Monday, Dec 3 2012 4:34PM
Many Alaskans are moving away from cities and toward rural villages, despite high costs.
Rural Alaskan villages and towns are seeing an influx of migration from larger cities, such as Anchorage. This is the case even though migrating Alaskans face higher costs, limited access to
water system services and fewer opportunities in villages, according to Anchorage Daily News.
Many rally around those who relocate to small villages from big cities and help them make ends meet by bringing over food and supplies, the newspaper notes. This was the case for Eunice Schaefer, who moved from Anchorage to a village with her seven children.
"Moving from Anchorage to a village, or any city to a village, you're used to things not costing as much," Schaefer told the news source. "It's harder to budget. And you know my pride kept me from asking for help when we first got here."
Despite the country's vast natural resources, heating and utility costs remain high for rural Alaskans, which can make it difficult to make ends meet. Although Alaska has the highest supply of natural gas in the country, it exports this resource to the lower 48 and may have to begin importing it to heat rural areas during the harsh winter months, the Alaska Dispatch reports.
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Anchorage Daily News