Casper, Anyone? (school, salary, live)

[tekape]

Originally Posted by Clay Lady

This is really hard to believe!! It goes against everything I know about the standards that are in effect here in Arkansas for that company. I'm sorry - I just can't believe it.

Of course, I am having a hard time understanding what I am reading in this thread about the drug problem in general! What's up with law enforcement?

Unfortunately, it's true. During the new SuperWalmart being built on the West side, construction was closed down TWICE due to the fact that the contractor hired illegals. Our drug problem is too much for our PD to handle. Meth is really rampant here....in fact the two traffic control officers had to be cut back to go back to trying to deal with our drug problem. Our police force isn't nearly equipped enough to deal with it. We could double our police force and it still probably wouldn't be enough.

Walmart is almost a dirty word here....which is unfortunate...ol' Sam is probably rolling in his grave!

[GEORGIAINMT]

Originally Posted by tekape

Unfortunately, it's true. During the new SuperWalmart being built on the West side, construction was closed down TWICE due to the fact that the contractor hired illegals. Our drug problem is too much for our PD to handle. Meth is really rampant here....in fact the two traffic control officers had to be cut back to go back to trying to deal with our drug problem. Our police force isn't nearly equipped enough to deal with it. We could double our police force and it still probably wouldn't be enough.

Walmart is almost a dirty word here....which is unfortunate...ol' Sam is probably rolling in his grave!

Why is Walmart almost a dirty word? Is it because they hired the illegals? I know some people hate Walmart & won't shop there (not just Casper, but any Walmart) because they feel that Walmart undercuts the local businesses, etc. Others really like Walmart because of the low prices and you can't blame people for wanting to save money in today's economy. I've also heard a lot of people say that Walmart's meat is not very good. Any comments on the pro/con Walmart stances?

[DeMerick]

Originally Posted by tekape

Someone had said Central Wyoming Neurosurgery....which is what the practice calls their office....but those docs opened up a hospital on the east side of town near Hat Six Road called...oh gosh, now that I went to type it, I forgotten the name! I think it's called Mountain View or Mountain West....something in that neighborhood.....I'll check it out tomorrow and post the "real" name! Sorry!

Nice to know I'm not the only one with "Sometimer's" disease. And I can't remember the name although I went there some time back.

As for the wind, it's bearable, but then again, I grew up in Wyoming so I'm used to being blown off my feet when I step outside. There are many still days and the winters aren't too cold and the summers aren't too hot. Jobs are plentiful. It seems every business you drive by has a help wanted sign out.

Housing is primarily an issue for those with low incomes and high expenses. Single parents with deadbeat absent parents who are struggling to get by (I'm one of them) can find themselves in the position of choosing to pay rent or buying food for their child. If you can buy a house, that's great. If not, you're probably going to be hurting here. That's one of the main reasons why businesses are struggling to find employees. Lower level workers can't survive here on the on wages offered. I'm leaving soon, and will hopefully be able to finish my education. Others aren't so lucky.

[ElkHunter]

Nobody in this state ever offered a free ride. Nobody owes anybody a living. You buy what you can afford. Then, move up in the world. Takes time, takes effort, takes hard work. Everybody says Sheridan is so expensive, no body can afford it. Ok, I can't afford the McMansion out south of town. But I can darn sure afford the 3 bedroom, 2 bath house on a small lot. But I know my limits.

[DeMerick]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Nobody in this state ever offered a free ride. Nobody owes anybody a living. You buy what you can afford. Then, move up in the world. Takes time, takes effort, takes hard work. Everybody says Sheridan is so expensive, no body can afford it. Ok, I can't afford the McMansion out south of town. But I can darn sure afford the 3 bedroom, 2 bath house on a small lot. But I know my limits.

