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What Sun Valley is like for active adults
'''Sun Valley, Idaho''' has a great pedigree as a '''retirement community''' – how many places can you think of that were intentionally scouted out for their beauty, then had a railroad built to it before there was a community there? That’s what railroad magnet Averill Harriman did in 1935 when he sent Count Schaffgotsch on a yearlong trip to the west in pursuit of the perfect vacation destination to create passenger traffic for his railroad. The Count found Sun Valley and was immediately hooked on the beauty of the Sawtooth Mountains. Sun Valley (5940 feet) is actually quite small, mostly made up of the famous 5 star resort that has long drawn in celebrities and the world’s wealthy. Located on the Big Wood River, Sun Valley is just outside of Ketchum, former home of Ernest Hemingway, and current location of Mt. Baldy - one of the world’s top ski mountains. Ketchum, low-key but decidedly prosperous, is in turn about 13 miles from Hailey, the region’s business center and nearest airport. Sun Valley has long been popular with the jet set. In 1937 Claudette Colbert was filmed here in “I Met Him in Paris”. Other movies set in this gorgeous locale include “Bus Stop” and “Sun Valley Serenade”. Less wealthy settlers include the shepherding Basques who came to tend the numerous flocks of sheep that summer here. Ski bums and outdoorsy types also abound, along with wealthy owners of second homes and retirees. It makes an ideal retirement community for active adults 55+ who enjoy the outdoors. Skiing, golf, hiking, fishing, and mountain biking are superb here. The air is dry and summers are pleasant, winters are warm for a ski resort. Real estate can only be described as pricey, with beautifully rusticated western homes selling for millions. According to Yahoo Real Estate there were 33 homes in the classified listings with a median price of $649,950There are some developments offering more reasonable prices, including trailer parks. One such development is Elkhorn Village
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What is special about this community
• Beautiful setting – a desert in the mountains • Sun Valley Lodge and resort • Low key, outdoorsy atmosphere • Skiing, hiking, fishing, • Relatively mild climate
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What is not special about this community
• It’s busy in the season • Development is going to continue • Housing is very expensive • An insular community to live in retirement
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What kinds of people like living here
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Local economy is driven by
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Physical environment
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Cultural environment
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Medical facilities
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Transportation
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Active Adult Communities in Sun Valley

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Facts about SUN VALLEY
State:  ID
Environment:  Mountains,Desert,
City Population:  Less than 10,000
Median age of Population:  25-44
Avg Jan Temperature:  0 -20
Median HH Income:  0-20,000
Average Home Price (MLS):   $500,001+
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house:  NA
Total Crime Index:  <80 (Very low)
Cost of Living Index:  121+ (very high)
Culture Index:  81-90 (low)
State Sales Tax:  
State Income Tax:  
Name of the Guide:  john
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Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

1. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury Discuss

2. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

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3. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

Culture:
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4. Rating: 1.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Recreation:
None to Summer camp Discuss

5. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub Discuss

6. Rating: 2.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Security:
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7. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Medical Facilities:
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8. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

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9. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

Environmental:
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10. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)

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