Western WY city choices (Cheyenne, Sheridan: environment, insurance, vacation)

[Kristynwy]

1. Lander (I have never been there so don't know?)

2. Pinedale (Never been there?)

3. Riverton (I knew of one guy that used to work out there ina prision, made a pretty good wage, and he loved living out there... Housing is very reasonably priced here, I think you could easily find acreage)
4. Dubois (never been here)
5. Worland (never been here)
6. Meeteet$e (never been here)
7. Cody/Powell/Clark (Cody is a nice lil town, when we went through there on vacation last year, the people were so nice and down to earth.. but I hear it is getting very touristy and lots of people are coming and buying homes in cash and raising the home prices.. but it is a nice place )

8. Lovell (If you don't mind the Morman Community, I think this town has a high percentage if I am correct? I am still a newby...)

9. Sheridan( Of course you know this is my fav Not sure what your housing budget is, but housing is still a bit tight here, my husband and I want to wait things out for the next year or so, and watch the economy, keep our bills paid down, and if there is a slowdown, it would be a good time to buy for us... but only time will tell)

10.Buffalo ( My hubby has been to Buffalo, I haven't yet.. but it is a nice area.. I think housing may a tiny bit less, but still similar to Sheridan... Beautiful area I hear)

I think northern Idaho is absolutely beautiful, and I loved the drive of I-90 all the way through Montana, going through Butte, Bozeman, and down to Billings.. It was absolutely beautiful... I think Wy's economy and job market is doing better than MT's? I could be wrong, but that's what I though.. I would live in MT in a heart beat, but too hard to find work and affordable housing there in anymore.. it is becoming a sought after state now.. so is Northern Idaho..

Our vacation last year to N. Idaho, Montana up to Glacier Park, and Yellowstone to Sheridan, for us last year was much like yours, we had almost 2 weeks.. We had to drive into the evening hours a few nights, but we were able to see the Tetons, Yellowstone, Cody, Sheridan, all kinds of placed in Montana, and Glacier park, and Northern Idaho and that was with a toddler lol...

I bet you will have a ton of fun on vacation... I am excited for ya

[YOU-CANT-EAT-SCENERY]

Originally Posted by Kristynwy

1. Lander (I have never been there so don't know?)

2. Pinedale (Never been there?)

3. Riverton (I knew of one guy that used to work out there ina prision, made a pretty good wage, and he loved living out there... Housing is very reasonably priced here, I think you could easily find acreage)
4. Dubois (never been here)
5. Worland (never been here)
6. Meeteet$e (never been here)
7. Cody/Powell/Clark (Cody is a nice lil town, when we went through there on vacation last year, the people were so nice and down to earth.. but I hear it is getting very touristy and lots of people are coming and buying homes in cash and raising the home prices.. but it is a nice place )

8. Lovell (If you don't mind the Morman Community, I think this town has a high percentage if I am correct? I am still a newby...)

9. Sheridan( Of course you know this is my fav Not sure what your housing budget is, but housing is still a bit tight here, my husband and I want to wait things out for the next year or so, and watch the economy, keep our bills paid down, and if there is a slowdown, it would be a good time to buy for us... but only time will tell)

10.Buffalo ( My hubby has been to Buffalo, I haven't yet.. but it is a nice area.. I think housing may a tiny bit less, but still similar to Sheridan... Beautiful area I hear)

I think northern Idaho is absolutely beautiful, and I loved the drive of I-90 all the way through Montana, going through Butte, Bozeman, and down to Billings.. It was absolutely beautiful... I think Wy's economy and job market is doing better than MT's? I could be wrong, but that's what I though.. I would live in MT in a heart beat, but too hard to find work and affordable housing there in anymore.. it is becoming a sought after state now.. so is Northern Idaho..

Our vacation last year to N. Idaho, Montana up to Glacier Park, and Yellowstone to Sheridan, for us last year was much like yours, we had almost 2 weeks.. We had to drive into the evening hours a few nights, but we were able to see the Tetons, Yellowstone, Cody, Sheridan, all kinds of placed in Montana, and Glacier park, and Northern Idaho and that was with a toddler lol...

