Unfamiliar with Wyoming (Sheridan, Jackson, Alpine: condo, houses, employment)

[gacri]

Hello, I am not real familiar with the state of Wyoming, but am contiplating making application to a position which would be located in the Jackson, Wyoming area. My family and I are from NW Pennsylvania and would be looking only because of this potential job opportunity. I have done some research online, but as you know it is never better hearing the truth from those that live there. I have (3) school aged children K,3 and 7th grade so schools are important....My wife is an nurse so I assume employment wouldn't be to tough for her. Any area in and around Jackson I think could be considered as the position is based out of Jackson. Thanks for your replys.

[tekape]

Jackson's cost of living is one of the highest in the state, so unless you're independently wealthy, can live with another family, or have paid housing....I would suggest living in Alpine or Star Valley. It's also a very high Mormon (LDS) population. I only say that because some people don't like particular religions (I, personally, have no problem with it). As a nurse, she shouldn't have a problem getting a job at the hospital (or whatever agency she may choose to work for) since Wyoming is very short on nurses at present.

[sunsprit]

If you have a million dollar housing budget, you can get into low-end family housing in Jackson. Otherwise, you'll be doing what most other working families in the area do ... which is to commute into Jackson from the outlying areas.

Jackson is Wyoming's home to the high end recreational/tourist/glitz economy, like Aspen is to Colorado, and other places where the rich and famous gather to be seen and play. They've simply priced out regular folks .... and a two income wage earning family isn't enough income to live there.

There's a fair number of Jackson workers who commute in from Driggs/Victor, Idaho, or from the Star Valley area, or from down the road by Bondurant. Keep in mind that the commute may not be easy or pleasant during the heavy snow winter months, and sometimes may be impassable at all due to road closures. These aren't superhighways to the area .....

Wyoming school districts tend to be well funded, and are generally pretty good schools. With the small population base, there's not the distinction between a good school and the undesirable schools on the other side of the city like you might find in big cities in other parts of the country ......

I'd strongly urge you to investigate housing opportunities in the area before you put in a job application, with an eye toward how far and potentially difficult your commute might be for work.

[StealthRabbit]

For true family values and a 'real' life I would forego the Jackson quest and look to the Bighorn basin or Sheridan. I think it would be very difficult to be 'normal' in Jackson unless copious amounts of money is absolutely free flowing in your household. The commute takes away a lot of quality family time, and would have to be quite far, thus adding to time, expense, and risk of a debilitating accident. (that would be bad for dad or mom with kids to tend). Don't over complicate life if there is a reasonable alternative. (Jackson is probably nicer to visit than to live and work, as are most 'resort towns'... wages low, housing high, & bosses demanding b'cuz they can get replacements EZ)

Sheridan has some good nursing opportunities. The VA center there is great for future career / retirement benefit, as they will pay for some terrific educational experiences. I have a sis who is an 'older' VA nurse, yet the VA is paying for a 2 yr residency (Housing, schooling, Salary + per diem) that will avail her some decent $$$ in or out of the VA system.

[JEN121570]

Unless you win the lottery, living in western Wyoming is too expensive for some people. Jackson Hole is a nice place to visit, but few "normal" folks can actually afford to live there.

[sunsprit]

Just for grins, I pulled up the "homes and land" website and looked at Jackson's current residential listings, at the lowest price points:

$400,000 for a building lot site with utilities to the site

a couple of 1 bedroom condo's at $400-600K

a one bedroom one bath house at $800,000

several two/three bedroom houses with one bathroom at around the $1mil mark.

and upwards from there if you want to look at 3 bedroom/2bath houses.

This is not a housing market targeted to working folks ....