Crested Butte - Moving To or Living In Crested Butte (Aspen: for rent, condos)

[Possmguts]

Hi all,

I will be moving to Crested Butte next month and taking a caretaker position for rent that requires 50 hrs a month for the rent... no too bad I think... I need a maintenance job to cover the cost of living that will work around what I need to do for my rent and so on.
I have a ton of questions and I have already been on all the sites for the info on the town and all, but I'm worried that when I get there all will fail.

Anyone that has lived there or still does could help me out greatly by giving me some tips on how to make it there.

I look forward to meeting anyone that does live there and hope to build some great friendships as I make a new start.

Thanks!
Possmguts

[katie_c_s]

I lived in CB for about a year and there were a couple of things that I really disliked about it. I'll start with the positives though. It's unbelievable beautiful. I was born in CO and I have seen a lot of great scenery, but CB is breathtakingly scenic. The outdoors makes everything else *almost* worth it. And if you like to party, you won't find any problems with that. The bars were busy every night I ever went out.

Now for the bad- the "grocery" store, Clark's Market, is a glorified convenience store ran like the monopoly it is. Poor selection, ridiculous prices, and awful produce. The only other option is the super expensive natural store- Mountain Earth Whole Foods. So we drove to Gunnison every week, which got old fast. The other major problem is that the property prices are absurd. You practically have to be a millionaire to buy anything there. It's becoming another Aspen- full of rich yuppies that visit for 2 weeks out of the year in their mansion. Another issue I had was that the weather isn't like the rest of CO. It's got a *short* summer and the winter is long and pretty damn cold.

So that's my take on CB. I really loved the year I spent there and plan to visit often, but long-term just wasn't an option for me.

I guess that probably doesn't answer the root of your question though. The deal you got on rent is super sweet because it is really expensive there. Finding a job anywhere right now is hard, but check with the property management companies because they always need maintainence men. Also check the city and county websites, and the Crested Butte News classifieds too. Good luck!

[mytguin]

Possmguts,
I live there and LOVE it. Have been here 6 1/2 years. If you have any specific questions, I'd be glad to help. As the other gal said, jobs are hard to come by anywhere right now and the Butte is the same. Having your housing covered is huge, though. I think there is always work for someone who is willing.
This is a GREAT town - fantastic people and a real community of supportive folks. Lots of fun. True about Clarks - we call it "the food museum" but going to Gunnison isn't a big deal for most of us.
cheers,
mytguin

[Possmguts]

Thanks Katie_c_s and Mytguin,

I really appreciate the info. I can look at the CB sites all day, but hearing from people that have been and are there is much better feedback.

I am excited about the move to CB but scared at the same time about the uncertainness of it all.

I will be taking the caretaker position at Timberline Condos on Hunter Hill Rd next month, and I think I have the Maintenance job at one of the resorts. Don't want to say which one because I don't think I'm supposed to know yet. With rent taken care of, I think I might have a chance at this.
I'm in North East Ohio now so I'm used to the winters around 20 below, I hope I can take whats there.

Hey Mytguin, I'll have to buy you a drink when I get in so keep up with me.

Thanks again you two!

[CosmicWizard]

If you can handle 20 below in the moisture laden air of the eastern US, I think you'll have no problem with the cold DRY air of Crested Butte. Nice thing too, during the temperature inversions, there is virtually no wind.

[Idunn]

I've only passed through Crested Butte, CO, but can second that it enjoys a beautiful and remote setting. A good place if you like hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor activities.

On the job front you might try the ski area, it being one of the major employers. Ski areas offer a variety of positions, maintenance among them. Employees as such places tend to come and go due the seasonal nature of the business, so the possibility of an opening. And summer or early fall is the best time to check this out. You might land a position in summer that changes to something else come winter, but if flexible you're in. If valuable, they may try and retain you throughout the year.

As mentioned, the biggest hurdle to living in such places is limited and expensive housing. With this covered you already enjoy a big advantage. The rest could be a lot of fun.

[mdb81]

How are you making out here..? Wish a wholefoods would come and buy out Clarks eh.

[mytguin]

Possmguts,
You're going to LOVE Crested Butte! So beautiful and friendly and if you're from Ohio - you're not going to believe how sunny it is and how blue the sky is... millions of stars at night and the worse crime that ever happenned to me there was someone borrowing my "townie" bike and parking it 2 blocks away in the bike rack at the bus stop. Other than that, bears breaking into cars is the current crime wave. It's very easy to live here - you'll have everything you need in a stunningly beautiful, safe, friendly package! I'm excited for you. Please let me know when you get here.

[80skeys]

Sounds like a good plan. Remember that CB is at a high elevation in case that's an issue for you.

[CBMT]

Beware and have a ton of money saved! This town does not like outsiders. We lived there for 5 years....had to donate money to even be considered as a volunteer. Alot of in-fighting.