Cody vs. Powell (Gillette, Sheridan, Buffalo: for sale, rent, amusement parks)

[7mag]

What do you think about Cody vs Powell? What one would you recommend moving to? How is the wind in Cody and Powell?

[molon labe]

Cody and Powell are both windy.... I lived north of Cody several years ago and the wind was something else. Both towns were about equal distance from us but unless we were heading to Billings, Cody was almost always the destination. It was a little better setup for shopping and such; at least for the things we usually needed.

I like both areas... would live in either. In fact, I live in Gillette now and my destination (hopefully within 5-7 years) is either the Cody/Powell area or the Buffalo/Sheridan area. However, I haven't been over to the western side of the Big Horns in a while so I can't say what it's like now. I know the area has grown as I still have friends I talk to over there, but I don't know exactly how much.

I do know they just determined the size of the oil reserve over there so the area's probably going to explode if they can get around the environmental complications associated with being so close to the park. From what I've been told it's one of the largest oil finds in recent history.....

[everyone luvs da longball]

Cody is nice. It's main attraction, the Buffalo Bill Museum, is very nice. Cody also has a quaint and pleasant downtown area to walk around.
Unfortunately I have never been to Powell.

[jehu]

I visited Cody a couple months ago. I liked it really well. There was no wind that day, so I could not be an accurate judge.

[NVDave]

Originally Posted by 7mag

What do you think about Cody vs Powell? What one would you recommend moving to? How is the wind in Cody and Powell?

Powell is a community that is clearly based on agriculture. When you look around, you can tell that there are two big economic sectors in Powell:

1. Ag.
2. Northwest College.

And maybe some tourism tossed in here and there.

Cody is clearly a tourist town, a gateway town to Yellowstone, with things like the Buffalo Bill museum and other such attractions.

I, personally, would move to Powell, but then I'm a farmer who sold his farm. I've got little use for tourist type towns; I grew up in an area that depended upon tourism and my first jobs were at amusement parks. I've had my fill of tourists for a lifetime and then some.

They both can be windy at times.

[WyoMama]

I have lived in Cody for over 20 yr now & my daughter lived in Powell for a few yrs (starting w/college) & rent & housing is better in Powell. It has a more USEFUL downtown & is quaint as well. Cody's downtown is much more geared towards tourism - art museums, souvenier & Indian type stores, cowboy stores & boot store, a few restaurants, etc. We do have the regional Super Walmart so the Wally-pilgramage from 3-4 counties happens every wknd (I HATE that place). It is really protected from bad weather IN TOWN because of Rattlesnake mtn that we are butted up against. Powell gets more snow generally & sometimes is more windy. Neither is as windy as the years I spent in southeastern Wyo - not EVEN close. Land both places is expensive but there are a LOT of newer homes for sale in Powell & the college is there. The regular shopping is better in Powell - including groceries. Is about 40 minutes to the mountains either way - Absarokas (Shoshone Forest / Rockies - by Cody) - or the Big Horns to the east. Hope that helps a little - both have pretty good shools, some job opportunities, etc.

[PsykoKustomz]

I am personally a fan of Powell, But my view maybe a little Bias. I was born there and all of my family is there so that is where I spend most of my time when I go to what I feel my "home" is. When I was High School age I use to go to both places and "cruise" the main drags and while both cities were friendly to an outsider I felt that Powell was a little more friendly and the kids there were more than willing to shoot the s*#t with you. I would say although it seems to becoming way overpriced but Wapiti is a Beautiful area but you would have a commute to get to Cody and that road can become pretty "gnarly" in the winter.

[WyoMama]

The price of land in the Wapiti area is OUTRAGEOUS tho....and I agree with your comments about Powell. I like Powell too except too far to the mtns for me. And I'm too oldto ever move again. LOL!!! Paid for - staying RIGHT HERE!!

[Codite]

Depends on what you are looking for. Cody is glitz and glamour with the tourist trade from Memorial Day to Labor Day, then is dies for the winter. Powell is quieter and more small town America with a two year college and lots of Ag around the area. People still drive through on the way to other places. Cody is expensive to live in vs Powell but does have the hospital, the Rec Center, Hockey, more shopping than Powell. I would rent a place for a year and visit first. Property is going pretty fast though, so if you don't do it soon, you may be out of luck, none of our properties have dropped in value, and neither have our property taxes.

[alpine]

Powell has fewer places to eat but houses are cheaper. Cody is better.