Sun Valley vs Aspen (Hailey, Ketchum: rent, to buy, middle school)

[Torn]

I need help, and I need it now! I have to make a life changing decision by Friday! (been working on it for a while, but just found this site)

I have recently been offered job in both Aspen and Sun Valley. I currently live in Central Florida.

Here is some info.
Single father of a 12yo girl. (I am look white, but I am 100% Italian, my daughter is a little darker and looks Hispanic, but she is not)

Sun Valley job is $2k more a year. (both jobs are in same field)

Both places have what I want as far as activities and what not.

I know the Sun Valley area is a little cheaper then Aspen

So far everything I can find has me on a fence I just can't seem to get off of. I have been fighting with this for some weeks and the end is near. I need to let both places know by this Friday.

please give me feed back.
Thanks
Torn

[idahomama]

If I had to choose, I would choose Ketchum. It is more of a real community. I think it has a much more down to earth feeling. (relatively speaking) I know that Ketchum has a great Elementary school, but I think your daughter would have to go south to Hailey for Middle school. There is a super private school in Ketchum, The Community School, tutition is about $17,000-18,000 per year.

[Torn]

I have heard very good thing regarding the middle school in Hailey.
If I choose Id. I would most likely rent in Hailey for the first 6 months while looking for the right place to buy.

[idahomama]

If you are commuting from Hailey into Ketchum you would be well advised to come out for a visit and check out the traffic patterns before you decide. The traffic can be unreal heading north.

[deboise]

Hi Torn,
Having lived in Idaho most of my life, including in Sun Valley, I wouldn't hesitate to choose Blaine County over Aspen. Frankly, Aspen is nauseating and can best be described as Rodeo Drive of the Rockies--not the Aspen of 30 years ago. Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue, while still high priced, have more of a community feel than Aspen. As for raising a 12-year old daughter on your own, either place will be a challenge, but I would choose Idaho hands down.

[gc57]

I ive in Hailey, been to Aspen and I would take this area over that. I think you will like it alot more here as Hailey is a family town and the prices are alot better than Aspen. The drive from hailey to Ketchum isn't all that bad, but during the summer months we do get alot more tourists here. If you are going to buy here in Blaine County, look around first before you buy.

[Anchorless]

I'd chose the Sun Valley / Wood River area over Aspen any day of the week.

[CafeDelSol]

If you want to turn your daughter into a vacuous, gold-digging bimbo then by all means choose Aspen.

[Shuffler]

Aspen is a pretty amusing place to me, and CafeDelSol sums it up quite nicely.