Evanston- anything PLEASE!

[jasranderson]

I am living in Lyman, WY which is 30 miles east of Evanston. Evanston is a nice town. Its not big but its nice. The people are friendly and you tend to know more people in smaller towns than in bigger cities.

As for Evanston, I highly recommend it. The jobs are plentiful out here. You can easily make 60K a year in the mining, construction, or energy business.

[rawethe]

Here I go! I am going there this weekend for my interview. I will also be looking for a rental situation. If anyone knows of anythign small for rent, please message me. Otherwise- wish me luck!

[rawethe]

So I have spent the last 3 days in Evanston. Here are my thoughts:

1. The town is fairly small...so much so that I drove throughout the town and gave myself a complete tour in an hour and a half....and that's almost every street. Some have said they would have thought it would take me 5 minutes... anyhow, while it is a small town, it was larger than I thought. With the current housing boom there are many houses pretty crammed together in most neighborhood areas, and plenty more going up. I think if the boom continues Evanston will double in 5 years.

2. Housing boom- if your looking for a cheap house, you're probably not going to find it. There are some real estate options, but your looking at one or two at $150,000 and the rest at $200,000 and up. Rentals are pretty much not available. There are waiting lists everywhere. Problem is, while the town is swarming with construction workers, electricians, etc. it seems that there is a problem getting properties up. I heard a story today about the housing authorities purchasing a large historical property that used to be apartments, but they couldn't get anyone to do the work so they sold it- to someone who still hasn't gotten the work done. The great thing is, there is a lot of property being cleared for houses and apartments, but while it may be a year before they are done...the boom could drop by then and housing prices will drop. That's when you jump in and buy.

3. If you like social activities, especially night life, this is not the place to be. With the summer wrapping up the activities to bring travelers in such as the rodeo, everything will slow down. There is one bar/grill with dancing at one of the local hotels, but other than that the town does not boast much more for evening activities. Family activities are a different story. Here the community seems to rally around their families and homelife. To some that is extremely boring (locals talked about wanting out asap) and to some they might find it just what they were looking for. Oh, there is a movie theater.

4. Employment- If you have construction skills, electrician, etc. you would definitly be set up for a job...at least for awhile. They are paying GREAT money for these jobs- but who knows what will happen after the current oil boom. It's been discussed that this happens every few years, and it could all drop back out- and it's been going for a little while. On the other hand I have heard the arguement that this is a big one, and after the oil boom is done, service industries will have to come in and continue their work...which will keep the town growing. Right now it's a crap shoot. Also, it seems either you make really good money, or you make pretty low wages. There seems to be no middle ground. I would have the job first before coming.

5. Shopping- (hey! I'm a girl!) You have a few of your local immenities- such as a Super Wal-mart, a Lumber store (which I hear crappy things about), a ranch and farm store, a big grochery store and a little one, a blockbuster, a few fast food (Arby's, McD's, Wendy's, and a TacoTime) and a handful of gas stations. There a a handful of homestyle restaurants, 3 mexican, and I think 2 Chinese. A few other small stores such as Great Clips, Verison Wireless, and a few others. Other than that you have to drive to Salt Lake City or another one that i can't think of right now that is the other way about an hour. I hear Salt Lake is the better bet.

6. Beauty- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am coming from a mid-west town with a LOT of greenery- trees, etc. This is a very different sort of beauty. The most amazing part is in almost every direction you can see the mountains. You basically almost drive through them to get here from Salt Lake. However the mountains aren't all that green- it is a dryer climate. Think back to your John Wayne movies...I think the mountains in that were dry with some sage brush... a lot like that. Yet still so amazingly beautiful- but you can't really compare the different climates because they are both beautiful in their own rights. OH YEAH- I rarely had on the air conditioner the past few days- and I am always hot! It was in the upper 70's, low 80's and with the window down in the car it was so amazing to be able to have such clear air. While Salt Lake was in the 90's, Evanston was in the upper 70's, and that's pretty amazing. Plus, the humidity is like nothing! It was an amazing change for me- coming from the midwest.


So, that's all I can think of. Let me know if you have any questions.

Oh, and by the way- if they offer the position, I'm grabbing it- I loved the area- small community and all!

