I think that Alaska/Canada means that you get to wallow in your suffering. You go up there and build a log cabin with your own bare hands and lie around in drunken pain and regret all day. Probably builds lots of character.

(I am wondering if the girl was less annoying in the book of Northern Lights. In this there was no apparent reason beyond a possible desire to punish himself forever that cop would be attracted. Even the mum was better looking.)