Aspects of Wyoming (good or bad) people don't expect when moving here (Cheyenne: loan)

[KillerK]

Hey all, I've lived here in Pinedale WY for about 5 months now and totally love it. Moving from northwest PA near Lake Erie, I, like many other people who moved here, had my ideas that may or may not have reflected what Wyoming really is.

I am just wondering what aspects of Wyoming any of you know of that most people don't expect or think about, good and/or bad.

Fortunately, for me, most of the unexpected things were good.

1) A great public library system. The interlibrary loan thing is very nice and efficient and I seem to barely have to wait long at all to get my book. Also, and I don't know if this is the same throughout the state, I was pleasantly surprised the libraries in my area don't do late fees. And also that the libraries in the area are just so *nice.* The towns here (Pinedale and Big Piney) are waaay smaller and more isolated than my hometown in PA, but the libraries are SOOO much nicer. Good selections, nice layout/design, friendly/helpful staff, very accessible etc.

2) Gorgeous scenery! I mean I knew SOME parts of the state were pretty (Yellowstone and Tetons) but, and maybe this is just a personal preference, I think most of the state is very picturesque and awe-inspiring. The Red Desert, the Wind River mountains, the Bighorns, Medicine Bow forest, Devil's Tower, etc. Everywhere I look there's something beautiful or awe-inspiring. The only part of the state I was not impressed with were the prairie lands around Cheyenne, and even they aren't ugly...just not my cup of tea.

A couple bad things: (that aren't really all that bad but still not "great")

1) THE COLD WINTER TEMPS. Holy moly. Last week was apparently the only week so far here where winter has been "normal" (rest of winter has apparently been unusually warm) and for a good week straight the high temps of the day were still below 0. One night it was -33 WITHOUT wind chill. C-c-c-c-colllld!!! Pinedale is so small that normally I can walk everywhere within 15-20 minutes, but those nights I just drove...didn't want to deal with the cold! Even all bundled up in the proper gear, after more than maybe 10 or 15 minutes walking outside in the dark in such temps (again, not even including wind, it was not windy those nights) was not much fun. HOWEVER I did have some fun experimenting with throwing boiling water into the air and watching it flash-freeze/vaporize...that was neat.

2) The high cost of living, mostly regarding going shopping and going out for food. Gas prices here in my area are actually quite a bit cheaper than back home in PA. But the only chain restaurant we have is Subway, which is fine, I actually prefer homemade food and supporting local business. But all the restaurants and stores in town are quite pricey and I find I can't afford to go out more than maybe once or twice a week to any of the "nice" restaurants. Not sure why this is...it might be because the oil/gas boom of recent years is still in memory and a lot of people who live here work government/energy jobs that pay really well (my job does not but it is enough). OR because we're so close to Jackson and have a lot of wealthy clientele traveling through town on the way to/from Jackson/ the Parks.

[kerrisj]

Welcome to Wyoming! I live on the East side of the Wind River range...I'm a native, born in Gillette. I lived in South Dakota for some years and other states, briefly. We raised our kids here and they are raising their kids here...Wyoming is home.

[Goin'toasquarestate]

I view the viewed desolation/isolation and cold times there as being positives, where alot may see persistant disadvantages.

Life's about each mitigating and managing what one want's from life, at whatever stage in life.

I have no ambition of coming to Wyoming to try and change it, with anticipation just let it draw me in so I can prosper with the state; enhancing all of us.

This is my view of "forward".

Take care.

[Goin'toasquarestate]

Originally Posted by KillerK

Hey all, I've lived here in Pinedale WY for about 5 months now and totally love it. Moving from northwest PA near Lake Erie, I, like many other people who moved here, had my ideas that may or may not have reflected what Wyoming really is.

I am just wondering what aspects of Wyoming any of you know of that most people don't expect or think about, good and/or bad.

Fortunately, for me, most of the unexpected things were good.

1) A great public library system. The interlibrary loan thing is very nice and efficient and I seem to barely have to wait long at all to get my book. Also, and I don't know if this is the same throughout the state, I was pleasantly surprised the libraries in my area don't do late fees. And also that the libraries in the area are just so *nice.* The towns here (Pinedale and Big Piney) are waaay smaller and more isolated than my hometown in PA, but the libraries are SOOO much nicer. Good selections, nice layout/design, friendly/helpful staff, very accessible etc.

2) Gorgeous scenery! I mean I knew SOME parts of the state were pretty (Yellowstone and Tetons) but, and maybe this is just a personal preference, I think most of the state is very picturesque and awe-inspiring. The Red Desert, the Wind River mountains, the Bighorns, Medicine Bow forest, Devil's Tower, etc. Everywhere I look there's something beautiful or awe-inspiring. The only part of the state I was not impressed with were the prairie lands around Cheyenne, and even they aren't ugly...just not my cup of tea.

A couple bad things: (that aren't really all that bad but still not "great")

1) THE COLD WINTER TEMPS. Holy moly. Last week was apparently the only week so far here where winter has been "normal" (rest of winter has apparently been unusually warm) and for a good week straight the high temps of the day were still below 0. One night it was -33 WITHOUT wind chill. C-c-c-c-colllld!!! Pinedale is so small that normally I can walk everywhere within 15-20 minutes, but those nights I just drove...didn't want to deal with the cold! Even all bundled up in the proper gear, after more than maybe 10 or 15 minutes walking outside in the dark in such temps (again, not even including wind, it was not windy those nights) was not much fun. HOWEVER I did have some fun experimenting with throwing boiling water into the air and watching it flash-freeze/vaporize...that was neat.

2) The high cost of living, mostly regarding going shopping and going out for food. Gas prices here in my area are actually quite a bit cheaper than back home in PA. But the only chain restaurant we have is Subway, which is fine, I actually prefer homemade food and supporting local business. But all the restaurants and stores in town are quite pricey and I find I can't afford to go out more than maybe once or twice a week to any of the "nice" restaurants. Not sure why this is...it might be because the oil/gas boom of recent years is still in memory and a lot of people who live here work government/energy jobs that pay really well (my job does not but it is enough). OR because we're so close to Jackson and have a lot of wealthy clientele traveling through town on the way to/from Jackson/ the Parks.

I'm happy for folks who find there place in Wyoming...........congrat's!

Positive attutude.