Teaching: Casper or Evanston??? (Cheyenne, Casper Mountain: to rent, insurance, houses)

[jkpeskey]

Hey,
I am looking at 2 jobs - one in Casper and one in Evanston.
I would be moving my wife and elderly mother out after I get situated.
Does anyone have any advice about pros & cons of each place?
I am mostly concerned about housing as we would have to sell our house in Georgia which means I'd have to rent in the meantime.
Any help would be great! Thanks!

[tekape]

Definitely Casper.

Evanston has it's points....it's near SLC, Utah and right on I-80.

However, Casper is probably your best option. We're about 60K people, on I-25, central in Wyoming.....we are a regional trauma center, with (dare I say) the top physicians and nurses (and ancillary staff) in the state.

There is TONS of culture here (if you know where to look). Eleven museums from art to science to WWII/vets. The indoor football league has a team here, we have the Casper Ghosts (which were formerly the Casper Rockies) semi-pro baseball...the Casper Events Center is host to TONS of events (high school sports, concerts, plays, symphonies, etc). Excellent golf courses, great fishing, near Lake Alcova (boating), at the base of Casper Mountain (camping, skiing-both x-country and downhill, hiking, etc).

There are numerous nursing homes/assisted-living facilities.

Of course, we have downfalls as well....wind, not enough primary healthcare providers (usually because Wyoming doesn't have tort reform and the MD's can't afford malpractice insurance). But the people are friendly, well-educated, and very welcoming.

We also have some of the greatest restaurants....Italian, Chinese, Thai, as well as the great all-American greasy burgers, BBQ, mom/pop shops...

Hope you make the right choice for you and your family!

[tekape]

Oh, sorry, forgot to address housing.

THere is TONS of new construction here (and of course, we have the "older" houses that have their own charm and are located in the "big tree district" in central Casper).

What will you be teaching (high school, college, elementary?)

[jkpeskey]

Thanks for the info!
Looking at teaching orchestra/strings - open to any level (HS in Casper)

[loudyk]

I would choose Evanston. I have lived in Casper for 14 years and my husband and I can't wait to get out. It's not saying much if the top physicians and medical care facilities are in Casper. You're better off being closer to SLC for medical care. Casper is definitely lacking in that area. The wind is horrendous here. Casper is tied with Cheyenne as the 5th windiest city in the U.S. Evanston is a smaller town, but it is a prettier part of Wyoming, in my opinion. Also the close proximity to a large city is a huge draw. Casper is 4 1/2 hours from Denver. This town is out in the middle of nowhere and any new stores that come into town are not quality stores but only cater to people on limited incomes.

[jkpeskey]

Thanks,
So you are referring to Evanston in your last comment?
In the middle of nowhere and non-quality stores?
I appreciate your comments!