Being at the "end of the logistical chain" isn't too big of a problem anymore (although it once was). About anything you can buy down there, I can buy in Anchorage. Mail order works too, though we sometimes pay a bit more for shipping.

The real difference between life in Alaska (rural or in town) and the Appalachians is that our climate can be extreme at times. And things get wild in a hurry when you get to the edge of town. One of the lessons that people learn in their first season or two up here is that it pays to have good gear. "Good" in this sense means gear that works well to keep you warm and dry. Whatever seems to work best (and you can afford) is what we tend to use. High end technical gear, old fashioned gear, homemade gear....whatever works. Alaskans tend to be very pragmatic about clothing.

I well remember a picture in the newspaper from a few years back. One of our prominent (and quite affluent) citizens flew his plane down from Talkeetna one cold winter day, to attend some high society function in Anchorage. The picture showed him unzipping his insulated Carhartt coveralls as he got out of his plane. He was wearing a Tuxedo underneath.