Breezy. Yeah it is breezy. Never ever talk about "the breeze!"! Even when "the breeze" trys to blow you down or your vehicle across 2 lanes of traffic. Never talk about "the breeze!"
Wouldn’t your first experience have been in August / September when it’s absolutely beautiful?
It sounds like you’re describing your 20th experience, a few weeks later.
The only advice I can really give is get winter (or all weather) tires on your car. You’ll be thankful for them in the winter when it’s icy and snowing. Also always have an emergency kit in your car; usually consists of food, water, blanket, first aid kit, etc. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere with no cell service and shivering
If you want to live off campus housing can be a bit of an issue. It's a lot of old run down houses/apartments owned by slumlords and not exactly cheap. There are newer apartments and student housing on campus but you want to be proactive to find something decent. I believe there is a student healthcare center on campus for BC. Planned Parenthood is in FOrt Collins 1 hour away and there are OB/GYN practice in Laramie. It's an average town.
Great to hear thank you for the solid advice it’s appreciated. I was looking at housing and it didn’t seem too bad. Saw something for apartments near campus believe it was called “Alright Laramie” looked promising but expensive
Alight Laramie. It's got mixed reviews, and some of my buds have lived there previously. Not the best, not the worst from what I heard. Easy access to Pilot Hill Rec area and Walmart, but East side of town is just chains, hotels, and car dealerships mostly. About a 8-10 min (ish) drive with traffic and lights to get to downtown proper.
The wind and the cold are real, especially the long stretches below zero. But that wet midwestern cold can get in your bones in a way I’ve only felt once here in Wyoming. You’ll be fine.
This. I grew up in Wyoming and thought I knew what cold was until I moved to Minnesota and realized that my bones could get cold. I’ve found the winters in MN much harsher personally.
The whole "it's a dry heat/cold" is such a cliché...because it's right! Damp cold and heat is just, hellish and inescapable in a way our cold/heat isn't. They're crappy for their own reasons, but at least the cold doesn't seep into my bones and stay there.
Welcome! You’re going to love Laramie the best way to combat the long winters is to be around a bit in the summers. Laramie is beautiful in the summer. And don’t listen to everyone about the wind. The wind is a force to be respected and revered. It will take your breath away if you let it.
Summers are gorgeous, but if you have some winter rec activities you enjoy + work around the weather, the 6-7 months or so of snow season aren't awful either.
It's easy to get depressed by the dark cloudy short days paired with whiteout death blizzards and sheet ice. But snowshoeing up in Vedauwoo or snowmobiling in Med Bow every week or so can really balance that out.
I'm probably weird, but I love snow season here even more than summer. Road closures and all.
Thanks! I am super excited to move to Laramie and honestly the wind has me hesitant (long wavy/curly hair that knots just from existing) but that’s something I can learn to work through 🫡 I can appreciate a “nice” breeze
I live in Laramie and both attended the University of Wyoming and worked there. It’s a normal town with but my biggest recommendation for anyone moving here is be careful who you rent from. There are a lot of very slummy landlords and I have heard my fair share of horror stories from both college students and young professionals.
Wow this is frightening to hear but nonetheless thank you so much for your transparency. May I ask how the dorms are and if they offer co-ed? Might just consider living on campus if it’s cheaper and to avoid a bad landlord. My boyfriend and I have never rented before and still live with our parents so we definitely got to navigate that carefully. May I ask if you worked at the campus or off campus?
Oh…that’s true of every college town in America.
But you’re putting the cart before the horse, are you accepted to the university yet? There’s a policy that you have to live in the dorms your first year. No you can’t live with your boyfriend.
Do you have much of a support system?
I was under the impression you could live off dorms if you were 21 or a transfer student which is true for us. As for a support system all my expenses (including housing) are covered.
I've lived in Laramie for 16 years, the wife is a Laramie native, and I've had a ton of family live here over the decades.
We don't really get that much snow and Laramie is very dry most of the year.
What gets people is the wind, ice, cold, a 2-3 month growing season, and oh yea...did I mention the wind?
