Lander vs. Buffalo (Casper, Gillette, Sheridan: for sale, rentals, crimes)

[Maxattack]

If you had to choose between these two towns based on crime, neighborhood, town upkeep, views, wind/weather? Any input would be appeciated.

[ElkHunter]

Per 100,000 Lander Buffalo National
Murder: 0 0 7
Forcible Rape: 0 0 32.2
Robbery: 0 0 205.8
Aggravated Assault: 229.4 368.8 336.5
Burglary: 387.1 345.8 813.2
Larceny Theft: 2810 1913.3 2601.7
Vehicle Theft: 114.7 115.3 501.5

Actual Reported Population and Crimes:

Lander, WY Buffalo, WY
Population: 6,975 4,338
Murder: 0 0
Forcible Rape: 0 0
Robbery: 0 0
Aggravated Assault: 16 16
Burglary: 27 15
Larceny Theft: 196 83
Vehicle Theft: 8 5

Those stats are from 2006. Latest I could find.

I'm not familiar with Lander. But I live 30 miles from Buffalo. Buffalo is a quaint little town with the Old West feel. It's nestled up agains the Big Horn mountains and as such, has less wind then most places in Wyoming. They have pretty good shopping, although can get things cheaper in Sheridan (30 miles north). So a lot of folks drive up to Sheridan once a month to get major groceries and shopping done, but stay local for some stuff.

Housing is available there (rentals). New houses are being built. A lot of older homes are for sale.

Prices are probably higher in Buffalo because Gillette and Sheridan are both in a boom cycle and housing is non existant. So a few people are renting, or buying in Buffalo and commuting. Hence, they drive the prices up. But the prices aren't rediculous yet.

It's a clean little town with more then it's fair share of things going on. Also, they have probably one of the best Steak Houses in the State.

Hunting and camping are minutes away. Buffalo is at the junction of I-90 and I-25. Casper (Large town) is just 100 miles South.

[Kristynwy]

Buffalo is a nice little town, I really like it... I don't have much more to add to Elkhunter's response...

I have never been to Lander however, but hope to make a road trip there in the next year or two to see that area...

Best of luck to you...

[tekape]

Originally Posted by Maxattack

If you had to choose between these two towns based on crime, neighborhood, town upkeep, views, wind/weather? Any input would be appeciated.

I lived in Lander in the mid 90's....great place, beautiful, not much wind, not too much crime, all nestled up to the Wind River Mtns....but keep in mind that NOLS is headquartered there and that it's on the edge of the Wind River Indian Reservation (keeping hunting/fishing spots...at least the good ones....to a select few spots in the area).

I've been to Buffalo, but never lived there. Some friends lived there for several years and LOVED it, but ended up retiring down in Ft .Collins because they have a couple of kids that live down in the area....but otherwise they would've stayed in Buffalo...it's a beautiful little town as well....

Buffalo is right off I-25/I-90, so access to Sheridan/Gillette/Billings is easy. Lander sits nestled off in it's own little corner....Riverton being the "largest town" that's close....and it's not that big! Most folks come to Casper for any "serious" shopping, though Riverton has Walmart/Kmart that takes care of most needs that can't be met by the Pamida and small grocery in Lander....

I have thought of moving back to the Lander area at some point with my family....

Good luck in your search!

[rya700]

I grew up in Lander and recently moved back. IMHO, the differences would be 1) Lander is much more secluded than Buffalo and as stated in previous posts, quite a ways from major shopping. 100+ miles to the major interstates. 2) buffalo is probably 'richer' than Lander b/c of the unequal distribution of wealth in the state and Lander doesn't much benefit from the 'boom.' 3) Lander is close to the new casinos, if you like to gamble. 4) rentals are tight in Lander, it does look like there is a fair number of homes for sale. 5) differences in the populations - Lander has more retirees, and 'nolsie" type people, native americans.....Buffalo it sounds like has more of a 'energy worker' type people.

They are comparable in terms of scenery, size and weather.