Any Advice For Someone Wanting to Move From CA to WY? (Cheyenne: houses, taxes)

[Calruby]

Hello...I was born and raised in northern CA. I love the weather here. I've visited all over but never really lived anywhere else.

I'm retired now and not quite old enough for Social Security. I've been seriously thinking of moving out of CA...but where? I have to be very careful of home prices and taxes...you know...all the important things. But I doubt that I'll have trouble living anywhere. I just want to feel safe and I don't feel that here. I'd love to move where there's a real feel of community... where people are friendly and watch out for each other. I sure don't feel that here, either!

I hate the heat and it's never too hot here. And the humidity is really low so we don't have that wet sticky summer 'thing' going on. I know some states aren't so lucky. But we also have the mountains in one direction and the desert in the other. I love the water and have been very fortunate to live near a river for the last several years. I've been to CO (once) but never WY. I might not be a real city girl but I'm not a cowgirl either. I really have no idea what I'm in for if I move away. But I know I want to.

Any suggestions or advice? Thank you!

[sunsprit]

Other than the prospect of getting away from a few things that you don't like about your current residence area ....

You're not presenting much information about what it is that you equate with happiness. So it's rather difficult to give you a meaningful response about what Wyoming may ... or may not ... have to offer you.

In any event, before you even consider moving out here, I'd suggest that you come visit here for an extended trip. Wyoming is a rather diverse state and much of it is probably not what you'd expect if your vision is Yellowstone National Park settings.

The weather here plays a much more significant role in one's life than it does in many other states. With that in mind, I'd suggest that you make two extended trips out here ... if the first one in the summer/fall months gives you some good vibes about some places, then a second trip in the Feb/March time frame, the dead of winter season ... may reveal a lot more about the living conditions here for you.

[Montana Griz]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

"............ I'd suggest that you make two extended trips out here ... if the first one in the summer/fall months gives you some good vibes about some places, then a second trip in the Feb/March time frame, the dead of winter season ... may reveal a lot more about the living conditions here for you.

................hey Calruby...................
This is the best advice you will ever get.....trust me! ......

[Froggie Legs]

Also search the forums for specific answers... many have asked the same things...Wyoming is allegedly a good state for retirees

[yr2012]

Only on account of the LACK of Taxes

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by yr2012

Only on account of the LACK of Taxes

Why do you say that? Because of weather?

[LDH]

I agree about visiting a couple of times if you think WY is a place you want to go. I really like visiting other states and go with an open mind because, we too, are looking to move out of CA. I spent a week in Cheyenne a couple of years ago and knew then that I wouldn't be happy living there after driving around and looking at the area and talking with people who lived there.

[Hawknest]

Originally Posted by Calruby

Hello...I was born and raised in northern CA. I love the weather here. I've visited all over but never really lived anywhere else.

I'm retired now and not quite old enough for Social Security. I've been seriously thinking of moving out of CA...but where? I have to be very careful of home prices and taxes...you know...all the important things. But I doubt that I'll have trouble living anywhere. I just want to feel safe and I don't feel that here. I'd love to move where there's a real feel of community... where people are friendly and watch out for each other. I sure don't feel that here, either!

I hate the heat and it's never too hot here. And the humidity is really low so we don't have that wet sticky summer 'thing' going on. I know some states aren't so lucky. But we also have the mountains in one direction and the desert in the other. I love the water and have been very fortunate to live near a river for the last several years. I've been to CO (once) but never WY. I might not be a real city girl but I'm not a cowgirl either. I really have no idea what I'm in for if I move away. But I know I want to.

Any suggestions or advice? Thank you!

Bring a job or three with you. The state needs them - b/c its main source of revenue is based on oil, natural gas and mining.

Wet or humid, it's NOT. This is high, dry, mountainous plateau. Colder than most places in the same latitude in the winter and hotter in the summer. Third highest average elevation after CO and NM.

[danweasel]

Hello,

I am NorCal diaspora myself, living in Sheridan, Wyoming. If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask. I havn't lived here very long but I can tell you about the difference in "feel". I was born and raised in Nevada City by the way.

Houses and land are expensive here. Even compared to where I used to live. I can't speak on the taxes 'cause I didn't own one then and don't now either.

A feeling of safety here is definitely the case. I never felt unsafe back in California but here is even more so. I let my kids play in the streets, walk down to the park alone etc...

People here are either really friendly or look at you like your from the moon, it doesn't bother me but my wife constantly complains that people are, "always staring at me".

I like it here. I love the mountains and the fishing. We will see how the winter goes because there isn't a lot else to do though aside from playing in those beautiful mountains.

I think the humidity here sucks, by the way. It might not be Georgia but it isn't California either.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Froggie Legs

Also search the forums for specific answers... many have asked the same things...Wyoming is allegedly a good state for retirees

Actually, because of the weather, I don't consider Wyoming a good state for retirees.

My grandmothers and aged aunts complained often about how the cold made their arthritis and joints ache, and how hard it was for them to get around on the ice and snow. One slip and fall can easily turn into a broken hip.

My father in law was even got to the point in his 70's where he was afraid to get in his car and drive a few block in a snow storm "in case something happened".

The high altitude and thin air can also be a strain for some elderly with asthma or lung problems.