Wyoming or Montana? (Evanston, Midwest: apartment, rent, crime rate)

[mihevins]

We currently live in MN so are used to the sub zero temps in the winter. We are thinking and looking at moving to either Montana or Wyoming. Would be buying a house. What we are looking for is this (if it exists):

Mild winters, can handle the sub zero temps but here it's been down to 40 below with the wind. Was hoping for average range in the 20-30's for winter.

Some place that you can see the mountains or small ranges, but not be living "in" them.

Small towns are fine as we live in a town of 300, as long as there is a small store for basics. Driving to a Wal-Mart is a 30 minute drive one way and work is roughly 45-60 minutes.

We have 2 kids in their teens. Would be buying and looking for acreage of 2+ or more for a few horses. Under 200,000.

Can anyone tell me some cities that would be good to look at? Small towns, etc. and if all of the above is something that exists in Montana or Wyoming. Thanks!

[sunsprit]

The "mild winters" temp range you seek is not in Wyoming.

Between elevation and prevailing winds, it's cold here in the winters. Even the milder places will still be colder than you're asking for.

Keep in mind, too, that "2 acres" for horses here is simply some corrals and a barn. You will be feeding your horses year around with brought in hay. However, a budget of $200,000 can buy you a place in the country with perhaps as much as 40 acres and a modest house ... but you'll still be bringing in all your feed for the horses. This is pretty barren country without much natural moisture to support forage for your horses ... the areas of Wyoming where you might be able to graze your horses for a month or two on that size parcel are way out of your price range. We get folks all the time asking how many months they can support a couple of horses on 40 acres around here in SE Wyoming ... and the answer is a few days if you can keep the horses off the pasture long enough for it to grow. Leave your horses on that pasture for longer than that and it will be destroyed to bare dirt and weeds very quickly.

[plainsman48]

Personally I would rent for the first year or two, at least until you see if you "really, really" like it. Wyoming has its limitations for teens and Montana has a tad more land to roam on. You can't do this online - you need to be there to see for yourself.

[georgiainwyo]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

The "mild winters" temp range you seek is not in Wyoming.

Between elevation and prevailing winds, it's cold here in the winters. Even the milder places will still be colder than you're asking for.

Keep in mind, too, that "2 acres" for horses here is simply some corrals and a barn. You will be feeding your horses year around with brought in hay. However, a budget of $200,000 can buy you a place in the country with perhaps as much as 40 acres and a modest house ... but you'll still be bringing in all your feed for the horses. This is pretty barren country without much natural moisture to support forage for your horses ... the areas of Wyoming where you might be able to graze your horses for a month or two on that size parcel are way out of your price range. We get folks all the time asking how many months they can support a couple of horses on 40 acres around here in SE Wyoming ... and the answer is a few days if you can keep the horses off the pasture long enough for it to grow. Leave your horses on that pasture for longer than that and it will be destroyed to bare dirt and weeds very quickly.

Montana and Wyoming are pretty comparable when it comes to weather....there are also places in MT that have lots & lots of wind. Like Wyoming, there are mountains & more snow in some places, prairies with BLOWING snow in others. Although it seems (to us anyway) that we don't have winters that are very harsh (sometimes gets below zero or in the low + digits, but not for very long periods). We can have lots of days in the 20's & 30's in both states. Just depends on the day, and sometimes on the year! The only other thing I want to say is that I was born & raised in WY then lived in MT for 13 years before coming back to WY. Wish I would have never left, but then I guess I wouldn't appreciate WY as I do. The economy in general is much better in WY and just in my personal opinion, I feel that the WY folks are friendlier. Best wishes in whatever you decide to do!

[StealthRabbit]

Try WA or Oregon

I would stay focused on WA, as OR is not very healthy (tax wise / schools...) + 9% income tax.

WA will bring a challenge for your price point, but there are some options of mobile home on acreage (then build a NICE apartment in a barn, and don't tell the tax guy).
Goldendale, WA comes to mind, but WA has quite big and diverse climate / jobs / education.

