My best friend in high school had spent 5th to 10th grades in Haines before moving to Los Anchorage where I grew up. I don't think he ever quite got over Haines - he loved it and had a lot of friends there. My first semester of college I went out with a girl from Haines, and I have spent about 6 hours in Haines. A couple who were good friends to me when we all lived in Dutch Harbor, have retired to Haines after living in Slowdotna, Nome, Dutch and Juneau. Don't hear a lot from them but they seem to totally enjoy the place - we should go visit them. Finished raising their kids there too. And I've met a number of other fine people from there.
So I'm not at all surprised you like it a lot. Sounds like its about the right size town. Not too big and not too small. I sure enjoy Heather Lende's commentary pieces in the Daily News.