Criticism for wanting to move?

Why the heck am I getting so much criticism and blank stares when I tell someone I want to move to Alaska? Do people not realize the beauty of Alaska? I currently live in Arizona, and I cannot stand the heat, and brown... colors. Am I missing something here? Am I going to make a mistake?

I actually want to move for school. I am just getting an amazing amount of crap for it. Not that it bothers me, but people who are close to me, and know a great deal, are telling me to seriously reconsider.

No, you're not making a mistake. What you're running into is people from Arizona, who live in Arizona, who are astonished that you'd want to move to the cold of Alaska. The thing is, that's the best way to experience life - to try new things, especially for school. I say go for it.

By the way, you'll probably be surprised - as I was when I moved from Arizona to the Midwest - at the number of people you'll meet in Alaska who will say, "Oh! Arizona! I've always wanted to live there! The desert and the heat! How beautiful!" The grass is always greener on the other side.

maybe its because they all adore you so much that they dont want you to move??? idk lol.
i really really want to move to alaska to!!!! just something about that place makes me want to go...=P

Not necessarily, I have found it is more difficult to adjust to rural versus urban than climate. I grew up in Central Florida and now live in Indiana. To be honest the cold does not really bother me. However, I did live in rural Tennessee for one year and went crazy because I had nothing to do.

If you are happy being bored go. If you need the action of a big city, Alaska is probably not the place to be.

You should definitely visit before you make a move there. Definitely make your visit in the dead of winter though since it lasts so long and gets so bloody cold. My best friend lives in Alaska and they absolutely love it there. But it's definitely not a place for everyone.

My children would love to move to Alaska. There is a girl in their school who's family moved to Ohio from Alaska last year, and they miss it a great deal. Be sure you won't mind a lot of hours of darkness...and cold! And snow! But if you want to go there, I hear it is absolutely glorious. So who cares what other people think...unless it's your spouse, of course. Go...and if you don't like it, come back. Good luck!

Uhmm. Probably because the people that you tell are Probably living in Arizona... And people who reside in Arizona usually want to live in the heat (with some excpetions:you). And since you want to move to a completely different climate, they are, understandably, "weirded out". That would be like the pope walking up to you and saying "I want to sexually enslave women && have my way with them against their will".

Yah, it just doesn't happen...

I understand how you feel 100%
I ahve always ahd a fascination with Alaska since I was young, now 32. My friends dogged me when I took the cruise to Alaska in 2004. The main reason is that I am black and "most" black people don't like the cold. I am the exception to the rule. I thought of moving to. I wanted to join the Air Force and be based in Alaska. i knew no one else would ask for that base so I would get it.
Now I love Reno, Nevada. IF I had the money I would move tomorrow. If that is what you realy want don't let them sway your decision. The only mistake you can make is letting others make your decision. If you stay in AZ you will resent them for it.
Good Luck