I bet you will have a ton of fun on vacation... I am excited for ya

Thanks you Kristy How are you guys adjusting to your new home? Getting used to the weather?

Looking at Cody properties, they are kinda pricey. I am hoping for a budget of 300K, but I'll have to wait and see. If interest rates keep going down, we might refi our current house into a 15 year mortgage, to get it paid down sooner, to establish more equity sooner. Long range plan for our 6 year away move.

Riverton properties do seem quite a bit cheaper for what you get. Can get a nice spread with a decent house, with a barn and a shop for around 250K.

Western MT, especially the Bitterroot Valley is getting pretty pricey. Seems to be plenty of jobs if you're in construction, which i'm not. I think central and eastern MT, are a little better job wise, but I would like mountains, not desert. I posted this same thing on the MT board, but with MT cities listed, and received some good feedback. Also did the same on the ID board.

Well Kristy, get out there and do some road trips around WY for me, and give me some info Just messin with ya.

TTFN
John

[Kristynwy]

Originally Posted by johns65vette

Thanks you Kristy How are you guys adjusting to your new home? Getting used to the weather?

Looking at Cody properties, they are kinda pricey. I am hoping for a budget of 300K, but I'll have to wait and see. If interest rates keep going down, we might refi our current house into a 15 year mortgage, to get it paid down sooner, to establish more equity sooner. Long range plan for our 6 year away move.

Riverton properties do seem quite a bit cheaper for what you get. Can get a nice spread with a decent house, with a barn and a shop for around 250K.

Western MT, especially the Bitterroot Valley is getting pretty pricey. Seems to be plenty of jobs if you're in construction, which i'm not. I think central and eastern MT, are a little better job wise, but I would like mountains, not desert. I posted this same thing on the MT board, but with MT cities listed, and received some good feedback. Also did the same on the ID board.

Well Kristy, get out there and do some road trips around WY for me, and give me some info Just messin with ya.

TTFN
John

We are doing pretty good so far The locals have told me this is the most snow since 1998... So if this is close to the worst, it's not too bad... However, our front wheel drive car with all season tires and chains occasionally is doing great, but the clearance is not enough and sometimes we get "high-centered" so we will be getting a 4 wheel drive of some sort this summer.

I was pleasantly surprised though, because 30 degrees in Oregon is cold, and feels it. But here it doesn't start to feel cold till it gets below zero. You can wear a sweatshirt on a 30 degree day here and as long as there is sun and you are walking around you feel fine. I guess it is because there is less humidity here compared to Oregon.

Well with your budget I think you should be able to find a place over here no problem That is a good idea about the 15 year loan, the more equity you have is really good in the long run

Well it sounds you are really doing your homework, so where ever you end up I am sure you and your wife will be really happy

I will get started on those road trips ASAP Lol...

Actually we are going to try to go to Devils Tower as the weather get's nicer...

I have never been to the black hills, so my hubby wants to take me there and see Mt. Rushmore. I have never been down to Cheyenne or Denver, so maybe I want to eventually go and see that..

And of course hubby wants to make a trip to Nebraska to go to Cabelas! Lol....

It will probably be a while though, as we are trying to pinch pennies at the moment

[talibkwali]

Just for clarification, prices in the 'root are far lower than places in central montana such as Bozeman or Belgrade. Less construction here, too.

[YOU-CANT-EAT-SCENERY]

Originally Posted by talibkwali

Just for clarification, prices in the 'root are far lower than places in central montana such as Bozeman or Belgrade. Less construction here, too.

Thanks tali ... after listening to JoeJoeMan on the MT forum painting a picture of doom and gloom, for the BV and Missoula areas, it makes a person start to second guess a move there.

[janb]

Originally Posted by johns65vette

Looking at Cody properties, they are kinda pricey. ... Riverton properties do seem quite a bit cheaper for what you get.
...do some road trips around WY for me, and give me some info Just messin with ya.

