Why Westerners Are Saying Goodbye to Their Favorite Summer Spot: Resident Concerns About Its Declining Charm

Residents of Bear Lake, straddling the Utah-Idaho border, have expressed concerns about their community. Once known for its tight-knit atmosphere, Bear Lake is now facing changes, particularly due to the rise of short-term rentals like Airbnb. A recent study from Utah State University reveals that many locals believe these rentals are disrupting their sense of community.

Alex Theophilus, a sociology PhD student and lead author of the survey, says many residents feel that short-term rentals are breaking down the connections that once defined the area. He spent months interviewing people from nearby towns, including Garden City and Montpelier, to gather their thoughts. “There’s a worry that short-term rentals threaten that neighborly bond,” he noted.

The boom in short-term rentals started in the 2010s and accelerated during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. With fewer hotels available, more homeowners turned their properties into vacation rentals. This shift has led to concerns about housing availability and affordability. Residents fear that homes that could be lived in year-round are being reserved solely for tourist visitors.

Many locals remarked that their neighborhoods changed significantly as short-term rentals became more common. Children now have fewer friends to play with, as families come and go instead of remaining in the community. Other issues, like noise and trash, have also become more frequent since the influx of tourist renters began.

Statistically, Bear Lake is overwhelmed with short-term rentals. With more than 1,000 listings in areas where fewer than 10,000 residents live, such rapid growth raises eyebrows. “Some worry wealthier tourists are shaping our community, often to the detriment of long-time residents,” Theophilus shared.

As concerns grow, current regulations differ greatly across state lines. In Utah, Rich County has had a permitting process in place for several years, which helps manage short-term rentals. However, the Idaho side, particularly Bear Lake County, lacks clear guidelines. This has caused overcrowding and other issues, including problems with local amenities, as noted by Mitch Poulsen, the executive director of the Bear Lake Regional Commission. “Some homes are housing 60 to 80 people; that’s not a residential situation anymore,” Poulsen said. He believes that the market alone can’t dictate how things operate when so many visitors are involved.

Some communities, like Bear Lake West, have taken matters into their own hands. The homeowners’ association there has established a ban on short-term rentals to protect local amenities like pools. Community members overwhelmingly support keeping this restriction in place.

While the conversation continues, the conflict between tourist growth and community preservation in Bear Lake illustrates a broader trend found in many popular vacation spots nationwide. Balancing the needs of visitors with those of local residents is a challenge, one that many communities across the U.S. are now facing.

For more on the impacts of short-term rentals, you can refer to insights from The Salt Lake Tribune.

Source link

thestacker, travel