I Lived in Whittier, Alaska: A Town Under One Roof | INDIE ALASKA

Erika Fitzgerald jumped at the opportunity to teach in Alaska after graduate school. She didn't expect she'd be living and working in Whittier, a town where nearly all residents live in the same building, and the only way in and out is through a tunnel that closes each night.

Erika's story was first featured on this channel in 2013 and INDIE ALASKA decided to check back in with her to see what she's doing today and hear how that experience in Whittier changed her life. #whittier #onebuildingtown #alaska

Story by Valerie Kern and Shiri Segal
Video by Matt Faubion, Travis Gilmour, and Slavik Boyechko
Music by Universal Production Music

INDIE ALASKA is an original video series produced by Alaska Public Media in partnership with PBS Digital Studios. The videos capture the diverse and colorful lifestyles of everyday Alaskans at work and at play. Together, these stories present a fresh and authentic look at living in Alaska.

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[crazykristi]

I lived there from 78-82 and went to that same school! Actually it wasn’t built yet when I started Kindergarten, so we met in classrooms on the first floor of Begich Towers. My dad actually was part of the crew that built the school!

[mrsvirgi]

I am in awe of how the people get along together. While in some places where people homes are 100 feet or more from their neighbors don’t get along. Neither is their a since of community. The word community is just a word for them.

[POSSUM_chowg]

I was in Whittier for a while as a trail-building volunteer. It rained almost non-stop, but I’d recommend a visit to the Wild Catch Cafe, their salmon is really good.

[thrillcker]

It’s a small town people are different in small towns. You need each other people help each other more. People borrow things from each other…I miss living in a small town.

[lelk]

thats me in white ts with Jericho on the grey tundra truck and both shoreside workers Jason and Big Ben

[cydnicolquitt]

I have so many questions. It's so interesting.

[KeriL-us]

Makes me so homesick. I want to go back!

[janewescombe]

Why does the tunnel close? Why can't it stay open?

[allabilitieshomestead]

It’s been 27 years since I lived in Alaska and I’m now in a wheelchair, we’re the building’s wheelchair accessible?

[ShogunZIlla]

Must be hard to call in sick to your job if you live in this building!

[markeushorst]

i visited Whitter when i was in Alaska neat little town living under one roof

[stone_voices]

I want to travel to Whittier!
Greetings from Siberia. 👍

[ShelbyFarrow]

I wonder where the residents do their grocery shopping? I know there is a very small store located in the towers but what about for other needs such as fresh produce and meat? Also where do all the residents park their vehicles?

[qqqese]

Is it easy for ppl to get a job there? Does this pandemic have less influence on people living there?

[meechybradford]

I have crippling social anxiety THIS seems appealing to me.

[youreladymeme]

what if theres another person moving there and theres no enough room in the building what do you guys do expand the building more?just asking thanks if you'd answer! :)

[austinellis]

Lived in Whittier long enough to never go back again. We were shown so much hatred in that little town. It was a beautiful place to take pictures but a terrible place to raise a family. The BTI that we lived in is very old and outdated, each floor has its own smell and the tunnel that goes to and from the school is covered in mold and mildew. Both of my parents worked for the city and because they didn’t want to follow in the city’s corrupt ways, we were basically shunned from the town. I experienced so much hate as a teenager from grown adults and from their children. Go to Whittier and visit, but don’t stay.

[rbookoo]

Hi is there a place to live on Fitzgeral Island.. Thinking of moving there. Am Fitzgerald.

[sherrybelleglory]

I just wanna experience life there even if it’s for a week

[elizeleroux]

remember its better to know the real side of living there Alaska, it's no use to soft soap a place, its as if you want to say something else but you waver and just say how good it was to live there