Moving to Cheyenne (Jackson, South Park, Burns: appointed, real estate market, for rent)

[mekms]

My family and I will be moving to Cheyenne in the spring, and are curious of what areas we should avoid, as far as housing. We had seen a twin-house for rent called South Park Estates, I believe it is by Patton Dr, but it is definitely by the Holiday Inn. I was told to stay away from the south side of town, but that is where this place is, which is newer housing. So does anyone have any specific info for South Park Estates as well as other areas I should be looking at or avoiding.

[Northern Utah News]

We lived in the South West part of town and everyone told us to avoid it and move once we got there. They even told us to send our kids to the other end of town for school. Wrong! We loved it. The roughest part of town in Cheyenne is like the best part of town in Denver or other cities. Low crime and good people.

[Netman262]

The south side of Cheyenne IS the worst part of town. But mostly further south on S. Greeley Hwy south of interstate 80 that you really have to watch out for. South Park was built in the northern part of the south side more toward Lincolnway.

There are some less than desirable sections is this area that you will have to drive through to get to South Park. South Park is like an oasis in that section.

However, I would not recommend the homes in South Park though. Not because of where they are located as much as the quality of the homes themselves.

The homes are very cheaply built and have had several problems with insulation, windows not sealing properly so wind comes through on windy days, fences coming apart....

For the price they are asking in that area you could find a much better home in a better area.


Netman262
[Mod cut]

[rmmoore]

Yes, the "south side" of Cheyenne is the "worst" part of town relative to crime, ect. But, as someone else said, it's still better than most parts of any major metro. Have you considered looking east of Cheyenne, or maybe Burns? The housing north of town is newer, and expensive. There are some fairly nice subdivisions near the new Saddle Ridge Elementary (east side). I believe the new Jackson or Johnson Middle School is in the general area you are talking about, and there are some newer homes/subdivision in that area also. That area is only a few minutes away from the Interstate, and so is fairly well removed from the "bad" part of town. I always laugh when I hear people say that about Cheyenne. Even moreso when they live in an urban jungle.

There are some areas that are better than others, as is the case anywhere you live. I would stay away from the area of town located between I-80 and Lincolnway; Central Ave. (Hwy 85) and College Dr. This is a "square" that is an older part of town built around the Frontier Refinery and Railroad to some degree. If you're retired, it might be ok. I suppose it depends on what you want, and what your budget is. The Real Estate market in Cheyenne has softened a little bit, but NOT like the rest of the country. So, you will be disappointed if you think you'll "steal" a home here. Values may be substantially lower, or sustantially higher than where you're from , but they HAVE NOT dropped like a rock from the economic/housing slowdown. At least not yet.

Southside is ok, but if you go that route, go farther south, almost to Terry Bison Ranch Road. There are some nice homes in that area, I have some friends who live there. Yes, you'll have to drive through the industrailized "bad" part of town, all 2-3 miles of it, with only 1 or 2 redlights.

Good luck with your move. Find a Realtor, it'll make your life and search a LOT easier. And no, I'm not in the Real Estate business

[dthoffsett]

I'm originally from eastern KS and agree with the others that if you come from a larger city you won't find a "bad" area here in Cheyenne. I too was told to avoid the south side, but still didn't see anything that would upset me. I ended up on the western edge of downtown, I like older houses so it works for me. One of the downsides of living in the older part of town is that most of the houses still have clay sewer pipes, so you have to have them cleaned once or twice a year due to tree roots. It's a good idea to ask about that.

As far as quality of homes IMO most of the houses south of the viaduct (Central & Lincolnway) are of poorer quality, it's also where most of the crime is (though still not of the standards I was used to ha ha). Avoid anything near King Arthur Way (it's a street), that's the biggest "hot spot" that comes to mind.

Also, really take your time to go through a house, in my search I found some really poor quality ones, talking to the neighbors is a good idea too. I ended up passing on a really nice house when both neighbors warned me about sewer problems.