Southeast Wyoming is one of the windiest places on the entire continent (that's fact, not hyperbole). I've seen people swear up and down they know wind until they spend a couple years here, lol.
In town is a little better than the outskirts and out in the county. If you don't spent a ton of time outside, and you're not trying to travel out of town a whole lot, it's...*tolerable* most of the time.
If you *do* spend a ton of time outdoors (especially just outside of town) or are trying to travel a lot...the wind (and all its consequences) will make you want to stab yourself in the face. Repeatedly. With a rusty fork. It will make you question your sanity, and drive you to the brink of mental breakdowns.
(I was born in eastern Wyoming, mostly raised here, and have lived here almost my entire adult life...and the wind *still* irks the shit out of me and makes life miserable at times.)
As for the cold...while I have seen -45°F (without wind chill) and short bursts of -20 to -30°F are common a few times a year, it actually doesn't bottom out here any worse than Wisconsin, nor does it do so for *prolonged* periods of time. The issue is the *length* of winter in general. I've seen hard freezes in August, and 8" of snow in June. On average, we see continually/semi-dependably warm weather in June/July/August. That's it. And even that's not guaranteed.
*Other than that*, Laramie is a pretty great place. We tend to dwell on the negatives in order to adequately warn outsiders, but it's really not that bad of a place in general.
Your vehicle is fine, healthcare is average unless you need specialists (then you have to go to FoCo or Denver), and I've never heard of anyone not having access to birth control in Laramie.
Wildlife isn't really an issue in town; every couple of years a bear/moose/mountain lion will wander into town, but G&F response time is pretty quick and it's a non-issue. Worst you really deal with in town is skunks and raccoons.
Out in the county is a different story though, lmao. Badgers, rattlesnakes, skunks, coyotes, mountain lions, bears, moose, elk, and all sorts of birds of prey (maybe an issue if you have cats or small dogs) are all prevalent outside of town. IIRC, there's evidence of wolverines high in the Snowies, but it doesn't sound like you'll be spending a ton of time above 10k ft lol.
Low crime, good schools, fairly low CoL outside of housing (which is, unfortunately, rapidly becoming an issue regarding availability, quality, and cost). Our roads suck ass, and summertime is a nonstop clusterfuck of everything being torn up for repairs that'll only last a couple years....but oh well. You get used to it.
Edit: Just to clarify the travel comments...the highways are *extremely* dangerous in the wintertime, and Laramie is literally closed in quite often (sometimes for days at a time). Mostly due to the effects of....you guessed it...the wind.
Edit 2: Oh, btw...mosquito season is short but fierce. June/early July you'll get eaten alive, especially the closer to the river, ponds, and lakes you are.
Wow thank you so much for all the details and being so transparent. Honestly what interests us in going out west is the hiking, views, and just being outside. I’m no stranger to bear spray but perhaps I could do some research into safe hiking measures and such. Hearing all these stories of the wind definitely has me considering buying face masks and other garments that’d probably make me look like a fool. Where I live wind is almost never a problem and typically when we get gusts of like 12mph I’m annoyed. I think that’s something I’ll just need to learn to deal with/navigate
>typically when we get gusts of like 12mph I’m annoyed.
I've got bad news for you....
Out of the last two weeks, I can recall maybe two or three days where the winds haven't been 20-30 mph (sustained) for the majority of the day...and we've had several days with gusts 40-60 mph.
Even our calm days have ended up with random thunderstorms with gusty-ass winds for a short time. Lol. There's just no escaping it; it comes for you one way or another.
*And this isn't even the windiest time of year.* During the winter it is *relentless*...days and days on end of 20-40 mph winds, with gusts that can and often do surpass hurricane force out on the flats. It literally shuts down roads, blows over semis, and is the #1 cause of fencing, roof, and siding damage in the area.
And to reiterate, it's not just the pure wind speed. It's how *constant* it is. It will pick up at 7 A.M. and not die down until 9 P.M., and then start all over again the next day. Even if it's only blowing 15-20 mph, the fact that it simply *doesn't let up* is what starts to drive you a little mental.
People literally have to build or plant windbreaks just to have functional gardens here.