There are some cheaper areas on the we_t side (west of Cascades), too. (milder but 200+ days / yr of drizzle.) Look to smaller towns away from Seattle commute distance. Morton, Randle, Shelton, Sumas.... I like the region around Wenatchee (drier, but not parched). Look in rural areas there too. Also consider perimeter of Spokane (I like Rockford area, SE)

WY / MT can be pretty rough in the winter. Some areas of NW MT have a bit of a Banana Belt (Thompson Falls, Plains, MT). They have friendly folks there too, but WY kinda has a corner on the market for 'Nice folks' (and genuine caring).

[jody_wy]

I live in westetn Wyoming, there are some great valleys thru Idaho, and Cache Valley Idaho -Utah, college, small city , lot of light industry, open ag lands and moutains

[NDak15]

It depends on your job. Montana consistently ranks near the bottom (49th place usually) for wages. The cost of living is much higher than the Midwest if you want to live in an area that is not completely windswept, barren, and with a geriatric population. If you want to live near the mountains be prepared to pay for it. Most of Wyoming is windswept and has a high cost of living but the wages are much better. The plus to Minnesota is that there is no humidity. It is not uncommon to get to -40 with the windchill. To find a Wal-Mart in Montana or Wyoming you need to stay around the bigger towns. Either state is fine for teenagers. just be aware kids often like to drink when they live in rural areas.

[virgil tatro]

We are in montana and moving to Minnesota...In Wyoming the wind never stops it gets very cold there, and the snow blows and drifts.. in wyoming or montana a 2 acre piece of land in the country is hard to find... around where we live 20 acres is available with a descent home but will be well above 200.000 thousand.. and you will have to haul water... anyplace in montana where you can buy a piece of property and see the mountains will cost you... eastern montana is far less expensive, but you are not getting much there... Montana is pretty but I have been to every state and all of them are pretty, just depends where you go... check out columbus montana or surrounding areas... its pretty good... Im kinda partial to Wyoming though the economy is much better and nice people...LOTSA RATTLE SNAKES!!!! UGGG Ihate snakes...

[NDak15]

Virgil Tatro, Columbus is pretty nice. The area is pretty and I don't think it's gotten as popular as most places near the mountains have. You are also close to Billings and can get to some pretty amazing scenery when you go south. It's funny people on this forum complain about rattlesnakes. I've seen so few in Montana and Wyoming.

[Happy in Wyoming]

Originally Posted by mihevins

We currently live in MN so are used to the sub zero temps in the winter. We are thinking and looking at moving to either Montana or Wyoming. Would be buying a house. What we are looking for is this (if it exists):

Mild winters, can handle the sub zero temps but here it's been down to 40 below with the wind. Was hoping for average range in the 20-30's for winter.

Some place that you can see the mountains or small ranges, but not be living "in" them.

Small towns are fine as we live in a town of 300, as long as there is a small store for basics. Driving to a Wal-Mart is a 30 minute drive one way and work is roughly 45-60 minutes.

We have 2 kids in their teens. Would be buying and looking for acreage of 2+ or more for a few horses. Under 200,000.

Can anyone tell me some cities that would be good to look at? Small towns, etc. and if all of the above is something that exists in Montana or Wyoming. Thanks!

Evanston, Wyoming

Light breezes are typical. Really windy days are infrequent. Cool winters, but not much sub-zero. Adjacent counties in Utah are bitter cold, however. The winter weather is steady. There are hardly ever mid-winter warmups. BP just closed shop there, so there are many properties at relatively cheap prices.

Look outside of town only. Evanston does not allow horses. The people who run the town are jerks; but the county is OK. The crime rate is exceptionally low, even for Wyoming. In general, they're good folks. Salt Lake City is eighty miles.

If that sounds interesting, PM me for the name of an honest realtor. I don't believe that I'm allowed to post it.