Questions from one interested in moving to Wyoming

[Troy]

Hey All!

Just joined the forum tonight, and want to ask a few questions, if I may.

First off, a bit about me: Conservative, wife and three kids, sick of Memphis, Tennessee. Want to move somewhere where I wake up in the morning and am glad to be there, inspired by both the geography and the community in which I live.

I've always loved the Rockies in Colorado, but also like the lack of a state income tax (except dividends) here in Tennessee. When I realized Wyoming had much the same tax situation, I thought it might be a good place to settle down.

I was out to Denver visiting my sister a few months ago, and drove up into Wyoming a bit, but only had enough time to go through Cheyyene. Not a bad place, but I'd prefer being in the foothills of the Rockies, or at least someplace a little hillier. For reference, the most beautiful mountain area I've seen to date is along 550 in Colorado from Durango north to Montrose. While I don't really want to live at quite those elevations, that's the type of topography I really like. To be able to see, and visit, that type of topography from a town in our near the foothills, would be great.

My wife and I run a small web hosting business that is doing pretty well for us, and my wife is  a certified teacher who homeschools our children, so we have the luxury of being able to relocate anywhere, anytime. I'm geting older (40 next year), and tired of thinking about it all the time, ready to go ahead and pull the trigger.

That said, could anyone recommend the areas of Wyoming that might interest me? From looking at some topo maps, I'm thinking Lander might be nice. But, I also want to make sure that I end up in a place that:

1. Is predominantly socially and politically conservative.
2. Has dsl/cable (I can use satellite if I must).
3. Has a good youth sports program, especially competitive soccer.

I would also be looking to probably lease a home with a minimum of 4 bedrooms and 2500 sq. feet, in the $1000-1500 range. I would lease to have some flexibility in case it turned out we didn't like it out there. (I have no doubt I will, but I never know about my wife - she's not as anxious to leave Memphis as I)

I'm thinking I'm going to take a drive out there in the next month or so, and would like to have some recommendations to check out.

In conjunction with a move out there, I'll also join FSW, after I go through it in more detail and ensure I agree with its tenets. (I've only just found out about FSW and this forum, when I searched google for "moving to wyoming").

Thanks!
Troy in Memphis

[Boston]

Hi Troy,

Thanks for joining our forum!
The short answer is:  Wyoming has everything you've mentioned.
The DSL/cable can vary, and perhaps also the soccer, but the rest is a shoe-in.

For nice topography check out Ten Sleep and Shell, and Crook County.

We've several families very similar to yours who've already moved,
and you'll meet them soon here.  Also, our forum has threads on
basically everything you've outlined, so dive in!

Boston

[Gerri]

Howdy and Welcome Troy and Family,

Planning for a move with a family is always a major "adventure." I know all of you will enjoy and be welcomed by the FSW Family. I had to change my dreams of moving to Colorada (near Pagosa Springs) a few years ago and have decided that Wyoming has much more to offer me and my horses. So I am Wyoming Bound (Crook County area) in my moving plans as soon possible.

The Forum does have a gold mine of info to help you and your family decide where to land in Wyoming. The various Chamber of Commerce offices, Real Estate places, and Forum members will be a huge help to you. Ask questions and you will be given warm and helpful replies.

May your future dreams turn into Blessed Days in Wyoming with new Freedom Loving Friends,
Gerri M   
? ? ?

[wyomiles]

Howdy Troy, glad you found us ! First look at these.

http://www.widerange.org/gallery.php?gallery=wyoming&PHPSESSID=9210cdb14efb1949dab6509350a6937b

http://www.codywy.org/webcam_main.htm

http://www.wyomingtourism.org/planning/vs/index.php?id=97

There are many beautiful mountain ranges in Wyoming. The above were from a quick search and nowhere near enough. Many of Wyomings cities are at the base or very near the mountains. The Big horns,the Windrivers,The Snowies,and the Black hills are wonderful !? Take a tour of Wyoming (? http://www.fundamentalsoffreedom.com/fswforum//index.php?topic=1929.0? )? and I'm sure you will fall in love with it.? ?Miles

[ThomasK]

  Hey Troy,
My wife and three boys 10,9,&5    live in Crook Co. She homeschools also, & we love the aera.
Elve. is not bad, but I drive 45-60 mi to work. ( its a better trade off than living in Gillett)

 Just PM us when you get this way, we can show ya around.

 Tom

[MamaLiberty]

Let me show you the beautiful Black Hills in Weston County too! We have the best weather here, and homes are still available, though not much for rent or lease.  FSW folks who come anywhere near Newcastle are always welcome to stop by and visit a spell. The coffee is always on!

