Where in Wyoming is this? (Sheridan, Jackson: fit in, sales, apartment)

[Simple Living]

Originally Posted by lovethewest

I see you took my suggestion from your post on the General U.S. board to heart. I'm glad to see you're seriously considering Wyoming.

Montana and Wyoming have always been my top two choices. Researching Montana slid me over into northern Idaho before I had a chance to check out Wyoming. I admit, I had slight reservations about being further south than I wanted to be, but it's becoming more and more of a non-issue the more I research the state. I can definitely say that it's a very serious consideration right now. I haven't been this excited about a state yet, and I was about 90% sure it would be Montana. I'm loving everything about Wyoming so far.

I agree with ElkHunter's suggestion. Any of the towns along the east side of the Big Horns would be wonderful.

Another town I must suggest is Saratoga in the southern part of the state. It has about 1,700 people and very friendly/neighborly. It's also very beautiful. The North Platte River flows right through town is wonderful for floating or trout fishing. I believe it's a Blue Ribbon river. To the west of town are the Snowy Mountains and the Snowy Range Scenic Byway (a very beautiful national scenic byway meandering over the mountains) and to the east are the Sierra Madres, a small, but beautiful range. In town are natural hot springs. There is the "Hobo Pool" which is free of charge and wonderful for a soak. You can also soak in hot springs in the river. Laramie (pop. 27,000) is about an hour away for shopping and culture (it's home to University of Wyoming). Here's a really good picture of Saratoga: Saratoga, WY : Mountains over looking Bridge Street photo

Thanks for the link to the picture. Just beautiful! Every town being suggested is being looked at seriously. I usually found things about a town (in other states) that I didn't like. My "problem" here is that I like every one of them!

[Simple Living]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Another good town is Buffalo. It is again, right next to the mountains, very little wind. 32 miles from Sheridan. But the population is slightly over your request. It's 3800 people.

I'm not going to get hung up on the population anymore. Not when it comes to Wyoming. It seems every place, no matter how many people live there, has a small town feel to it. Still, above 10,000 might be a bit much for me.

A friend mentioned Buffalo in a Direct Message. I have it added to the list. Thanks again!

[Simple Living]

When I get to where I'm going, I'll pretty much have nothing to start with because I don't want to move a lot of stuff. I'll basically have my clothes, computer and some books. Any good places to buy solid, comfortable furniture? (I've not asked this anywhere else, so my brain must be trying to settle on Wyoming.)

Also, for being a writer, I'm rather partial to the town called "Story."

[Simple Living]

Is the area around Yellowstone really as expensive as I think it is? I've always thought areas aroudn Jackson would be perfect and then learned that the median home price is $900,000!

I just like the idea of being near Yellowstone, but, apparently, so does everyone else.

Just a question I've been waiting to ask, nothing more.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by lovethewest

I see you took my suggestion from your post on the General U.S. board to heart. I'm glad to see you're seriously considering Wyoming. I


Another town I must suggest is Saratoga in the southern part of the state. It has about 1,700 people and very friendly/neighborly. It's also very beautiful. The North Platte River flows right through town is wonderful for floating or trout fishing. I believe it's a Blue Ribbon river. To the west of town are the Snowy Mountains and the Snowy Range Scenic Byway (a very beautiful national scenic byway meandering over the mountains) and to the east are the Sierra Madres, a small, but beautiful range. In town are natural hot springs. There is the "Hobo Pool" which is free of charge and wonderful for a soak. You can also soak in hot springs in the river. Laramie (pop. 27,000) is about an hour away for shopping and culture (it's home to University of Wyoming). Here's a really good picture of Saratoga: Saratoga, WY : Mountains over looking Bridge Street photo

Not to put to fine a point on it, but the last time I checked the Snowy Range is EAST of Saratoga, and the Sierra Madres are WEST.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by Simple Living

Is the area around Yellowstone really as expensive as I think it is? I've always thought areas aroudn Jackson would be perfect and then learned that the median home price is $900,000!

I just like the idea of being near Yellowstone, but, apparently, so does everyone else.

Just a question I've been waiting to ask, nothing more.

Hey SL...
Jackson is waaaay expensive, but...
There are areas around that aren't nearly as bad. Lots of folks live south of Jackson. Also...west over the pass in Driggs or Victor, ID. I have a couple of friends with businesses in Jackson, so when I visited last summer, I think I got to see the town from a different angle than I would have if I was a "tourist". Jackson is such a cool town, but it's got scads of traffic and people going every which way. I gotta say that over near Buffalo is pretty great. Everything's reachable from there. If you get tired of looking at the Bighorns (if that's even possible?), go to the Wind River Range...or the Tetons...or the Absarokas. It's all amazing, and you can squeeze in a long weekend out in the middle of nowhere in any of those spots if you live somewhere like Buffalo.

