I was born in VT, as were relatives going back many generations. I also live in the NE Kingdom and, while it isn’t the cheapest place in the country to live, I enjoy our freedoms. If I want to see ‘diversity’, I have to drive over 1 1/2 hours; if I want to see a neighbor, I have to walk over half a mile. The NE Kingdom still exercises their own justice, since there’s almost no coverage from either the Sheriff’s Dept or the State Police. Neither will come to our area without backup. I can understand Alaska’s appeal, and wouldn’t hesitate to move there if I didn’t have such a connection to VT and a desire to kick the flat-landers out.
Agree with everything you said. I too have deep roots in VT, going back pre-revolution. Fully intended to go back to die but a funny thing happened on the way. We stopped to check out Alaska. It is an outdoorsman’s paradise. Population is about the same as VT but the state is almost seventy times bigger. If you want to be alone you can be ALONE.
The real problem with Vermont, for me, is that any fool with a car can drive up to your door from NYC or Boston or anywhere. To get to where I am you have to use an airplane or a boat.
Besides, the weather is better here in Southeast Alaska. Milder winters, cooler summers....really.