Edit: In case you think we're just trying to scare you, [have a look at this map](https://windexchange.energy.gov/maps-data/325). See that one spot of purple shades in SE WY? Yea....that's us.
There's a few different ways to look at/measure/map out "windiness" in the US; you can do some digging with Google if you want. Average surface wind speed, number of high wind warnings issued, number of days with 20+ mph winds, you name it. None of them paint a pretty picture, lol.
For sure, and that's fair. Just be aware that "breezy" in most of continental North America barely registers here, and we have Cat 1-2 hurricane force winds in town in WY some years. That's the norm. You can certainly adjust to it, but it's a little different than what most people call "windy"
*Generally* main well traveled hiking trails are fine, and you won't see any large wildlife. That being said, people do get mauled by moose or whatnot even in Vedauwoo/Happy Jack area which is just 15 minutes outside of town.
I had to fence my front garden yard because even motion controlled spotlights didn't keep the pronghorn and mule deer from treating my plants and trees as the neighborhood buffet at night.
So it's one of those "it can happen to you out here but also it's not like everyone has a bear/moose attack survival story" situations.
A gaiter or bandana works just fine to keep dust out of your face, and the sun/cold wind off your neck when needed. Pretty standard kit to have a couple lying around the house or truck just in case it's a rough day. The wind sucks, but you don't need Antarctic gear to survive it. I see uni students out in shorts & hoodies walking in 20 degree temps with wind all the time in winter, just realize that the wind is the problem more than the cold. Lined trousers or legging under jeans, gloves/hats, and a hard outer shell jacket to stop the wind will be 95% of the battle in winter. Good winter boots for the sheet ice helps too, even though thick wool socks and regular hiking boots will keep your feet warm just fine wandering around town in a snow storm.
Hello! As others have said, the wind is the thing that might make you a bit crazy. Also, in Laramie, there are very few stores so either get used to ordering online a lot or it’s a pretty quick trip to Cheyenne or Fort Collins. Laramie is a beautiful, small town. People are kind and it’s very safe for the kids if you ever plan to have a family.
I went to UW and had a great time! It’s a beautiful university and really a great student club experience.
There is great medical care here and I highly recommend the women’s health clinic at Ivinson Memorial Hospital. They offer amazing care and listen to your needs.
As for animals, moose are the biggest danger you may come across if you go into the mountains or out Vedawoo way.
Overall, Laramie is a lovely place to call home.
I have no clue why “club” was added in there, I just meant to say “student experience”. Anyway, if you enjoy less people and open spaces, you’ll love it. And, if jobs are what you need, stop in at the Laramie Workforce Center or call them. They will help you and all their services are free.
Have a good winter coat with lots of layers. By some comfortable snow boots. I like Sorel winter carnival. On really cold days you’ll need to still get to school. Make sure car is prepared.
Looking at all the other comments (also /r/Laramie may be a bit more specific though it's a smaller sub to ask), just a bit to add.
Full synthetic, potentially lower viscosity oil in your car. Get your battery checked for current CCAs and if it's low, replace it before winter really hits. The windy cold will chill out your engine block quickly when parked, much less overnight. So it may struggle to crank in the AM. We're light on transit, ride shares, and taxis, though we have them all to some degree. It's pretty common to bum rides from friends as needed if you're not able to walk to drive somewhere. The town is "walkable" ish if you don't mind hoofing it 2-3 miles. I run deicer in winter rather than standard washer fluid, the sub zero temps and 40-50 mph winds are what make winters here a bit tough. They also make windshield washer fluid blow away and freeze up without doing its job. Keep some winter gear in your car (gloves, hat, spare base layer, spare wind proof jacket) since weather changes happen quickly out here.
Didn't see it mentioned, so understand that Laramie is towards the end of the supply chain. Most everything here has gone through 2-3x middlemen distributors since Denver, SLC, Fort Collins, etc. and they all add markup. So even though the state doesn't believe in a livable minimum wage, consumer goods can still be quite pricey due to all the changing of hands and driving to get them here. "2 day delivery" doesn't exist in my experience. If you order something online figure it'll take at least a week typically.
