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If you’re doing research on what it’s like to live in Alaska, checking out blogs written by Alaska residents is a great place to start.
Alaska is a huge state with more than 725,000 residents living varied lifestyles—and the Alaska blog landscape reflects this range. Below, in our list of the best blogs about the Last Frontier, you’ll find topics that range from general Alaska interest to food, culture, fashion, news, off-grid living, fishing news, humor, and much more. Through the writings of these Alaska residents, you’ll get a great sense of both the highs and lows of Alaska life—and everything in between.
Alaska Magazine
Location: Anchorage, AK
Topic: All Things Alaska from All Over the State
Alaska magazine was founded as the Alaska Sportsman in Ketchikan in 1935. Since then, the name was shortened, the focus broadened a bit, and the magazine’s offices moved to Anchorage. (Interestingly enough, the magazine is currently owned by the same company that publishes the essential Milepost travel guide to Alaska.)
On the magazine’s website, you’ll find plenty of articles covering all aspects of “authentic Alaska” from all over the state, including activities, culture, food & drink, and wildlife. Notable recent topics include new research into the eating habits of Alaska’s sea otters, a profile of the first Alaska-born swimmer to earn a medal at the Olympics, and a feature on a Tsimshian artist’s seven-foot totem poles for the Metlakatla tribal veterans memorial cemetery.
Julia O’Malley – An Alaska Life: Culture + Food + Home
Location: Anchorage, AK
Topic: Food, Writing & Alaska Life
Julia O’Malley is a third-generation Alaskan, as well as a journalist, teacher, editor, and cook. Her blog is largely focused on food, including Alaska-inspired recipes like Alaskan Game Pie, a twist on shepherd’s pie. O’Malley was also named the Writer-in-Residence at Anchorage Museum in 2022, and her work centers on the NEIGHBORS project, exploring Anchorage residents’ pandemic experiences. In addition to sharing recipes, O’Malley also offers glimpses into the creative life in Alaska, including the pieces she’s written for publications such as the New York Times and the Anchorage Daily News.
Reporting from Alaska
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Topic: Alaska Issues & Politics
When a career journalist with more than 40 years of experience under his belt gets laid off from his newspaper job, what’s next? In Dermot Cole’s case, he started a blog called Reporting from Alaska to cover the issues of the day in the state. On his blog, Cole focuses largely on politics and Alaska’s elected officials. If you want to keep a pulse on what’s going on in Alaska government and legislation, Cole offers consistent and thoughtful reporting several times a week.
Far North Fashion
Location: Anchorage, AK
Topic: Fashion + Anchorage Life
Whoever said Anchorage was the worst-dressed city in America (it was Travel + Leisure, by the way) has clearly never visited Anchorage resident Lesli’s blog, Far North Fashion. In addition to curating looks for each of Anchorage’s seasons, Lesli also blogs about things to see and do in Anchorage, giving you yet another perspective into what it might be like to live in the City of Lights and Flowers.
Plus, if you like any of Lesli’s looks, you can shop them all right from her LikeToKnow.it. The site points you right to the exact websites where you can source each piece of Lesli’s outfits. (Check out her winter looks if you want to get a feel for cold-weather fashion in Anchorage!)
Midnight Sun Alaska
Location: Anchorage, AK
Topic: Alaska Politics
The Midnight Sun is one of several Alaska blogs focused on local and state politics. Their particular bent is an “insightful and irreverent” approach to the subject area, with several new posts each week. The blog recently grew an offshoot, in the form of a newsletter on Substack. If you prefer to get your Alaska political news delivered straight to your inbox—or if you want to support their brand of independent journalism—check out this new option, penned by the Midnight Sun’s editor Matt Buxton.
By the way, if you can’t get enough of Alaska news and politics—check out some of Alaska’s other news/political blogs, including Must Read Alaska, Alaska Politics & Elections (APE), and, of course, the Anchorage Daily News.
