I live in Vail, CO. That may send up shouts of shock, awe, or anger for some of you, already. I have a corporate job here outside of the resort, but still make only about $35k a year. I pay $900/mo to live in a bedroom with a bathroom. No kitchen, no laundry, no living room, just bed, dresser, closet, bathroom. This is considered to be a steal here. Setting the picture for those not in the know. I moved here three years ago with a healthy bank account and no debt. I currently have three cards maxed out for about $6,000, a nearly empty (to the point I have to worry about eating) bank account that money disappears from as soon as my paycheck is direct deposited. I do make 10% contributions to the company 401k (8%, really, with 2% of match), and put about $100/mo in to my own stock portfolio (which I just put a sell order on about half of so that I can pay a car repair - was originally going to be for a much needed vacation). That's where I'm at. I have been keeping my eye out for jobs and housing that would improve this for... well, almost as long as I've lived here. This is a town of 2000 year-round residents, there are VERY few opportunities.
What do I do? I've never been happy living anywhere outside of the mountains, but the rent is insane. This stretches down valley, into other valleys, the entire fucking state of Colorado, which has been my home for a decade, is no longer within affordability of anyone making less than $50k for the most part, thanks to all the rich asstards moving out here or buying third homes in the state. I love Colorado, can't imagine living anywhere else, but something needs to give. Rents just KEEP climbing, even when you'd think it couldn't possibly go any higher before something bursts. No, the bubble will not burst until this town literally has no work force left.
What do I do? I don't know any ways to save more money, I'm already putting off car repairs. I don't know any way to make more money. But I'm also not finding options that would work ANYWHERE nearby. I would be utterly heart-broken and demoralized if I had to leave the state, not to mention I can't sleep without cannabis and don't want to have to be put on chemical shit in some other state that doesn't recognize the health benefits of marijuana. I have no clue what option is left to me other than just setting up my camping gear in the millions of BLM acres around town, and leaving my car at the trailhead overnight with all my belongings in it. Hop trailheads every so often, don't see a problem. There are some trails that go far enough back, no one would ever even know. I do have a good 4WD vehicle. But, then I'm showering at work, have no way to really prepare food for myself (except at work), etc. So with the cost savings would come giant annoyances. Also, come winter, there's no WAY I could survive camping.
Submitted March 04, 2018 at 01:36PM by enlguy http://ift.tt/2FSI9Wa
