What's the story on living in Ketchum? (Twin Falls, Hailey: sales, sublease)

[KillerK]

Hi all,

So I've been eyeing applying for a job in my field in Ketchum. I love the mountains and climate and also the artsy nature of the town. I'm aware of its status as an enclave for the rich, but I also know that a good number of not-rich people somehow live in the area and make a go of it.

My question is, in what sector does the cost of living hit people the most? I can see that housing is not cheap from rental listings, however I have noticed on average that rental listings there are significantly cheaper than, say, Jackson, WY, for similar space/amenities.

Most of the rentals I've seen in Ketchum (other than a few of the obviously-aimed-at-the-rich types) are affordable with a roommate (can't imagine it'd be too difficult to find a roommate) and a very few would be affordable alone (just a few).

So like I asked before, what other sectors does the cost of living seem very expensive? Is it food/groceries, utilities?

[VandalsLOL]

It's primarily the housing. Gas, utilities, food, et al, aren't that much more expensive, if at all, than anywhere else in Idaho.

Keep in mind that Ketchum also has a very limited supply of rentals, so you might have to be more creative in your search. Sometimes you can snag condos, or house-sit, or sublease for people. Others move to Hailey or Bellevue. Still more move to Carey, Shoshone, or even Twin Falls.

You're right that there are younger, outdoorsy people in the Wood River Valley that make it work, but most do so knowing they only have a few years before they'll move on. It's just not a place you'll be able to afford to buy a home unless you have a remote (high paying) job, you're independently wealthy, or you've already made your money.

Most of my friends in the conservation community that work there make less than $45k per year. It's tough.

[KillerK]

Thanks! And your description of the young people fits me too. I figure if I were to go there it wouldn't be for more than a few years, unless I somehow struck it rich or something. I think it could just be a great experience for a while.

[banjomike]

Ketchum is a very fun town. If you're seriously looking at it, I think you should contact a realtor and learn about apartment/condo shares; I'm sure there's always someone who's looking for a room mate. Hailey is quite close by, just up the road, and Bellvue isn't much further. They probably have folks looking for a room mate, too.

[Clarabel]

Ketchum is great, but housing is indeed pricey here as said above. A lot of people commute from Hailey (not very far) or even Bellevue to solve this problem. The prices still beat California. Also, the city of Ketchum adds 2 percent sales tax to the 6 percent Idaho tax, but you can get around that too by making a weekly short drive to Hailey, where sales tax is 6 percent. Food and gas are a little more here too, but again, Hailey is a short drive. You might also try the local Idaho Mountain Express news for ads on rentals--everyone here seems to use it. New ads come out Wednesdays and Fridays.

We even had snow on some of the mountain tops last week! Hoping for a great ski season, and I think you would enjoy it here!