Welcome to our family! We look forward to seeing you anytime, and you'll find support and encouragement aplenty, as well as physical help wherever possible.

Hope to see you soon! PM for directions.
MamaLiberty

[Paul Bonneau]

I understand Lander tends to be a bit more "liberal", although Wyoming "liberals" ain't so bad (e.g., many are gun tot'in).

Of course, many of us here are liberals too - classical liberals, that is (the kind that don't believe in government).

[Troy]

Thanks for the info and welcome, everyone!

I'll be going through the info in the forum soon, and the info and links presented here in this thread. I appreciate it!

[Troy]

Hey All!

It looks like I may have some time to get away for a week or so this week, and I'm thinking about taking a drive out to Wyoming and looking around the Sheridan and Big Horn areas.

I hear Denver has been hit hard with bad weather, but how about Wyoming? Am I insane to think about coming out there now?

Any lodging recommendations for the area? I don't ski, (though I'll definitely learn if I move out that way), but will want to do some snowmobiling/boarding/sledding type stuff (assuming there is snow, of course).

Advice and/or recommendations will be much appreciated!

[Cat]

The last couple of storms hit the southeast portion of Wyoming the hardest.  Up here in the northeast we have not had much snow yet this year, even in the Black Hills where it is usually pretty snowy.  Some people up here have been going down to Laramie Peak (northwest of Cheyenne) to snowmobile.

The mountains always have snow in the winter.  I am heading over the Big Horns next week and hope it doesn't snow while I am driving through, though there is always the possibility.  Sheridan and Buffalo are beautiful (east side of the Big Horns) and I am sure that there are opportunities for winter sports.  Jackson has tons of snow but it is on the far west side of the state and tends to be spendy.

Cat

[Dr. Alan]

? Hey Troy,
My wife and three boys 10,9,&5? ? live in Crook Co. She homeschools also, & we love the aera.
Elve. is not bad, but I drive 45-60 mi to work. ( its a better trade off than living in Gillett)

 Just PM us when you get this way, we can show ya around.

 Tom

Hello Tom, I've never been to Gillett, what is it that you don't like about it?

Shalom, Dr. Alan

[Danl]

Troy,

I ride the Big Horns when I can.? I haul horses from Illinois out there.? Check this out and see if can stand the scenery :

Big Horn Mountain Trip

Regards, Danl

[Paul Bonneau]

A week, to drive from Tennessee to Wyoming and back, during winter? Is that alone, or with someone helping you drive? That is pushing it.

I drive 1000 miles to Oregon occasionally. It takes about 20 hours with my wife helping and no stops. When we are less ambitious, we stop in a motel half way there so we aren't a wreck when we arrive, but then it is a 2-day trip.

I might do your trip if it's the only alternative you have, but if you could save your time off and wrangle a trip to the Jam this summer you might find it a lot more fun.

[MarthaK]

  Hey Troy,
My wife and three boys 10,9,&5    live in Crook Co. She homeschools also, & we love the aera.
Elve. is not bad, but I drive 45-60 mi to work. ( its a better trade off than living in Gillett)

 Just PM us when you get this way, we can show ya around.

 Tom

Hello Tom, I've never been to Gillett, what is it that you don't like about it?

Shalom, Dr. Alan

I'm obviously the better half of Tom  , and he's only online when I let him be  , so I'll answer.  Actually he's been working quite a bit.

We didn't like the "city" aspect of it.  We had lived in the Rock Springs area for 4 years and wanted a quiet, small, low-key town.  Let me tell you Sundance is definately all that and more!  We considered Gillette, but the rents there are way too high!  Often people we would try to rent from would turn us down because we had kids    If I have to pay $1,500/mo for a 2-bdrm place, I don't want to be hasseled about my kids.  There is a definate drill trash element in Gillette as well.  High drug use.  Rock Springs had all of that and we wanted out.

I am also not your average, ordinary woman in that I hate to shop (except maybe once a year).  I hate crowds and traffic and malls    I wouldn't care if I ever went to the theater again - as long as I can rent an occasional movie.  Eating out is too expensive and most of the time it makes me sick any way - so no need to go anywhere. 

I hope this answers your question, and it makes sense.   I've only been interrupted 5 times 

Martha

[Dr. Alan]

Thanx for your detailed reply, Martha. I agree that you are "obviously Tom's better half" (...er..I better since I've been married for 22 yrs and would like to stay that way!!) BTW I do have two additional questions for ya if you don't mind:

? ? ?1.) So tell me about Sundance, what is it that you like, weather, jobs, etc. Sound like a neat place!!

? ? ?2.) Just what is "drill trash"? Sounds somewhat ominous

Shalom, Dr. Alan