Amy and Dennis — whose last name is withheld for privacy reasons — decided nearly a decade ago that they weren’t happy living in Massachusetts, so they began planning a move to remote Alaska. During their time in Massachusetts, they not only saved up money, but learned all they could from local farmers about how to work the land, grow their own food, and how to can food. Alaska presented a whole different lifestyle, including unbearable temperatures, long winters, and little daylight. The coldest temperature they’ve endured so far is -50º F. The good news is that Alaska came with some delicious perks as well. Berry picking in Alaska is on a whole different level than the couple was used to. They could literally walk out behind their house and fill up a small pickup truck with blueberries. They found that root veggies like potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage and broccoli grow really great in Alaska. In addition, Alaskan salmon was practically on their doorsteps and some of the freshest and most delicious they had ever had. Aside from fish, their mainstay protein is moose and caribou. Hunting, fishing, farming and foraging became their lifestyle, keeping their costs as a minimum. They make their own sourdough and coffee creamer, as well as keeping chickens and goats. The one thing they didn’t realize is that you need money, even living off the land. Over the years, they’ve run several home-based businesses, and have invested in real estate. While rural Alaska has provided them with their dream lifestyle, they take the risk of living an hour and a half from a small town with a medical clinic. Should an emergency happen, they would have to be helicoptered to a major hospital. As for living in Alaska, the couple says it’s one of those places where people really love it or really hate it. “We really, really like it,” said Amy.
Couple Who Built a Cabin in Remote Alaska Reveal the Best and Worst Things About Living in -50º Weather
Amy and Dennis — whose last name is withheld for privacy reasons — decided nearly a decade ago that they weren’t happy living in Massachusetts, so they began planning a move to remote Alaska. During their time in Massachusetts, they not only saved up money, but learned all they could from local farmers about how to work the land, grow their own food, and how to can food. Alaska presented a whole different lifestyle, including unbearable temperatures, long winters, and little daylight. The coldest temperature they’ve endured so far is -50º F. The good news is that Alaska came with some delicious perks as well. Berry picking in Alaska is on a whole different level than the couple was used to. They could literally walk out behind their house and fill up a small pickup truck with blueberries. They found that root veggies like potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage and broccoli grow really great in Alaska. In addition, Alaskan salmon was practically on their doorsteps and some of the freshest and most delicious they had ever had. Aside from fish, their mainstay protein is moose and caribou. Hunting, fishing, farming and foraging became their lifestyle, keeping their costs as a minimum. They make their own sourdough and coffee creamer, as well as keeping chickens and goats. The one thing they didn’t realize is that you need money, even living off the land. Over the years, they’ve run several home-based businesses, and have invested in real estate. While rural Alaska has provided them with their dream lifestyle, they take the risk of living an hour and a half from a small town with a medical clinic. Should an emergency happen, they would have to be helicoptered to a major hospital. As for living in Alaska, the couple says it’s one of those places where people really love it or really hate it. “We really, really like it,” said Amy.