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We have not had the chance to come to WY...and I've never lived anywhere really cold. I'm a desert girl (NM) and have only vacationed in Colorado-in the summer.
With that being said- I'm not afraid of the cold and we are outdoors people. I LOVE to fish, hike etc.
My husband has an opportunity to transfer to WY and I am trying to get an idea what the area is like around Riverton. My husband would have about a 50mile commute to the Lysite/lost cabin area. We have been told that many of his coworkers live in Riverton. We currently live in a small (less than 5,000 ppl) town in North TX-about 20 mins from Fort Worth. We are not city people and Riverton seems to have all the necessities but I am very worried about schools since we have 4 children (and one on the way). Two of our children are in advanced classes, band and cross country/track/soccer (9th grade and 7th grade) and we also have an elementary schooler (3rd grade) and one that stays home with me. I have looked at the school websites but find little info-except that the drop out rate is high. I need some honest opinions please. We do not want to move our family (we are not too happy here) and end up in a worse situation-for the kids.
So far, from the threads I have read, I'm very confused about Riverton. I've read that it is on the Reservation and that the schools are not great-but then on the other hand, I've read that it is a great place to raise a family? Any info on Riverton (or other areas) as far as the schools, enviroment, people would be appriciated.
My husband is going to visit if he decides to take this job, but I will not be able to-I am 8 months pregnant.
I'm guessing you've checked the other threads about Riverton on here from what you state. Yes Riverton is on the Reservation, and is a community of about 10,000 people, of multiple nationalities.
I used to live in Lander, 25 miles from Riverton, but went Riverton for things like groceries, Wal-mart, Kmart, and there are more restaurants to choose from there. Plus there is a fun hot air balloon festival there annually.
I can't speak about the schools, but all of Wyoming schools are pretty good to top notch, from what I've read/heard. My daughter attended 4th grade in Lander and loved it, and I've a cousin who graduated from that town as well.
Riverton is a good place to live/work as well and has Central Wyoming Community College there. There is also a smaller town north of Riverton called Shoshoni but for the school activities I'd probably choose Riverton. The whole area has a lot of wonderful scenery and history to offer, as well as outdoor recreation such as fishing, hiking, biking and the like.
Wyoming people are some of the friendliest on earth. You couldn't pick a better area to live, and if the job is secure, I'd say go for it! Especially in this day and age. Also the weather usually isn't too bad... you get many days of sunshine between the snowy ones and usually winter is brown in the lower altitudes. There is more wind there, than you're probably used to...after all, they don't call them the Wind River Mountains for nothing
Good luck in your decision making! I'm still looking to move back there myself! I just love the area!
rivertonradio.com - West Central Wyoming's leading news and information web site (http://www.rivertonradio.com/news/allnews/ - broken link) <- another great website someone gave me the link for a while back.
Riverton is a mixed bag (I grew up in Lander, 25 more miles the wrong direction from Lysite), yes it's in the middle of the Wind River Rez, but that in itself is a mixed bag too (bad of the negative Indian heritage, but there are goods too... my best friends in high school were all native). Riverton is primarily a blue-collar town, Lots of folks working the oil patch. But there's a community college (I went there too for a year), the library system is excellent (heh, biased as I was the IT director there for 3 years) and back when I was in school, our standardized scores were right about 90% of the national scores. The problem with the school system is that there's not a lot for kids to do that's free/cheap so there's a lot of drug/drinking abuse going on (and the associated petty crimes to fund the habits plus a good bit of teen pregnancy). Raise your kids well and be a Parent and not just an adult with kids, and none of that should be an issue. I didn't have a clue about the drug use, drinking or sex while I was in school... it was only after I came back that I learned about it. But then I was a band geek, in all the advanced classes who was on the golf team and did competitive target shooting in the winter.
If you're involved with your kids, it can be a fantastic place to raise a family... goes back to that Parenting vs. adults with children thing. If you don't mind being a little further from Riverton and the major shopping area, in a smaller town and closer to your husbands work, look into Shoshoni as well. It's 20 miles closer to Lysite, but you're down to a town of about 1000 people. Closer to Boysen Reservoir for lake fishing, further from the Winds for mountain stuff (though still only about an hours drive from parking your car and hiking a short bit into true wilderness), closer to Thermopolis with its history, and Casper (largest town in the state, Sam's Club, 2 hospitals, etc...)
