Moving to Cheyenne from MS and have no clue what to expect (Laramie: for sale, sublease)

[cnorsworthy]

Ok, so here's the deal. My husband is AF and we got orders to FE, but he's spending a year in Korea first so I want to be as prepared as possible before the move . I'm from MS and have lived in FL and back to MS, so I've never experienced a real winter (Heck, I've only seen snow that stayed around maybe twice in my life).

I know the pace of everyday living is slower there, which I don't mind at all. I don't have a clue how to survive the winter. I'm also having trouble finding information about the elementary schools. My son will be starting Kindergarten probably just after we move.

I hate going into new stuff without a good idea what to expect, and my husband is not doing a great job telling me about everything from when he was stationed at FE earlier in his career. I do know I'll need to get winter clothes before we move, but I don't even know what kind of clothes are required there lol. Here, a pair of jeans and a sweater will suffice.

How is housing there? Is it hard to find a house to rent?

I feel pretty ignorant on the whole thing, so ANY help would be great! I have been reading other posts, but haven't found anything on the lower schools, just highschools and have seen the weather compared to other places way north of here, but that means nothing to me. I need nitty gritty descriptions to prepare mentally!

[NVDave]

Originally Posted by cnorsworthy

Ok, so here's the deal. My husband is AF and we got orders to FE, but he's spending a year in Korea first so I want to be as prepared as possible before the move . I'm from MS and have lived in FL and back to MS, so I've never experienced a real winter (Heck, I've only seen snow that stayed around maybe twice in my life).

I know the pace of everyday living is slower there, which I don't mind at all. I don't have a clue how to survive the winter. I'm also having trouble finding information about the elementary schools. My son will be starting Kindergarten probably just after we move.

I hate going into new stuff without a good idea what to expect, and my husband is not doing a great job telling me about everything from when he was stationed at FE earlier in his career. I do know I'll need to get winter clothes before we move, but I don't even know what kind of clothes are required there lol. Here, a pair of jeans and a sweater will suffice.

How is housing there? Is it hard to find a house to rent?

I feel pretty ignorant on the whole thing, so ANY help would be great! I have been reading other posts, but haven't found anything on the lower schools, just highschools and have seen the weather compared to other places way north of here, but that means nothing to me. I need nitty gritty descriptions to prepare mentally!

Here's some info from the base themselves:

Welcome to F.E. Warren AFB

Weather in Wyoming goes like this: We have four seasons. All of them have wind. Sometimes you get a taste of all four seasons in one 24-hour period. You need to understand the issue with the wind is not just folks telling you tall tales. It is real. 50+MPH winds in that area of Wyoming are not unusual.

This is meant to be a joke, but there have been trains blown off the UPRR tracks near Laramie in winter. I've been blown off of roads in a one-ton pickup while in four-wheel drive (it wasn't a big deal, since I was doing only about 30MPH, and after a short excursion into the sagebrush, I was back on the road):

Wyoming WindSock

You have the infrequent hurricane. Wyoming has winds almost all the time. Oh, and the occasional tornado.

I've traveled a fair bit through the south. Your pace of life probably won't be too much faster or slower than Wyoming, in general, with the exception of the idle rich in Jackson. I don't know of any area in your area that compares to Jackson.

How to survive the winter? Get yourself some winter clothes. Real winter clothes, not the sort of clothes you wear during winters in the south. What you're saying you wear in the winter is what we wear in the house all day - not what we wear outside.

We're talking about pac boots, insulated undies, layered coats, mittens, hats, etc. There will be times that the winters can be hazardous to your safety if you do not have the proper clothing and you end up out on a road, stuck.

[cnorsworthy]

Biloxi compared to Jackson...It's much safer lol. We're a tourist area and attract many due to the casinos here. People call Biloxi a mini Vegas since we have a lot of the same casinos and new ones are always in the works.

I've been investigating winter clothes. I'll have to order them online because you'd get laughed at here if you asked for snow bibs for kids. We'll be making it up there in the middle of August, and from what I've gathered from this forum, that's almost winter. This forum has really given me great info. I don't want to arrive there in Aug and be shocked lol. Aug here yields 90+ degree days. Thanks again!

[sunsprit]

So far, most of the advice is spot on about being based at Cheyenne.

However, I'd say that you don't need to get crazy with the "winter clothing" at this point. Keep in mind that the way we deal with it is by layering clothes, rather than one heavy coat that suffices for the worst of conditions.

