From Michigan to Wyoming - Advice Needed (Cheyenne, Laramie: sales, apartment)
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I have posted in another forum but wanted to start a new thread so I can keep track of what I have written.
My husband and I are considering moving from Michigan to Wyoming over the summer. We have lived in Michigan all of our lives, but with this economy and no jobs, we can't stay. He is laid off right now and I only work part time and we know we can't sell our house, so we will have to walk away from it. His job has always been automotive attached but I think he may be able to find a job because he has a lot of background in being a Team Leader / Foreman / Launch Support and he has background in construction and other things. We're hoping he can continue his education once we get out there. I am finishing up a certificate in Medical Transcription and am hoping to find a job doing that, preferrably from home but am open to anything. I also have a lot of experience with working clerical, administrative, bookkeeping and office manager. I've been on the Wyoming Job site and it looks promising. I am not sure how to go about looking for a job while we are out of state. I know my husband will have to go out there first to either get a job, start a job and set up shop for us to head out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
We have two boys, 6 and 9 (birthdays are this month) and we are hoping there will actually be a good public school to send them to. The district we live in is currently one of the worst in the state so they attend charter school. My oldest, has High Functioning Autism but is doing inclusion into a regular school. So before we move I will need to be in contact with the school district and the special education department. Does Wyoming believe in inclusion?
One of the stressful things for us is that we will be coming out on a very limited budget. If he goes out there first, are there places to stay for a limited time while he works and looks for an apartment or house to rent for us? Like weekly motels or something that are decent and safe to live in? Any insight, like someone who has done this before, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Have you been to Wyoming ever? You might want to take a trip with your family out there and take a look around at different places. There aren't really any two alike. Can you narrow down the possible spots you've found with jobs? Good luck to you. It's a difficult decision, but sometimes a move can mean everything.
Well the rental situation will really depend on what town you are looking at.
For example rentals are becoming more and more available here in Sheridan lately, but that is due to the slow down in energy and some of those laid off not renting them anymore.
A slow down has finally hit Wyoming. There are a lot of people laid off eyeing the jobs in this state every day. Even the locals that have been laid off are starting to fill the empty jobs that used to be available. What is happening some of the service jobs are getting completely filled again now. Where a year ago you get get a job like that easy. For example I went into Taco Bell a few weeks ago, and I know the people there and always say hello. Well the manager told me that she has had a ton of applications, and there we a few people that requested $15 an hour, because they had lost their job at that pay. However they only start people at $8 usually.
Construction has really slowed down in this state. I know it has in Sheridan. There are some companies that were building homes that completely left town in Sheridan. Not all of them of course.
But things have slowed...
Your best bet would be to check out this website http://www.wyomingatwork.com
That will give you an idea of some of the jobs out there... also check local newspapers of the town you are considering...
If you can narrow down the town you are considering we could be more helpful..
I will say, certain industries are doing well. Medical is very secure, and I know teacher positions are usually always open...
Best of luck to you... I highly suggest coming out for a visit before hand as well...
I too have been considering Wyoming. I am an IT Engineer, and my wife is a School Teacher. It looks like Cody has some openings for teachers. We like the Cody area, because we have been there, but are open to other areas in Wyoming.
The main thing we need to know is about housing. Here in Michigan, if I sell my 2000 sq ft. 3 bed, 2 bath home for $125,000-$130,000, can I expect to get the same thing there for my money.
One reason we would consider leaving Michigan is that the cost of living is getting high. Taxes are starting to kill us here, and now they are talking about raising the fuel tax and auto registration tax. We currently pay $280 for auto registration every year, and they want to double that!
We like the Western US, and feel we would adapt fine. We are outdoorsy, hunters, and gun folks.
I too have been considering Wyoming. I am an IT Engineer, and my wife is a School Teacher. It looks like Cody has some openings for teachers. We like the Cody area, because we have been there, but are open to other areas in Wyoming.
The main thing we need to know is about housing. Here in Michigan, if I sell my 2000 sq ft. 3 bed, 2 bath home for $125,000-$130,000, can I expect to get the same thing there for my money.
One reason we would consider leaving Michigan is that the cost of living is getting high. Taxes are starting to kill us here, and now they are talking about raising the fuel tax and auto registration tax. We currently pay $280 for auto registration every year, and they want to double that!
We like the Western US, and feel we would adapt fine. We are outdoorsy, hunters, and gun folks.
You may want to consider Gillette as well as Cody. I moved here from Montana this year (I'm a teacher, too) and my paycheck doubled. Gillette has a great school district with lots of money compared to a lot of places. The growth here has been great and there is projected growth with one new school on the way to being finished with another started & another in the planning stages. Have your wife check out the website for Campbell County School District at ccsd.k12.wy.us as there are many openings and she can also look at wages, etc.