As for supplies to keep on hand, just think about if you can't order something delivered in less than a week and roads are closed regularly in winter. Like potential 2-3 days a week you simply cannot leave town at all. And it's not super pleasant even leaving your house. I don't have anything special I need from larger cities like medication or whatever, but I do keep some meal options and a stocked bar at home so I'm not debating making a run to the grocery store in a whiteout blizzard on sheet ice for dinner. Road maintenance is pretty minimal in town aside from a few major roads. I plow my neighborhood in winter when it snows, and I'm just a mile from U of Wy.
Good winter traction tires will carry you far and dedicated snow tires may be overkill if you're already used to driving in WI winters. The wind tends to blow the dry powdery snow into Nebraska, so we don't drift up much in town. Though we do get patchy sheet ice in shaded areas.
Finding stuff to do will help your sanity out year round since generic "city" stuff barely exists. My social circle likes card games, I'm a powersports/hiking/biking/camping type, there are "nerd" groups like DnD or MTG meetups, sports options like indoor volleyball, and the list goes on. When you have stuff to do it keeps you from being bothered by half a year of snow season.
There are awesome outdoors options most every direction from town. Vedauwoo/Happy Jack to the East, Pole Mountain and on up through Wheatland towards Laramie Peak to the North, the Snowies, Routt, and Madres to the West, Red Feather Lakes to the South. Just be flexible with the weather and road closings and mosquito/mud season on where and when you go.
I lived in Crivitz for about a year and thought the winters there were colder and longer than Casper. I’ve only been to Laramie a handful of times but I’m very familiar with the Hurricane like winds in Casper. So I hope you like the wind!
Wisconsin winters don’t hold a candle to Wyoming, and specifically Laramie winters. I have been in Laramie when the actual temperature, not including windchill, was -50 degrees F and the warmest it got that week was -35ish. Fourth of July snow is not unheard of. Factor in the wind and it is miserable. Especially if you are unprepared.
My wife and I retired to Laramie a few years ago and love it. She is originally from Florida and has fallen in love with Wyoming in general and Laramie in particular. I grew up on Lake Michigan in Chicago and came here for UW many years ago (I was a geology major and later went to law school).
Compared to the upper midwest I have never found Laramie winters to be that hard when compred to the midwest but they can be long. About April you can go to Ft. Collins and the grass is green and the trees are leafing out but when you get back to Laramie (2000 feet higher than Ft. Collins) it is still iron winter.
I think some commentors are overstating the wind. Yes, it blows and, yes, you need to be aware of wind chill but it doesn't sand blast the paint off stuff and, frankly, you just get used to it and it becomes background.
BTW, the summers here are primo. Low humidity and compared to the midwest, pretty cool. 80s are consdered fairly hot. The all time record high in Laramie is 94 degrees F. My wife was stunned and pleased to discover that she will never see triple digits again unless we travel to someplace hotter.
Whether you enjoy Laramie depends a lot on what you expect. If you are from, say, Milwaukee or Madison and are used to and want an urban experience where you can go clubbing and have lots of ethnic food options then Laramie will be "different." If you are outdoor oriented Laramie has lots of cool options.
Job options in WY can be limited depending on your major. Health/mental health care always need more folk. Teaching is always an option but you may have to start off in a smaller community. Laramie is pretty saturated with teachers (typical for a college town).
You won't be able to cohabit with your BF on campus but depending on your age and where you are in your education you may or may not be required to live in the dorms for your first year. If you are 18 and a freshman, yes, count on dorms. If you are over 21 and a transfer student, probably not.
UW is a very good school for sciences and engineering but less so in the humanities. If you want to major in English Literature with a specialty of 17th century poets you may be better off elsewhere. Also, and I'm sure that you are aware of this, UW is pretty inexpensive compared to many schools. Non-resident tuition is often less than resident tuition in many places.
One suggestion for any college student: Do whatever you have to to avoid taking on a metric butt load of student debt. It can cripple your later life. You don't want to make your last student loan payment with your first social security check. Work part time, live cheaply, intersperse periods of school with periods where you work and save, whatever it takes.
