Where to move in Wyoming for ... (Cheyenne, Sheridan: for sale, motel, home)

[RockyMtnr]

I've got a friend and his significant who want to move to Wyoming. They were looking for something around LaBarge - but there are a couple of unique circumstances. Maybe you can help.
She works what sounds like regular, administrative jobs. He has retired from that and now makes Native American regalia for online customers and some walk-in business. Although he is Native, I don't think he would get any "Reservation entitlements" out here so, living on the Rez is not an option so far as being beneficial to both parties.
Would you know of an area where one can practice the "old ways" without getting tossed from the counties? A spot close enough to a town of suitable size that an administrative type could find work? Perhaps an area where they might not freeze to death their first year? I don't really have any in mind. Wondering about things near Sheridan/Buffalo/Lovell/Powell, etc - maybe Ucross?
Would appreciate any ideas. The west side of the state is a little too "Mormon-controlled" to accept that particular life-style although they're fine if you're the dirtiest rancher/farmer/cowboy in the state and they're also friendly to "mountain-man wannabes" - but not so much to hide-tanning, jewelry-making Indian-types. Any suggestions?
They could use a fair piece of property - maybe just an acre or so - possibly with a store-front - and pretty definitely out-of-town. They'll be moving from a warm weather state.

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[sunsprit]

"a fair piece of property" in Wyoming is upwards of a few sections in size. Buying only "an acre" would be primarily within city limits of most towns, not a country property (where 40 acres is needed for a well and septic system)

If your friends require a storefront, then I'd be looking into getting retail space in a tourist oriented town with buying traffic counts adequate to support their venture and job opportunities.

They could then live on a property out in the county where there's no covenants against a home based business, but yet close enough to town to commute for business/work.

Perhaps the Black Hills area of Wyoming, maybe near the monument?

[RockyMtnr]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

"a fair piece of property" in Wyoming is upwards of a few sections in size. Buying only "an acre" would be primarily within city limits of most towns, not a country property (where 40 acres is needed for a well and septic system)

If your friends require a storefront, then I'd be looking into getting retail space in a tourist oriented town with buying traffic counts adequate to support their venture and job opportunities.

They could then live on a property out in the county where there's no covenants against a home based business, but yet close enough to town to commute for business/work.

Perhaps the Black Hills area of Wyoming, maybe near the monument?

I'm suspecting you have your geography a tad confused ... but only by a couple hours' drive.
The Black Hills are in South Dakota - and I must assume the monument you speak of is Mt. Rushmore? Also South Dakota.
However, if it had any tourist traffic at all, I have considered for them the Powder River Basin area - which heads north near Ucross into Montana - but no traffic.
It is definitely not a requirement to buy 40 acres in Wyoming to have septic and well. I have dozens of friends who have a little land and both systems operating. Perhaps on the eastern side of the state there may be a county with such a requirement although I couldn't say which it might be - maybe down by the flatlanders at Cheyenne?
I was wondering if the Wheatland area might not be a bad idea ... or even Torrington - although that takes them from true Wyoming into "Nebraska Wyoming".
Thanks for your input!

[Wyomiles]

The Black hills do not stop at the Wyoming border and I believe the monument is Devils Tower ? Also I lived in Sweetwater county for 25 years and there are dozons of "wanta be mountain men" there who live more like an indian than the indians. I tanned hides in my back yard and did beadwork etc and had many morman freinds.

[MRVphotog]

Lander has some tourist traffic and is actually just outside of the reservation.

BTW Devil's Tower not only is a monument but the first National Monument in the US. Mt Rushmore was at first a National Memorial then a National Park never a National Monument.

[bigreez]

Powell-less expencive than Cody but only 20 miles away you can sell lots of crafts and bead work in the summer to all the tourists going thru cody.Powell has lots of 1-5acre lots for sale,and at one of th lowest elevations in the state (warmer weather).Lovel is lower and milder yet,but little in the way of adminastrative jobs. The bentonite mines Georgia pacific plant and some oil fields are the only places around Lovel to make a liveing wage. I hope this helps some

[RockyMtnr]

Originally Posted by Wyomiles

The Black hills do not stop at the Wyoming border and I believe the monument is Devils Tower ? Also I lived in Sweetwater county for 25 years and there are dozons of "wanta be mountain men" there who live more like an indian than the indians. I tanned hides in my back yard and did beadwork etc and had many morman freinds.

Wyo - thanks for your input. Although I've walked every inch (okay - almost) of Wyoming and spent much time in the NE sector, I don't recall knowing that the BlackHills ran into Wyoming. I know I for sure wouldn't suggest anybody go live there - not a fan of 1000ft anthills myself.
I also tanned in my yard as did a couple of friends - over by Evanston - but as for living it, not about to happen. You can play mountain-man, you can play cowboy - you can even be a real cowboy - and be accepted just fine. Try and lived old-way and you get flat-out shunned and/or harrassed. Perhaps you could tell me where in Sweetwater you were?
Thanks for the input.

[RockyMtnr]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

Lander has some tourist traffic and is actually just outside of the reservation.

BTW Devil's Tower not only is a monument but the first National Monument in the US. Mt Rushmore was at first a National Memorial then a National Park never a National Monument.

Thanks for your input MVR. I lived for a time in and around the Rez there - but there weren't too many folks living "old-way". Actually, perhaps just the 3 grandfathers! Lander and Riverton are so small though - and very biggoted toward folks from the Rez. I personally preferred the Rez folk. Also, thanks for the history of the Tower. Some of this stuff I've probably known 20 years ago or so ... and forgotten. Age is funny that way.

[RockyMtnr]

Originally Posted by bigreez

Powell-less expencive than Cody but only 20 miles away you can sell lots of crafts and bead work in the summer to all the tourists going thru cody.Powell has lots of 1-5acre lots for sale,and at one of th lowest elevations in the state (warmer weather).Lovel is lower and milder yet,but little in the way of adminastrative jobs. The bentonite mines Georgia pacific plant and some oil fields are the only places around Lovel to make a liveing wage. I hope this helps some

BigReez, thanks for your help. I've been around that area quite a bit but don't know it. Haven't spent much time in Cody since they tore down the mineral-spa-motel west of town. I must also say that I've never really liked the "vibes" in Cody. Not sure why. I'm fine west to Pahaska and fine in the BigHorns.
How are jobs in Powell? Is that your current area? I'll do my own research but appreciate the first-hand knowledge you pass along. Thanks (Sgi).

[sunsprit]

RockyMtnr ... I suspect that in your tender, decling years of advancing old age that you've forgotten how significant your walks by the Devil's Tower and through the Black Hills of Wyoming might have been.

Towns like Hulette, Sundance ... which are located in WYOMING in THE BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST have the type of tourist trade and traffic that you specified your friends require and enough businesses around for a job for the spouse.

The I80 corridor through Sundance is pretty well known for the tourist traffic it brings, and the Devils' Tower National Monument. If you do a little research, you might even learn about the significance of the Devils' Tower to the Native American culture, which might be relevant to your friend's livilihood and style of living ........

You did say you've walked most of the state, didn't you? Perhaps it's you who might need a geography lesson about Wyoming. Or did you just kinda' forget the NE corner of the state ... slept through your walkabout there?