Personally, I live in levi's and carhartts and filson clothing during the winter months. Indoors, a pair of levi's and a carhartt heavy sweatshirt ... on colder days, a wool vest. When I head outside when it's howling windy and cold/snowy, I'll pull on a carhartt bib coverall (insulated) and a carhartt chore coat and a Land's End heavy wool cap (the south american style, with the big earflaps and tie string).

You can do a lot of your shopping for these items at far less than regular retail prices ... and get top quality brand names in the process, too. Simply go on-line and look up Sierra Trading Post. They're based here in Cheyenne, but have a number of retail/catalogue stores ... specializing in overstocks, close-outs, and discontinued merchandise suitable for the outdoors/western lifestyle. So, the choice is yours on-line ... or wait until you get to Cheyenne.

Oh, and August here can yield 90F days, too ....

Given the ready availability of the winter clothing at a major discounter right here in town, I'd wait until you got here ... August will still be plenty hot weather and they'll just be getting the "fall" merchandise out onto the showroom floor.

Perhaps you'd do best to buy one heavier "chore coat" (these are lined and insulated heavy cotton fabric, waterproof, windproof) first and a vest and/or a couple of turtleneck shirts ... until you get here and can gauge your tolerance for the cold weather you'll experience. Don't forget the knit caps/headgear ... this is where you lose most of your body heat in the cold weather; gloves/mittens are also a good item to buy in advance.

Other retailers that may have great prices on your winter clothing? Sam's Club (locally), Land's End (catalogue), or Cabela's (Sidney NE or on-line). There's also Gander Mountain and other well-known catalogue outfitters that run some very good specials. Personally, I like Filson clothing but it's terribly expensive at retail ... I wait for sales in Cabela's or on-line discounters (and I've even bought used off eBay).

I've bought all my winter footwear for years either at Cabela's "bargain cave" or at Sierra Trading Post (on sale) or Murdochs/Big R (on sale) .... They all have really great deals, especially in the fall sales season leading to "hunting season" when the promo's are a big deal regionally.

Overall, it's a lot less daunting a problem than you might be seeing from an area of the country where you don't have this type of climate to deal with.

[WyoNewk]

If you're coming in August you'll have plenty of time to shop for winter clothes in Cheyenne... at least unless you plan to venture outside.

Seriously, in August you'll find daytime highs between 50 and 110, but most likely 80s and 90s. Nights will normally cool to the 50s or 60s. Unless you venture into the mountains, light jackets and/or sweaters will be plenty until late September. If it was me, I'd wait. I think you'll find a very good assortment of winter clothing in Cheyenne, and if you don't find what you want, it'll be a good excuse to drive an hour south to visit Fort Collins.

Edit:
Sunsprit beat me to it. I'd forgotten about Cabella's. Good choice. It's not too far east of Cheyenne and is an interesting store to wander through. Huge!

I live 250 miles north of Cheyenne, and I've only worn my heavy coat once this year. I mostly wear a lightweight fleece jacket liner or the jacket without the liner, and when it really gets cold I wear them both, the way they were intended. Same for the rest if I'm just outside to shovel the walk or run around town -- baseball cap, lightweight leather gloves and tennis shoes gets me through 99% of the days. Now if you're going to be out much, or if you're outfitting your kids, different story.

One thing you might notice is that the sun is much warmer at this altitude. Bring sunscreen.

[Froggie Legs]

I like my Columbia winter jacket with the zip out lining... so you can literally have 3 coats in one.. a wind breaker, a fleece, and a winter coat that keeps you warm in all extreme weather. And Long Johns.. they are an essential for freeze-bodies who aren't as tolerant of wind whipping through a layer of jeans/slacks.

Boots are a must for winter. Get something comfortable and rated at least to -20, in case you should ever become stranded and have to walk or even change a tire out in the elements.

Good luck with your move! Wyoming is a lovely state to live in! You'll just have to adjust to the lack of perpetual greenery that you're likely used to in MS. Mountains and rocky hills have their own special beauty.

[Itz]

Originally Posted by Froggie Legs

I like my Columbia winter jacket with the zip out lining... so you can literally have 3 coats in one.. a wind breaker, a fleece, and a winter coat that keeps you warm in all extreme weather. And Long Johns.. they are an essential for freeze-bodies who aren't as tolerant of wind whipping through a layer of jeans/slacks.

