How do wyomingites differ from ppl in the upper Midwest? (Gillette: homes, high school)

[Juice Malone]

Living in Iowa, but I'm not from here and have no ties to the state or region. Just wondering how ppl in Wyoming are similar or different from those that grew up in Iowa, Nebraska etc.?

[branDcalf]

The ones I know are more independent, like being far from town more, work more, and are more energetic than those I know in NE, SD, ND, MN, WI. I only know a couple people from IA, but I always thought Iowa would be as far east as I would ever choose to live.

[WyoNewk]

Politically, as you may know, western Iowa is a little more conservative than eastern Iowa. Well, folks from Wyoming and Nebraska are about the same as those from western Iowa (which isn't a LOT different than those in eastern Iowa).

Religiously speaking, Wyoming is probably a little less so than Iowa and Nebraska. We certainly have plenty of the conservative religions, but I think the "no religious affiliation" is a bit more common in Wyoming than in the midwest. Your neighbor's religious affiliation is just not something that many people think about, afaik.

From my own experience when I moved here from Iowa many years ago, that's something I noticed. People here seem to have a little more live and let live attitude, whether it's religious, political, education or social status. I couldn't tell you the religious beliefs of anyone on my block except for one next-door neighbor, who I've known for 40 years, and that's limited to Christian. What church she attends, I have no idea. One former neighbor attended the same church I did and was fairly active in it, but he's since moved, I think back to his childhood home after his parents left town.

One big difference is in how rural westerners think about travel distances. At least where I lived in Iowa, a drive of more than 100 miles (200 round-trip) was considered a long trip. Here we think nothing of driving 300 mile round-trips, and 750 mile round-trips aren't uncommon. From where I live (Gillette), it's 350 miles to Denver. For several years we had Bronco season tickets and attended all their home games. I knew several others who did as well. Our high school teams will travel that distance for weekend games several times each season. That's not a difference in people, per se. It's just something that we become accustomed to out of necessity, due to the remoteness of the area.

I also notice that we westerners often don't groom our lawns as carefully, etc. That's not just Wyoming, but all of the west. I think it's because we spend more time away from home -- fishing, hunting and camping in the mountains or at a lake for the full weekend, driving the the city for a weekend of shopping, attending sporting events (school, college, professional), etc.

[Tactical Shrimp]

yes this is a necro post

so i might be moving to jackson i want to know how high school kids act in WY because in houston they are all indeacont human beings who dont want to be your friend to be your ffriend but rather for personal gain some of my "friends" call me "the haf blind autistic fagot" would i get that kind of treatment in WY or is that a big city thing i hope it is

[branDcalf]

You will meet mostly nice, fun, interesting people and likely a few jerks.


I hear the usually Wyoming teens are more sane and mature than those in large cities. Maybe by a per capita count! I hope you have a good experience and welcome

[SkyLark2019]

Originally Posted by branDcalf

You will meet mostly nice, fun, interesting people and likely a few jerks.


I hear the usually Wyoming teens are more sane and mature than those in large cities. Maybe by a per capita count! I hope you have a good experience and welcome

They all have been raised as homesteaders.

Wyoming is such a harsh place to live that most know how to cook over a campfire, hunt, fish and store drinking water.

A 13 year old driving a farm truck is not such a strange sight in Wyoming.


I love Wyoming but it's not for everyone.......

[nowhereman427]

This is 8+ years old. Things are constantly changing.

[SkyLark2019]

Wyoming is still beautifully remote.

For someone with a hatred of modern life, they can be happy there.

Be warned, that extends to anti-government types and ammo hoarders.

Just saying. Wyoming is kooky. I loved it but everyone is unique.

[juneaubound]

Originally Posted by SkyLark2019

Wyoming is still beautifully remote.

For someone with a hatred of modern life, they can be happy there.

Be warned, that extends to anti-government types and ammo hoarders.

Just saying. Wyoming is kooky. I loved it but everyone is unique.

If you don't have a very strong distrust of the government, then you haven't been paying attention over the past few years.

If you don't "hoard" adequate supplies to survive through whatever emergencies may present themselves in this harsh and isolated state (which may include wood, water, food, ammunition, other depending on your personal circumstances) then you will likely (at some point) find yourself in trouble.

Wyoming is not kooky. But it is different from most states in ways both easy and difficult to understand.

[jody_wy]

If the Kids are in 4-H ,FFA, and HS activities , they meet a lot of others from around the State at State Fair and School events. If they go to community college, or UW , when they get there they already got friends from all over the state.