Buying Alaska
Mild Alaska house hunting for real-estate junkies.
Parents say
Based on 1 review
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the real estate series Purchasing Alaska is pretty mild, and features lots of unique houses and some brief history about the region. But most of the focus is on buying homes, and there really isn't much here for kids.
Community Reviews
I like the show I got one complaint I hear a lot of saying native Alaskans that are not native we call Alaskan that raised here Alaskan and native Alaskan are natives to Alaska
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What's the Story?
BUYING ALASKA is a reality series that follows homebuyers looking to buy a home in the last American frontier. Cameras follow folks who have left city life behind and are exploring the various kinds of homes available in different parts of the state. From rustic cabins with no utilities, to a home made out of a converted train car, buyers learn about the unique elements many Alaskan homes must have, including cisterns for storing water, and various home heating sources. Throughout it all, hosts offer brief details about Alaska's history and the lifestyles of the people who live there.
Is It Any Good?
The House Hunter-like show highlights the various characteristics of each featured home, including a structure's aesthetic appeal, and the endless list of necessary maintenance and repairs that add to expense of owning it. What sets it apart are some of the unusual characteristics of each house, most of which are a result of wanting to make the most of the region's beauty and resources while surviving the long winters, earthquakes, and other extreme elements.
The range of houses featured here are interesting, as are the brief histories offered about the locations where people are searching for properties. Details about the Alaskan lifestyle also add to the show's appeal. But unless you're curious about the housing market in this region of the country, you probably won't find it very entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what life is like in different parts of the country. What kind of characteristics do houses have in warmer regions v.s. cooler ones? How does culture play a part in what these houses look like? If you lived in Alaska, what kind of house would you like to have?
What is the appeal of real estate shows? How real are they? Do people really make their home buying decisions while on the show? Are the houses they look at on the show the only homes they actually look at before buying one?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 21, 2012
- Network: Discovery Channel
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: February 26, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
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The Alaska Experiment
Survival show entertaining but intense. OK for older tweens.
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Into Alaska with Jeff Corwin
A stunning armchair tour of our largest state.
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Life Below Zero
Rugged Alaskan lifestyle reality with hunting and language.
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The Alaska Experiment
Survival show entertaining but intense. OK for older tweens.
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