Retiring to WY (Gillette, Ranchester: rental, hotels, mobile home)

[Leaving Wisconsin]

Hubs & I are looking to retire to WY. Specifically looking Gillette area or along I-90 corridor. Adult living community, rental preferred (little to no maintenance). Hubby is retired carpenter so from what I can see on other threads, he could pickup odd jobs if he wanted to. I'm in clerical field, specifically garbage/landfill operations - any good companies out there for that/hiring? Found some nice housing fo 55+ living communities - anything a person should stay away from? Recommended? TIA

[smpliving]

I just read this article about Gillette that you may find interesting. Otherwise I don’t know anything about the area. Good luck!

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/23/opini...ter/index.html

[StealthRabbit]

If the choice for long term retirement with PT employment, I would look to Ranchester or Spearfish, SD and be prepared to up my housing budget (but possible to sell in a downturn). Gillette is it's own place, so you better like it real well for the next 20-30 yrs. That would be a stretch for me. Personal opinion / mid-term regional economic concerns.

[nowhereman427]

In a nutshell does this mean Gillette is not a good place to retire?

From a buyer's point of view, does it mean the housing prices will come down since the economy and jobs are dying?

From a seller's point of view house will be worth alot less in value?
No jobs to support residents of Gillette?

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by smpliving

I just read this article about Gillette that you may find interesting. Otherwise I don’t know anything about the area. Good luck!

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/23/opini...ter/index.html

Thanks for the info.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

In a nutshell does this mean Gillette is not a good place to retire?

From a buyer's point of view, does it mean the housing prices will come down since the economy and jobs are dying?

From a seller's point of view house will be worth alot less in value?
No jobs to support residents of Gillette?

I made an exhaustive spreadsheet for retirement relocation.
While Wyoming was my first choice, and a previous home, it did not fare well on my calculations.

• It is still a great place, but...
• Risk of retained value in a retirement home (often paid off), is very high in an energy specific location (such as Gillette). Sometimes that equity may be locked up for 5-10 yrs (can't sell in a bust)
• Retired transportation costs can be be very expensive if commuting daily for specialist or treatments. (A friend with aggressive cancer has just spent 3 yrs of 5x / week commute + many weeks of rented hotels)
• Varied activities and desired retirement venues is quite limited in Gillette, tho may be adequate for some. (Not me, I fly commercially every week and like to have a variety of colleges within 45 min)
• Shopping is very limited, as in Costco or varied factory outlet, or unique parts / fabric / specialized building supply places....
• Doubt Gillette retirement community is as diverse as I would prefer for longevity. (I enjoy learning from others with wide interests and background.) USA National laboratories and military destinations often have very vibrant and diverse retirement communities

and.

As always... Ymmv, everyone has different objectives and needs during retirement. But... Fair warning.... It is expensive and troublesome to move often during retirement. If you are forced to move (health, family, death, divorce, financial need...), Moving can be a significant burden (especially if home valuation or market is depressed).

Stuff happens.
Sometimes not too pretty. (Of which I do not find Gillette too pretty or desirable (for me), but many places on WY are potential retirement spots for me. (If was single). Spouse will absolutely not do WY, except for 3 specific locations. For good reason.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

I made an exhaustive spreadsheet for retirement relocation.
While Wyoming was my first choice, and a previous home, it did not fare well on my calculations.

• It is still a great place, but...
• Risk of retained value in a retirement home (often paid off), is very high in an energy specific location (such as Gillette). Sometimes that equity may be locked up for 5-10 yrs (can't sell in a bust)
• Retired transportation costs can be be very expensive if commuting daily for specialist or treatments. (A friend with aggressive cancer has just spent 3 yrs of 5x / week commute + many weeks of rented hotels)
• Varied activities and desired retirement venues is quite limited in Gillette, tho may be adequate for some. (Not me, I fly commercially every week and like to have a variety of colleges within 45 min)
• Shopping is very limited, as in Costco or varied factory outlet, or unique parts / fabric / specialized building supply places....
• Doubt Gillette retirement community is as diverse as I would prefer for longevity. (I enjoy learning from others with wide interests and background.) USA National laboratories and military destinations often have very vibrant and diverse retirement communities

and.

