Unalaska, AK

Unalaska sits out in the Aleutian chain, spread across Unalaska and Amaknak islands and connected by a short bridge. With around 4,200 year-round residents, it is the main town in the region, surrounded by treeless green hills, volcanic peaks, and the waters of the Bering Sea. Unangax̂ people have called the island home for thousands of years, giving the community deep indigenous roots alongside historic Russian Orthodox architecture and a surprisingly diverse population.

ATTRLouis Choris / Public domain

The area is best known for Dutch Harbor, the powerhouse fishing port that drives the local economy. Relocating here means settling into an active maritime town where bald eagles gather along the shore and the wilderness begins right at the edge of town. Daily life comes with solid local amenities, including great community recreation facilities, local courses through the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, and the distinct camaraderie that comes with living on a remote Alaskan island.