moving to wyoming? (Gillette, Torrington, Newcastle: transplants, rent, crime)

[willarn]

My wife and me are thinking of moving to northeast wyoming can some one tell us about the area? Sundance is what we are thinking about. My dad lives in Piedmont South Dakota. I was born Rapid City lived there till I was 19. moved to Phoienx AZ lived there 20 years tired of the rat race.
moved to Iowa I like it here but it doen't snow here very much and I miss the black hills. My dad says it's changed so much since I was there 25 years ago. So it sounds like wyoming hasn't so much. Whats the jobs look like up there? houses? I'm a welder,truckdriver,if its broke I can fix it kind of guy.
thanks.

[GEORGIAINMT]

If you're looking for a good job then Gillette would be a better bet for you than
Sundance as far as work goes. You could live in Sundance and commute, but I wouldn't want to do that, especially in the winter! I don't much about Sundance, but there isn't a lot going on there, being a small town. Gillette is still booming with jobs and growth. We have about 32K people now. Of course you aren't as close to the Black Hills, but still close by Wyoming standards. Rent is expensive here but pay is high and other things like taxes, gas, utilities, etc. are low. Just a thought if you are considering NE Wyoming!

[willarn]

My wife commutes now to Omaha NE 36 miles now. Gillette is about 60 miles from Sundance it looks that way on the map? my wife will work via the compter. I have my own mobile welding business and fire wood and tree removal business. We live in a small town 260 some people no business here we have a welding shop and farm service co. I work for farm service part time.

[GEORGIAINMT]

Sounds like Sundance might be a nice place for you then. Small, like you are used to, and if your wife can work at home that's great! With you being self-employed you could go anywhere for work, so you could come over as far as the Gillette area. Seems there's always a need for welders & mechanics at the mines and elsewhere, but not sure if for self-employed.

[WyoNewk]

I've been in Gillette for almost 39 years now. It's changed big time, and it seems Rapid City has changed right along with Gillette -- not as much in size as in the retail community. It's still a nice, small city; it just has malls now.

Sundance is still the same charming little town it's always been. I do a little work there now and then and always enjoy it. The people all seem really friendly, more so than any community I can think of. It has been growing a little, mostly from Gillette workers making it home, or so I'm told.

[ImAHobbit]

I live in (near) Sundance and things are a little 'tricky' around here.

My family and I have only been here for 6 1/2 yrs and are still having problems fitting in. Seems as though if you're not originally from here then you don't get to participate. This isn't always the way, but in some things it is. After 4 years in a church (I'm not going to say which) we found out that our opinion didn't matter a hill of beans to the "founders" who built the church and have the only say that mattered.
Our son, now 15 yrs old, still has trouble at school because he isn't "local" even though he is one of the most outgoing kids at the high school.
I guess it just matters what you are looking for in a home town, but after all these years we are considering moving away because of these reasons.

There are jobs here in Sundance especially for those who are mechanically inclined. The pay isn't near what it is in Gillette, but the cost of living outweighs it greatly and most of the good paying jobs in Gillette are shift work at the mines. If you get in a bind and need work, there are lots of places begging for workers in Gillette and the drive is 62 miles of interstate and they take good care of the roads.

There are big advantages to living in Sundance including the weather (it's generally warmer than Gillette in winter-but we get more snow and cooler in the summer and we get less wind). The mountains are really nice and the hunting is decent. The Wal-mart in Spearfish is much nicer than the one in Gillette and Rapid City is only a little over an hour away. It's a lot quieter in Sundance and we don't have the crime that is running rampant in Gillette either.

Good Luck whatever you decide!

[ImAHobbit]

I'd have to re-check the paper, but WYDOT in Sundance was looking for a shop manager/CDL driver/etc. You can check WYDOT for postings to be sure.

[wyolady]

Originally Posted by ImAHobbit

I live in (near) Sundance and things are a little 'tricky' around here.

My family and I have only been here for 6 1/2 yrs and are still having problems fitting in. Seems as though if you're not originally from here then you don't get to participate. This isn't always the way, but in some things it is. After 4 years in a church (I'm not going to say which) we found out that our opinion didn't matter a hill of beans to the "founders" who built the church and have the only say that mattered.

I was relieved to find other "transplants" have these difficulties in Wyoming. I posted awhile ago similar concerns - have been in Torrington nearly 5 years and find not being "from here" the same exclusionary attitude applies. People may be quaint and friendly, but don't want to be our friends and include us in activities as part of the "in" circle.

The responses I got to that post, however, indicated it must be something I'm doing - that I should get active in local activities and things would be just fine. I'm active in my church, 4-H, most things at school, have kids in sports, etc. This isn't my first day at the races being in a new community, and I must say this small community definitely has unwritten rules of exclusion, no matter what anyone isn't willing to confess to.

[willarn]

In my experience in south west Iowa it was the same way in takes time for people to get to know you so they are standoffish to outsiders thats what small towns are like. some are and some are that bad . most people out here where friendly some where shy for lack of a better word. I started working harvest out here and got to know a lot of big time farmers and that changed. I know that doesn't help you kids in school. I've all ways thought that I don't care what some people think I'm going to be me not try to be somebody else. I'm me and in the end of the day that makes me happy.
so there my two cents worth. right or wrong there it is..

[Jared]

I am in Sundance, and moved here about 3 years ago. I started out working from home for a company in my former state, so that definitely made it easier on the job situation. I now work for a local company and that's working out well.

Gillette is definitely the big draw for work in this area, people even commute from Beulah (80mi to G) and also you see South Dakota plates on the road to work.

So a Sundance/Gillette commute wouldn't be too bad if you didn't mind driving that wya. As hobbit mentioned it's all Wy highway miles, meaning you can basically do 80 the whole way, and you'll end up spending less time on the road than if your commute was only 25 miles in Denver for example.

Also, some of the mine/oil field jobs have pick-up service in Newcastle (45mi to S) and Upton (30mi). So another option to consider.

And Spearfish is only 33 miles away and is a town of 10k. Also once into SD you've got Belle Fourche (41mi) and Whitewood (44mi) within striking distance.

Make sure you cast your job search net wide.


Sundance is a beautiful town and I like living here a lot. We're tucked into the Bear Lodge portion of the Black Hills (I can literally go on a hike out of my front door), and are only a short drive to the more extensive portion of South Dakota's share of the Hills. Tons of hiking, camping, and trail-riding opportunity!

I like being "in between" Gillette and Rapid City. I also like being on I-90 to make getting to and from places easier (compared to Newcastle or Lusk, which are nice towns but it takes a bit more to get "out").


Like with any move, your best bet would be to put some boots on the ground and check it out in person. Get a feel for the area.

Good luck in your endeavor!