Jackson Hole: Affordable areas nearby to live in???? (Afton, Pinedale: real estate, rent)

[TootsieWootsie]

Where do the natives live around Jackson or Jackson Hole? Where is affordable housing for all those bartenders, waitresses, nurses, teachers and others who cannot afford $1MM homes and up? What cities are close enough to Jackson Hole to work there and not kill themselves driving two hours to work?
Wyoming is a fantastic State, and have been in Jackson Hole many times, and love it. But how do people afford to LIVE and WORK there when you are an average wage earner?
Since this is an area we are considering, can anyone suggest somewhere to look for cheaper housing. Trust me, we cannot afford a house over a million dollars even if we pooled our money together.

[c_304]

The issue of affordable housing can make, or more likely break, relocation plans to the Jackson area. After vacationing in nearby Moose for several years, I started working on my own relocation to Jackson Hole.

As amazing as Jackson is, I found that most service workers have several roomates to share housing expenses, most people rent instead of buy, and that even full-time work is low-paying with health insurance not even a basic offering. Coming from a full-time job with full benefits and affordable home ownership, the changes were hard to contemplate.

What I found:

Alpine, Star Valley or Thayne, Wyoming: A beautiful area with housing that is much more affordable than Jackson Hole. The (only) draw backs are 45 min + commutes into Jackson which can get tricky in the winter if they need to close the roads. Even with affordable housing, the social aspect is pretty important. Will you be taking your family, spouse or partner there? It's one thing if you have your own entertainment under your roof and you are an hour away from Jackson. It's another if you are single, living alone and then that far away from your best chance to socialize with others.

Victor and Driggs, Idaho: These towns are over the Teton Pass and again have much more affordable housing than Jackson. Driggs especially is beautiful, small and quiet. Depending on whether you are single or married that may be a good thing or a bad thing. Many, many people drive over the pass daily, but it can get hairy in bad weather and can also close during the winter season.

The Jackson Hole news is available online at http://www.jacksonholenews.com/. It's a good way to keep up with what is going on in that area and to check job and real estate listings.

Good luck.

[c_304]

I just remembered, the Teton County, Wyoming website also has info on 'affordable' housing in the area. There are income limits and an application process. Check out the county website for more info.

[MagpiesMagpiesMagpies]

Originally Posted by TootsieWootsie

Where do the natives live around Jackson or Jackson Hole?

If they didn't already own a house before Harrison Ford moved in, they live far, far away.

Magpies

[TootsieWootsie]

Well, we all have our fantasies shot down one time or another...guess there goes mine about Jackson Hole living...haha!

[jetta2337]

There are many other towns around the mountains that are much cheaper to live in but dont have the glamer as JH....

[TootsieWootsie]

Just looking for cheap housing (compared to Jackson Hole anything will be cheaper, I'm sure), Jetta2337. Not looking for glamour as can drive to Jackson Hole to get that. Looking for ordinary housing. Something less than $150,000 for a house or condo even. I would even take a big studio if it weren't too expensive.

[jetta2337]

There is Afton, or Pinedale around that area. It sounds like you want the mountain area's. Look to the Black Hills or the Big Horns.

[bejames1939]

Much depends on your employer. Some of the employers in town have bought housing. I have lived here 32 years and my employer has bought some housing because of the difficulty of getting workers here. Driving to Alpine is certainly a solution, but be sure you have good tires and a 4WD or all wheel drive car. The road can be quite slippery in the winter.

[cvanripe10]

Why is housing so expensive in Jackson Hole?? It's in the middle of no where??

I mean it's obvious why places like NYC and San Fran are so expensive. Highly desirable and no more room, so it's valuable. But i don't understand why a city in the middle of wyoming is expensive. What do people do for work? The only thing i can think of that might fuel the economy is tourism.

Just trying to figure it out.