The Alaskan Town Where Almost Everyone Lives in One Building

In the remote wilderness of Alaska, there’s a place called Whittier where most of the town’s residents live under one roof. This is not a quirky arrangement for fun—it’s a practical solution to the challenges of isolation, harsh weather, and limited resources. For visitors, the idea of a whole town living in one building feels unusual, but for the locals, it’s simply home.

Whittier’s main residence is the 14-storey Begich Towers, a former military barracks built in the 1950s. Over the years, it became the central hub of life here. Nearly all 300 residents have apartments in the building, and it also houses the post office, school, church, grocery store, and even the police station. You can step out of your apartment and access almost every service without braving the freezing winds outside.

The decision to centralise living wasn’t just about convenience—it was about survival. Whittier is surrounded by mountains and accessible only by boat or a single one-lane tunnel that closes at night. The weather is extreme, with heavy snowfall and strong winds for much of the year. Living together in one building makes it easier to share resources, maintain infrastructure, and look out for each other during emergencies.

Life inside Begich Towers is described as close-knit. Neighbours are not just people you bump into occasionally; they are part of your daily routine. Children go to school in the same building they sleep in, and the community often comes together for events and celebrations without even stepping outside. It’s a way of life that might feel claustrophobic to some, but to Whittier’s residents, it’s a source of security and connection.

This unusual arrangement makes Whittier stand out, not just in Alaska but across the world. It shows how communities adapt in remarkable ways to their environment, finding creative solutions where others might see isolation as a challenge. In Whittier, the line between neighbours and family is blurred, and one building truly holds the heartbeat of the town.