Looking to Move to a Free State

[Sophie]

So, first things first. I'm Sophie (22 y/o) and live with my dad (64 y/o). We're looking to move out of our current state, Maryland. No more needs to be said about that as the reason is obvious.

So, we're looking in to New Hampshire and Wyoming. NH property taxes are insane and WY is so far away. We're on a fixed income; he's retired and I'm getting ready to head to grad school Fall 2010 for Sports Psychology.

Needs/Wants/Questions:
My dad has health problems and good medical care (i.e. a hospital) is a must near where we live.
We're looking to buy, not rent.
We'd like to have a gym nearby as well.
Weather isn't a problem so much as cost to keep the house a comfortable temperature. (fixed income)
Does WY have red light cameras, speed cameras, etc?

Given the above, I've found some places in Rawlins and Casper, among others. Are these good fits for the what we're looking for? Should I look elsewhere as well?

This is just in the beginning stages. We wouldn't be ale to move until the new year at the earliest, and would want to wait until it gets a little warmer there to move more than likely.

[MichaelNotMike]

Casper has all that you're looking for. (and I haven't noticed any cameras).

Rawlins is rather depressing, Casper is fairly wonderful. It also has a hospitals and a lot of doctors.

MWD

[MamaLiberty]

Welcome Sophie! Wyoming has what you are looking for, one place or another. It is best that you come and visit the area you are thinking of moving to, however. Your eyes and spirit will see best where you will be at home. We can describe it, but you have to live it.

Bless you, and please let us know how we can help.

[Brandy]

I agree with Michael regarding Rawlins.  While I don't live in Casper I work and shop there.  So far it has met my needs and is not 'TOO' big.

Just avoid driving to Casper thru Evansville on the old highway.  If you car even looks like it has the capability of speeding you WILL get a ticket.----speaking from experience

Brandy

[Boston]

Hi Sophie, and welcome here!

I agree that Casper is a good choice, and certainly the best
to "stage" from in checking out Wyoming as it's about in the
state's center.  Nearly everywhere is within three hours.

I had friends who moved away from Maryland to the Rockies,
and love it out West.  I expect that you and your dad will too.

Regards,
Boston

[manfromnevada]

Sports Psychology? I hear there's a BIG demand up here for that! 

I know of no red light cameras in the state. Folks, you'd know if you saw them. These are not the little cameras that are sometime mounted high above on the arms that hold the traffic lights out across the traffic lanes. Red light cameras are down low, in big boxes (to prevent vandalism?) and have big strobe lights that take pics of your car, both front and back, if you cross over the magic line after the red traffic light appears.

Mac

[Sophie]

I"ll continue looking in to Casper housing then. Sounds like a good place.

Big demand for Sports Psych?  I was under the impression most people didn't even know what that was. "Is that where you teach them how to be good losers?"  GROAN At least when I tell people I'm studying to be a personal trainer they have a better idea of what that is.

Baltimore is FILLED with red light and speed cameras. They're great at causing accidents because of people slamming on their brakes. Not to mention they shorten the yellow light normally as well.

Is it SNOWING there today?? Snow, in August? Not sure I could get used to that.

[MichaelNotMike]

It's 77 degrees in Casper today.


MWD

[Big Ugly]

Hi, Sophie,
Well, it could be snowing way up in the higher elevations - but, if it is, it won't last long! (smiles really big).
Down here at the 'lower' elevations 5k here in Lander, we're having thunderstorms.
Even up at the Field Camp (elev 7k) the only month I had not seen snow, was August. On July 4th, a few years ago, we had 4" up at the Field Camp - gone in a couple of hours - not a problem at all.

Not familiar with "Sports Psych" but would think that it would be along the lines of 'teach the brain to lie to the body for better performance'. How far off the mark??

[manfromnevada]

But Sophie! Those red light cameras bring in such large "revenue" for the cities! So what if they shorten the yellow light and cause accidents. It's all for the collective you know!

Red light cameras wouldn't work out here anyway. Too much mud obscuring the license plates!

Mac

[Sophie]

77 sounds nice compared to Baltimore. Ugh. It's not the heat, but the humidity, that's so horrible. That and the allergies.

Good to know that even if it does snow in August, it won't last long. 

Big Ugly, pretty close. Basically, how psychology affects performance and how exercise affects psychology. It's the latter I'm most interested in. Would like to someday use exercise as a therapy to treat psychological disorder instead of/in conjunction with medications.

Don't get me started on the collective. If I hear one more liberal talk about the collective, and how the health care bill is for the collective, I'll go nuts. It just doesn't work. Maybe the Liberals should real Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead.

I wish I could find my own Galt's Gulch to live in.

[Big Ugly]

Come on out!
We've got a whole State full of them!!!

[jubal]

   Considering the weather on average throughout the country Wyomings weather is damned hard to beat. I assume you have a weather dealy on the internet in your area, just check yours every day and compare our weather to yours, you may get a very big surprise as to how great our Wyoming weather is. Pick a town in Wyo. and get their weather internet.

[Dr.Tramp]

 You may want to check out Cheyenne too. Many folks thinks it's to big or to liberal or to conservative or to whatever but I'm comfortable here.
 There's a large medical center and the VA regional hospital if your dad's a vet.
 Cheyenne's big enough to have everything I want or need but small enough for me to use my bicycle to get around for most things. In many ways the old part of town, where I live, reminds me of the small towns I lived in during my years in Europe.
 Plus: It's easy to get away from when you want to get out into the open spaces or up to the mountains.
 I lived in Sparrows Point Maryland for a while. Yech! Couldn't wait to get out of there and back to the west.
 Ride Safe. Dr.Tramp.................

[socalserf]

Howdy Sophie, welcome to the forum.

You definately want to plan a trip to look over the country, and met the people.

Be warned that you won't want to go home.

And by all means visit the Black Hills and MamaLiberty.