I'd focus on Powell for better values and it is a decent place.
Be sure to take the route between Sheridan and Powell / Greybull; Through Burgess Jct. (once the road opens for summer ) It's one of my favorites. Plan a nice afternoon nap (or picnic lunch) in a meadow next to a stream above Burgess Jct.

[YOU-CANT-EAT-SCENERY]

Originally Posted by janb

I'd focus on Powell for better values and it is a decent place.
Be sure to take the route between Sheridan and Powell / Greybull; Through Burgess Jct. (once the road opens for summer ) It's one of my favorites. Plan a nice afternoon nap (or picnic lunch) in a meadow next to a stream above Burgess Jct.

That sounds real nice. Yes Powell does seem to have better value also, as well as Frannie. Little closer to the MT border also, which might be an advantage.

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by Kristynwy

Actually we are going to try to go to Devils Tower as the weather get's nicer...

I have never been to the black hills, so my hubby wants to take me there and see Mt. Rushmore. I have never been down to Cheyenne or Denver, so maybe I want to eventually go and see that..

And of course hubby wants to make a trip to Nebraska to go to Cabelas! Lol....

It will probably be a while though, as we are trying to pinch pennies at the moment

Kristyn,
I think you will enjoy the trip when you take it. I did that route a couple years ago and loved it. I only got to see Devil's Tower from I-90 though, since I didn't have an extra day to head up there. The Cabelas store in Sydney, Nebraska is worth the trip, at least if you like the outdoors stuff they are known for. For what it's worth, they also have a store in Lehi, Utah, that is pretty close to the southwest corner of Wyoming. For you guys, it is probably about the same distance. Mt. Rushmore is incredible, and in my opinion, is reason enough to go to SD.

If you like steam trains, there is an operating excursion train between Keystone and Hill City, SD, very close to Mt. Rushmore, called the 1880 steam train. Here's the website: http://www.1880train.com/

The Union Pacific Railroad also operates their heritage steam locomotives several times each year, so if you plan your trip properly, you might get to see this when you get to Cheyenne.

Here's part of the schedule from the website: http://www.upsteam.com/schedule.html#schedule

July 19 - 23:
Annual CO/WY Legislative Trip/Frontier Days Trip. This is the Centennial of the first UP Cheyenne Frontier Days Special. We are planning for a doubleheader of 844 and 3985.

The 844 and 3985 refer to the locomotive numbers of two of the largest operating steam locomotives in the world. #844 is a 4-8-4 "northern" or "F-E-F" configuration, while #3985 is a 4-6-6-4 articulated "Challenger" type. Seeing these locomotives in action is a sight to behold.

From the pictures I've seen that you posted, the demise of steam locomotives probably took place before you were born, so this would probably be something of a novelty for you, as I know it is for me. The beauty and grace of these trains when they are in operation is magnificent. Even if you're not a fan of steam trains, this is something you may want to see at least once in your life.

The other thing that you might want to see while you are in Cheyenne is the Frontier Days Rodeo. I believe it is still the largest rodeo in the country. I've been in Cheyenne the last two years when the rodeo was happening, but I didn't have time to stay for it, so I still need to experience it.

I know you have a lot to see when you get out and about on your road trips. I just wanted you to know that there are some things out there that you might not have known about.

[msears]

