Possibly moving to Yosemite National Park in California

[amanda_jo_hill]

Hey I really appreciate all your replies. Yes the company is Delaware North and the housing rental is $200 a month that includes all utilities and the salary is $65,000. So we're just trying to decide what would be best. Honestly, I think the most important aspect besides the money is the type of house they give us to live in. It needs to not be a dump. I'm a part-time house wife so the house is really important to me. But I'm thinking there are maybe people there my age... mid to upper twenties to socialize with since my husband works 16hrs a day... he's just like that

[treedonkey]

There will be people there your age, for sure. That's probably the age range of most of the full-timers. Old enough to have some experience for mgmt. positions, but young enough to still be okay with the lifestyle. It sure can be a lot of fun to live up there, just, like I said, don't expect to lead a 'normal' life. of course, your definitions of normal may differ, depending on your own background.

[K in Reno]

Originally Posted by treedonkey

Oh, yeah, one other thing. Everyone who lives there year-round, at least those over age 20, has a pretty thick and interesting background. It's kind of a refuge for outcasts. But totally fun in a Steinbeck-ish way, if you're into that sort of thing. I met some real characters up there.

Did you live in or near boystown?

[treedonkey]

Originally Posted by K in Reno

Did you live in or near boystown?

Yes, in the summertime I did.

Back to the OP: You need to talk to the employer and find out if that housing they're offering is IN THE VALLEY oe elsewhere, like El Portal. Maybe this all moot point now though, since the thread is kinda old now.

[yosemite95389]

DNC Parks & Resorts @ Yosemite, Inc. still offers housing in Yosemite Valley, as well as Wawona. They are not moving employees out to El Portal, as there is no housing there other than an old trailerpark, which NPS owns, as well as the surrounding property. And the fact that NPS wants to eliminate the trailer park, they are not allowing people to move in anymore, just those who are grandfathered in, but no transfers of trailers either. Rent is from $15 to $40 a week, depending on the accomadations. Union employees get roommates, and housing ranges from a tent cabin, to CVRA (new housing) with bathroom indoors. Managers can eventually get a house, apartment, or a private room in a divided mobilehome building. All housing areas have laundry facilities, common cooking and laundry rooms. Some have TV rooms or lounge's, others have community center. Meals program is $45 a week, 3 meals per day. Or you could not be on meals, and pay 50% at the cafeteria's and limited eating places. Obviously you would not get 50% off at the Ahwahnee dining room, or the Mountain Room restaurant. Pay grade and wages depend on job classification, and longevity (how long worked, or work - 2 raises in first year). Of course some employees have tipping job, making $8.00 an hour, but can bring home $150 a day in tips...

[eccotecc]

Amanda,

You also need to factor in that you'll have to drive 50 miles each way to do grocery shopping or 100 miles to do any other type of shopping. The closest towns are Mariposa and Oakhurst. Nine months out of the year you'll be battling traffic in and out of the park and the rest of the year the roads are slick with ice and snow. Other than that, living in Yosemite would be nice for maybe two years.

[.highnlite]

Originally Posted by eccotecc

Amanda,

You also need to factor in that you'll have to drive 50 miles each way to do grocery shopping or 100 miles to do any other type of shopping. The closest towns are Mariposa and Oakhurst. Nine months out of the year you'll be battling traffic in and out of the park and the rest of the year the roads are slick with ice and snow. Other than that, living in Yosemite would be nice for maybe two years.

FEDEX UPS and the Schwan Man, no need to leave home.

[BeauCharles]

Interesting old thread. I worked in Yosemite in the mid to late 1980s (six years altogether). Both hourly union jobs and low level management at the Yosemite Lodge and Ahwahnee Hotel. It was a great experience, but exasperating as well. The crush of tourists during the high season really wears on you. Lower level employees don't really have any privacy (hourly share a room with another employee). Even my little private cabin while in management was about the size of a large bedroom in an average house (no kitchen facilities either). Thankfully my parents lived in Midpines about 50 minutes drive down Hwy 140. I'd head down there whenever the tourists or my roommate starting getting on my nerves for a little break.

Still, the beauty of the place made it worthwhile and I do remember it fondly. As someone said, the other employees can be very interesting people and come from all over the country - quite an opportunity for a local kid to widen their circle of friends. I would highly recommend it to someone just out of high school - its a fun adventure. Plus they're very good about letting you come back during the summer to your old job while you're in college.