Want free land? Move to Anderson, Alaska - 26 lots to be given away

[The Straight Story]

Want free land? Move to Anderson, Alaska

Alaska town, population 300, will award 26 lots to boost numbers

By RACHEL D'ORO
The Associated Press

Published: March 17, 2007
Last Modified: March 17, 2007 at 02:10 AM

A tiny town in Alaska's Interior has no gas station, no grocery store or traffic lights, but it does have plenty of woodsy land -- and it's free to folks willing to put down roots there.
Click to enlarge

The community of Anderson, population 300, is offering 26 large lots on spruce-covered land beneath the Alaska pathway of the famed aurora borealis and just a short walk from spectacular views of Mount McKinley, North America's tallest mountain. And what's an occasional day of 60-below weather in a town removed from big-city ills?

"It's Mayberry," said local high school teacher Daryl Frisbie, whose social studies class came up with the idea for a project exploring ways to boost the town's dwindling population. Students developed a Web site and Powerpoint presentation, then persuaded the Anderson City Council to give it a go.

"Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of the Lower 48, crime, poor schools and the high cost of living?" the Web site asks. "Make your new home in the Last Frontier!"

....
The general rules: The 1.3-acre lots will be awarded to the first people who apply for them and submit $500 refundable deposits beginning at 9 a.m. Monday. Each winning applicant must build a house measuring at least 1,000 square feet within two years. Power and phone hookups are already available.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/rural/story/8715347p-8617345c.html

[InvisibleTouch]

1. Now why can't Florida do something like this? n/t

[Wcross]

2. It would take a little more than a free lot for me!

I already own 10 times that lot size. In Tennessee. Where it is warm.
I have a job. Are there many jobs in that town?
I live in zone 7 for gardening purposes.
There are no large furry critters that will kill me here.
I like an even day/night balance. Sorry, 24/7 light or dark will throw me for a loop.
Alaska is the reddest of the red states.
Did I mention the grizzly bears?

[The Straight Story]

3. As far as jobs, if you had a work at home job it would work :)

I am a programmer and work from home now, so I can move anywhere that there is an internet connection.

And I think perhaps it may appeal to many such folks.

As far as the bears there...just carry about a photo of dick cheney with a gun, that will scare just about anything. And to think that man has his hands on the largest nuclear arsenal in the world...

[roguevalley]

4. come on up. its been COLD AS BLOODY HELL for 41 straight

days. :-D The more the merrier.