[allegra3201]

Originally Posted by rawethe

So I have spent the last 3 days in Evanston. Here are my thoughts:

1. The town is fairly small...so much so that I drove throughout the town and gave myself a complete tour in an hour and a half....and that's almost every street. Some have said they would have thought it would take me 5 minutes... anyhow, while it is a small town, it was larger than I thought. With the current housing boom there are many houses pretty crammed together in most neighborhood areas, and plenty more going up. I think if the boom continues Evanston will double in 5 years.

2. Housing boom- if your looking for a cheap house, you're probably not going to find it. There are some real estate options, but your looking at one or two at $150,000 and the rest at $200,000 and up. Rentals are pretty much not available. There are waiting lists everywhere. Problem is, while the town is swarming with construction workers, electricians, etc. it seems that there is a problem getting properties up. I heard a story today about the housing authorities purchasing a large historical property that used to be apartments, but they couldn't get anyone to do the work so they sold it- to someone who still hasn't gotten the work done. The great thing is, there is a lot of property being cleared for houses and apartments, but while it may be a year before they are done...the boom could drop by then and housing prices will drop. That's when you jump in and buy.

3. If you like social activities, especially night life, this is not the place to be. With the summer wrapping up the activities to bring travelers in such as the rodeo, everything will slow down. There is one bar/grill with dancing at one of the local hotels, but other than that the town does not boast much more for evening activities. Family activities are a different story. Here the community seems to rally around their families and homelife. To some that is extremely boring (locals talked about wanting out asap) and to some they might find it just what they were looking for. Oh, there is a movie theater.

4. Employment- If you have construction skills, electrician, etc. you would definitly be set up for a job...at least for awhile. They are paying GREAT money for these jobs- but who knows what will happen after the current oil boom. It's been discussed that this happens every few years, and it could all drop back out- and it's been going for a little while. On the other hand I have heard the arguement that this is a big one, and after the oil boom is done, service industries will have to come in and continue their work...which will keep the town growing. Right now it's a crap shoot. Also, it seems either you make really good money, or you make pretty low wages. There seems to be no middle ground. I would have the job first before coming.

5. Shopping- (hey! I'm a girl!) You have a few of your local immenities- such as a Super Wal-mart, a Lumber store (which I hear crappy things about), a ranch and farm store, a big grochery store and a little one, a blockbuster, a few fast food (Arby's, McD's, Wendy's, and a TacoTime) and a handful of gas stations. There a a handful of homestyle restaurants, 3 mexican, and I think 2 Chinese. A few other small stores such as Great Clips, Verison Wireless, and a few others. Other than that you have to drive to Salt Lake City or another one that i can't think of right now that is the other way about an hour. I hear Salt Lake is the better bet.

6. Beauty- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am coming from a mid-west town with a LOT of greenery- trees, etc. This is a very different sort of beauty. The most amazing part is in almost every direction you can see the mountains. You basically almost drive through them to get here from Salt Lake. However the mountains aren't all that green- it is a dryer climate. Think back to your John Wayne movies...I think the mountains in that were dry with some sage brush... a lot like that. Yet still so amazingly beautiful- but you can't really compare the different climates because they are both beautiful in their own rights. OH YEAH- I rarely had on the air conditioner the past few days- and I am always hot! It was in the upper 70's, low 80's and with the window down in the car it was so amazing to be able to have such clear air. While Salt Lake was in the 90's, Evanston was in the upper 70's, and that's pretty amazing. Plus, the humidity is like nothing! It was an amazing change for me- coming from the midwest.


So, that's all I can think of. Let me know if you have any questions.

Oh, and by the way- if they offer the position, I'm grabbing it- I loved the area- small community and all!

I too am contemplating a move to Evanston to take a job. I am curious as to whether you got the job offer and if so, have you made the move and what has been your experiece there if you have. Any comments would be appreciated.

Any one else that could comment on the housing situation, both rentals and for sale properties would be welcome.

