When asked where they would like to live after retirement, most Koreans living in the U.S. think of warm or comfortable places.

However, my answer has always been the same. I am determined to retire and live near Anchorage, Alaska.

When I say this, everyone asks why I would choose to live in such a cold place and suffer.

But to me, Alaska is not just a cold land.

It is a place where untamed nature remains intact, and I believe it is a space where I can calmly reflect on the end of my life.

The reason I think of Alaska as a retirement destination is nature.

The scenery of Alaska that I see on a computer or TV screen is completely different from the nature I encounter while living there.

I imagined starting my day waking up to the view of snow-capped mountains and glaciers outside my window, sometimes catching a glimpse of wildlife passing by. I wanted to live a life where I hear the sounds of the wind and the forest instead of artificial noise.

Another reason is solitude. We have lived in relationships for too long.

I felt that Alaska is an environment where one can embrace alone time as a value rather than a source of anxiety. There, I believe I can set aside roles and titles and face myself as an individual.

Of course, one cannot live on romance alone. Alaska is a place that is hard to endure without thorough preparation.

Winter temperatures drop extremely low, and insulation and heating are matters of survival. One must carefully consider the structure of the house and the energy system.

Cost of living and food issues must also be realistically considered. Prices are high, and fresh produce is limited. Therefore, it is necessary to get used to a lifestyle of growing vegetables or utilizing stored food. I believe this preparation process itself can become a new rhythm of life after retirement.

Health and medical care are also important factors. Rather than being completely isolated in the wilderness, being near a city with basic medical infrastructure is a realistic choice. I believe retirement should be an adventure, but it should not be reckless.

The day I envision in Alaska is simple. In the summer, I spend time fishing in a season where the sun does not set, and in the winter, I have time to read books and reflect during the long nights. If I encounter the moment when the aurora fills the sky, that alone would be a sufficient reward.

Some say retirement should be comfortable.

But I believe retirement does not necessarily have to mean stopping.

If it is a choice to live the way I want, I can handle a bit of discomfort. Shoveling snow, adapting to the cold, and taking care of myself in the quiet can be another form of fulfillment.

Retirement is not an end but a new beginning. You do not have to follow the answers set by others. If there is a place your heart is drawn to, even if it is a snow-covered land, I believe it is worth seriously considering at least once.

My story of Alaska is just beginning.