Wyoming?

[yaktamer]

So I'm thinking about buying a few acres in Wyoming. I expect to retire in about 10-12 years, and will probably snowbird it -- winters in Arizona, summers up there (but year-round access would be nice). Not looking for anything elaborate. Just something I could put a cabin on with access to water and electric (although I'd consider off-grid solar) with some privacy. I'd prefer trees over prairie, but don't have much to spend (so no Jackson Hole for me). Someplace I could park an RV on and camp until I retire and can build. Any suggestions for where to look?

 

[mtgianni]

Red Desert is cheap. A lot depends on what you like to do. Plan on whether you like to fish, ride off rode or just enjoy sane summer weather.

 

[yaktamer]

Red Desert is cheap. A lot depends on what you like to do. Plan on whether you like to fish, ride off rode or just enjoy sane summer weather.

Thanks for the reply, but I get enough dry and barren here.

 

[Peak53]

Sheridan ...

 

[UncleEd]

Think someplace with easy access to
medical care without much ado about
getting to and fro.

In 10 or 12 years you're not likely to
be the same person you are today.

 

[ancient-one]

Think someplace with easy access to
medical care without much ado about
getting to and fro.

In 10 or 12 years you're not likely to
be the same person you are today.

Listen to Uncle Ed. I can vouch for that.

 

[magmag]

Sheridan ...

+1 ^^^

Once a month shopping at Billings (buy extra freezer at the house) and enjoy. Beside who doesn't like Bighorn as backdrop

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Wyoming is known for wind, and not the kind of wind that might be occasionally annoying; the kind of wind that will drive you absolutely crazy after days, weeks, or months. Wind that will pick up all the dust and grit from 5 counties away and use it to take the paint off your car or truck overnight.

East of the Continental Divide trees are more than scarce, they are rare and difficult to find (especially after a good wind storm). Water can also be a scarce commodity, and regardless of what the well drillers tell you there are no guarantees.

You have a few years to make your decisions. I recommend taking a hard look at any area you are considering, preferably spending a week or more in each season of the year (there are really only two seasons, windy summer and windy winter) before you put up your money for a little slice of heaven in Wyoming. Rent before you buy, and a proven and adjudicated well mean more than any promise you might receive.

Did I mention the wind?

 

[wetdog1911]

Listen to Uncle Ed. I can vouch for that.

I can vouch for both of them!

Rob

 

[Big E3]

Did somebody mention the wind?

 

[Chop]

Wyoming is full...I hear South Dakota is nice.

 

[BearBio]

Might look at Eastern Washington? The Channeled Scablands? Most of Northern Wyoming ended up there after the Missoula Floods!

 

[s&wchad]

We’ll be antelope hunting and prairie dog shooting outside of Bill WY on October 1st. This will be our 12th or 13th year on the same ranch. Scratch Bill off your list!

The population of Bill is only 16 for a reason. It’s a great place to hunt, but I’m not tough enough to live there. It’s high desert with very little precipitation and rock hard ground. When it finally does rain, the earth takes on the consistency of wet cement and the mosquitos come out in force. A few years back, my brother opened the passenger door of my F-150 and the wind took it. Damage to the hinges and quarter panel were about $1400.

Douglass is less than an hour drive south of Bill and it’s a good size town. I could live there. The N. Platte river runs through it and there are medical facilities, restaurants and plenty of stores. They even have a golf course! Property values are fairly low and the people are friendly.

 

[chief38]

Cody Wyoming looked nice when I was visiting the State years ago. While Jackson Hole is very very nice, YES.... big bucks!

 

[The Norseman]

SD

As the guy said in reply above, do not come
to South Dakota.

These places are not for the faint of heart.

 

[Doug M.]

Might look at Eastern Washington?

*
I've lived in the Spokane area and Ellensburg since 1993. Washington is not dying - it is being killed, and I am just hoping it remains livable until I can retire in 5-6 years. The rate of Californication here is staggering, and those of us who are trying to hold the line personally and professionally are ... being overwhelmed. The "Idiocracy of the I-5 Corridor" has to many occupants who are totalitarians, and the rest of us are paying for it.

My preliminary research is in favor of Laramie.

 

[twodog max]

I was antelope hunting north of Lusk a few years back. Stopped to ask permission to hunt from a rancher and his wife working horses. They told us they were originally from Rochester New York and thought they knew what tough winters were until they moved to Wyoming. The wind as mentioned made winter rough. Last time I went by their place it was empty. Guess they gave up.

 

[yaktamer]

*
I've lived in the Spokane area and Ellensburg since 1993. Washington is not dying - it is being killed, and I am just hoping it remains livable until I can retire in 5-6 years. The rate of Californication here is staggering, and those of us who are trying to hold the line personally and professionally are ... being overwhelmed. The "Idiocracy of the I-5 Corridor" has to many occupants who are totalitarians, and the rest of us are paying for it.

My preliminary research is in favor of Laramie.

Loved visiting and honeymooning in Oregon and Washington, but, for the reasons stated above, won't live there. And I'm aware of the wind and general lack of vegetation in the Eastern part of Wyoming, although there are a few areas here and there that look promising (including Recluse, if only for the name). Some have suggested Sheridan, but my preliminary search looks like typically $100k+ per acre. Agree that Laramie and Cody areas are prospects. I've considered Montana, and have life-long friends who just bought a place near Ennis, so that's a maybe because it would put me near "family."
Keep 'em coming.

 

[hoosierone]

My bil and wife live near Glacier Park in Montana. One of the things they deal with is smoke from forrest fires. I guess it can travel hundreds of miles at times. Anyone with respiratory problems should be aware.

 

[BearBio]

The area near Glacier was too "citified" for us and too many tourists (western side).

You know what they say about Jackson "The billionaires drove all the millionaires out!"

 

[cowboy4evr]

I can't tell you about Wyoming , but I can tell you about a part of Minnesota . My brother in law lives in the far north west corner . He says they have 2 seasons , " winter and 4th of July " . Regards, Paul

 

[Wyo]

I would suggest the Buffalo/Sheridan ares on the east side of the Big Horns and the Ten Sleep area on the west side. Beautiful country on both sides, prices are a bit lower on the west side. Sheridan is big enough to provide anything you normally need and Billings isn’t too far away if you need a dose of the bigger city. Google ‘em up and take a look.