[RockyMtnr]

Well, sounds like you found some of the finer points of Evanston. A little over-optimistic on the "Boom" thing, however. Evanston has been built out of a series of small "Booms" beginning with the railroad being built thru there - which caused the town to be built on the lower east side of the river before becoming a real town and moving up to the west side of the river. So far, recovery in Wyoming has been nothing more than a threat. Houses are always for sale. New folks are always moving in. Old ones leaving. Evanston also used to have a KFC, Taco Bell and Burger King. For every new business that comes in, it seems two move out.
Michael's Bar on Front St. has great sandwiches. Wyoming is kind of funny about good food. Seems if a restaurant comes in and makes really good food, it'll go out of business ... and soon - while, if another hash-slingin', fast-food-tastin', grease-bomb-producing, price-gouging outfit moves in, they're there thru the generations! Go figure.
It's another world - depending on where you're from. If you haven't come thru the west at a slow pace with your eyes open, you'll have no idea!

[ashboarder]

I've lived in Evanston, Wyoming for less than three years and find that the city is nice overall. However, watch out for the long-time Mormon residents that tend to be unfriendly toward newcomers. Good luck if you work at a company with a Mormon manager (like the one that owns a vending machine company or the one that is an assistant manager at a Kroger-affiliate grocery store). They talk down to employees and always have a sour look on their faces. They have the attitude that they are better than you.

In the retail arena you will find larger stores like Walmart, Smith's Food and Drug, Jubilee, Boot Town, Murdoch's Ranch and Home Supply, Ace Hardware, White Mountain Lumber & Rental, Castle Rock Chevrolet, Evanston Motors, and a nice assortment of downtown retail shops.

Many hotel and motel chains are represented including the new Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Days Inn, Super 8, Motel 6, Howard Johnson, Best Western, Comfort Inn, and so on.

Restaurants are primarily limited to major fast food chains like McDonalds, Arby's, Wendy's, KFC, Taco Bell, Taco Time, Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, and THREE Subway's. There is a new hamburger place called Chadder's that is worth visiting and a Wally's Burger which is popular with residents. In addition, you will find four Mexican restaurants, two Chinese restaurants, a JB's Restaurant, Spencer's Wyoming Grill, TC's Steak and Seafood House, Bon Rico Steakhouse, Michael's Bar and Grill, Mother Mae's Kitchen, Rendezvous Restaurant and Lounge, Legal Tender, Main Street Artisans Cafe and Gallery, a homey Muffin Tops Bakery, etc. Unfortunately, Starbucks closed their Evanston location recently.

Besides its incredible outdoor recreation opportunities, Evanston offers cultural fare such as community concerts, a Sagebrush Western Folkarts Festival, Urban Renewal Agency, Chinese New Year Celebration, the Young Musicians Festival, Sagebrush Theater and Children's Theater. Some of the annual events include the Lions Club Ice Fishing Derby, Evanston Rodeo Series, Bear River Mountain Man Rendezvous, Evanston Chili Cook-Off, All Bull Rodeo, Evanston Car Cruise Car Show, and Cowboy Days Labor Day Celebration. Also worthy of note are the two nationally sanctioned bike races hosted by Evanston: the High Uinta Classic and the Wolverine Ridge XC Mountain Bike Race. Evanston is also the home of the Bear River Parkway, Bear River State Park and Wyoming Downs Pari-Mutual Racetrack.

Take a 45 minute drive to Park City, UT for incredible shopping and world-class ski resorts. Ogden, UT is one hour away and Salt Lake City is approximately one hour and 20 minutes away.

[CptnRn]

The only time I ever went to Evanston was to visit someone in the Wyoming State Insane Asylum (I'm surprised they still call it that), they were in for a drug treatment program. The name was a little off-putting but it actually seemed like a pretty decent place considering.

The town seemed pretty quiet. The state hospital gives the local economy some stability with its jobs.

It is probably a little more "worldly" place then many small towns in Wyoming, given that it is on the interstate and within a short drive of Salt Lake City.

We once drove from Lander to Salt Lake City to look for a used car because there were more to choose from there.

[WyoNewk]

Ah yes, the Wyoming State Hospital. Back when I was doing a little charter flying, I flew an astronaut down there. At least he claimed he was an astronaut. The deputy sheriff who accompanied us didn't believe him. *shrugs*