It's worth a visit IMHO, but I'm biased. The only reason I don't live there now is because a married couple without children (or interest in children) are socially ostracized. If it were possible to have a social life that didn't revolve around children or church, my wife and I would probably still be there.
Thank you both for the info and opinions. It will help in the decision making...I am really nervous about moving the kids again (we moved to TX 3 years ago and it was hard on our oldest-especially) but the area looks beautiful and the job would be more challenging for my husband-which is just the way he likes it. I am not worried too much about the drug/alcohol problem. Being this close to a major metro area (DFW) we see so much of that. We lived in the four corners region of New Mexico before moving to TX and were surrounded by reservation. That isn't an issue for us-we never had any negative experiences associated with being near the rez. And that seems to be the way it is just about everywhere...and I pride myself on being very involved with my children and we do the best we can to discourage that type of behavior. My husband has until the 20th of this month to make a decision on the job...
Finding rental housing might be the biggest challenge for you and your family. If you have pets that can be even more difficult. The housing market is fairly tight as far as rentals go..but if you'd be in the position to buy you'd likely find more options. The Riverton Ranger is the local paper and might have some listings, but from experience I've noticed they don't always keep their classifieds up to date online. So perhaps calling the paper for a temporary subscription would be the way to go.
The Wyoming Advertiser is another local online classifieds advert that you could try as well.
The other route people seem to take is calling real estate agents or the local chamber of commerce to see if they have suggestions. Riverton's chamber of commerce will send out a relocation packet for free if you email them.
Yes, I have been on the Chamber's website looking at everything. I will request a relocation packet ASAP!
We will be buying a home. If my husband takes this job, he will likely go alone and I will stay here until May when the kids get out of school. The start date for his job is negotiable..probably Feb or March... and they will likely put him up in a motel or apartment (if one is available) until we move the entire family. In the mean time, he can be looking and emailing pictures/info back to me on homes he finds. I have looked around on the internet and I'm very excited to see there are many 4-5 bdrm homes on the market in/around Riverton. Our larger than normal family needs the room!
I had a hard time sleeping last night..all the worries and excitement. I think my husband has decided to show interest and see what they offer him. He can always turn it down.
Well, I have a little more personal experience to help you relate as I lived in Kayenta, AZ (on the Navajo Rez, near 4-corners) for 3 years due to my wifes job. That Rez is dirty/trashy and filled with drunks/drugged out natives who are Much more nasty than anything you'll find in Wyoming. Obviously, that's personal opinion, but it's been earned...
Having gone through the selling process in Lander there are 2 things I want to point out to watch for. Radon is prevalent (our house tested at 24pCi/L ~ 4pCi/L is acceptable), as is Bentonite which can/does cause foundation issues. Also, as a husband who picked out a house by sharing photos online... be nice to him about the choice. It's hard for guys (who are mostly function before form) to pick the same property as gals (who tend to be more forum before function oriented). I'm glad my wife got to see the headache of house shopping for our newest place.
Anyway, it Sounds like Riverton/Fremont County would be a very good fit for you based on what little you've posted. I hope that you feel it is a good fit should you move there.
My family moved around in Wyoming a fair amount when I was growing up. We lived in Riverton once and Lander twice. I don't remember much about the schools in Riverton but I recall that I enjoyed living there. Wyoming is a great place to grow up, I am always thankful that I was privileged to do that, instead of growing up in a subdivision in some big city. I graduated from high school in Lander and knew a fair number of kids in Riverton. I was actually surprised to learn that Riverton is on the reservation, I knew it was near it, but it never felt like a reservation town to me. I never paid that much attention to where the reservation boundaries were. I always got along fine with the indian kids and adults when we lived in the area. The demographics are 83% white and 9.6% American Indian. http://www.city-data.com/city/Riverton-Wyoming.html
Wyoming is ranked 11th out of 50 states in how much it spends on each student in its schools. Considering that Texas is 35th, your kids will probably be better off in Wyoming schools then in Texas. Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitors sites is not allowed
You can find limited information about the schools here, including demographics and very limited information on reading and math proficiencies. SchoolMatters (http://www.schoolmatters.com/schools.aspx/q/page=sr/txt=Riverton/ust=WY/p=1/fp=1# - broken link) The Riverton Ranger
Riverton is well located to take advantage of the great outdoors in Wyoming.
