Looking to Retire with Breathing Room (Sheridan, Riverton: low crime, house, employment)

[Cosmo2003]

Hi! New to the forum although I have read this site for years. Originally from Omaha, spent 22 years in Colorado near Steamboat Springs. I moved to Southern California (ugh) 6 years ago to care for elderly parent.

I'm looking for a small town to live out my golden years. Having lived in the Rockies, I actually miss the cold and snow, so winters are not an issue for me. I'm not a huge outdoor person although I do enjoy walking and easy hikes. Mostly do indoor things - lots of needlework and such.

Buffalo reminds me of Hayden, CO where I lived but with much lower rent. Will be living on Social Security and small online jobs.

How is the cost of living in Buffalo? I checked out all the local stores the town seems to have everything I would need. Also love the low crime rate according to the City Data stats.

Any comments would be appreciated! My needs are quite simple - cozy, safe and affordable.

[sunsprit]

My needs are quite simple - cozy, safe and affordable.

What about access to services, such as medical? restaurants, entertainment, shopping?

Buffalo is a nice area, but you'll be paying a premium for the access to recreation there. Why do so when it's not a priority for you when Sheridan could be a bit more affordable and provide more opportunities for the things that you may value?

[WyoNewk]

Buffalo is an hour west of me, and I visit it, Story, Sheridan, Ranchester and Dayton 2-3 times per month. That whole area is nice, but I'm with you on liking Buffalo best of all. From what I've seen, it's not overly expensive, but it would be tight for one person living on SS.

If you find it a bit too expensive, I think you'll find the cost of living a little lower on the west side of the Bighorns, i.e., Thermopolis, Worland, Greybull, etc. But they're further from the mountains (along the Bighorn River) and aren't as pretty as those along the eastern slope.

[StealthRabbit]

a lot of retirees like Lander or Riverton area. The weather and costs made be a tad more to your liking / activities. I like Powell, as it is a Jr college and AG centric town with decent hospital and services. Not terribly expensive, cuz it's not an 'energy employment / housing centric' town; quite near Cody (lots of services) and not too far from Montana (more services / shopping).

Of course there is the "WY Pioneer Home' in Thermopolis, when you start getting worn out enough to need a care facility.

Buffalo / Sheridan are not cheap, but if you are eligible for VA medical, Sheridan can be of benefit.

Also consider Sturgis / Piedmont, SD. Being within an hour of Rapid City has benefit for many services (including a decent commercial airport). Mtns are quite close, and many nice recreation areas. Good sewing / quilting classes / activities in Spearfish (college town, a bit further away from Rapid, than Sturgis). but...Closer to WY! When in SD, stay in Lead, SD at Main Street Manor hostel, a very interesting gal runs that, and it is clean, nice, inexpensive and one block to community sporting center. Mickelson Trail is nearby. George S. Mickelson Trail | South Dakota Trails | TrailLink.com
https://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/direc...railheads.aspx

Worth a stop, when you are out hunting for a place. These areas in SD are quite a lot densely populated, as compared to most of WY, but Sheridan and Buffalo are blossoming areas in WY, as they have been for many yrs. WY and SD have much more 'breathing room' than most of CO. If you have only been gone from CO for 6 yrs, you are well aware of political and growth issues there.

Run the numbers. While WY was first on my list, my retirement spreadsheet illustrated costs / time commitment of being so rural / remote (I fly commercially several times / month). Housing equity risk also was a detractor. Energy sector goes cold, and you may be sitting decades on a home you can't sell. Many of us do not have 'decades' remaining. Do remember (and plan) that you will be driving a lot, and often quite long distances.

Many retirees that stay with us, have found their desired locations via house / pet / plant sitting for a few months during the Worst season to be in the area. There are several web sites listing house sitting ads.

[Cosmo2003]

Thank you so much for all the valuable information! This will really help me in my quest!

[GregW]

Judging from our previous vacation Wyoming has a LOT of breathing space.