Home Near Jackson

[RockyMtnr]

Since you like the horsies and since your wife likes the open spaces, let me suggest you check out Swan Valley, Idaho. Not just the town of Swan Valley itself but the surrounding 30 mile+ radii valley. If you stay around Jackson, Moose, Dubois - you'll be dealing with the combinating problems of snow and terrain - not that it's bad but just perhaps more difficult. Star Valley to the south of Jackson and Teton Pass is a bit too cold and enveloped.
Another consideration is the town of Bondurant ... guess you could call it a town - east, thru the Hoback just a ways - maybe 20 miles from south Jackson. Gotta get your permits but there are elk, moose, big-horn sheep, mountain-goat, antelope and deer all around ... maybe even forgot a few animules .. oh yeah - bears too. Do not shoot the wolves!!
If you're really rich - if you've got a chopper (the rotor-blade kind), go up the back side of the Absarokas off of the Hoback to the Hot Springs area ... can't recall the name of it anymore but somebody here should know. Good Luck - and remember, Idaho can be cool so long as you're still connected to Wyoming!
Neither of the places I mention (Swan Valley, Bondurant) are really "big-money" towns - it's just that there's not a lot of residential space in Jackson proper. Plenty of expensive homes you can buy - Jackson, Teton Village, Wilson - pretty nice area ... Democratic stronghold of Wyoming ... movie-stars, hot-tubs but no swimming pools really ... and the term "great-fishing"? Well, that's relative and depends on your tastes - I find the fishing in the area to be "slim-pickings" but I'm also not a trout lover ... and definitely have no love for "suckers".
Good luck! Remember the Wyoming motto: "Welcome to Wyoming! We don't give a X#%@ how you did it back home"!

[Wyomiles]

Sorry Earniefan, I guess I just got caught up in the moment ! You are right nobody should consider those two desolate, cold, places.

[moonsavvy]

Oh I think I can add here.

My husband and I both worked in Jackson, Wy less than 4 years ago. A few things come to mind.

The bad news first. If your children are still in school, Jackson high has an unusually high drug problem. You have many people with lots of money and kids who don't have much to do other than outdoor activities. The winters are seriously 8-9 months long... I'm not kidding it gets old fast. And for the locals? Yes you have quite the mix of very wealthy and the 'just trying to get by' middle class, mix that will a low population and it makes for some interesting dynamics.


So if you are looking to relocate full time, I would advise to stay away, but if you want to buy a summer home, I think that would be a great idea. I can see why you fell in love with the area, the summers are heaven on earth!! But they are short-lived.

My husband is also a pilot as well as another famous person you may know of who lives in Jackson. You may want to consider housing your plane in Driggs, Id which is on the other side of the tetons. You probably won't be flying in the winter, but my husband said it's very sketchy flying out of there at times.

Hope that helps a little.