I never planned to spend my life in Alaska.
My parents met there during college, made it their home, and I was born and raised in Anchorage. Despite a deep desire to move, circumstances kept me in my home state for many more years than I ever anticipated.
Fast forward to 2020. After spending nearly half my life in Alaska, my husband and I decided it was time to try living in the continental US.
We researched our options and settled on Las Vegas, where we spent almost five years before moving again to Sacramento in February.
I’ve always traveled, but living in California changed my lifestyle in ways I never anticipated.
Winters used to be rough on my mental health
Living in a place where it’s cold and dark for several months at a time can take a toll on even the toughest person. During Alaska winters, I’d go to work in the dark and come home in the dark.
Summers bring almost 24 hours of daylight, but that doesn’t necessarily mean sunshine, as Alaskan summers can also be quite rainy. The light made sleep extremely difficult, too.
Growing up, this just felt normal. As I got older, though, I’d start to feel exhausted knowing we’d likely have snow on the ground from October through mid-May.
I often found myself experiencing a deep sense of gloom during the winter months that I couldn’t seem to shake.
Shortly after we left Alaska, I noticed my mood had significantly improved. I had more energy, was sleeping better, and spent regular time outside.
California has much more sunshine year-round. I learned that I really needed vitamin D, and moving to a sunnier place gave my mental and physical health a huge boost.
Walking has become a much bigger part of my life
Generally speaking, Alaskan towns don’t offer a lot of walkability. Add in icy walkways piled with snow, and a winter walk can feel downright treacherous.
Our new home in California, though, offers several restaurants and cafés within easy walking or biking distance.
Strolling through nearby neighborhoods to get a coffee has become a favorite weekend activity that helps me feel connected to my new city.
I can shop for farm-fresh produce and even garden
A quick caveat: Alaska does have farmers’ markets. They’re seasonal, though, and those seasons are often short.
Sacramento, on the other hand, has regular weekend markets with a rotating supply of produce that never fails to impress. I love being able to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, which can be harder to come by up north.
I’ve also started gardening more — something Alaska’s short seasons made challenging — and enjoying year-round flowers in my yard, as well as seasonal goodies from my vegetable garden.
We take real road trips to different cities and states
I’ve found that there’s pretty much no such thing as a weekend road trip out of Alaska. The state is vast, with some remote areas only accessible by plane.
You can, of course, drive to other towns within the state, or head out to camp at the many gorgeous lakes and rivers, but exiting the state itself requires crossing the border into Canada and driving at least another few days.
Living in Sacramento means we can drive to the ocean or mountains in less than two hours, or arrive in Napa for wine tastings in about an hour.
A day’s drive can take us to Southern California, Nevada, or Oregon, with plenty of options in between.
I know my neighbors and enjoy a sense of community
Like the bears that live there, Alaskans tend to hibernate in winter, which can lead to less interaction with friends and neighbors.
Sacramento has been the complete opposite. Now, I’m in a close-knit city with tons of street art, galleries, and locally owned shops.
My creative soul gets fed on the daily here, and I actually know — and like — my neighbors. Nearly everyone we meet is welcoming and kind, and the sense of belonging I have here has been the biggest change of all.
Alaska will always be home, and I cherish the years I spent there and everything it taught me. Still, moving away ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I don’t regret making California my new forever home.
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