Tok - A Slower Pace of Life

Tok is a beautiful place to call home, if you can come to grips with the 8 months of winter and the associated darkness. Having been here for three years now, I can tell you that it's a change of pace that takes some getting used to. If you are from a large city, you will find the lack of amenities disturbing. However, to many in this place, that's exactly what makes Tok what it is. Minus the big-box stores, the endless traffic, and the crowds of people roaming around, life takes on a different pace here.

Everything revolves around the weather; today, tomorrow, and next week. You come to look upon the weather not as something fashionable, but rather, something to plan your life around. At -50, -60, and -70 degrees F everything outside comes to a grinding halt, yet life goes on in little pockets around the community.

This place really shines in the winter, which happens to be my favorite time of the year. Whether you like to cross country ski, snowmachine, or just get out and walk the trails, Tok has something for everyone in winter. There are miles and miles of groomed trails to play on, even though I've never figured out who actually grooms them (but thank you!). As March comes around the days get longer and the temperatures are more welcoming to all.

Summertime is beautiful here, with long warm days and endless possibilities. You can hike in the adjoining wilderness areas, bike the paved trails around the community, or explore the myriad of sights within driving distance of Tok. If there is anything to complain about summertime in Tok, it's that it doesn't last long enough. Two and a half months of nice, warm summer days give way to cooler temperatures in August (our fall). The cycle repeats itself and once again winter comes around to blanket the Tok area in a thick layer of fresh snow until next year.

pTok isn't really a town at all, it's technically a "community", and community is what this place is all about. Neighbors helping neighbors, friends joining friends, and families growing together. If you took a slice of small-town America 60 years ago and implanted it into the Alaskan wilderness, Tok is what would spring up from the soil. Local crimes include killing too many Moose in a season or driving too fast on the Alaska highway. The latest census reports that approximately 1500 people live in the Tok area, but I'm inclined to believe it's more like 500 in winter and 3000 in summer.

pThere is one small grocery store which has virtually everything, reminiscent of an old country store with a modern theme. Although I must admit that after three years I still haven't figured out how the check-out lines work. There is even a local health food store for those who value healthy living (like myself).

The school is surprisingly new, spacious, and better appointed than most schools in the cities. There is also a volunteer fire department, a building supply store, and a variety of local hotels.

But probably the most important place in town is the local Post Office, where most community business takes place on any given morning. Yes, rural America may have slipped away for most of the lower 48 States, but in Tok, Alaska it's very much alive and well.

Without a booming industry nearby, Tok lacks a strong job market for outsiders. However, most people in the area are retirees or are self-employed. My advice would be to import your work to Tok with you. Of course, with the low cost of living in this area, you could just plant a garden, chop wood, and haul water as many have done and continue to do. One additional piece of advice however, is to have a well-maintained vehicle. A trip to Fairbanks or Anchorage for supplies is nearly 300 miles one-way, and there are few services on either road. Winter travel can be hazardous for even the most experienced driver, so a few precautions are advised. I can think of a few notable times that I've been stranded, but as we all learn from our mistakes I am assured "it wont happen again".

Overall, Tok is a great place to live if you are looking for that rural Alaskan experience. Homes are very affordable, land is abundant, taxes are non-existent, and the traffic consists mostly of caribou. However, with high-speed internet and all major utilities in town, what more could you ask for in a place with such strong ties to the past? Bring your Vitamin D for winter, and your OFF! spray for summer. Sit back, listen to the peace and quiet, and just try to slow down enough to enjoy Tok for what it is. Just one final word of advice from an ex-city boy newbie; Don't mess with the baby moose when they block the road!