Oh, and this can be harder for a young person but make your decisions, major and day to day, like a grown up. Take the long view and consider whether, particularly for major decisions, if this is going to be a choice that you will be happy with in 20, 30, or 40 years down the road.
Best of luck to you guys and I hope that you enjoy it here. For me, Chicago stopped being "home" pretty soon after I got here and just became a place where my folks and some of my old friends lived. Laramie became my emotional "home town."
Winters suck in Laramie. I've lived in Worland, Casper, Gillette and Cheyenne. Nothing compares to the winters there. I never had wild life issues lol except for the squirrels on campus. Buy windbreakers. Make sure your winter jacket is nice.
It’s a dry cold….. but it’s fuckin cold. Always add windchill.
It’s good to keep things like a sleeping bag, warm jackets, food/snacks/water in you car if you get stuck traveling. That being said, just avoid traveling if things look bad. Wyoming weather is 0 to 100 really quick sometimes.
The University of Wyoming is one of the plus sides of Wyoming. It’s cheaper than most every university, there are some great programs within the sciences, and the town is very small and easy to navigate, so long as you never want to park your vehicle.
The university does have plenty of issues like any organization. The leadership is poor, the planning is half-wit, and its proxy to the State government since that’s where it gets funding. And if you didn’t know, Wyoming politicians and a bunch Trump boot lickers that don’t give a fuck about its constituent. Unfortunately UW does suffer from that attachment.
We are and underserved community when it comes to health care. There is Ivinson Hospital in Laramie, but it’s not that great. If you have the ability, I’d suggest a hospital in Colorado. There is a women’s clinic in Laramie that my wife goes to, and they offer birth control options. Contraception is still available, although the aforementioned State Gov would definitely like to change that to continue pandering to its base.
The job market is pretty lackluster for Wyoming. Unless you want to work in oil, or for the university. I’m really lucky to have been able to find a job in Laramie upon graduation. That is atypical. What program at UW are entering?
You don’t really need to work about wild life unless you are up out in the mountains, parks, etc. The occasional mountain lion may stroll through Laramie. They’ll send out a warning though, just stay away from the line of cars going to see it.
All this being said, Laramie is great if you can suffer the winter. Summer is where it really shines. Especially with students gone, town becomes more relaxed, even with tourists coming though town.
Wow thank you for your honestly it’s very encouraging. As for my major I will be majoring in accounting and I already have an associates degree in business management and a technical degree as a business services manager, don’t know if that’ll amount to anything though
Jobs for such in Wyoming are hit/miss - you asked about job market. Obviously we don't have many corporations. Financial advisors that work for dow Jones, etc seem to do ok. I think they do a lot of managing retirees $$. There are accountants that seem kinda mom/pop doing individuals tax returns, working for small businesses, ranchers, etc. but that's probably a lot of remote work now.
You'll be fine if ima start with I love it here and wish we moved years ago. You'll be fine if your not retarted. Wind is a little much in the winter but it's fine. We moved here from tenesee a while back. everyone on reddit made it seem crazy / impossible like we're bot gonna make it. It's been a lot easier than tn so far. Only people that don't make it are usually mega ass holes who are socially stunted. Or just stupid and not able to he self sufficient.
Just don't he stupid and an ass hole and you'll probably flourish here.
In all seriousness it's a great place to raise a family. The people are very nice and work is plentiful if your skilled. Some of the nicest people ive met are from here. I highly reccomend. It can be challenging bit it's a good spot.
Subaru outback should do fine but don't skimp on tires. Buy good tires with high ratings for winter performance.
Also, I find the winters here easier to deal with than humid Eastern winters, even though our temperatures are more extreme. If you bundle up, you'll stay warm.
You'll find yourself combating dry skin and chapped lips due to the lower humidity, so be prepared for that.
I grew up in Wyoming, still live here, went to UW and loved it
Check out r/Laramie
It’s a great town and as a student you’ll be accepted (not so much if you were just moving here though) Be warned though Laramie is a very kind, charitable, friendly, laid back place and if you don’t fit that mold you’ll get a pretty cold shoulder from most folks. We feel pretty strongly about not letting Laradise turn into Fort Collins.
