The Honest Truth (Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette: appointed, how much, new home)

[chassey523]

I am looking to move to Wyoming. Not sure which city just yet, but I was looking for HONEST info from people who live there with true experience. I am hearing some scarey info as to housing, drugs and rude people. So I have to say that I am really questioning Wyoming now. I am a single mom, mid-20's and would be looking for a job in Accounting. What I am looking for in a town would be small, safe, nice people, good jobs, great schools and abundant outdoor recreation. I am used to awful winters as I am from northern Wisconsin and I can say the wind wouldn't bother me. Can anyone help me as to which town they recommend? This is going to be a for-good move. So it's really important to me that I make the right decision. Thanks for any help.

[HighlandLady]

Originally Posted by chassey523

I am looking to move to Wyoming. Not sure which city just yet, but I was looking for HONEST info from people who live there with true experience. I am hearing some scarey info as to housing, drugs and rude people. So I have to say that I am really questioning Wyoming now. I am a single mom, mid-20's and would be looking for a job in Accounting. What I am looking for in a town would be small, safe, nice people, good jobs, great schools and abundant outdoor recreation. I am used to awful winters as I am from northern Wisconsin and I can say the wind wouldn't bother me. Can anyone help me as to which town they recommend? This is going to be a for-good move. So it's really important to me that I make the right decision. Thanks for any help.

It more or less depends on what you are looking for. If you are wanting to be around box-stores (WalMart, Kmart, Target et al) and chain-restaurants, look into Casper, Cheyenne, Evanston, Gillette, Sheridan, etc. Casper and Cheyenne are the largest 'cities' in Wyoming with roughly 50,000 souls residing there. I was a single-mother for quite some time and resided in Newcastle, Evanston, and Casper and I had no trouble with safety and schooling issues in any of these places. Newcastle is in the NE portion of the state, roughly 7 miles from the SD border and it has around 3500 people there. It's roughly 60 miles in any one direction for shopping purposes, though it does have two local-owned grocery stores.
Not certain on Accounting jobs there though...Casper and Cheyenne, Gillette even may be your best bet.
As far as drugs are concerned...yes, there is activity in the towns I mentioned (I know this simply because I worked in nursing and was a paramedic there and my ex-husband is a Deputy). That is the only time I ever encountered the problem - while I was on the job. Otherwise, I never had issues. If you don't 'hang out' or surround yourself with people who use/deal, you really won't have a problem.
Safety wise for a single mother in her 20's...again, don't put yourself in a situation, and be aware of your surroundings. Common sense (though at times seems a rarity in this day and age) goes a long ways here. I really didn't have any safety issues living alone with my son, aside from the ex (that is a different story altogether) but that was remedied easily enough. I've hiked the Oregon Trail across Wyoming (384 miles+) alone and the only danger was from a mother badger when I wandered too close to her nest
Rudeness? One encounters rudeness just about anywhere. It is the way of it at times, sadly. What you will find mostly - and this depends on the size of town you decide on - is most will keep to themselves but will aid if needed. Wyoming is for the most part, a very friendly state. Smaller towns tend to have a bit more 'nosiness' but the people are friendly too.
My advice - if at all possible...take some time to come out and visit some areas to get a feel for the place and make a decision afterwards.
Luck to you!

[chassey523]

Thank you so much for your info. Where I reside now has become sickening to me. It's ALL about how much you make and what have. I do not intend on carting my son to every sports or activity that I can push him into. I don't care if my house isn't as big or nice as others. I am a very indepenant, strong woman who is looking for a change from this materialistic lifestyle. I was looking at jobs and was dissappointed in the amount of (non governmental) Accounting jobs that were available. Doesn't Wyoming need Accountants too?

[sunsprit]

Wyoming's job situation in your specialty is a bit different from the bigger population centers of the USA.

Because there is so little total population, the workforce tends to be relatively stable relative to the needs of the business/governmental community. That's why there's "boom towns" in this state when certain commodities skyrocket in value and production ... and "slack times" when the core workforce/population stays here.

Right now is a "slack time" for much of the state. Your best bet for non-governmental accounting jobs will be with the bigger employers in the region ... extractive industries, banking chains, hospitality industry, etc. Be prepared for a much lower salary and a higher cost of living than where you are at now.

[Froggie Legs]

Chassey, I was a single mom in my late 20's when I moved to Lander Wyoming. I loved it, and so did my daughter. Unfortunately I had to move back to my native Minnesota for some much needed eye surgeries, and my family here helped me out. Now, ten years later, I am wanting to move back.

You might want to try looking on this site for job postings for accounting. https://www.wyomingatwork.com/ There are listings all over the state, but it will really depend on what you want. (I typed in "account" under the search option). There is one government type job listed at Fort Washakie, which is on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Lander isn't too far from there, and still is a nice community, but housing might be hard to find.

It's best if you can travel to Wyoming and look around. Line up some job interviews, and bring a friend to watch your son while you are interviewing. I can only speak about the area I lived in--Lander and Riverton (which is 25 miles away and has Walmart and a few more of the chain fast food places than Lander has). but I never regretted moving there. The community and the people were very friendly, and we never ran out of fun things to do that didn't cost money.

Good luck!

[wyoman]

Originally Posted by chassey523

I am looking to move to Wyoming. Not sure which city just yet, but I was looking for HONEST info from people who live there with true experience. I am hearing some scarey info as to housing, drugs and rude people. So I have to say that I am really questioning Wyoming now. I am a single mom, mid-20's and would be looking for a job in Accounting. What I am looking for in a town would be small, safe, nice people, good jobs, great schools and abundant outdoor recreation. I am used to awful winters as I am from northern Wisconsin and I can say the wind wouldn't bother me. Can anyone help me as to which town they recommend? This is going to be a for-good move. So it's really important to me that I make the right decision. Thanks for any help.

As most of our state is well spread out as most of the posters will say-IF I were you , check out the county seats in all countys of wyo-thats where most of the jobs are in your field an you may find a town or area that fits your needs-don't be scared by rumors been in a lot of towns in wyo and never found a place scarey to live in Good luck and good huntin for your new home

[runnergirl69]

I am looking to move somewhere in Wyoming this summer. My fiance and I are both educators and would like to leave NM to experience something new. We have heard that Wyoming does not have a shortage of teachers. Where in Wyoming could you find a good teaching job? We both have our Masters and I coach at the high school level.

We are very worried about the economy and do not want to move and then lose our jobs. Could someone please help us?

[GEORGIAINMT]

I've posted a few times about teaching jobs here in Gillette. For this school year we had 85 new certified staff and are looking for a bunch more for next year. We have one new elem. school opening next year, with 3 more in the plans, as well as tentative plans for a possible 3rd junior high and also a new alternative high school (we have one already) being built. Although no job anywhere is "layoff proof" it doesn't seem likely that if you get a teaching job here that you would have to worry about that if you do a good job. Coaches are also always in demand. Also, pay here is among the best in the state. The district has money (from the coal mines) and spends it on educating students well and paying teachers well. Check out the website ccsd.k12.wy.us. There are some jobs posted now, but more will be posted as spring goes on! Best wishes to you guys!!! We love it here!