Adak, AK

Adak is one of the most remote communities in the United States, perched on a windswept island near the western end of the Aleutian chain. Home to fewer than 200 residents, the town started as an army outpost during World War II before growing into a major naval base during the Cold War. When the military departed, they left behind a full suburban-style street grid surrounded by raw tundra, quiet bays, and the rugged wilderness of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

ATTRPaxson Woelber / CC BY-SA 4.0

Living here requires serious preparation and an independent streak. Travel on and off the island depends entirely on scheduled flights through Alaska Airlines, since there is no passenger ferry service. Local health facilities handle minor ailments, while serious medical issues require an emergency flight to Anchorage. With the local school currently closed and retail options limited, Adak is best suited for contractors, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to true frontier living.