Housing: The Impossible Equation

No issue generates more local frustration than housing. Chamonix's real estate prices rival Paris, but local salaries remain provincial. This disconnect drives workers down valley, creating commuter culture antithetical to mountain community.

The numbers shock: average apartment prices exceed €10,000 per square meter. A modest two-bedroom costs €800,000. Seasonal workers pay €600-800 monthly for shared accommodation. Year-round rentals essentially don't exist, as owners profit more from weekly tourist rentals.

"I was born here, work here, but can't afford to live here," states nurse Julien Marchand. "I commute from Sallanches—45 minutes each way. How am I supposed to feel connected to community I can't afford to join?"

Second homes compound the problem. Approximately 60% of Chamonix property sits empty most of the year, owned by wealthy non-residents who visit a few weeks annually. These "cold beds" create ghost neighborhoods, undermine local business, and inflate prices beyond local reach.

Recent regulations attempt balance. New developments must include affordable housing quotas. Tourist rental licenses face restrictions. Empty home taxes increase. But enforcement proves difficult, and creative ownership structures circumvent regulations.

"We're becoming a valley of commuters serving absent owners," warns urban planner Dr. Fatima Sahli. "That's not sustainable economically or socially. Communities require residents, not just workers."