winters in wyoming

U.S.A. Wyoming

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My husband and I are considering a move to Wyo. this winter. I have several questions, one of the more important....what's the winter like? I am from the south and we don't even see snow down here where I live, it never gets below 30. Is it hard to adjust to?

I will be in Cheyenne for a while, any suggestions on where to find a cheap 1 bedroom apartment to live in while we build a house? Any suggestions on where to live in the state, we will have a choice once my husband gets out of the police academy.

Are most people in Wyo. pretty accepting to new people, or should I expect to be an "outsider" for a while?

Thanks!

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Oh, get ready for some serious snow and cold for about 8 months of the year.......30 BELOW zero not uncommon, worse with windchill.

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sounds inviting....LOL

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The winters are harsh, but I ajusted well. I came from San Diego Ca. My parents are from wyo and that is why i live there. as for the housing there is a shortage of housing just about everywhere due to the energy boom. Cheyenne is one of the two major cities in wy casper being the other. They have a pop of 50,000. check out the jobs in wy by going to wyomingatwork.com Their you will see jobs for the whole state. Hope this helps.

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I have heard that there are two distinct parts of wyo, the wooded areas, and the barren areas, is that true? What areas would you recommend that would be the least shocking to me weather wise? I would like to buy some land with nice views, partially wooded, ya know the whole nine yards.

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Depends on where you live in Wyoming. I have lived in all parts of Wyoming at one time or another. Cheyenne and Casper are in the top 5 of windiest spots in the nation. The wind blows in Wyoming and it's not just a breeze either. I've experienced gusts at 100mph. The wind has knocked semis off of the interstates. In the winter we have snow followed by wind, wind followed by snow, and wind and snow together. In some places the snow never hits the ground but gets worn out by the wind. That being said, most times the winters are fine once you get used to them. Learning how to drive safely can be an issue for people who have never driven on/in snow, ice, and wind. There is lots of blue sky before and after storms which does help if you suffer from SAD. We do have many days that have a daytime high in the 40's and 50's which melts the snow off so it doesn't accumulate like it does in some areas. Believe it or not the windier areas are actually warmer because the chinook (warm winds) raise the temperature and melt the snow. The basin areas are much colder as the wind doesn't blow much in those areas. Right now, Wyoming is still booming although some things are slowing down so finding housing can be a challenge. This is especially true in Casper, Gillette, Buffalo, Douglas, and Sheridan to name a few. I'm not sure about the housing market in Cheyenne. Housing can be quite expensive even crappy rentals. The people can be somewhat close minded about some things. However, most will go out of their way to help a stranger in trouble. The people here are self reliant and independent. There aren't very many people in the state when compared to the land mass. There are many miles between towns so be ready to drive to get somewhere. If you are used to the big city, Wyoming will be a culture shock for you more then the weather. You might want to come out and visit for awhile before you buy land or build a house. Wyoming isn't for everyone. In fact it has one of the higher suicide rates in the nation because of the isolation factor. I like living in Wyoming because of the independence, the lack of taxes, the lack of rules and regulations on ruling a person's life, the beautiful views (even the Red Desert is a place of beauty as are areas in the Big Horn and Powder River basins), and the lack of humans in general.

Fuzzy

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In answer to your question about where to build a house with wooded land is how isolated do you want to be? Do you want to live near a town and how big should it be? There are not many big towns in wyo(10,000 and up). Wooded areas are in the west very expensive! the eastern part has wooded areas near newcasle. Meteetse is nice and close to cody. The other person is right about there being distances to drive. You should also carry survial gear in your car. you never know when another car will come. Is any of this helpful?

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Yes, it is. However it does make me a little nervous being from the South. I am from a small town but the larger towns are too far away. I am ok with being in a small town, actually prefer it. As long as there are some places to eat, get groceries, that kind of stuff.

I'm not really for sure what you mean by "survivial gear" that makes me a little nervous, lol! I am sure it is weather related, though.

I have never been to wyo, I will be going for the first time in March. Is the weather horrible all the time? I mean 100 mph wind gusts, miserable? Cold weather in general is something I am going to have to adjust to, but I think it will be ok.

I am just doing some research now on some towns that I might like, it's just hard to know those things without visiting each of them. Hopefully things will just work out.

I really appreciate all of the info you guys have given me, it has been very helpful and enlightening!

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Survival gear is stuff that people should carry with them when they are driving and usually don't. Things like a sleeping bag or blanket, first aid kit, something to make a fire with, food, water, etc. However most of the state has cell phone coverage although there are dead zones in some of the more rural parts of the state and in some of the mountains. Cellphone service does keep things closer if you get my drift. Today is was 50F in the small WY town that I live in. The 4 inches of snow and icy roads of yesterday are just a small memory. The wind is blowing but not very bad...considering. The sky is a vibrant blue with a few fluffy clouds. The ground is muddy and wet from yesterday's melted snow. For the most part Wyoming's weather is always changing.

Fuzzy

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Can you tell me a little bit about the town you live in, whats the name of it, what all is in it? what's it like living there. It's so strange, I have been moving around for the last 6 years with work and for the first time I am actually nervous! In the past, it didn't really matter where I was, it was all the same in a sense but I feel that wyo is going to be sooo different. I am really nervous/excited. I can't wait to get there in March and take a look around! I'm sure pictures don't do it justice!

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I live east of Yellowstone Park in the farming community of Powell. It is laid back with a community of nice people. Yellowstone Park is only 75 miles from me. I'm not really in the mountains but am surrounded by them. Beef cattle, sugar beets, alfalfa, barley, some corn, and hay are raised here. This is a good place to raise a family and the schools are wonderful. Powell also has a Community College ( junior) called Northwest. It is a two year college that offers a variety of courses including a nursing program. Powell is in the northwest part of the state where Cheyenne is in the southeast. Both are quite different in place and style. I have also lived in Cheyenne. In fact, I grew up in that area.

Fuzzy

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My husband has applied for a job in Sheridan, Gillette, Carbon County, and for the State so we will see!

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