Cody and/or Sheridan??? (Cheyenne, Casper: low income, sales, rentals)

[whttigr]

Hello Everyone,
Can anyone tell me more about either one of these places? I used to live in the Riverton area, but I don't want to go back there. There really isn't much in that town that I want to be around (had some problems with ex and family). Right now I'm in Arizona and have been here for about 11 yrs so I know things have changed. What I would like to know is what is there for kids ranging in age from 4-13? How are the schools? How are jobs? I have 2 with special needs (walking disability). How is the medical? Where would I have to drive to for any specialists? Do you get all 4 seasons or is it more winter/summer? Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking to move right away as I have to save up for it. I'm a single mom raising 5 kids and would love to go somewhere that is family oriented and friendly. TIA

whttigr

[Kristynwy]

I would say it would be hard in the boom towns to find a rental.... Which are Gillette, which affects rentals in Buffalo & Sheridan and down in the Rock Springs area is having similar problems...

Cheyenne and Casper may be a little easier to find a place to live right now..

haha oops edited this post cause you already stated what towns you were looking at, and I asked what towns you were partial too... haha my goof up sorry about that

[whttigr]

Well, I'm not lookking to move right away and when I do I'm hoping to buy instead of rent. As for population, I don't want to be in the city. I have lived in the city for 26 yrs and the 4 yrs I spent in the small towns is what I enjoyed the most. However, I would like to be within 1-2 hours of a large city as that is where my daughters would more then likely need to have their specialists. I don't want somewhere too small though. As I said, I have children so I need them to have things to do. Thank you for your help.

whttigr

[WyoMama]

Both Cody & Sheridan are very specifi in their own styles but I believe the schools & medical community are pretty similar. I know the Cody medical community is both very diverse & very good. We have dialysis unit, cancer treatment center, building a new medical offiice building right now, and about 9-10 different types of surgeons & many of the reg. subspecialties here. It is VERY comparable to Sheridan in that regard & 22 miles away Powell has a very good hospital & great docs too. And just like Sheridan, Billings for tertiary care (and a cath lab) is only about 110 miles away & have Lifeflight, fixed wing or if weather is really bad, great EMT / Paramedics that go w/the Pt on ground transport. Unfortunately that is sort of a risk you take when you move to a pretty isolated area, which Cody is a bit more isolated than Sheridan - we don't have an interstate like Sheridan does to move places faster. We have great hunting, fishing, a lot of parks, the rodeo every dang night in the summer & gunfights, probably a little easier to find a place to live if you don't mind moving a couple of times before you find one to stay in - probably fewer ppl living in their trucks or campers waiting for a place to live here because we are not really affected by boom/bust - just tourism. But that is a PREICTABLE boom/bust period. At least so far it is - is still a lot of extra ppl in town so far this yr...and we DO have an airport - a few flights out each day - some by United to Denver & others by Skywest (Delta) to SLC, UT. Collge in Powell, a lot less private property in the moutains for hunting & camping than in the Sheridan arae from what I can tell, but can't swear to that. Just seems that way. We have a lot of wilderness over here, USFS, & BLM.

[Kristynwy]

Well if it will be a couple years and you are buying, I think you will be in a good position by that time... The housing markets have started to soften a little here.. Hopefully in a couple years, that will continue and prices will become a little more reasonable.

As far as medical care, Wyomama summed up Cody nicely.. I am not as familiar with the medical there... but have heard it is good also.

Sheridan has a nice hospital and some specialties right in town. Anything that is not in town will be in Billings,Mt 120 miles, nice little drive, but not to bad with the speed limit. A lot of us go to Billings for a day, no sales tax up there, so shopping and major stores are up there, or go to a specialist up there...

Jobs right now are plentiful, very easy to find one. However in a couple years, as the Methane pipe layers wind down, more jobs may become filled? not sure on that one... I would check out Worksource Wyoming This will give you an idea of the job market all over the state. May even have info on future outlook on different occupations.

As far as seasons... We get a short fall usually, and pretty good winter of course, and it varries each year how spring will go, this year it has really dragged out and we are still getting thunderstorms in June into July and it has given us a lot of precipitation which has made it really pretty and green this year some years though Spring is short, it is the heaviest amount of precip of the year here. Spring snow storms aren't uncommon. In the summer we get an average temp of 85, 90's and 100's some days aren't uncommon. But most of the time in the 80's..

Let us know if you have any other questions

[whttigr]

Thank you everyone for your responses. They are truely appreciated. I will check into everything you said. I can't wait til I can come visit these places. I will probably visit a couple different times before I make a final decision though. If you can think of anything else please let me know. Thanks again!!!!

[StealthRabbit]

I would definately check out Powell as a more affordable destination and near equal services / close to Cody. Jobs may be the tough part. Look to government or the college as a good place to land. I feel there might be a stronger supportive 'community' in Powell, as I have noticed farming communities to be better in that regard. Your mileage may vary.

[chris]

ditto for Powell. Was just there last week and very impressed by the town's feel, and the people. Kids loved the frog pond!

[WyattE]

Residents of Cody or Sheridan, do you find yourself frequently having to go out of town to Billings or elsewhere to get necessities or to shop or to get more of a selection or maybe get a sit down meal like at your franchise's restaurants? Or do you feel that both towns have what you need and you seldom leave town because you have what you need there?

[ElkHunter]

Sheridan, the good:

Sheridan is a wonderful town to raise a family. Our crime rate is low, the schools are outstanding, the teachers are wonderful.

Last year, we were awarded and named the Best Western Town in the US.

We don't have a mall, we have "Downtown". A 3 or 4 block area that you can pick up anything you need. We do have a Super Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Home Depot, Starbucks, Albertsons, Safeway, and lots and lots of mom & pop stores.

The people are friendly. We have a city park that is outstanding. Lots of activities, rodeo, street dances, softball, baseball, soccer, concerts, etc. We even have the Wyo Theater. Stage with acters. A open air tram bus that runs the length of town and back.

Sheridan the bad: There is no room. haha Don't get me wrong. The housing situation right now, sucks. There is nothing available for rent in this town. Lots of homes to buy, but nothing to rent. Well, I take that back, there's a couple houses in the $2,500. range for 3 bd 2 ba 2 car garage.

The town got hit with an energy boom a few years back and not wanting to over build, they've been careful. But seeing that the energy boom wasn't going to come and go quickly, they are now trying to build to meet the demand. Over 200 places have been built so far this summer with another 150-200 going up as we speak. Some has been built for low income, some regular, and some high dollar. So this fall should see some relief in the housing market.

To purchase a home, it's expensive right now. But it is on a down trend so it should get a little easier.

Sheridan is located next to the Big Horn mountains. So you head 20 miles west and your in an excellent place for camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, etc. Lake Desmet is about 28 miles South. Tongue River Reservoir is about 20 miles North into Montana. So lots of boating, skiing, and swimming opportunities.

If it's a short visit, there are outstanding vacation cottages available for around $500 a week, complete with kitchens, kitchen utinsils, maid service etc... Some even within 2 blocks of Main street.

Hope that helped answer some questions.