1. Lander -- medium size town for Wyoming, very scenic and nice community, work is scarce, housing reasonable.
2. Pinedale - booming energy town in the mountains, lots of work, very very short on housing
3. Riverton - medium size town for Wyoming, near the Wind River River Indian reservation, sits on the plain so not scenic but just east of the Wind River Mountains, lots of small rural agriculutural properties for sale in the area at very reasonable prices, work is more difficult to find than in most Wyoming energy areas.
4. Dubois -- small town on the east slope of the Wind River Mountains, extremely scenic, property prices near town are fairly reasonable but increase dramatically in price as you go up the slope, work is very hard to find in the area.
5. Worland -- medium size town sitting in the middle of the Big Horn Basin, which is surrounded by mountains. However, Worland is out on the plains on the west side of the 'badlands'. Easy access to the Big Horn Mountains -- 30 minutes east. Property prices are very reasonable but work is hard to find, and wages are below what is paid in eastern Wyoming
6. Mee*****e - very small agricultural community on the west side of the Big Horn Basin south of Cody. No work -- would have to commute to Cody most likely although there may be some small business opportunities in the area??? House is cheap if I remember right.
7. Cody/Powell/Clark -- on the northern end of the Big Horn Basin. Housing in Cody is extremely expensive, much more reasonable in Powell. I don't know about Clark. Work is harder to find in the area as it is mostly depend on either tourism or agriculture. Some oil activity in the area.
8. Lovell is medium size and in the same general work force area as Cody/Powell/Clark. Has a sugar beet factory which is seasonal work.
9. & 10 Sheridan & Buffalo -- on the eastern side of the Big Horn Mountains. Currently has a lot of work available in the Coal Bed Methane industries. Sheridan is bigger than Buffalo. Property in both towns is expensive especially rural property. Area wages are generally below what is being paid in more energy active areas of the state like Gillette. Some people do commute to Gillette from Buffalo -- about 60 miles one way depending on what field you work at.


Merideth

[YOU-CANT-EAT-SCENERY]

Originally Posted by msears

1. Lander -- medium size town for Wyoming, very scenic and nice community, work is scarce, housing reasonable.
2. Pinedale - booming energy town in the mountains, lots of work, very very short on housing
3. Riverton - medium size town for Wyoming, near the Wind River River Indian reservation, sits on the plain so not scenic but just east of the Wind River Mountains, lots of small rural agriculutural properties for sale in the area at very reasonable prices, work is more difficult to find than in most Wyoming energy areas.
4. Dubois -- small town on the east slope of the Wind River Mountains, extremely scenic, property prices near town are fairly reasonable but increase dramatically in price as you go up the slope, work is very hard to find in the area.
5. Worland -- medium size town sitting in the middle of the Big Horn Basin, which is surrounded by mountains. However, Worland is out on the plains on the west side of the 'badlands'. Easy access to the Big Horn Mountains -- 30 minutes east. Property prices are very reasonable but work is hard to find, and wages are below what is paid in eastern Wyoming
6. Mee*****e - very small agricultural community on the west side of the Big Horn Basin south of Cody. No work -- would have to commute to Cody most likely although there may be some small business opportunities in the area??? House is cheap if I remember right.
7. Cody/Powell/Clark -- on the northern end of the Big Horn Basin. Housing in Cody is extremely expensive, much more reasonable in Powell. I don't know about Clark. Work is harder to find in the area as it is mostly depend on either tourism or agriculture. Some oil activity in the area.
8. Lovell is medium size and in the same general work force area as Cody/Powell/Clark. Has a sugar beet factory which is seasonal work.
9. & 10 Sheridan & Buffalo -- on the eastern side of the Big Horn Mountains. Currently has a lot of work available in the Coal Bed Methane industries. Sheridan is bigger than Buffalo. Property in both towns is expensive especially rural property. Area wages are generally below what is being paid in more energy active areas of the state like Gillette. Some people do commute to Gillette from Buffalo -- about 60 miles one way depending on what field you work at.


Merideth

Thanks Merideth

Seems like the only places with work are Pinedale, Sheridan, Buffalo I don't mind commuting though. I would rather drive a long distance with no traffic, than a short distance with a lot of traffic.

I guess all this brings me to another point/question. Could a guy open up an auto repair shop (non diagnostic) in some of these towns, and make a living, if of course he was honest Just doing the basics of oil/filter changes, tune-ups, brakes, etc. The guys I work with here, keep telling me I should open my own auto repair, but there is no way I would do it here in Kookyfornia, with all the rules and regulations, plus the expense of getting started.
Maybe try to hook up with a retiring shop owner, and buy/take over an existing business.
Your thoughts/ideas are appreciated.