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Hey all,

I was curious to here if anyone's lived in the Jackson Hole area and could give me some insight into the climbing and hiking, and the lifestyle there compared to here in CO. I currently live in Summit County, and love my life here, but 20k a year more for the job I currently do is tempting. I've been to Jackson several times, but it's been 8 years since I've been that way.

Anyone lived up there before?

I've got nothing other than real estate costs up there will make Summit County's prices look like Gary, Indiana by comparison.

Awesome part of the country, though.

I've spent June up there (well, in the Tetons) since 2011. The outdoor activities and scenery are amazing, but I would never live there. As SkaredShtles says, housing is crazy-expensive. Many of the people who actually work in Jackson commute over Teton Pass from Idaho, and seasonal service-industry workers often camp out in the National Forest. The town is dead-set against building affordable housing. It sounds like you would have the money to live modestly in town, but it would probably eat most of that $20k.

You also have to be comfortable with both summer and winter tourist hordes outnumbering the town's permanent population.

Figure out what $20K is after taxes... Federal plus FICA if you're under the FICA threshold, then add back the 4.63% Colorado dings you for because Wyoming has no income tax. Probably $15K or so after taxes, less if you have money. But if you have money why aren't you there already?

A $1000 apartment in Summit would cost $1500 in Jackson at least. Ha! Just kidding! There are no $1000 apartments in Summit anymore. I had the last one until this month.

Now think of how close you need to be to a major city (chain stores, airport...). At least we have Denver an hour away. Jackson has... Denver eight hours away?

I think moneywise it's close to even. Jackson has harder hiking, but I'm not sure that means better hiking. Sometimes you just want to go up a mountain and not worry whether you've packed enough food or whether to trust the guy who told you that ridge has only a couple of Class 4 moves. The national parks have more restrictive rules than Colorado does too; don't forget that.

I lived in Jackson for the spring and fall of a few years. Rents are relatively inexpensive in spring and fall , but much more in summer and presumably winter. I almost moved there full time, but didn't move so soon after buying a different house.

Anyway I'd give it a shot, especially if you have seen most of Summit County. New territory is good.

As far as the mountains go, yes the Tetons are more restrictive, but Jackson is surrounded by mountains, most of which are outside the National Park. There are plenty of class 1 and 2 mountains around Jackson and plenty of technical ones too.

As far as shopping goes, Jackson is actually a fair sized city so you shouldn't need to do that much shopping out of town. Also, Salt Lake is about 4.5 hours away and Idaho Falls less than two hours. Logan is maybe 3.5 hours.

climbforthesoul wrote:Hey all,

I was curious to here if anyone's lived in the Jackson Hole area and could give me some insight into the climbing and hiking, and the lifestyle there compared to here in CO. I currently live in Summit County, and love my life here, but 20k a year more for the job I currently do is tempting. I've been to Jackson several times, but it's been 8 years since I've been that way.

Anyone lived up there before?

Well the $20k should more than offset the increase in rent/mortgage!

My wife used to live down in Star Valley about an hour from Jackson. If you're willing to live a little ways away and commute then you can find dirt cheap rent. I think you could find a house an hour outside of Jackson for like $40k.

I was offered an $10k raise last summer to move to Jackson and, after a long and difficult decision, ended up turning it down. The dream of living in the Tetons was dashed by the realities of living in the Tetons. I mean, $1,400/month for a 395-square-foot studio apartment? Please. I likely would have had less money in my pocket despite the raise. My conclusion was it's one of my favorite places to visit, but an extremely difficult place to live.

(Caveat: I still often kick myself for not taking the opportunity to have the Tetons as my backyard for 1-3 years.)

If you don't have much in the way of responsibility...family, or they are very flexible... do it.

Expensive. Rich folks. Tourists. Amenities.
Those are the issues.

The views and fishing are exceptional. Mountains.... Tetons, Wind River.

I spent two summer/fall seasons in Swan Valley, ID... loved it.
Many of the working folks in JH live in Victor, ID or on the outskirts.

Go have fun.
You can always come back.

JQ

I'll send you a message about JH!

Thank you all for the responses!

There is so much to think about when it comes to this decision. I have a dog, so that makes housing that much more ridiculous to find. Leaving friends behind is another concern. Colorado's been very good to me, and leaving a life that I feel is almost too good to be true is a hard decision.

I'm just starting to get into technical climbing, so the idea of harder climbs entices me. I am also a huge fan of having such remoteness close at hand. Shoshone isn't far away, and it's not hard to get away from tourists if you like long hikes. Speaking of hikes, there is a concern with Grizzlies and wolves, which I've never dealt with but it seems like those risks can be mitigated with the right techniques and bear spray.

As far as living, I am okay with small towns and the seclusion. I go down to Denver once a month at most, and I've gone 6 months without leaving Summit for anything besides mountains.

How is the local community? Could I expect similar to Summit? I have found that it's hard to befriend long-term locals, considering the transient nature.