Inside the Unique Town Where Everyone Lives in the Same Building

Imagine if you were told everyone in a particular town lived in the same building. Sounds unbelievable, right?<\/p>

Well, this is the reality in the town of Whittier, Alaska. This unique place is home to 273 people who all live in a single, 14-story building. If a resident wants to move, they just switch apartments with a neighbor, who in turn might swap with someone else. The only way out of this loop is to move to another state, which almost never happens when you're in Alaska.<\/p>

This building, known as Begich Towers, wasn't always residential. After World War II, it served as barracks for soldiers. Today, it houses 150 two- and three-bedroom apartments and offers public services like police and shops. Hence, it's often called the "town under one roof."<\/p>

When residents need groceries or want to file a complaint, they simply go downstairs. Many hardly leave their apartments at all. It's like a small global village. All necessary services are within reach, and the future of the town is decided at monthly resident meetings.<\/p>

The economic advantage is a big reason why residents are comfortable with this arrangement. The geographic isolation and extreme weather have made their lives simpler and more economically viable.<\/p>

Jenessa, one of the town's residents, shared in an interview that Whittier is a quirky place. It's intriguing to imagine what happens when a resident opposes a proposal at a meeting or when neighbors aren't on speaking terms.<\/p>