‘Why is it so flippin’ hard to live here and what are you doing about it?’
We pose this question because we here at Moonshine absolutely love this Tahoe-Truckee home and the people that live here. However we increasingly hear from the community that it is very difficult to live and survive, much less prosper, in this area. Families are moving to Reno and beyond, ski bums are becoming an endangered species, and businesses struggle to find consistent employees. Why is that? What is it about Truckee, Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Incline Village that makes it so hard for families and the working man or woman to thrive?
How can we balance the idea of a world-class destination with a sustainable community? Yes, this is the million-dollar question that scores of people, government agencies, and non-profit organizations ponder all the time.
But we thought, hey, when lots of people pray for someone at the same time, amazing things happen. Perhaps if we ALL put our heads together at the same time and ponder this enigma of the community – amazing things will happen.
If you don’t want to see the North Tahoe community become Aspen, Vail, or Jackson Hole, start writing. Tell us your ideas of how to curb this outward migration of our working class. If you are as passionate as we are about this majestic place we all consider home, share your ideas, insight, and love. Together we can make a difference and only through vision will we create what is needed.
Winners will be announced at a special event on October 26. Prizes include a new truck (see photo, this beauty goes 40 MPH!), lift tickets, and much more.
Send your entry to editors@moonshineink.com or fax to 530-587-3635 by midnight on October 10. Submissions can be in either English or Spanish; must be 500 words or less; and must include author’s name with phone number and/or email address.
Here is some food for thought
The Sierra Business Council, located on Jibboom Street in Truckee, recently released a ‘State of the Sierra’ report based on 10 years of data collection. The below statistics were drawn from the report; while they reference the Sierra Nevada as a whole, they’ll help stimulate your brain:
1. Second homes make up about 15 percent of all housing units.
2. One third of Sierra Nevada residents commute out of their home county for work.
3. The Sierra Nevada’s population is aging faster than that of the rest of the state without a corresponding increase of children and young adults.
4. Housing prices more than doubled between 1997 and 2003.
5. Local wages provide only half of residents’ income. Statewide, 71 percent of income results from local wages. Retirement funds and investments make up a disproportionate amount of income in the Sierra Nevada.
For more statistics, visit sbcouncil.org.
