Relocation to Green River (Cheyenne, Rock Springs: real estate, loan, hotel)

[fremela]

We just got back home to California after visiting the RS and GR area and we really loved the towns. My hubby works for UP so a transfer is optional, but I am a teacher. Does anyone know about work for H.S. teachers in the area? Also, their pay range, if available.

How bad are the winters really? I talked to people at the hotel and in passing, they all say it's bad, but how long does the "bad" winter last?

My other thought is about the quality of education that is there in the area. I feel that it is important for a parent to participate and supplement any education, but what sort of standards does the Wyoming educational system follow. How big are class sizes? Any information would be beneficial.

As I already said, the area is beautiful. You can't beat the scenery, not to mention the friendly people that we met in our measly 3 days there!

Thanks for the help!

[Wyomiles]

Fremela, I graduated from Green River High School in 1977 so my advise is probably outdated. I did love living there,25 years, grew gardens every summer. Winters can get bad but you get use to them. Just learn to dress in layers and you will be fine. Check out the Sweetwater county school district for teaching jobs. Come on out ! Wyomiles

[sdorn]

We just moved to Wyoming from Texas in August. We didn't think the winter was too difficult and the school syster is wonderful. My husband and I are both in education and we have been very happy here.

[Earniefan]

You can gather school info on greatschools.net.

[sharitybeck]

I have lived in both Rock Springs and Green River. Most shopping is done in Rock Springs. If you live in Green River you will be driving to Rock Springs often. Green River is more of a bedroom community.
I graduated from Green River High School in 1993. I haven't lived there in over 10 years now but my husband and I both have parents living there. It is our "hometown". In fact his Dad works for the school district so we often hear about the latest and greatest things happening there. I would say class sizes average about 18-20 kids for any school in Wyoming (except in Rural Wyoming where it is generally less). Green River is offering some relocation bonuses and support that other places aren't. I would say that Green River teachers are some of the best paid I know of.
As far as the state encouraging good education, Wyoming offers the Hathaway scholarship to all Wyoming high school graduates. This scholarship basically pays the way for students to attend Wyoming college if they meet the requirements. Its a new thing but has really caused a lot of excitement with parents, students, and teachers all over the state.
As Far as Green River schools preparing kids for college educations, in my family alone we have two-Doctors, one-Electrical/mechanical engineer, one-with a Masters in Spanish no job plans right now . My husbands family has an accountant, police officer, speech pathologist, Master electrician, Loan officer, teacher, and one in school to become a pharmacist. All of which were graduates from Green River High School.
Green River is more family orientated than Rock Springs. I lived in Rock Springs for the first 6 years of my marriage. It has changed so much in the last 5 years though and not all of it has been good. Rock Springs seems harder to find homes and really has more of a party atmosphere.
If I were to pick for my family with 4 kids I would say Green River over Rock Springs any day.

[jazzlover]

I currently live in Wyoming, and I have to say that Rock Springs is about my least favorite town in the state. It just has that "boom-town" atmosphere with a lot of transient workers. I don't sense a great deal of "community" there. Green River is better in that regard, in my opinion.

The winters in that area aren't that bad, by Wyoming standards. Yes, it can blizzard there occasionally, but usually the worse weather is either west or east of Rock Springs on I-80. All of Wyoming, with the exception of probably Sheridan and Torrington, have relatively short summers and a lengthy winter season.

If your husband has any options as to where to transfer in Wyoming with the UP, you might want to consider Evanston or Cheyenne. I prefer both of those towns to the Rock Springs area. Also, a lot of UP employees who work out of South Morrill, Nebraska live just over the line in Torrington, Wyoming. Torrington is a very nice small town. Some UP employees who work out of Bill, Wyoming in the Powder River Basin live in Douglas, Wyoming--also a nice community. Any of those I mentioned I would personally prefer over Rock Springs or Green River. With the possible exception of Cheyenne, I would think real estate prices would be more reasonable in any of them compared to Rock Springs or Green River right now, too.

[SandyCo]

As a big city native, I was thinking of moving away to live a more peaceful, quiet life. Green River came to mind (long story!). But then I decided to find the closest Target or Wal*Mart. It's 130 miles away, in Utah! (Sorry, didn't mean to highjack this thread...)

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by SandyCo

As a big city native, I was thinking of moving away to live a more peaceful, quiet life. Green River came to mind (long story!). But then I decided to find the closest Target or Wal*Mart. It's 130 miles away, in Utah! (Sorry, didn't mean to highjack this thread...)

There's a WalMart in Rock Springs, according to the WalMart website. I checked Target, but there aren't any nearby (less than 100 miles) Target stores.

By the way, the "long story" might be somewhat interesting to those of us who want to hear it. To avoid the hijacking issue, though, you could post it as a new thread.

[Earniefan]

Sandyco,

We have a Wal-mart in Rock Springs and Target was doing soil testing and traffic tests on a lot (according to some guys at the city). If you're worried about living away from conveniences this isn't the area for you, it's taken me awhile to adjust to being here after living in Cheyenne.

[4wheelerdad]

Originally Posted by sharitybeck

I have lived in both Rock Springs and Green River. Most shopping is done in Rock Springs. If you live in Green River you will be driving to Rock Springs often. Green River is more of a bedroom community.
I graduated from Green River High School in 1993. I haven't lived there in over 10 years now but my husband and I both have parents living there. It is our "hometown". In fact his Dad works for the school district so we often hear about the latest and greatest things happening there. I would say class sizes average about 18-20 kids for any school in Wyoming (except in Rural Wyoming where it is generally less). Green River is offering some relocation bonuses and support that other places aren't. I would say that Green River teachers are some of the best paid I know of.
As far as the state encouraging good education, Wyoming offers the Hathaway scholarship to all Wyoming high school graduates. This scholarship basically pays the way for students to attend Wyoming college if they meet the requirements. Its a new thing but has really caused a lot of excitement with parents, students, and teachers all over the state.
As Far as Green River schools preparing kids for college educations, in my family alone we have two-Doctors, one-Electrical/mechanical engineer, one-with a Masters in Spanish no job plans right now . My husbands family has an accountant, police officer, speech pathologist, Master electrician, Loan officer, teacher, and one in school to become a pharmacist. All of which were graduates from Green River High School.
Green River is more family orientated than Rock Springs. I lived in Rock Springs for the first 6 years of my marriage. It has changed so much in the last 5 years though and not all of it has been good. Rock Springs seems harder to find homes and really has more of a party atmosphere.
If I were to pick for my family with 4 kids I would say Green River over Rock Springs any day.

thinking of moving to Green River, Have a job offer at the mines, want to know can you make a good living doing it? I have looked at the town does not seem bad. the scenery in salt lake is nicer with the mountains, the housing is high in that area. want some opinions.