An Honest View of Moving to Gillette Wyoming

[georgiainwyo]

As I've said before, I feel Gillette is a great place to live. We made lots of good friends there and drugs/alcohol had absolutely no influence on us. They are everywhere! You just have to stay away from the influences. Cost of living there was what we felt to be very reasonable. Yes, housing was more costly, but the income more than made up for that. We made more headway financially in 3 years than we had in the prior 20 or so years! I stand behind my opinion that Gillette is a good choice.

[nashest]

We've lived in Gillette since 1981, and the experience has been mostly positive. I am originally from Minnesota, and my first impression was, "where are the trees???" So when we were able to buy a house, the first thing we started is plant trees. We have a very nice, shady yard now.
The climate is fine for me -- mostly milder winters than Minnesota or east-river South Dakota, and low humidity in the summer! That's a huge plus!
Housing is now pretty reasonable. A couple years ago it was crazy -- not enough places for rent or sale, so people were living in campers wherever they could. Now there are lots of new apartment buildings, and quite a few are advertising that pets are OK. We own our home and have three big dogs, no problem at all.
Hastings is the only bookstore, and it's fine, but I also order from Amazon quite frequently.
Shopping isn't the greatest -- but I count it as fun to drive to Casper or Rapid City or even Sioux Falls to shop and visit. And there's always the internet!
Schools are great -- bigger budgets than most places, and good teachers. Lots of opportunities in sports and the arts and academics. The Wyoming Hathaway Scholarship has enabled my youngest son to attend a Wyoming college with no loans as of yet.
One of the best things about moving to Gillette is that almost everybody is from someplace else. It's much, much easier to be the new kid here than it is in a small town in Minnesota or South Dakota or prob'ly anywhere else.
I don't feel insecure here at all. There are rougher parts of town, but I don't think I've ever felt threatened or in danger here at all. And I'm a wuss. Yes, it helps to hang out with two Boxers and a Great Dane when my husband is at work nights, and it might helps that he collects guns so we have a regular armory downstairs in the "gun room," but -- never been worried about security, so no issue.
I wouldn't say Gillette is booming now, but it's still growing and very busy. No shortage of apartments, and there are many opportunities to buy a home. We lucked out by buying ours during a "bust" time in the early 90's -- a HUD house, very cheap. And there are a few of those buys around now too.
All in all, I would say that you can make a pretty bright future for yourself here in Gillette. We moved here because this is where the jobs were, but we plan to stay and retire here.

[uspblu]

We are looking at Gillette as a retirement location and was wondering how the medical is for Sr. citizens? Any issues with any clinics taking standard Medicare and a supplement insurance company?

[SkyLark2019]

Originally Posted by uspblu

We are looking at Gillette as a retirement location and was wondering how the medical is for Sr. citizens? Any issues with any clinics taking standard Medicare and a supplement insurance company?

Since Covid happened most hospitals in rural areas tend to be short of staff.

Things still get done but you need to be pro-active with your health.

I think Gilette is ok but it's not for everyone. It's among the "less scenic" parts of Wyoming......

[nowhereman427]

It's 2024 and a lot has changed since 04-24-2007. So what's new in Gillette?

What do the original posters in here think now and are they still in Gillette?

Has your outlook living in Gillette in 2024 changed since you moved to Gillette and or moved out of Gillette now?

[jody_wy]

Originally Posted by uspblu

We are looking at Gillette as a retirement location and was wondering how the medical is for Sr. citizens? Any issues with any clinics taking standard Medicare and a supplement insurance company?

Year ago December spent a week in the Hospital, Pancreatitis (tried to eat itself) then passed a Gall stone while there. Got thing under control, then Surgery to remove gall Blatter. Doing great only thing was it was 3 weeks before I went on Medicare. But feel Campbell county heath did a great job. We ranch west of Devils tower, ranch is west edge of Black Hill then out onto the prairie. Coming from the mountains it takes some getting used to the prairie, but have learned to love it as much as the hills, mountains and desert. We do lot of shopping in Gillette Albertsons has a senior discount on Thursdays. There some good restaurants. We also go east for things too, Belle, Spearfish, Rapid City. Grand lid even go ice fishing on some of the lakes in Gillette in the winter, plus there always something going on at the Camplex.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by uspblu

We are looking at Gillette as a retirement location and was wondering how the medical is for Sr. citizens? Any issues with any clinics taking standard Medicare and a supplement insurance company?

If concerned about medical access... Consider looking at Spearfish to Rapid City (while looking at Gillette area).

Are you VA medical eligible? (That makes a difference).

Where are you coming from?
Why Gillette?

Worth explaining, so you get solid guidance for your expectations.

It's good to fill in the missing details for a successful transition.

Gillette might be perfect, ... Or not. (Something else may be more suitable and desirable too)

[Suesbal]

Gillette cuts against the grain.

[nowhereman427]

If this space mining goes forward there could be another boom:

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/01...e5tA%3D.UXPtrV


https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/12...ar-innovation/

[jody_wy]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

If this space mining goes forward there could be another boom:

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/01...e5tA%3D.UXPtrV


https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/12...ar-innovation/

Thinks booming east and north east of Gillette right now , new fracking sand mine not far from Devils tower junction, And bentonite all over but mine just over line in Alzada, Mt booming right now.