Newcastle, WY? (Casper, Gillette, Upton: apartment complex, rental, houses)

[no8fann]

I am considering a position with USDA Forest Service in this area. Can anyone tell me anything about it? TIA!

[jdavid93225]

Newcastle is a small town (Population around 3000, IIRC) with basic amenities, but little else. In other words, there are no big box stores that I can remember (Walmart, Best Buy, etc.), and very little in the way of fast food (there was a Subway there last time I was there). If those things matter to you, it's not the place you want to be.

City-Data has the best info I've seen on most of the towns in Wyoming, and elsewhere, for that matter. Here's a link for Newcastle:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Newcastle-Wyoming.html

I would recommend you visit there if you are seriously considering moving there. Personally, I've only spent a couple days there as I was visiting that area. The area is quite beautiful, and if you don't have many expectations about the town, you might find it to your liking. Having a stable job and income would be a huge benefit, since small towns typically don't offer a lot in the way of job opportunities. There is a substantial population in that part of the state (around Gillette) working in the nearby coal mines, so that may impact housing availability and pricing.

The biggest drawback that I can see for most folks is the limited amenities, and the long distances necessary to travel for those things you can't get in town. From what I understand, most folks go to either Gillette, Wyoming, or Rapid City, South Dakota to stock up. Either one will take a couple of hours to get to, from what I have read on this forum.

[HighlandLady]

jdavid nailed pretty much what Newcastle has to offer. It does have Subway, Taco Johns, and Pizza Hut - for your chain-restaurants. It has a couple home-town eateries. The Forest Service there is nearly top-notch, I know a few who are employed there and they love it. You would be right in the Black Hills.
Newcastle has three or four petrol stations, Pamida, two grocery stores, a clinic, hospital, dentist clinic, two physical therapy clinics, mental health facilities, library, a couple dollar stores, etc. The schools are fair...relatively new high school and elementary school. There is an Honour Camp north of town that houses minimum security inmates. There are lakes in the vicinity, areas to hunt elk, deer, antelope, etc.
It is a slower paced town, but friendly. Very beautiful location...only 7 miles to the SD border. As jdavid stated, most travel out of the area for bulk supplies and shopping. Gillette, Rapid City, and Spearfish are roughly 60 miles from Newcastle. The drive to Spearfish or Rapid, for instance, is a beautiful one.
I have family that reside there and love returning for visits. If there's any other questions I can answer, feel free to ask

[no8fann]

Thanks for the replies. I haven't lived in a small town for years, but I think I could adapt. I am interested in the quality of the schools and available housing. I have a daughter who is in elementary school, and her curriculum is fairly advanced. I would probably not be looking to buy something immediately, so having available rental property would be important. I grew up in Rapid in the 70's and early 80's, so I am familiar with that side of things, but not familiar with anything in the opposite direction! How far is Gillette, and are there any other communities within commuting distance?

[HighlandLady]

As far as the schools are concerned, they are fairly on par with the rest of the nation. My son attended the elementary school and loved it. Last year, the middle school adopted the laptop program that has been part of the larger schools curriculum...students are assigned laptops instead of a pile of books - which my son loved, but they haven't adopted that here in Alaska so he's a bit unhappy .

Rental property - from when I resided there - wasn't real difficult to find. There are some realty companies (Black Gold Realty is a big one - not to advertise here or anything...they do have a website), a lot are available by word of mouth. If you have the opportunity to visit Newcastle, please do so. There are a few places that have 'for rent' signs posted on the property but are not listed with any services. There is a low-income apartment complex, but from what I have heard the waiting list is 3 years long.
Gillette is roughly 60 miles or so heading out on Highway 16. You'll go through Osage and Upton then to Moorcroft (all small towns) before hitting the interstate to Gillette. Osage has roughly 350 (from what I remember...could be a lot smaller now) souls, Upton is a little larger than that. As far as communities - Newcastle is the largest in Weston County. One has to travel a bit to access larger communities. Casper, WY for instance is 121 miles from Newcastle.
Going to Rapid from Newcastle (roughly 60+miles)- through Hell's Canyon - one goes through Custer and Hill City usually. Going to Spearfish (again roughly 60+miles) is lovely through the Spearfish Canyon (I usually went to Spearfish for groceries and the like, to dodge the crowds of Rapid and for the drive).
If you are looking for shopping centers, heavy social amenities, and the like...you will have to travel. But for small-town life with friendly neighbours and ease of pace...you'll do fine. And reading your status comment - Newcastle does have a very nice Girl Scout troop.

[jdavid93225]

Highland Lady,
You have provided a lot of great info, well above and beyond what I know of Newcastle. I am sure it is well received. Having only traveled through there, and staying one night, I didn't know a lot about the town, but wanted to give info about what I knew, since no one else had yet replied. Thank you for your wonderful information.

[no8fann]

Originally Posted by HighlandLady

As far as the schools are concerned, they are fairly on par with the rest of the nation. My son attended the elementary school and loved it. Last year, the middle school adopted the laptop program that has been part of the larger schools curriculum...students are assigned laptops instead of a pile of books - which my son loved, but they haven't adopted that here in Alaska so he's a bit unhappy .

Rental property - from when I resided there - wasn't real difficult to find. There are some realty companies (Black Gold Realty is a big one - not to advertise here or anything...they do have a website), a lot are available by word of mouth. If you have the opportunity to visit Newcastle, please do so. There are a few places that have 'for rent' signs posted on the property but are not listed with any services. There is a low-income apartment complex, but from what I have heard the waiting list is 3 years long.
Gillette is roughly 60 miles or so heading out on Highway 16. You'll go through Osage and Upton then to Moorcroft (all small towns) before hitting the interstate to Gillette. Osage has roughly 350 (from what I remember...could be a lot smaller now) souls, Upton is a little larger than that. As far as communities - Newcastle is the largest in Weston County. One has to travel a bit to access larger communities. Casper, WY for instance is 121 miles from Newcastle.
Going to Rapid from Newcastle (roughly 60+miles)- through Hell's Canyon - one goes through Custer and Hill City usually. Going to Spearfish (again roughly 60+miles) is lovely through the Spearfish Canyon (I usually went to Spearfish for groceries and the like, to dodge the crowds of Rapid and for the drive).
If you are looking for shopping centers, heavy social amenities, and the like...you will have to travel. But for small-town life with friendly neighbours and ease of pace...you'll do fine. And reading your status comment - Newcastle does have a very nice Girl Scout troop.

Thank you so much! This is exactly the kind of information I need! And having a girl scout troop is a bonus! My daughter is part of a very active troop, and it will help ease the transition for her! Thanks again!

[HighlandLady]

Thank you to both of you I became very involved in Newcastle when I resided there and am always happy to answer any questions; if I don't know the answer, I still have plenty of family who reside there to ask.

no8, I wish you the best of luck.

[no8fann]

Thanks! I have applied for the same position in Custer, and I would really like that one, but I would definitely be open to the one in WY, too! Thanks for the info!