
[1] https://thehonestlocal.com/pros-cons-living-alaska-moving/
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/alaska/comments/se9tqw/what_are_some_harsh_realities_of_living_in_alaska/
[3] https://www.cooljobs.com/blog/working-in-alaska-here-are-10-great-things-you-should-experience-while-you-are-there/
[4] https://curiositysavestravel.com/miss-most-about-alaska/
[5] https://alaskatours.com/alaska-stories/the-top-10-things-alaskans-are-most-grateful-for/
