Relocating to Wyoming (Laramie, Gillette, Sheridan: low income, rental, loans)

[DessertRat]

In other words, you budget long-term, not week to week or month to month. I mentioned in the earlier post that the plan now is to go back and forth. We might not have to work at all while in Wyoming. If we decide to work for extra income while there, we wouldn't have to worry so much about the wages being low--because we're not counting on them to live, they'd be more supplemental. I agree that compared to most other markets, Wyoming real estate doesn't appear to be in much of a downtown. But it still looks like there are plenty of good deals to be had compared to NYC, San Francisco, etc.

A couple years ago, we had been trying to buy a more or less "ideal" house in the NYC area (not a mansion or anything . . . just something big enough and in good enough condition, commuting distance, etc., that we wouldn't want to move out of right away). We actually have a plan now that would enable us to own houses in both locations for less than the one "ideal" house in metro NYC, and that way we can have the best of both worlds. We're not sure how many months we'll be able to spend in Wyoming versus NYC, but even three or four months a year would be nice for now. We'd like to be able to go back and forth to have the advantages of both locations anyway.

Re prices in general, checking the gas prices in Cody now, it's $3.16 for regular. Among other stores, Cody has WalMart, Albertsons, etc. Those stores sure didn't seem expensive to us when we were last there in 2006.

[ElkHunter]

No DessertRat,

I don't think you understood him like I do. He's not saying that Wyoming is going to kick your butt unless you have a big bank roll. I don't want to speak for him, but I think I understand the idea that if you move here, you should have a job that will get you by. A young couple coming in here, thinking that they will just fly by, isn't going to cut it. If you have a bank roll, you can survive for a while.

But if you are a couple, willing to work, make jobs pay your way, you'll do fine. A bit of a bank roll is always good and gives you time to create something special. You'll have time to come up with something creative.

If you and your wife are in your late teens or early 20's and decide "Wyoming is the place to live" Your going to be disappointed. It will bust your butt. If you have your stuff together, and are tough enough, you'll make a good neighbor. Did I mention that I got hot chocolate on?

[Earniefan]

You can get snowed in for weeks or even months at a time.

It always amazes me when people move to a high altitude and are then surprised when it snows!!! And they're even more suprised that the county can't afford the time or energy to plow out a handful of people. Do some research before you move somewhere, ask questions for crying out loud. And do not form large assumptions, such as Wyoming's teen suicide rate is high and why you think that would be. You are a Grandma, you should be old enough to have obtained enough wisdom to already know these things!! Shame on you for blaming this amazing state for your poor time with it's weather on your lack of preparation and education about the area in which you live.

[RockyMtnr]

I was thinking that maybe it's time to let FrozenGranny in on some history.
FG, FYI, Wyoming got built by women like you - well, maybe not exactly like you but ...
look, in the olden times, families and couples made it out as far as Wyoming for whatever boom was going on at the time; the Buffalo hunt; the railroad; the Calvary; the mines; the oil; the gas - they came from all points. There wasn't always enough work so sometimes, the man had to take off and follow work - to Nevada; to California; to Utah; to Texas; to where ever the work was and the wife/mom? She stayed up there in frozen ol' Wyody learning to survive and running things.
A lot of those men never came back. Wyoming was built by those women left behind - probably more than any other state. You are in good company - and you may be lucky or not that your honey keeps coming back - but you are in charge of your destiny and if you're really looking for a change of scenery, you can make it happen ... although you might just hunker down for winter and wait 'til April.
But I feel ya - Wyoming can be hard - cold and destitute with the people sometimes seeming the same. Bills and more bills and not that many programs to help. Hang with us here and we can help you get thru the winter - oh, we ain't got no money - some fellow in New York has all that - but we know how to get by and we can help you with attitude and hutzpah ... and a little humor - and I already know that ElkHunter has water on for Cocoa so, cheer up - put on an extra pair of socks, keep your kidneys covered up, put cotton in your ears, put a scarf around your neck - Spring is coming - but you have to beat off the sads for now!!
Peace Granny

[DessertRat]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

I don't think you understood him like I do. He's not saying that Wyoming is going to kick your butt unless you have a big bank roll. I don't want to speak for him, but I think I understand the idea that if you move here, you should have a job that will get you by. A young couple coming in here, thinking that they will just fly by, isn't going to cut it. If you have a bank roll, you can survive for a while.