Boots are a must for winter. Get something comfortable and rated at least to -20, in case you should ever become stranded and have to walk or even change a tire out in the elements.

Good luck with your move! Wyoming is a lovely state to live in! You'll just have to adjust to the lack of perpetual greenery that you're likely used to in MS. Mountains and rocky hills have their own special beauty.

With the wind... that Columbia did NOT keep me warm.. i opted for a leather, shearling lined coat with an Aran sweater underneath. LOL

WIND WIND WIND...

One VERY important factor.. when you get out of your car .. HOLD ON TO THE DOOR...
Snow isn't bad.. its the cold and wind..

[sunsprit]

Columbia makes wonderful outdoor wear for ACTIVITY ... ski parkas, mountaineering, etc.

But their clothing leaves a lot to be desired for just being outdoors. I've got two superb ski parkas from them, but I wouldn't wear them to check on livestock or waterers ... they're simply too cold without layers of clothing on under them, which becomes way too bulky and a chore just to get ready to go outside for a quick check around the place.

For serviceable outdoor clothing for your normal daily routine, look to the folks that make clothes for that purpose ... windproof, waterproof, and adequately insulated for not a lot of physical exertion ... not fashion outdoor active wear.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Froggie Legs

I like my Columbia winter jacket with the zip out lining... so you can literally have 3 coats in one.. a wind breaker, a fleece, and a winter coat that keeps you warm in all extreme weather. And Long Johns.. they are an essential for freeze-bodies who aren't as tolerant of wind whipping through a layer of jeans/slacks.

This is great advice, and I like my coats with zip out linings too, and my 'old beater' down coats from Frostline and Camp 7 (era 1970-80).

Long Johns are essential, and probably the only thing (besides gloves) I would buy new (Unless you find a 'perfect' coat). I like the newer poly propylene, longjohns that are ribbed. I recently got a few sets (Top and Bottom) that are made by "DuoFold" from a farm store (Similar to Big R). You might be wearing them around the house the first year, as rental houses can be 'drafty'. The poly props are really nice and cost about $6 . They are very thin, and can be worn under most clothes. (be careful not to wash or dry on HOT)

I would buy very little before coming (Less to move... kids grow...plenty available locally, on-line, or nearby).

The kids stuff can be had locally at garage sales / thrift shops, and Ft Collins is only 40 min south and has lots of options for used kids clothing. (And lots of well off families with growing kids).

I recommend a nice long knit or wool scarf, a pair of mittens (for really cold days, and MUCH better / warmer for kids) and a pair of thinsulate gloves for normal cold. Ear muffs and stocking caps are very helpful in wind. If your Hubby does any extended outdoor stuff, he will LOVE his insulated coveralls that Sunsprit recommended. They are absolutely the best protection for folks working in windy and cold weather.

For housing, you will want to start looking in April / May and possibly secure something in June BEFORE you move. June is a big transition month and by Aug, things could get tight (your landlord could 'sublease' in July for Cheyenne Frontier Days if VERY careful). Identify some desirable neighborhoods, and start doing some social networking to have folks keep an eye out for you. It is possible to do this through military, school, and church groups. Maybe someone will find you a spot and save you the trouble !

Good luck, you are smart to think ahead, plan as best you can, but don't fret.
Enjoy the opportunity, and roll with the punches.

Did someone mention the wind
Your car will get totally cleaned out the first time you open both doors at once ! (happens to all 'newcomers, at least once'). It is like renting a car in England or Hong Kong, and you walk up to the left side and get in to drive, THEN you realize the steering wheel is on the right side... pretty embarrassing to get out and walk around. I did that far more than once.... slow learner.

[3southerners]

I live in the Memphis area and we were visiting friends in Cheyenne a few weeks ago. Apparently Jessup elementary is "the" elementary school and McCormick is "the" middle school. If you want to get a feel for the weather- last week the high schools moved the soccer games from wednesday to thursday because of predicted snow. Our friends moved there from Memphis about 5 yrs ago and still needed jackets in the morning in May. The terrain and weather are very different from the delta. I'm thinking that humidity is not a problem but the wind is. I am originally from Oklahoma so I know wind. There are two kinds- hot and cold.The prairie is beautiful and the scenery will take your breathe away. You will probably be living on base, but if not the housing very affordable, at least by Germantown/Colliervile Tn standards.