Thought I could share some insight, as I am a guy who grew up in ANC but now lives in DEN yet is based on the MD-11 in ANC.

Reasons to move back for me: 1.) Sick and ungodly pow at Alyeska. That mountain got 288 inches of snow...in December. Vail won't see that all year. 2.) Legendary mountain biking/ road biking from your driveway with minimal traffic. 3.)The most beautiful summers in the world. 4.) One of the best GA communties in the world. If you don't know someone with an airplane up here you need to get out more. Which leads to 5.) World class fishing.

I've always said that one of the greatest things about Alaska is that when you're here and you take a look around, you know it's Alaska, not anywhere else.

And to top it all off I don't have to ever see Memphis again if I don't want to! The only time I have to hear the 'Crime and Collierville' drama is RFOing, and it's usually nice to get rumor updates from the bubbas.

You got a dream job with a great company flying big daddy jets to some of the greatest cities in the world. Give it a shot and you may actually enjoy it up here. The schools are legit, there's a lot to do even if you're not into the abundant outdoor-rec opportunities, and there's no state income tax. (Though the high prop tax may offset this, haven't owned in the AK yet.)

Otherwise, just commute and quit bitching about how lame ANC is without ever living here.