When minimum wage is $8.00 and part time (what most employers offer for low wage workers) is 30 hours per week at most, employees are earning $960/mo. A 1 bedroom apartment in Casper runs $615 (if you can get into it). If you have a child, you'll need a two bedroom, which runs $770. When you take the minimum wage of $960 and subtract the rent for a 1 bedroom you end up with $345. Rent does not include gas and lights, which can run anywhere from $80-$100 dropping the budget to $245. Add credit card debt, which most people have, regardless of income and even minimum payments for three credit cards could drop that budget down to $197. Providing for gasoline for a month at current rates, a tank usually runs at least $57, leaving $140 for in the budget. Laundry would probably run $20 per month leaving $120. Cleaning and sanitary supplies could run from $20-50, depending on whether the tenant is male or female, dropping the budget to $70 for food and any other necessities for the month.

Consider the same income with a child. It's difficult to get child support in this state, and women often leave husbands who are abusive in order to protect their children. The pay of $960 minus the two bedroom apartment cost of $770 leaves $190. Take from the remaining budget the lights and gas and the family budget has $90 remaining. In this situation, credit cards would be ignored. $70 would be required in gas due to the need to get a child to child care during work hours, leaving $20 to pay for the child care. Food, Laundry, Cleaning and sanitary supplies would be forgotten. Since food is essential, there would be the struggle to decide whether to pay the electricity bill or feed the child.

Casper businesses are screaming for help, but apartments are so scarce that people are living in their trucks. Balance is off. It's easy to say that you can afford a house, but not everyone is in that position and the economy needs individuals who are low skill to work in the lower wage positions. Higher skill workers won't perform the low wage tasks that businesses need done in order to function. Without affordable housing, those without high skills leave the area seeking places with affordable housing so they can support their families. Businesses are left without labor and eventually must close their doors, depriving those who can buy a house of services.

[tekape]

Originally Posted by DeMerick

When minimum wage is $8.00 and part time (what most employers offer for low wage workers) is 30 hours per week at most, employees are earning $960/mo. A 1 bedroom apartment in Casper runs $615 (if you can get into it). If you have a child, you'll need a two bedroom, which runs $770. When you take the minimum wage of $960 and subtract the rent for a 1 bedroom you end up with $345. Rent does not include gas and lights, which can run anywhere from $80-$100 dropping the budget to $245. Add credit card debt, which most people have, regardless of income and even minimum payments for three credit cards could drop that budget down to $197. Providing for gasoline for a month at current rates, a tank usually runs at least $57, leaving $140 for in the budget. Laundry would probably run $20 per month leaving $120. Cleaning and sanitary supplies could run from $20-50, depending on whether the tenant is male or female, dropping the budget to $70 for food and any other necessities for the month.

Consider the same income with a child. It's difficult to get child support in this state, and women often leave husbands who are abusive in order to protect their children. The pay of $960 minus the two bedroom apartment cost of $770 leaves $190. Take from the remaining budget the lights and gas and the family budget has $90 remaining. In this situation, credit cards would be ignored. $70 would be required in gas due to the need to get a child to child care during work hours, leaving $20 to pay for the child care. Food, Laundry, Cleaning and sanitary supplies would be forgotten. Since food is essential, there would be the struggle to decide whether to pay the electricity bill or feed the child.

Casper businesses are screaming for help, but apartments are so scarce that people are living in their trucks. Balance is off. It's easy to say that you can afford a house, but not everyone is in that position and the economy needs individuals who are low skill to work in the lower wage positions. Higher skill workers won't perform the low wage tasks that businesses need done in order to function. Without affordable housing, those without high skills leave the area seeking places with affordable housing so they can support their families. Businesses are left without labor and eventually must close their doors, depriving those who can buy a house of services.

I have to agree with you here on this one. I have worked since I was 15....but when I found myself as a single mom, I struggled to put food on the table. After being a bank teller/salesperson for $8/hour...I decided to go back to college and get a degree in something I could make money at....so I got some "help" from the state as I worked my way through college....and now I make a comfortable living.