[Simple Living]

Originally Posted by j1n

Hey SL...
Jackson is waaaay expensive, but...
There are areas around that aren't nearly as bad. Lots of folks live south of Jackson. Also...west over the pass in Driggs or Victor, ID. I have a couple of friends with businesses in Jackson, so when I visited last summer, I think I got to see the town from a different angle than I would have if I was a "tourist". Jackson is such a cool town, but it's got scads of traffic and people going every which way. I gotta say that over near Buffalo is pretty great. Everything's reachable from there. If you get tired of looking at the Bighorns (if that's even possible?), go to the Wind River Range...or the Tetons...or the Absarokas. It's all amazing, and you can squeeze in a long weekend out in the middle of nowhere in any of those spots if you live somewhere like Buffalo.

It sounds like much of the whole northern half (or so) of Wyoming is practically perfect for me. Well, the area around the mountains, at least.

How does the area near the Bighorns differ from the area around the Rockies and Absarokas? Is there a different topography? A different feel about the people or towns? Different weather? Different cost of living? Different job situation? Different economy and cost of living?

[j1n]

Originally Posted by Simple Living

It sounds like much of the whole northern half (or so) of Wyoming is practically perfect for me. Well, the area around the mountains, at least.

How does the area near the Bighorns differ from the area around the Rockies and Absarokas? Is there a different topography? A different feel about the people or towns? Different weather? Different cost of living? Different job situation? Different economy and cost of living?

I may be wrong, but I believe that the Absarokas, Bighorns, etc are all part of the Rocky Mtn chain? Anyone? I could be wrong...
Tough to explain exact differences. Except for the Absarokas. They have a darker rock, almost otherworldly feel to them. Lots of little lakes everywhere. Very "top of the world" feel to it. Obviously, the Teton Range, especially when viewed from the east, is so iconic.
It's tough (for me at least) to describe huge visual differences between say, the Bighorns and the Winds. They are all beautiful, and awesome. Can't go wrong with any of them!
I've found people in WY to be pretty salt of the earth type folks. You know...you run into distrusting and grumpy folks everywhere you go, but generally we ran into some really good folks in WY.
As far as cost of living, job situations, etc...It seems to me that there is a whole lot more of "nothing" out in WY than there is "concentration of anything". And I think that's why WY is such a great place. For instance...there are small towns that are affordable, but there may be only jobs available if you are a ranch worker. I think some place like Buffalo would be a good choice for someone that wants mountains, a reasonably sized town, real people, job possibilities (might have to be pretty flexible), reasonable housing (don't know how hard it is to find in Buffalo?), etc. Best bet would be to get out there and look around...interact with the folks...buy supplies at local stores...hit the local bookstore...ask directions...strike up conversations, etc. It'll be interesting to see where you land!

[GEORGIAINMT]

Two towns close to Yellowstone are Cody & Powell. Both are nice towns. Cody is busy with tourists in the summer, but quiet the rest of the year. Powell is generally a quiet, small community college town. Cost of living in both places is much less than some of the "more desireable" areas of the state. I was raised in Basin, which is in the middle of the Big Horn Basin between the Big Horns & Yellowstone. It is a friendly, small town with very reasonable housing. Unless you are in one of the "big" towns in the state a lot of people think of everywhere else being "out in the middle of nowhere". We recently checked out Sheridan and found housing there to be very high compared to where we are in Billings. Most places in the state have more reasonable real estate prices, with the exception of Jackson, which you all probably know is in a class of it's own! Those of us who grew up in "small town Wyoming" are used to being a couple of hours away from amenities in the larger towns, so for us it's normal. It depends on each person's perspective of what they need & want close by. I, myself, am considering moving back home to Wyoming. I do miss it after being gone for about 13 years. For the 13 years previous to that I lived in Thermopolis. It is a nice town if you enjoy soaking or swimming in the hot springs. My kids went to school there and got great educations. There are quite a few retirees there. I hope this info gives a little more insight to Wyoming....at least this is my opinion! Take Care!
Georgia

[Simple Living]

I don't mind remote. A two or three hour trip into town doesn't bother me at all. Looking at my Atlas, I'm seeing small towns within Yellowstone itself. Do people live in Yellowstone? They're called Lake and Fishing Bridge. And what about Valley, outside the Shoshone Nat'l Forest?

As far as college towns go... those are out. I had enough of being around that kind of atmosphere. I have a hard time being around the younger, party crowd. (I'm 42.)

Also, what's the difference between the west side of the mountains or the east side? Wind?

Sure am sorry for bombarding you folks with all my questions.