Star Valley, Wyoming --Questions (Riverton, Jackson: rentals, job market, public school)

[thomas paine]

Can somebody tell me about Star Valley? I'm concerned with the LDS religion and the relationship with schools and the community. Not being LDS and living in Utah, I have first hand experience in how the LDS discriminate against you. I need to know if this is the same in Star Valley, Wyoming, or if all faiths are embraced? In Utah they separate your kids if you're not LDS. Plus, they have seminary..only LDS right next to the public school.so if you're kid is not LDS, then you are separate and not equal. I've found that LDS folks from outside of Utah are more accepting and tolerant.

Otherwise, I love the Star Valley area.

Thanks.

[RockyMtnr]

Thomas, the LDS influence is traditional and very strong all over Star Valley and west into Idaho. There was a book written long ago called "The Saints of Snowville" which was a dis on this influence, written by a Star Valley resident who changed the name in the title for self-protection.
However - there's good news too - Star Valley is in Wyoming! Remember Wyoming? State Motto (unofficial) "Welcome to Wyoming. We don't give a **** how you did it back home".
While a lot of money has moved into Star Valley the last many years, old-school still prevails, Hope you don't need to work for a living or that you have a job lined up - not much has changed in that regard. Property values are high. Few rentals. Winters at 45 below zero. Depends on your location but usually, unless you're on the west side of the valley - no direct sunlight for at least 3 weeks.
Also must consider that Star Valley is in Lincoln County - and the county seat is in Kemmerer - a good 2 hour drive. Although they have spread the services as much as they can, having a western base of operations, the real business still gets done at Kemmerer.
Montpelier Idaho is slightly freer - although still heavily influenced - but affords you access to Bear Lake, Logan, etc.
Good luck with your pondering.
If you're trying to escape the LDS influence, you've got to get at least halfway across Wyoming (Riverton/Rawlins) or be able to afford to live in Jackson.

[thomas paine]

thanks for the info. and perspective. While there are many positives about the LDS faith, I've found that the high concentrated areas often intermingle faith with everything else. While I respect one's faith, I don't think one single faith should dominate over everything else. I've seen people be excluded and the LDS faith in Utah controls everything. If Star Valley is like this, then I really don't want any part of it. Please advise....thanks.

[RockyMtnr]

Well Thomas; no matter where you go, there is going to be an influential sector in the religious arenas, be it Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Agnostic, United Brethern, Calvinist, etc., etc.
While it frees things up "a tad" for there to be several agents vying for control ... we never outrun the traditional. Even here in the nearly-free state of Oregon, the 7th-Day Adventist line of thought has powerful sway in some of the coastal towns ... and elsewhere. Heavy contingent of settlers from Germany, Switzerland, etc.
Even when people back off from their religious upbringing, it's still there - in the psyche so, in an area predominantly Baptist, those Baptist morals and tenets and psychologies are going to continue even at the bar, even in the governing bodies, even in the drug-dens.
It'll be the same with Mormon areas. Folks are folks and no matter how they may try, they never quite outrun themselves.
Jackson has tried to shed that exterior - and many folks there came from somewhere else ... there are plenty of "other" churches there - but one must know that the original area of Mormon influence covered parts of many states, i.e, UT, NV, AZ, NM, CO, ID, WY, MT and even into CA. They didn't stop there either but you can expect to find their presence and a bit of their influence all over that area ... and even all over the world. It's not such a bad thing. For one, they dress better than some other "poorer" religious groups. However, all over the areas I mentioned above, you can find an undercurrent of depression. As with all religions, there is an inner turmoil that reflects the "down side" of that group's values - and if you spend years looking for it, you'll find it.
If it helps, there are plenty of folks who aren't Mormon in the area you're exploring. The main problems as I see them are temperatures and the job market - and being about 100 miles from any sort of "shopping" ... The West is not for everybody - and it's not the Mormons' fault.

[chprlvr]

do you know where i may find a copy of the book, the saints of snowville

[paintersspouse]

I live in Star Valley. I don't have kids but work with people who grew up here and are not LDS. I don't think it is the problem others make it out to be. These same people who grew up here are now raising children who are not LDS( very much not) and using the same school system. They love it here and have no problems with the system. I am not LDS.

[Kristynwy]

This post is a year old folks Feel free to start a new post...