Moving to Mammoth Lakes? Here are a few things you may want to consider:
#1 Home Orientation
If you haven’t lived in snow country before the orientation of a home is important. In some parts of California a north or south facing home is critical because a it may allow or prevent sunlight into a home. Homes near the beach may want to face west in order to capture views. In Mammoth a home with a south facing exposure is most desirable because it allows a home to capture sun and passive solar heat. It also makes a big difference when trying to keep snow and ice off of a driveway.
#2 Location
When some folks buy a property in Mammoth Lakes for the first time they often get fixated on being as close to the ski slopes as possible. While this is great during winter months, it isn’t always convenient during the summer or shoulder seasons. If a buyer is purchasing a condominium, they might find a condo near the Village at Mammoth or downtown restaurant may be better rentals on a yearly basis. Keep in mind August is Mammoth’s busiest month of the year.
#3 Rent-ability
Being able to rent a property out on a monthly or nightly basis is often a good means of offsetting a mortgage expense. While renting a home or condominium on a monthly basis is not usually an issue, renting on a nightly basis (less than 30 days) can be. Most condominiums permit nightly rentals, but few homes in Mammoth Lakes allow rentals on a nightly basis. Check with your real estate agent or the Town of Mammoth Lakes to verify if your property can be rented on a nightly basis: Can I rent my home in Mammoth Lakes? Those renting property on a nightly basis will need a business license and Tourism Occupancy Tax Certificate through the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
#4 Insulation
Most new homes are pretty well insulated and present little to worry about with regard to cold. Older homes often lack the insulating “R-factor” and require a greater expense to keep warm. Also, check to see if the home has dual pane windows as this is a significant means of heat loss. If you are a second home owner or leave the home vacant for any length of time, take measures to prevent your water pipes from breaking; set the thermostat high enough that the home wont freeze and open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat to circulate in this area.
#5 Plan your Food Shopping
In Mammoth Lakes there is one primary grocery store and that is Vons. While there are a couple of very small specialty food stores, most people find they simply have to go to Vons at some point or another. Because Mammoth is a resort community, we receive great influxes of visitors to the town during major holidays and weekends… and you don’t want to find yourself shopping during these times; lines will be long and prices will likely be higher than normal. Shop early!
#6 Renting a Home?
When moving to Mammoth Lakes for the first time you will quickly learn that everything revolves around the seasons… Both of them (Winter and Summer). Just like any other resort community you may find it best to negotiate a longer term lease at the tail end, or beginning, of the high seasons. In Mammoth this would be spring or early fall. Also, trying to move in the middle of winter is not fun, move and get settled before the now flies.
#7 Mail Service
Mail in Mammoth Lakes is not delivered to physical addresses. Plan on getting a Post Office Box early and if you find the Post Office doesn’t have mail boxes available, or you simply don’t want to deal with lines at the post office consider Mail Boxes Etc. in the Old Mammoth. UPS, Fed Ex. and others do deliver larger packages to physical addresses.
Just a few things to think about when moving to Mammoth Lakes.
