Savoonga, AK

Savoonga is a small Siberian Yupik village of around 800 people on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea, located closer to the Russian coast than to mainland Alaska. Known widely as the Walrus Capital of the World, the community has a rich heritage stretching back thousands of years, with skilled ivory carving and subsistence traditions at the heart of everyday life.

ATTRStaff Sgt. Edward Eagerton / Public domain

Day-to-day living is quiet, close-knit, and deeply tied to the Arctic environment. Getting in and out requires flying on small planes, and local weather often dictates travel schedules, supply deliveries, and outdoor plans. The local K-12 school serves as a main hub for community gatherings, while seasonal hunting and fishing shape the rhythm of the year. Relocating here means stepping into a remote, resilient island lifestyle where neighbors genuinely look out for one another.