As always... Ymmv, everyone has different objectives and needs during retirement. But... Fair warning.... It is expensive and troublesome to move often during retirement. If you are forced to move (health, family, death, divorce, financial need...), Moving can be a significant burden (especially if home valuation or market is depressed).

Stuff happens.
Sometimes not too pretty. (Of which I do not find Gillette too pretty or desirable (for me), but many places on WY are potential retirement spots for me. (If was single). Spouse will absolutely not do WY, except for 3 specific locations. For good reason.

yES everyone needs are different as in state of health and as we get older who knows what will happen?

"Spouse will absolutely not do WY, except for 3 specific locations". For good reason.[/quote]
Any specific reasons why on the above and where?

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

yES everyone needs are different as in state of health and as we get older who knows what will happen?

"Spouse will absolutely not do WY, except for 3 specific locations". For good reason.

Any specific reasons why on the above and where?[/quote]

consider the 3 nicest places in WY for a mtn retirement home... and that would be it. (Which does not include Burgess Jct - my choice)

We spent a lot of our early married life near Moran and Elk, WY area. There are a few homes near there with picturesque views of Tetons. She will say... "Why didn't we buy one of those in 1970's"... IDK ! they were probably too expensive... maybe even $50k That is still pretty remote for medical and flying often, but... would be a great place to be homebound. Our current home has an uninterrupted view of 100 miles (when clear weather), and is in a protected National Scenic Area (no new neighbors allowed). 200+ft tall firs and hemlocks in our forest, so... I need to 'best' that. A Mobile Home on 40 wind scorched WY acres with the tallest tree being a fence post with a stuck tumbleweed just doesn't do it for spouse. I have been warned..."You will be very lonely living in WY", thus... this move will have to come later (after one of us croaks).

I have my application and instructions for WY Pioneer Home all filled out and on kitchen table, just in case.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Any specific reasons why on the above and where?

consider the 3 nicest places in WY for a mtn retirement home... and that would be it. (Which does not include Burgess Jct - my choice)

We spent a lot of our early married life near Moran and Elk, WY area. There are a few homes near there with picturesque views of Tetons. She will say... "Why didn't we buy one of those in 1970's"... IDK ! they were probably too expensive... maybe even $50k That is still pretty remote for medical and flying often, but... would be a great place to be homebound. Our current home has an uninterrupted view of 100 miles (when clear weather), and is in a protected National Scenic Area (no new neighbors allowed). 200+ft tall firs and hemlocks in our forest, so... I need to 'best' that. A Mobile Home on 40 wind scorched WY acres with the tallest tree being a fence post with a stuck tumbleweed just doesn't do it for spouse. I have been warned..."You will be very lonely living in WY", thus... this move will have to come later (after one of us croaks).

I have my application and instructions for WY Pioneer Home all filled out and on kitchen table, just in case. [/quote]

I concur with that. You at least should get something as good but preferably better "best" that and not downgrade but upgrade to a better situation.

[Ltdumbear]

Unless one hires onto one of (maybe FIVE, total ?) mountain-resorts up there on the mountain (to work 'full-time/year-round') there actually is no 'community' (or 'housing') to be found anywhere IN (or 'on top of') the Bighorn Mountains...

...so not sure how (or why) Burgess Junction even found it's way onto anyone's 'list' of places to retire, or 'move' to ? ? ?

For some time now, I have begun (inwardly) questioning the 'expertise' of an increasing-number of out-of-stater people posting replies, TO out-of-stater inquiries, here on the Wyoming forum...as if their personal/professional-opinions are THE final-word, on whatever subjects are being discussed (in-as-far as relocating & finding housing or employment here) is concerned.

If one does not actually LIVE here, then logic-dictates that one does NOT actually know what does (or does'nt) happen here.

The level of unbridled-pretentiousness is becoming quite insulting, really.