The 18 Best Decisions You Can Make In Alaska

The unspoken #1 on our list is to be completely in love with living in Alaska, so if you're already here and feeling that special sort of way, you are winning in our book. Although as with anywhere, the newness can wear off over the years and you might find yourself taking all of the things that make Alaska so incredibly unique and spectacular for granted. Let this article be a reminder to soak life in, live in the moment and never take a single day for granted. The gift of life is precious and we are truly the luckiest people on the planet to get to spend our days in the mighty last frontier.

1. Whenever possible, leave the city and go experience “real” Alaska.

You can't beat the peace and serenity that rural Alaska has to offer.

2. When the reds are running, chase em’.

Remember, you can hibernate in the wintertime like the bears.

3. Never, EVER go into the woods without remembering your Second Amendment rights.

Especially in those areas where the bears outnumber the humans...

4. Turn off the TV in the summertime and soak up the midnight sun.

If you don't listen, we guarantee that you'll regret it come wintertime.

5. Make a point to take a road trip to nowhere at least once a month.

Because every road in Alaska is the 'scenic route.'

6. Never stop being a tourist.

The smart kind, you know… that doesn’t walk up to wild animals and stuff.

7. If the Northern Lights are dancing, get your butt out of bed. Every time.

People save up their whole lives for the mere CHANCE to come to Alaska and see these beautiful lights. Remember... never stop being a tourist!

8. Always say “NO” to farmed salmon.

Farmed salmon, also spelled Y-U-C-K!

9. Never leave home without bug spray, a change of clothes, jumper cables and an ice scraper.

And while you're at it, you might as well invest in a whole safety kit because in Alaska, things can change real quick. And life up here is incredibly unforgiving.

10. If the opportunity to visit a village in Alaska presents itself to you, GO. It’s life changing.

To see how people actually live off the land and rely on Alaska's abundant natural resources is both inspiring and humbling, to say the least.

11. When visiting new areas, stay at the local spots and support your fellow Alaskans.

Plus you'll meet the locals, which is also a guarantee for 1) great hospitality and 2) wild stories. Double whammy!

12. The same goes for when you get hungry. Buy local, support your friends and neighbors.

Plus the local joints have way more creative and delicious options than any chain restaurant out there.

13. Soak in the local heritage and Native Alaska culture.

Sure, Alaska is an amazing place. But what is really fascinating is learning about the people that first homesteaded here and have lived off the land since way before we were even alive.

14. Make sure you like to fish and hunt. It’s a lifestyle up here.

If you don't enjoy doing either of them, be sure to support your local hunters and gatherers.

15. Yield to the wildlife. This is their land, we just live here.

Plus they are pretty stinkin' cute (from inside the car) and they make for a great photo-op to write home about!

16. Get up early and drop those crab pots, baby! Your family will thank you at the dinner table.

Especially all of our Southeast friends, you know what were talking about!

17. Never stop exploring.

Alaska has so many different regions that all vary substantially from one to the next. You could spend a lifetime here and never see it all.

18. Never leave.

Unless you're crazy or something, then we might understand. Wait, maybe the crazy ones live in Alaska? Meh! If so, we'll take crazy any day to live in the greatest state in the nation!

Are you a last frontier local that has moved up the Alaska from somewhere else in the world? If so, you'll totally relate to these 16 problems that you'll only understand if you're an Alaskan transplant.