we want to retire to Wyoming...not sure its the smartest thing to do... (Cheyenne: best towns, sales)

[gerardnnena]

I am a tucson az native, he's a detroit lion. we presently live in louisiana and want desperately to get out of here!! i miss the mountains, i miss hot dry breezes. we are both looking at retirement now and our four kids are spread across the country from hawaii to alaska, texas and oklahoma. he worked as a police officer in casper about 25 years ago and he wants to explore retirement there.
what would really be the best towns to retire to in wyoming?
i'm asking you wyoming-ers because you know about these things. we appreciate any help.

[sunsprit]

I'm sure that many folks on this forum would like to be of assistance to you ...

However, your expectations, interests, financial situation, ability to deal with severe winters, physical abilities, health needs, and so many other factors make a decision such as yours very personal ... and subject to a very wide range of possibilities in Wyoming, so it's impossible to give you a good answer, or even suggestions.

So, outside of reading the various threads about places in Wyoming, I'd suggest that you take a trip back here and look around for yourself. Two trips would be even better, one in the clear weather times of the year, and one trip during January-February.

Casper has changed in the last 25 years, too. Memories may be a lot different than what you'll find today.

Of course, if you have specific questions ... posters may be able to be of help.

[Kristynwy]

Sheridan and Buffalo are the "banana belt" of wyoming, quite a bit less windy than other parts of the state. We can still get a pretty good amount of snow, and cold.
There are good hospitals in the area, and Billings is not to far away for specialists or shopping with out sales tax. Although groceries are not taxed.

Any more specific info you may have so we can narrow down a place for ya? Cost of living, weather specifics, medical care, small town or larger town?

I agree also about taking a visit out here, there are a handful of boom towns right now in Wyoming due to Methane and Coal, so some towns have changed quite a bit just in the last few years even. Some places are extremely tight on housing while other places aren't quite as bad.

[RockyMtnr]

Riverton has the "cadillac" of retirement facilities.
You have to be at least a little financially-challenged as it is a gov't subsidized facility.
I'm speaking of the Owl Creek Apartments - independent living, USDA Rural Development funded and subsidized. It is ... or was a place where you could take one meal a weekday and a Friday brunch in (for a small additional fee) while the medical center is just across the street.
There are drawbacks.
Riverton is centralized in the state but isolated. It has a nice junior-college but isn't a shopping mecca. In winter, the trip thru nearby Lander over South Pass ... still leaves you in the middle of nowhere and is sometimes a treacherous trip to make.
Riverton is "leased" from the Shoshonean-Arrapaho Tribes and is actually on the Wind River Reservation. They have casinos now ... let me qualify that - they were approved for a major casino (always had a "minor") but instantly started construction on a couple more.
The trip to Casper is about 120 miles. If you enjoyed Casper then you won't mind the scenery on the way. Again, in winter, that becomes a sometimes-difficult trip. Shopping in Casper is still nearly non-existent. They have what they call a "mall" but it is truly on a small-town scale. About the only thing that has changed in Casper in 35 years is that mall ... and several houses and MHPs on the outskirts. Still a housing shortage though.
As you probably know and will hear there is almost no place you can live outside of Wyoming that isn't a long way away. Luckily, you believe that you can enjoy the eastern side - which puts Denver within reach of Cheyenne, Laramie and sometimes Rawlins. Still quite a trek from Casper - while, were you to choose the western side, Salt Lake remains forever cast as a smallish town no matter how crowded they choose to make it - again, less than two hours from the border but add at least another hour-and-a-half to anywhere else.
That leaves access to Billings. While the occasional person that isn't a tourist seems to like Cody more seem happier with Sheridan, Buffalo - and there's quite a difference between the two: Buffalo remains a mountain town situated at the base of the Big Horns while Sheridan sits in beautiful high-prairie and grasslands and is as welcome in Montana as it is in Wyoming and South Dakota.
Still, these folks at City-Data have tried to re-acquaint you with the harsh facts-of-life about Wyoming.
In my estimation, if you can take the high-altitude, there's not many better ideas than living in Wyoming on a guaranteed income!

[beard_of_doom]

don't do it. there are beautiful places scattered here and there, but unless you're a hardcore hunter and or fisher, or just generally don't care for much social interaction outside of crappy small town bars full of people you went to highschool with, i'd avoid the place.

[georgiainwyo]

Originally Posted by beard_of_doom

don't do it. there are beautiful places scattered here and there, but unless you're a hardcore hunter and or fisher, or just generally don't care for much social interaction outside of crappy small town bars full of people you went to highschool with, i'd avoid the place.

Beware of all posts from Beard of Doom. What an appropriate name! This person bashes Wyoming every chance he/she has. Look throught the posts and you'll see.

