Anybody new to Torrington? (Cheyenne, Laramie: fit in, transplants, low crime)

[wyolady]

We moved to Torrington from another WY town nearly 4 years ago and are still finding it very difficult to find our "place" here. People here are friendly enough but seem to already have their group of friends and don't want to include anyone new. Unless you are from here or are married to someone from here, you just don't fit in. And unless you frequent the bars, it's hard to meet new people

Any other transplants? We are hoping with the new prison, new transplants will be looking for new friends as well.

[paschald]

I'm thinking of moving there myself. There is someone else on the boards that also lives in Torrington and gives good advice about the town.

[wyolady]

Great to hear you're thinking of moving here. Although finding close friends has been challenging, we do like the reasons we did move here - nice weather, can buy a lot of house for the $$, close to water sports, good schools.

[Wyomiles]

Wyolady, what types of things do you and your family enjoy doing ? Do you hunt or fish ? Gardening ? I ask cuz It is one of the ways I meet people, find a club or something and join up.

[sixofone]

Torrington seems to have an undeserved reputation for not welcoming outsiders. However, Leroy Schafer moved here from California about 5 years ago, and he just got elected mayor, so things can't be as bad as everyone seems to think.

Wyomiles' suggestion is a good one-- get involved in one of the many church, civic or social organizations. I think you'll find a lot of new friends.

[wyolady]

I joined a church and have found acquaintances there, although 75% of our congregation is over 65. Which is wonderful, I just don't have much in common with them since I'm much younger with young children.

I don't golf, so I'm wondering what other social clubs are available. I don't drihnk and I know many people say they've established their social circles from friends met at the bar.

Didn't mean to offend anyone from Torrington - I didn't say Torrington didn't welcome outsiders. My initial post said people here are friendly enough, just that they don't want to establish friendship relationships with anyone new. Thought I might find friends through this network, but....

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by wyolady

I joined a church and have found acquaintances there, although 75% of our congregation is over 65. Which is wonderful, I just don't have much in common with them since I'm much younger with young children.

I don't golf, so I'm wondering what other social clubs are available. I don't drihnk and I know many people say they've established their social circles from friends met at the bar.

Didn't mean to offend anyone from Torrington - I didn't say Torrington didn't welcome outsiders. My initial post said people here are friendly enough, just that they don't want to establish friendship relationships with anyone new. Thought I might find friends through this network, but....

You don't mention how old your kids are, but there are things like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, FFA, sports, and 4H. If you get your kids involved, and stay involved yourself, you'll likely meet folks that way. A lot of the friends I have now I met because of my kid's friends. It's just a thought, but it is probably worth checking into.

[MHT]

Originally Posted by jdavid93225

You don't mention how old your kids are, but there are things like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, FFA, sports, and 4H. If you get your kids involved, and stay involved yourself, you'll likely meet folks that way. A lot of the friends I have now I met because of my kid's friends. It's just a thought, but it is probably worth checking into.

jdavid93225 has some great ideas. We have moved all over the country for my husband's job. Our kids are about out of the house now but I always met people and made friends whenever we moved if we all got involved. We are big 4-H supporters and I'm still a leader of a club. If your children are in school volunteer at the school, PTA, etc. It probably won't take too long to meet people.

Good luck!

[StealthRabbit]

yes, I'd try 4-H since you are in a farming community. It is a great experience for kids and adults. (I've felt it should be a pre-req for US presidents too... at least they would have a clue of running the books, planning and coordinating events)

Also I joined Master Gardeners (through extension service). It was pretty good way to mingle, but not if your kids are too young. Training comes with required service hours. Photography and hiking clubs are good, as well as working as a community volunteer for fund raisers. Our family also enjoyed volunteering at senior centers / meals on wheels / senior nutrition meals. You might also check into volumnteering at Ft Laramie on occassion. We did that at Ft Vancouver, and it was fun and we learned a lot, and special events for the staff were really great.

[Alby57]

I have been here for 2 years now. But visited for 25 years over the past. What is good, Schools are fantastic in my opinion. Many areas for the kids, High School impressed me for what they offered. Low crime that I know off. I have left stuff wide open to view in my garage.Expensive stuff. Nobody has ever touched it. Never lock my door. The community college is very nice if you just want some classes for fun or entry into a university. The teachers are people who actually care about the students and will work with them one on one to help. Tutors are available also. It is Eastern Wyoming Community College. The area is a Plains area. Grassland, Mountains are close if you want. The Black Hills Mt. Rushmore is 2.5-3 hours away. Denver, Co is 3.5 hours away. The nearest bigger town is Scottsbluff, NE. It has a mall like other malls. Smaller though. Cheyenne, Wy is about 1.3 hours away. Lots of stuff there. The town has an open air swimming pool. No large indoor pools are here. Motels have little ones. About 6 fast food stores. Real quite in town. Easy going. If you want to know people here you have to invite neighbors over etc. In other words you have to find them. Otherwise they will leave you alone. A lot of people here come from ranches farms etc. and are used to not having neighbors etc. I just guess it is how we grew up. Good luck on finding a place to live. If you want to know anything else just send me a message.