Aspen

Aspen has long been known as the place to find the rich and famous. Some famous residents include David Geffen, Michael Dell, David and Charles Koch, Robert Wagner, Kevin Costner, and the infamous Charlie Sheen. With names (and bank accounts) like that, you know you can find some amazing properties. Along with multi-million dollars homes, there are many upscale restaurants and shops to accommodate these people. However, there is also another element to Aspen. It is a genuine town with regular people who can be extremely nice and friendly. So yes, there's lots of glitz and glamour, but just as much hometown feel for the locals who live here year-round.

Aspen is also known for it's slopes. Skiing here is a must and at an elevation of 7,820 feet, you can find some of the best there is. There are four different options for skiing here: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. They all lie within the White River National Forest and Snowmass is the largest of them with 21 lifts. Aspen Highlands is the smallest with only 5 lifts. There's world class dining both on the mountains and in town as well. In addition to the great skiing, there is plenty to do in the off seasons as well. Outdoor enthusiasts can find some great mountain biking, fishing, hiking, and more. The area in and around Aspen is incredibly beautiful regardless of what season you're here.

Many of the residents work in the accommodation and food services industry as well as retail. This isn't a surprise since Aspen is such a touristy place. The median household income here is $56,161 which is slightly higher than the state average, HOWEVER, a median priced single family detached home costs around $1,310,000 so the cost of living is pretty bad. Not the worst in Colorado, but pretty close. Compared to nationwide standards, Aspen costs 257% more to live in than the rest of the nation.

Although there have been fluctuations, Aspen is overall a pretty safe place. There is a low unemployment rate, with many of the resorts, restaurants, and stores in town able to provide a lot of jobs. As with many ski towns, a good portion of people come in just for ski season, such as instructors.

For year round residents with children, the schools here are academically excellent. On a 1-10 scale with 10 being highest, they all rate at an 8 or above. Overall, Aspen is a great Colorado ski town that has a lot to offer. In addition to great amenities and recreation, there is a steady population that is able to make a good living here while being able to enjoy the great outdoors.

I have never lived in Aspen but as someone who loves to visit and who has lived in Colorado for almost 20 years, I am going to write this review to help those you are even considering moving there.

There is (of course) the reputation that only the ultra-wealthy live in Aspen (which is true for most of the prime locations) but...Aspen is such a seriously beautiful place---if you are not looking to by a million dollar plus home and if you can handle living 10 miles out of town, along the highway you can live fairly affordably down valley in Carbondale or Basalt or even in a few out of town mountain roads. If you have the freedom, job opportunity or killer instinct that drive you to live in or near Aspen I encourage it!

There is a reason why this place is expensive, because its beautiful! People are NOT as snobby as their prevailing reputation, there are a lot of middle class, working families that live in and around town and a lot of local, amazing and sometimes struggling businesses. The resort is cush and some of the neighborhoods are too much, but its worth looking a little deeper (or farther) if you are looking for real estate. Why not live a little deeper in the woods? Isn't that what Colorado is about?

The going rate for a regular priced day lift ticket to Aspen (actually 4 resorts: Snowmass Mountain, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands & Buttermilk) is about $100. I know that's crazy but its pretty average anymore in Colorado. I love skiing Snowmass, there is something so open but cozy about that mountain and Aspen Highlands is a steep sloped kick!

The summers are gorgeous in the Aspen valley, lots of hiking and camping spots. You can get to places that feel wild quick --Maroon Bells is close and its own world. All year around there are plays, orchestras, festivals and kid friendly activities. There is the X-Games each January I think it is and they are free and a blast! I think Aspen feels a lot more like a real town/community than Vail and Aspen is well off I-70. It does take at least 4 hours to get to and from the Denver area and I-70 is the typical way to go unless you want to take the scenic way(s) and add a couple hours. I would love to be stuck in Aspen for a winter, in a cabin, a ski pass and a stay home Internet job!--kind of a Colorado dream winter.

Yes, yes, yes its expensive but so is Steamboat or Boulder and you can spent a lot of money in Denver real quick too. With some discipline to live and stay out of town and its many yummy restaurants you could actually make it work. Bless the soul that can live in Aspen Valley:)