looking for small town relocation (Gillette, Rock Springs: equity, hotels, trip)

[sami4jesus]

My husband and I are wanting to relocate to Wyoming but are unsure where to really look. I am an accountant and office manager for a construction company and have experience in HVAC and other service company management as well as administration assistant.
We are looking for a fairly small town (under 10K preferably). We both love the mountains and tree filled landscapes. We also enjoy the snow but don't get alot where we are currently living in Ky. We are nearing retirement age and want to make our permenant home there.
A friend of mine recently moved to Jackson but the cost of living there seems out of sight.
Any suggestions?
thank you
Jackie and Michael

[MHT]

You're right - Jackson is very expensive. Get out a map (preferably a topo) and look at the state. You'll be able to tell where the mountains are - you'll have better luck finding trees there. You might look at Cody, Sheridan, Buffalo, Lander. I'm sure that there are other posters that will have other suggestions for you. Good luck.

[Kristynwy]

I think you should check out Sheridan and Buffalo..
Story is a little mountain town also, but a little more pricey for housing.. but it has lots of trees..

We just moved to Sheridan and love it so far. It is a little bit hard to find rentals at the moment.. many living in hotels/motels till they can find a place to rent...

But I don't think retired people are having much problem find property and housing to buy.. having retirement and equity will help, because housing is a bit high for this area at the moment.. but compared to other states in the nation, it is fairly affordable..

[shadowwalker]

Check out Thermopolis and Saratoga.Maybe Riverton and Lander.

[Pegib]

Lander is also a good choice!
Great mountain views and the need for your skills are here.
There are many tourist`s coming through this Western town.

Approximate population 7000.

Pegib

[MRVphotog]

hmmmmm "tree filled landscapes" not a whole lot of that in Wyoming if your using a reference point like the northwest, southeast or the northeast. The western "tree filled landscape" is abit diferent.

As mentioned by others the most trees are in the mountains and the towns that are right up against them. As others have mentioned Jackson, Alpine, Pinedale, Dubois, Sheridan, Lander, Buffalo and Cody.

You should definately take a trip and see for yourselves, that's the only way your going to be able to get a feeling for the landscape.

[sunsprit]

Between the altitude and the overall dry climate, "trees" are a whole different item here than the wetter/warmer areas of the USA.

MRV is right on ... better visit before you consider this landscape as "forest". Many wooded places here don't have a lower level "second growth layer" on the ground ... it's rather barren at ground level below the pines and evergreens compared to Eastern forests of deciduous hardwoods.

Consider, also, that the places that are more heavily wooded here are the popular areas with affluent 2nd home owners ... tourist areas with a much higher cost of housing and living expenses. Most of the energy boom areas (Rock Springs, Gillette, etc.) aren't so scenic, so they're out (but they're still very expensive places to buy housing).

While a trip to check out the opportunities now during the summer months would be advisable, you should also come back during December-March to check out the living conditions during that time. Snow/cold/wind combination will give you a clue about the other 5-6 months of the year here. Many people move to Wyoming during the nice weather and move away after the first winter ....

Job opportunities certainly exist for your skills all around the state, although may not pay as much as you're used to in KY.