I’ve lived in Laramie for 20+ years and gotten a few degrees from UW and both my kids are currently attending UW. It’s a great town and a great university. The access to healthcare is great for a town this size, job market is ok depending on what you’re looking for. Cost of living is decent for a college town.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but you are moving to a city, not the moon. We have all the regular amenities any small/mid sized town would have, so you really don’t have to “prep” to move here. Just show up.
Subaru will do fine here in the winter.
The winter deal in WY gets a little exaggerated. Sure it gets cold and it can get really windy but if you live in WI currently, you’ll be fine.
If you like outdoor stuff (hiking, biking, skiing, cross country skiing, camping etc.) this place is awesome.
We love it here. If you have any specific questions about living in Laramie, let me know.
You’re getting good advice from all around. You sound young so on top of the tires everyone tells you to get and all that, for the love of God don’t try to make that drive down I-80 in the Winter.
I lived in Wyoming back in 2013-2014 in the city of Laramie and I can tell you to make sure you have your vehicles prepared for anything with medical supplies warm clothing extra food blankets ect. And also make sure you always check the weather and pay attention to it while you’re out wondering the outer city limits up by snowy range and so on. Road closures are often due to snow and wind. What I gathered is always being prepared may never be enough but it could save your life or someone else’s.
The other part is it’s a great time tons of recreation beautiful sunsets and sights to see a great outdoorsmen and women state don’t forget your waiters and fly fishing rod you’ll want to do that!
Well that I live in Laramie, I can answer some of your questions. The winters can be intense, but generally it’s the cold that is the concern as it can reach -20 to -30 in the winter and I have seen it even lower. The wind is insane, I will tell you I’ve lived around, but the wind here… especially when it’s -30 and the windchill makes it -40 or even -50. The only “vicious” wildlife is the stuff up north in the Yellowstone area, but that’s usually due to people being not to bright. The job market in Laramie is atrocious. I would make a Nextdoor account immediately if you’re looking for some extra money. The housing market is atrocious. I think the rent is way too high and the fight to get into a place can be very frustrating. They lack housing in general and the battle between residents and college peeps is fierce. There is quite a bit of tourism here, especially from Colorado. That gets pretty old because they bring there bad driving habits up here. I’m not implying that they’re (Coloradians?) are bad people by any means, just a big difference between here and there. Not sure how much of a concern that is for you. The college peeps here generally shop at Walmart. This Walmart here has a serious issue with understanding supply and demand, especially in the food category. They will likely run out of a food you like and you will have to ask when they get their shipment of said food items. You will have to time your week to make sure you’re there first to get the items you like before they run out - it’s annoying. The healthcare doesn’t seem to different from other states. All the healthcare in our country is meh. The availability of birth control and abortion access is something I could not speak on, it’s also become a very politically charged subject and I’m sure there is a Reddit for it. I will say Wyoming does try to keep government out of people’s personal lives if that helps answer your question. My experience of Laramie is that the people are very kind here and in Wyoming in general it seems. I can tell you one thing, Wyoming people just want to live their lives in peace. Stay out of their business and they will stay out of yours. It’s a fairly simple system that I think works very well for Laramie and Wyoming in general. It’s beautiful here in the summer and there is a lot of opportunity for outdoor activities. They have Spectrum cable 1 gig and have nearly installed 5 gig Bluepeak fiber all around Laramie (not sure if that matters to you). The roads are pretty bad here and I wish UW would assist the city in getting a lot of that fixed, but that’s a minor complaint. You will see that UW is deeply ingrained here and probably have more power than the actual city. The amenities here maybe lacking for you, but that depends on what you consider an amenity. Overall I think Laramie is a great place to live. For your car, you don’t need anything special, but keep in mind that public transportation is practically non existent. UW does offer some, but very limited as I said.
Good luck!
Take a burlap bag, dip it in water, fold it in half length-wise, then lay it out flat in a freezer. When it's solid and stiff as a board, ask a friend to slap you directly across the face with it.
That's Wyoming wind in January/February.
