I live in an area with alligators, salt water crocodiles (unconfirmed sightings in my area but definitely present a couple hundred miles South of me), wild hogs that WILL fuck you up, five species of venomous snakes, and Bull Sharks in the river behind my house. I respect all of them, but I don't fear them, and I've lived in close proximity to them for decades with no issues or bad incidents.

Bears in general give me the heebie jeebies, and Polar Bears in particular scare the absolute shit out of me. I can't imagine living in an area with Polar Bears. I don't think I'd ever get a good night's sleep if I did.