Right, but I didn't think he was getting that our current plan is to live in two different places, going back and forth, with the bulk of our income coming from the NYC area.

If you and your wife are in your late teens or early 20's and decide "Wyoming is the place to live" Your going to be disappointed. It will bust your butt. If you have your stuff together, and are tough enough, you'll make a good neighbor.

40s . .. decided it's "the place to live", but we're also very skeptical about the job situation. So that's why the current plan is to live there off and on (a few months at a time) and not count on it for an income. Maybe we can end up making decent money there--there sure are business there (like banks) where we (well, my wife in the case of banks) have desirable backgrounds, but we'd kinda like to be able to live in both places anyway.

Did I mention that I got hot chocolate on?

I'd love to look you up next time we get to Sheridan.

[savvy0116]

Wow! Ok, so I was raised in Montana, and lived in Wyoming (at Brooks Lake Lodge in the mountains) so I have no problem with Wyoming winters...and I happen to love snow! I've only been living in Georgia for 4 years. Money is definitely tight so I will have to definitely budget, but that's no different than usual. What my problem is, we have found a few construction jobs but they all say "well, when you get here give us a call and we'll work something out". However, we are not for moving and not having a job for sure...that will mess us up faster than anything else. As for traveling back and forth that is not an option...instead we are raising the rent amount on our home here so that we have a little extra income while in wyoming.

[RockyMtnr]

Smart move Savvy.
Now, that other fella, he's apparently got the money not to have to worry about his "git-bys" ... which indicates to me that he should either be travelling to Montana instead (Missoula, Bozeman, even Helena or maybe West Yellowstone) or hanging in Jackson WY with the money crowd ... if he can find a few square feet to live in - it's a crowded town no matter who you are. I can't really think of anyplace else with any luxury around. However, no matter 'cause in Wyoming, money definitely helps to soften any blows dealt by the weather or the economy.
Savvy, I don't really know how to help you with jobs out that way. Most jobs come from networking while the best of the local-folks usually get the pick of any jobs listed with the state. However, the Temp services sometimes get a strong foot in the door in particular areas - although the jobs might not be top-notch (or might be). SOS put up a shingle in Evanston (SW) some years ago - and it has grown into a well-connected little operation. I would maybe contact the Chamber of Commerce in the area you plan on moving to, looking for just such an office - see, they go thru a lot of folks - for various reasons like ... Wyomingites living the wild life, partying too long or too often - kinda depletes the ranks, if you know what I mean.
If he hasn't already given it to you, ElkHunter has the state-job links.

[ElkHunter]

Jobs? Two links. Job services for every town throughout the state. And also state jobs link. Both give complete descriptions, pay, vacation, where, when and how.

https://www.wyomingatwork.com/

https://egov.state.wy.us/ThankYou.aspx

[savvy0116]

Thank you RockyMtnr and ElkHunter...appreciated...I have been using the wyoming at work website, but didn't have the egov one. As for the networking within, I wondered if that wasn't what it was...Oh well, do what we can I guess. If anyone hears of anything around the Cody area for construction jobs just let me know

[DessertRat]

Originally Posted by savvy0116

Thank you RockyMtnr and ElkHunter...appreciated...I have been using the wyoming at work website, but didn't have the egov one. As for the networking within, I wondered if that wasn't what it was...Oh well, do what we can I guess. If anyone hears of anything around the Cody area for construction jobs just let me know

The Cody area is where we're planning to live in Wyoming. We hope to be there or at least get the ball rolling next year. Keep in touch, savvy, and you'll have at least one contact there.