On that note, I can agree with ElkHunter...too many people live WAY outside their means...selling their $150K homes to get into a $300K home in order to "keep up with the Jones's"...owning 3 or 4 vehicles PLUS the 4-wheelers and boats and travel trailers. We live in such a "gotta have it now" society that many people can't make it...they feel like they have to have all these "great" things without having the money to pay for them ("oh, I'll put it on credit"...but then getting in trouble later).

However, this is a problem throughout the U.S., not just Casper, or Wyoming. And though many people think that we should raise the minimum wage...that tactic doesn't help, everything else goes up with the raised wages (fuel, taxes, food, housing, etc)....it's all relative.

Healthcare is a great field to get into....in many different aspects of it. Just a thought.

[Kristynwy]

Originally Posted by tekape

I have to agree with you here on this one. I have worked since I was 15....but when I found myself as a single mom, I struggled to put food on the table. After being a bank teller/salesperson for $8/hour...I decided to go back to college and get a degree in something I could make money at....so I got some "help" from the state as I worked my way through college....and now I make a comfortable living.

On that note, I can agree with ElkHunter...too many people live WAY outside their means...selling their $150K homes to get into a $300K home in order to "keep up with the Jones's"...owning 3 or 4 vehicles PLUS the 4-wheelers and boats and travel trailers. We live in such a "gotta have it now" society that many people can't make it...they feel like they have to have all these "great" things without having the money to pay for them ("oh, I'll put it on credit"...but then getting in trouble later).

However, this is a problem throughout the U.S., not just Casper, or Wyoming. And though many people think that we should raise the minimum wage...that tactic doesn't help, everything else goes up with the raised wages (fuel, taxes, food, housing, etc)....it's all relative.

Healthcare is a great field to get into....in many different aspects of it. Just a thought.

Excellent post tekape...

I think you bring out good points, it is all about the decisions we make in life. Living with in one's means is becoming rarer, and I think a lot of people would be in less financial trouble if they learned to sacrifice in order help the bigger picture.

But I also agree it is even harder when more than half your income is wiped out by rent. No matter how hard you try to live within your means, the balance is off right now.

When the rental/housing market softens and/or busts, that will bring things back into balance for everyone.

[DeMerick]

Originally Posted by Kristynwy

Excellent post tekape...

I think you bring out good points, it is all about the decisions we make in life. Living with in one's means is becoming rarer, and I think a lot of people would be in less financial trouble if they learned to sacrifice in order help the bigger picture.

But I also agree it is even harder when more than half your income is wiped out by rent. No matter how hard you try to live within your means, the balance is off right now.

When the rental/housing market softens and/or busts, that will bring things back into balance for everyone.

I agree with both you and tekape. This can't be blamed on Casper or on Wyoming. It's the economy stupid! Congrats tekape on getting your degree. That's a huge accomplishment. I'm disabled and can't work, but I will finish my degree in case the vertebrae in my neck can be fixed. I just wish Casper would get some new apartments built right away--even if they're just cookie cutter apartments meant to be low priced and with no amenities--just to ease the housing situation. HUD is overwhelmed and not everyone qualifies, but the need for affordable housing remains. Yet, this is nationwide, not just a Wyoming thing. Fortunately there are places in Wyoming that offer housing at reasonable prices. Unfortunately, that doesn't help those with Casper businesses who need labor.

[86gtconvert]

we are goin to casper in 09 we are both nurses her a lpn-lvn and me a rn was wandering if its a good place for pay,and i have lived in laramie b4 ,and loved it,wasnt alotto do but very relaxing..good luck to you

[Kristynwy]

Originally Posted by 86gtconvert

we are goin to casper in 09 we are both nurses her a lpn-lvn and me a rn was wandering if its a good place for pay,and i have lived in laramie b4 ,and loved it,wasnt alotto do but very relaxing..good luck to you

Welcome to the board. I would suggest making a new post about your questions about Casper. That way you can generate more responses.

Remember to be as specific as possible in your questions so we can make sure we answer any and all questions you may have...

I also highly recommend the search feature for this forum in the upper right hand corner. There are many threads about Casper that may be helpful to you as well...

Best of luck to you on your move