I'm not sure what work there is at Lysite, mining I assume, if its a very large operation they may run a bus to Riverton for the workers. Your husbands employers should be able to tell him if there is one.
If it were my decision, I would not hesitate to live in Riverton.
My family moved around in Wyoming a fair amount when I was growing up. We lived in Riverton once and Lander twice. I don't remember much about the schools in Riverton but I recall that I enjoyed living there. Wyoming is a great place to grow up, I am always thankful that I was privileged to do that, instead of growing up in a subdivision in some big city. I graduated from high school in Lander and knew a fair number of kids in Riverton. I was actually surprised to learn that Riverton is on the reservation, I knew it was near it, but it never felt like a reservation town to me. I never paid that much attention to where the reservation boundaries were. I always got along fine with the indian kids and adults when we lived in the area. The demographics are 83% white and 9.6% American Indian. http://www.city-data.com/city/Riverton-Wyoming.html
Wyoming is ranked 11th out of 50 states in how much it spends on each student in its schools. Considering that Texas is 35th, your kids will probably be better off in Wyoming schools then in Texas. Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitors sites is not allowed
You can find limited information about the schools here, including demographics and very limited information on reading and math proficiencies. SchoolMatters (http://www.schoolmatters.com/schools.aspx/q/page=sr/txt=Riverton/ust=WY/p=1/fp=1# - broken link) The Riverton Ranger
Riverton is well located to take advantage of the great outdoors in Wyoming.
I'm not sure what work there is at Lysite, mining I assume, if its a very large operation they may run a bus to Riverton for the workers. Your husbands employers should be able to tell him if there is one.
If it were my decision, I would not hesitate to live in Riverton.
Thank you for all the links-info.
My husband works for an oil and gas company. He has worked for them for almost 20 years- I hesitate to say what field he is in sometimes because that industry is demonized by some (unfairly IMHO, but that is a whole other can of wormsThey have a plant in the Lysite/Lost Cabin area.
The school info is very reassuring to me...we have not sat the kids down and talked with them about this yet-we plan on doing that tonight. I am going to print out some facts about the schools to go over with them. I know my oldest son is going to be worried..the other kids will likely see this as an adventure. The idea of moving is definitely growing on me.
Thank you so much for all the helpful information from you all!
Well, I have a little more personal experience to help you relate as I lived in Kayenta, AZ (on the Navajo Rez, near 4-corners) for 3 years due to my wifes job. That Rez is dirty/trashy and filled with drunks/drugged out natives who are Much more nasty than anything you'll find in Wyoming. Obviously, that's personal opinion, but it's been earned...
Having gone through the selling process in Lander there are 2 things I want to point out to watch for. Radon is prevalent (our house tested at 24pCi/L ~ 4pCi/L is acceptable), as is Bentonite which can/does cause foundation issues. Also, as a husband who picked out a house by sharing photos online... be nice to him about the choice. It's hard for guys (who are mostly function before form) to pick the same property as gals (who tend to be more forum before function oriented). I'm glad my wife got to see the headache of house shopping for our newest place.
Anyway, it Sounds like Riverton/Fremont County would be a very good fit for you based on what little you've posted. I hope that you feel it is a good fit should you move there.
Cheers,
Brian
Yes, I know Kayenta. We were in Farmington NM. I appreciate your opinion and the contrasts between the two areas-that really helps to get an idea what we are getting into. Also, the heads up on the Radon/Bentonite info.
I'm a very function oriented person too-if we move, this will be the 5th home we have bought in the last 14 years-we have moving/home buying down to an art-almost I trust my husband's taste and he knows what I prefer. Moving is a headache that is for sure...I can't imagine how we will do it with 5 children!
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They have a plant in the Lysite/Lost Cabin area. 
