moving from Michgian to Rock Springs (Casper, Gillette: for sale, apartments, rental)

[missysimp]

I am sure you all know the state of the economy in Michigan......so we are forced to move so my husband can find a job. We have looked at all areas on the internet, but neither of us have been to Wyoming. I lived my first 35 years in the suburbs of Detroit, 4 years ago we moved to a rural area in Mid-Michigan, county population of 28,000. My husband is a truck driver and I work in local government. We have 2 children, ages 9 & 11.

Can anyone tell me about the Rock Springs area or another great place to live in Wyoming?

I don't need immediate access to malls, I can drive a while to shop, but both my daughters dance and I would like them to have access to a dance school.

[WyoNewk]

I don't know if you'd be interested in the other corner (NE) of Wyoming, but Gillette has more jobs than workers, and it has at least a couple dance schools for youngsters. Like Rock Springs, the economy is healthy and rental housing is rather scarce. It's farther from any large city but has good access to smaller cities like Rapid City, SD and Casper, WY, which are both about 130 miles away.

For the past few years Gillette has been recruiting heavily in Michigan, so we have quite a few new residents from your state. The ones I know say they like it here.

[missysimp]

Thank you, I will definitely look at Gillette. Part of the reason we are looking in Rock Springs is that my husband has looked at a job with Plains Marketing and they have openings in Wamsutter, Farson and La Barge. What I have found out about Wamsutter is that we do not want to live there. I don't know anything about the other two areas.

Glad to hear the Michigander's like it there. It's a big decision to up root the family and leave everyone we know, but hey, we gotta eat.

I just wish we knew someone there, so I am hoping this thread will help.

[WyoNewk]

I have a townhouse in Gillette that I rent to a young couple who moved here from Michigan last summer. They're doing great and seem to really like it here. The hubby's mother followed them here, as I recall, but ended up settling in Casper.

One nice thing about moving to the "boom towns" is that there are hundreds of others who have moved here recently too. The "newcomers" far, far outnumber the natives, so it's easy to quickly feel right at home.

[missysimp]

wow, thanks for the info, I am starting to feel better about this. 4 years ago we moved about 3 hours north of our home and didn't know anyone.......and we quickly made some great friends, and my parents followed too. I know they will not follow us out west though.

I am nervous about the housing situation. Here there are houses for sale on every corner, and they are giving them away. It seems we will have to pay about twice what we paid for our current house for the same thing there.

[WyoNewk]

Yeah, that's the downside of moving to a boomtown -- housing prices and availability. I think decent starter homes go for around $225,000 and up. That would be like 3 bdrm, 2 bath, double garage -- 1100-1200 sq. ft. But if you buy, there's a decent selection now. A year ago you couldn't hardly find a house in that range. Contractors have been building apartments and starter homes about as fast as they can.

The townhouse I mentioned uptopic is around 1100 sq. ft., 3 bdrm, 2.5 baths, full unfinished basement, single garage, fenced yard, fireplace. It's decent but spartan, and I rent it for $1000/month. However, there's one right next to it that's also a rental, same floor plan, and I think it goes for $1250/month. That'll give you an idea.

But the wages are good and jobs plentiful. You and your husband should be able to earn $75,000 or better. About the only restriction to making good money is drug use. Most jobs require drug testing, especially the industrial type jobs.

[missysimp]

well lucky for us, the drug testing won't be an issue, they can test us all they want.

Most likely my husband will head out in January and myself and kids will follow in June.

Does anyone know anything about Plains Marketing?

Thanks again for all your info, you have been very helpful.

[gfpd8405]

Wondering if anyone on the board has an idea of what kind of wages apprentice electricians make in Rock Springs. I have looked online but have not really found anything. I am looking at Questar gas company in particular.

[Wyomiles]

Not sure but I would think low wage would be in the $20 + per hour range. With good skills it should be closer to $30 but that is just a guess. Can you call or e-mail Questar and ask what the pay range is?

[itsmethejg]

You can move out here from where ever you want but understand that when the gas is done flowing here there will be no jobs again. Gillette is not a bad place but it is not great either. The work is good there along with Rock Springs. I highly suggest not living in Wamsutter though, for you will become suicidal very quickly. Rawlins for that matter is another place to avoid. There is probably work there but the town looks like a scene from a horror film.

Again Wyoming looks attractive now but weigh your long term options before moving here on blind faith that you can make $40.00/hour. And by the way, Questar is the lowest starting pay out of any of the production companies in Wyoming. They would most likely start at $18/hr instead of $30 as someone else posted on here. Questar will also transfer you if they feel it is neccessary so don't get too comfortable!