How does a growing family exist in Aspen without a trust fund? A perplexing question, indeed. When I was single, it wasn’t so difficult. As long as I was willing to live with four people in a 400 square foot studio, rent was affordable. Once married, it was still doable, though financially detrimental. My wife and I decided to suck it up and pay a ridiculous rent for a small apartment so that we could stay within Aspen city limits. After all, we moved to Colorado from Florida to live in Aspen, not Basalt or Carbondale or Glenwood Springs.

Just over a year ago, we had our first child and have managed to get by despite having too many people crammed into too small an apartment. To compound the claustrophobia, I work from home, typically on the kitchen counter or at the coffee table, and it has become considerably more difficult to be productive with a little one pounding on your keyboard. Now that we have a second child on the way, a new apartment with more space is an absolute necessity if we wish to keep our sanity intact.

We are at the stage when many young couples pack their bags and move back to wherever they came from. Most of these couples do not want to leave. It’s just becomes the most practical option.

Looking for a new apartment it became apparent that we have three choices:
1) Pay $3000+ a month for a free market unit with enough square footage to be comfortable.
2) Rent an apartment through the housing office (We have only lived here three years. One more year until we are eligible for the housing lottery).
3) Move down valley.

Option 1 is simply unaffordable for a self-supporting, working class family.

Option 2, the housing department, rarely has apartments available. When something opens up it is almost certain to be in Trescott with an eligible wage level so low that my baby would be surviving on McDonalds ketchup packets if we qualified. Of course, there is also Centennial, but there seems to be a network of insider information that I am not privy to, as units are typically claimed the very instant they go on the market.

Option 3, well, we just don’t want to move down valley. Nothing against our down valley brethren or the towns themselves. I love the people and towns down valley, but I just like Aspen more. I’ve become accustomed to the inspiration bestowed each day when I step out my front door. Aspen has spoiled me, I must admit. It’s one of the greatest towns on earth. You can walk or ride your bike everywhere. Crime is almost nonexistent. The recreation, dining and entertainment are world class. Why would I want to move 30 miles away? Besides, my car sucks and I don’t want to have to use it to get around.

Oh, the woes of a working class Aspenite. It’s simply awful.

So, all ye wealthy property owners sympathetic to my plight, I ask that you please help my family remain in Aspen. To give you an idea of our accommodation requirements, I have posted an ad below:

Responsible (and beautiful) Family Seeks Housing
2+ bedroom, 2 bath in Aspen.
Washer/Dryer. Fireplace. Breathtaking views.
Access to landlord’s wine cellar and Jacuzzi a plus.
$1750/mo.

Trust me, you will be glad to have us.