Sundance and Burgess Jct (Cheyenne, Laramie: for sale, rent, construction)

[dadio]

Hi All
I've applied with WYDOT for positions in these 2 areas and would like to get as much information about them as possible. I lived in Cheyenne for 5 years in the late 70's and have always loved Wyoming.I was down in Laramie a couple weeks ago helping my son get set up at Wyotech and that gave me a push to start looking. My wife and I have decided we want to return to the west and with construction being so bad in New England I'm applying in several western states. Thanks for ant input you can give

[StealthRabbit]

I'd do Burgess in a Heart-beat. Closer to Laramie... (a Tad, maybe... maybe not, just looking for an excuse to convince the wife to live at WY's 'north pole') but it is Mountains, and Sundance is prairie. (I do like the prairie, but think a few years in Burgess would be great). The difference in snow levels will measured in many feet !, so I think your work will be quite different, but summers will be really nice in Burgess! (the short 2 months of summer that you will get )

One benefit of Sundance is the proximity to SD, if you have social, career for wife, or shopping needs this might be best. If you want to be a recluse and enjoy nature, Burgess.

[sunsprit]

Am I missing something here?

Burgess Jct is in the hills west of Sheridan and Sundance is at the edge of the Black Hills Nat'l Forest.
Burgess is definitely more mountain country, but Sundance is in the hills, too, as far as road conditions, winter durations, and road maintenance issues.

Both are in the north of Wyoming ... one, north central, and the other, north east. Either way, you'll be traveling a lot for shopping and community beyond the few locals.

[jody_wy]

Burgess Jct is on top of the Big Horns....

[Darrow]

Sundance won't be as isolated. Either area is beyond beautiful.

[WyoNewk]

Originally Posted by jody_wy

Burgess Jct is on top of the Big Horns....

And that's no exaggeration. You can count on snow every month of the year. It's not a town, just a junction with a big motel, restaurant, gas, etc. They rent snowmobiles in the winter. Elevation is 8300 feet.

Sundance is a nice little ranching town about 30 miles west of Spearfish, SD. I like Sundance. Elevation 4750 feet -- about the same as Gillette, Moorcroft and other prairie towns in NE Wyoming, but it is considered in the northern Black Hills, and there's considerable national forest areas around the town. Being on I-90, travel to Gillette (60 miles), Spearfish or Rapid City (70 miles) isn't usually much of a chore.

While Burgess Jct. would be a nice place to spend a summer, I'd much prefer Sundance for extended living.

[ElkHunter]

Burgess Jct is down the road a piece. I would love to work there. But like previously mentioned, winters can be rough at that altitude. Sundance is within 30 miles or so of good shopping, college, and such. Burgess is about 60 miles from nowhere. Then you turn left. haha Really beautiful country but not recommended to raise a family.

[sunsprit]

In considering either location, you'd best be looking for housing availability and affordability before making a decision.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

In considering either location, you'd best be looking for housing availability and affordability before making a decision.

true... and good point~! a teepee would be really tough in either location. (and commuting is out of question for Burgess, I would have to guess that WYDOT has some housing provided there, as I wouldn't expect to find a rental, or a place for sale, you definately don't want to commit to driving from nearest town !! that could take most of your day in some weather.)

It sounds like the 'family' might be raised, so definately a good idea to find out what the wife might be planning on doing if working in Burgess Jct. I doubt if there is much 'connectivity' and as mentioned it is a 'crossroads' with just a motel, diner, gas (all one operation if I remember correctly). No library, shopping, grocery... Would be a tough place for someone with a high social need. There is a thread on this forum about the couple that lived nearby (I think) and used snowcats to get in and out in the winter. Search snowcat and there were some pics that will give you a clue of the terrain. (I can't seem to cough it up)

Sundance does have some smaller hills and light forest, but my weekly driving experience found winters to be pretty light there compared to tall mtns and heavy forest. it would be rare to have more than 1ft of snow on the ground in Sundance, (but much more wind / horizontal snow) where it would be rare to have less than 4' in Burgess Jct. The beautiful meadows with 3' tall grass and meandering streams leave a lasting impression of Burgess Jct, but I've never "wintered" there. Bring a lot of cases of soup.

[xsandmanx]

Dadio I am a Maintenance Forman for WYDOT... The same Job you put in for. If you have any guestions you can send me a msg and i will try to answer it. Sundance would be a much better choice unless you REALLY like plowing snow and being very isolated. But you would get your share of plowing snow in sundance too.