[RockyMtnr]

Wellll, in an ever-so-slight defense of the "Doomer";
there is plenty to like in Wyoming ... especially if things are going well and especially if you happen to be a continuously "up" type of person ...
... but there is plenty to warn about - and when things aren't going well, there's a lot that can sure suck - and also if you happen to be stuck in one of the towns that is totally your opposite ... and also if you happen to be stuck in a town you grew up in and nothing is happening and everybody isn't like you and a few fa .... well, I digress - but my point is, there are bad days in Wyoming too - only fair to get the gamut.

[life in wamsutter]

If this is really what your heart desires. Then go for it!!! We did & will never regret it, wish we would have moved here 20 - 30 years ago but we are here now & here to stay. But I would not recommend Wamsutter. I like Pinedale, Big Piney, Buffalo, or Casper.

[snapperblue]

You did not say much about what you are looking for in a community, which makes it difficult to provide useful information.

I lived in Laramie for 5 years and really loved it.

I loved the climate. The summers are the best of anywhere I have lived, dry and in the 80s most of the time, with a slight cool breeze. As for winter, look at City-Data's weather statistics- the average high in the winter is close to 40! So, though you can have really cold spells, they tend to be short. And the amount of sun is way above the US average in the winter. Be sure to get a house with a sun room! You can get snow in early September, but then will have a long beautiful fall most years. (Keep your tomato plants in the sun room- between late frosts and early snow, it's a challenge to harvest anything some summers!)

The university population provides lots of interesting people (faculty, staff, foreign students, etc.) for you to meet in all contexts in town. There is a full program of lectures, music, etc. at the campus. There are extension classes in a variety of subjects- exercise classes, crafts, music, language, dance, etc.

As the local shopping center, Laramie has grocery stores (a serious consideration in smaller Wyoming towns) and a Walmart. There is also a nice, small downtown with 3 or 4 good restaurants. There are independent bookstores as well as a good public library and the University library.

There is lots of public land in the area, though little of it is close to town except city parks. Pole Mountain, 10 miles to the east, is rolling grassland at 8,000 feet with lots of dispersed campsites. To the west, you can drive to tundra in 45 minutes for great hiking and camping.

Laramie is not the prettiest town I have ever seen; it can look stark in winter and spring (which comes so late you may feel like blowing your hair drier across your tulips to hurry things up). I feel a bit defensive about the town, as if it is my plain little sister who has a great personality. But the sky, the clouds, the antelope right at the edge of town... I really loved it there.

[Kele]

Originally Posted by snapperblue

You did not say much about what you are looking for in a community, which makes it difficult to provide useful information.

I lived in Laramie for 5 years and really loved it.

I loved the climate. The summers are the best of anywhere I have lived, dry and in the 80s most of the time, with a slight cool breeze. As for winter, look at City-Data's weather statistics- the average high in the winter is close to 40! So, though you can have really cold spells, they tend to be short. And the amount of sun is way above the US average in the winter. Be sure to get a house with a sun room! You can get snow in early September, but then will have a long beautiful fall most years. (Keep your tomato plants in the sun room- between late frosts and early snow, it's a challenge to harvest anything some summers!)

The university population provides lots of interesting people (faculty, staff, foreign students, etc.) for you to meet in all contexts in town. There is a full program of lectures, music, etc. at the campus. There are extension classes in a variety of subjects- exercise classes, crafts, music, language, dance, etc.

As the local shopping center, Laramie has grocery stores (a serious consideration in smaller Wyoming towns) and a Walmart. There is also a nice, small downtown with 3 or 4 good restaurants. There are independent bookstores as well as a good public library and the University library.

There is lots of public land in the area, though little of it is close to town except city parks. Pole Mountain, 10 miles to the east, is rolling grassland at 8,000 feet with lots of dispersed campsites. To the west, you can drive to tundra in 45 minutes for great hiking and camping.

Laramie is not the prettiest town I have ever seen; it can look stark in winter and spring (which comes so late you may feel like blowing your hair drier across your tulips to hurry things up). I feel a bit defensive about the town, as if it is my plain little sister who has a great personality. But the sky, the clouds, the antelope right at the edge of town... I really loved it there.

I live in Laramie now. I've been here for a little over a year and I adore this town. While it may not be the prettiest town, it is extremely charming and the tree area of Laramie, which is where I live, is gorgeous.

Don't forget Laramie's greenbelt--great biking or walking along the Laramie River.

I attend the University. I am what is known as a non-traditional student. Since we moved here, we have acquired a pretty decent social network, made friends of our neighbors, and my eleven year old son has become the local sixth grade heartbreaker.

Laramie is a terrific town and its proximity to Cheyenne and Ft. Collins means that you're never far away from shopping if you require more than what Laramie has to offer.