Beneath the Borealis
Location: A Cabin in the Alaska Wilderness
Topic: Off-the-Grid Living
If you’re wondering whether life in the Alaskan wilderness is for you, check out Julia Chester’s blog, Beyond the Borealis. A quick trip to Alaska turned into 7+ years of life in a cabin in the wilderness for Julia. Her blog offers you a peek at off-the-grid life with her husband and their Alaskan Malamute. (Plus, they’re about to add a baby to the family!) If living in a cabin in the Alaska wilderness has ever appealed to you, Julia’s blog will give you a realistic sense of the lifestyle so you can figure out if it’s right for you.
Deckboss: Alaska Commercial Fishing News and Notes
Location: Anchorage, AK
Topic: Commercial Fishing
Given the importance of commercial fishing in Alaska, it should come as no surprise that there’s an entire blog dedicated to the topic. Through Deckboss, journalist Wesley Loy offers frequent updates on the happenings in Alaska’s fishing industry. With multiple posts a week, you can expect detailed coverage and frequent updates. Those who work in the industry—as well as those who are considering it—will find a good source for detailed information and updates on the Deckboss blog.
Alaska Bush Life, Off-Road, Off-Grid
Location: A Log Cabin in Southcentral Alaska
Topic: Off-Grid Bush Life
The nearest road is a 20-minute flight away. You’re relying entirely on solar and wind power, with a back-up generator. You’re raising chickens, ducks, and bees, while growing vegetables and berries.
Sound like a lifestyle you want to learn more about? Check out the Alaska Bush Life, Off-Road, Off-Grid blog. Laura, one half of the telecommuting couple whose life is documented on the blog, shares the ups and downs of Alaska bush living. Discover what happens when there’s a crazy amount of winter snow, how to deal when your only source of heat stops working during a cold winter night, what it’s like to live in isolation with more than five months between trips to town, and more. It’s a great primer for anyone considering the Alaska bush lifestyle.
Jill Outside
Location: Boulder, CO (with frequent trips to Alaska)
Topic: Outdoor Adventure
Although Jill Homer no longer lives in Alaska, she visits frequently from her home base of Boulder. She’s chronicled her previous stints in Homer and Juneau—as well as her continued outdoor adventures in Alaska—on her blog, Jill Outside. Those who want to get inspired by tales of biking and hiking through Alaska’s wilderness will enjoy Jill’s detailed chronicles around the planning, the packing, and, of course, the physical and mental endurance it takes to make these journeys.
Ink & Snow, the Blog of Artist Jamie Smith
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Topic: Alaska Art & Humor
Get a glimpse into the creative process (and the Alaska inside jokes!) that go into the Alaskan cartoon feature “Nuggets.” On his blog, Ink & Snow, Artist Jamie Smith posts the sketches, musings, and inspiration behind his popular cartoons. (And if you want to see the finished products, check out his Instagram, @907nuggets!) You’ll get a good sense of the funny side of life in Alaska and insight into what the creative life in the Last Frontier can look like.
Little House, Big Alaska
Location: Palmer, AK
Topic: Alaska-Inspired Food
If you’ve ever struggled with cooking meals night after night for your family, you’ll love Laura Sampson’s blog. In addition to discussing backyard gardening and homesteading, Little House, Big Alaska also contains plenty of ideas to help busy parents cook great meals for their families in less time. Laura is also the creator of the popular Great British Baking Show Bake Along Group on Facebook where she and thousands of fans recreate items featured on the show. Check out the delicious Alaska-inspired recipes on her site, but—fair warning—they’ll make you hungry!
Alaska: Read All About It
There’s really no such thing as a “typical” life in Alaska, as the diverse range of topics and styles of these Alaska blogs reveals. However, these blogs do offer a window into the kinds of people you’ll meet in the Last Frontier, as well as the kinds of issues and interests that capture the attention of Alaska residents. You’ll get a flavor for what life might be like for you in Alaska, even as you blaze your very own trail in the Last Frontier.
Finally, if you’re more of a video person than a blog person, don’t miss our run-down of the best Alaska-focused YouTube channels.
Moving to Alaska? We’d be happy to help you get your belongings to the Last Frontier—even if you’re headed for the Alaskan bush to start a blog of your own. Get started with a complimentary quote from one of our experts.
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