You will not be able to buy nearly the same home here as you have there in your price range. Cody is expensive to buy. My son-in-law just got a job there and my daughter has been telling me how much homes cost. Gillette is very high as far as rentals go, but buying homes aren't so bad. Still, you're looking at a lot more money than you would at the same house there. However, gasoline, utilities, food, etc. are all low here in Gillette. Cody is a tourist town so things are generally more expensive there (retail stuff, restaurants, etc.). I love the town of Cody but don't know if I could afford to live there on the income I would get there. Wyoming's taxes are low. There is no state income tax. Vehicle taxes are low. Property taxes are low. We've just been in Gillette for 6 months but love it here so far. Good luck in your quest!
Last edited by georgiainwyo; 03-11-2009 at 03:03 PM..
Reason: forgot something!
The main thing we need to know is about housing. Here in Michigan, if I sell my 2000 sq ft. 3 bed, 2 bath home for $125,000-$130,000, can I expect to get the same thing there for my money.
NO! There may be a few small towns that are losing population and are economically depressed where you could get an older home for that price, but in cities where you'd be more apt to find a job, you'd likely have to pay at least twice that for a home of that size.
The last time I checked, most new 1200-1400 sq ft starter homes in Gillette go for $225-$235,000; that would be on an unfinished basement, no AC, no landscaping, no fence.
I read on here where GEORGIAINMT just purchased a new manufactured home for around $140,000, so maybe she can give you more up-to-date information on home prices.
My son is scheduled to close on a home here in a week or two, but it's about 4,000 sq ft including the finished basement. He's paying just under $400,000. It's a nice home on the golf course, but it's 20 years old and will require some remodeling.
Moderator cut: edit I grew up and spent my whole life in Michigan. I married a guy from Wyoming and have been here for several years now. I have to say that after reading your post I truly truly think you are making a mistake moving to Wyoming. Yes there are not state tax here but the cost of living here is outrageous. groceries are sky high, the cost of a 2x4 is ten times the cost that it would be in Michigan. The home you have in Michigan is twice the cost here. And we have the same problem, nothing is selling. I have grown to love
Wyoming but I still have this never ending home sickness for the green and the trees and the water in Michigan. you can drive for 80-100 miles out here before you hit a town. In Michigan you can drive to the far North and hit an exit every 15 miles on the highway. It is such a culture shock here. everything is brown and dead in many places. It is lots of desert and wide open spaces here. YOU WILL MISS THE GREEN AND TREES! AND WATER! The economy is bad here in Wyoming too. My husband works the oil field and all are laying off, laying off contractors and it effects the whole town. The rental costs in Wyoming are sky high compared to Michigan. I really encourage you to do your research before you make this move. again, economy is not well out here either and the cost of living is much higher than in Michigan. I dont down Wyoming one bit, The people out here are awesome every where you go. down to earth and genuine great people. But please, I hope you really know what ya doin if ya think it will be better out here than Michigan where the cost of living is twice the price! If you insist on moving, I suggest Laramie or Cheyenne for the schooling you need. but please, reconsider....
Last edited by Kristynwy; 03-21-2009 at 10:38 AM..
Reason: edited the unnessecary statement in your post
Listen to cactusjuice67- his/her description is right on! If you are coming here on a budget- where Michigan is cheaper to live than it is here, I think you will be shocked. The first, biggest shock when I moved here was the license plates! In Michigan I would pay $40/year for a new vehicle. Here, the first year is $600! I wil be paying $537 next month for a year old car! Remember- Wyoming has about 500,000 people in the whole state- so that many people have to support the state-making everything more expensive.
It all depends on what part of Wyoming you choose to live - that will base your cost of living.
Gillette, Cody, Jackson area - are all high.. no matter how you slice it.
No income tax and the sales tax is only 5%.
Hardly any HOAs around..
Cost of goods are high only because its so expensive to transport them through Wyoming..
Wyoming is a semi-arid dessert... trees and green things are SPARSE.. so is water.
Make sure you always have a full tank of gas before heading out on the highways.. .learn safety measures. lol. IE... blankets in the car, etc..
Winters last about 10 months out of 12.. don't plant anything until AFTER memorial day - you might be safe.
Wyoming has GREAT schools and they are part of a Western Undergraduate Exchange program for college.. meaning you can send your children to Schools in Washington, Colorado, Montana, etc... for less then out of state tuition, but a bit more then instate.
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From Michigan to Wyoming - Advice Needed
Good luck to you. It's a difficult decision, but sometimes a move can mean everything.