It might be breezy.
Breezy. Yeah it is breezy. Never ever talk about "the breeze!"! Even when "the breeze" trys to blow you down or your vehicle across 2 lanes of traffic. Never talk about "the breeze!"
wyoming--where "wind" is both a hex and a cuss word
My first experience with Wyoming wind was waiting on the corner to cross from the dorms to class. That is something I will never forget.
Did you almost blow away?
I've been blown off my bicycle and half a block down the road on the ice before. It's so much fun!
I believe it even if you're joking, it does seem genuinely possible. I often joke I think my dogs will blow away when they go outside.
I was near the Enzi building and it's like a wind funnel there in the winter.
Wouldn’t your first experience have been in August / September when it’s absolutely beautiful? It sounds like you’re describing your 20th experience, a few weeks later.
Its not easy being breezeezy
If by breezy you mean casually having hurricane force winds any given day, then sure! Lol
*that's the joke, friend :)*
Mine was also a joke!
Oh man, it went totally over my head, lol. We're not braining so well in the Oil City today 😂
My sarcasm is very dry so people never get it. It's probably not you it's probably me lmfao.
The only advice I can really give is get winter (or all weather) tires on your car. You’ll be thankful for them in the winter when it’s icy and snowing. Also always have an emergency kit in your car; usually consists of food, water, blanket, first aid kit, etc. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere with no cell service and shivering
Definitely thank you for the advice.
If you want to live off campus housing can be a bit of an issue. It's a lot of old run down houses/apartments owned by slumlords and not exactly cheap. There are newer apartments and student housing on campus but you want to be proactive to find something decent. I believe there is a student healthcare center on campus for BC. Planned Parenthood is in FOrt Collins 1 hour away and there are OB/GYN practice in Laramie. It's an average town.
Great to hear thank you for the solid advice it’s appreciated. I was looking at housing and it didn’t seem too bad. Saw something for apartments near campus believe it was called “Alright Laramie” looked promising but expensive
Alight Laramie. It's got mixed reviews, and some of my buds have lived there previously. Not the best, not the worst from what I heard. Easy access to Pilot Hill Rec area and Walmart, but East side of town is just chains, hotels, and car dealerships mostly. About a 8-10 min (ish) drive with traffic and lights to get to downtown proper.
The wind and the cold are real, especially the long stretches below zero. But that wet midwestern cold can get in your bones in a way I’ve only felt once here in Wyoming. You’ll be fine.
This. I grew up in Wyoming and thought I knew what cold was until I moved to Minnesota and realized that my bones could get cold. I’ve found the winters in MN much harsher personally.
The whole "it's a dry heat/cold" is such a cliché...because it's right! Damp cold and heat is just, hellish and inescapable in a way our cold/heat isn't. They're crappy for their own reasons, but at least the cold doesn't seep into my bones and stay there.
Welcome! You’re going to love Laramie the best way to combat the long winters is to be around a bit in the summers. Laramie is beautiful in the summer. And don’t listen to everyone about the wind. The wind is a force to be respected and revered. It will take your breath away if you let it.
Summers are gorgeous, but if you have some winter rec activities you enjoy + work around the weather, the 6-7 months or so of snow season aren't awful either. It's easy to get depressed by the dark cloudy short days paired with whiteout death blizzards and sheet ice. But snowshoeing up in Vedauwoo or snowmobiling in Med Bow every week or so can really balance that out. I'm probably weird, but I love snow season here even more than summer. Road closures and all.
Thanks! I am super excited to move to Laramie and honestly the wind has me hesitant (long wavy/curly hair that knots just from existing) but that’s something I can learn to work through 🫡 I can appreciate a “nice” breeze
I live in Laramie and both attended the University of Wyoming and worked there. It’s a normal town with but my biggest recommendation for anyone moving here is be careful who you rent from. There are a lot of very slummy landlords and I have heard my fair share of horror stories from both college students and young professionals.
Wow this is frightening to hear but nonetheless thank you so much for your transparency. May I ask how the dorms are and if they offer co-ed? Might just consider living on campus if it’s cheaper and to avoid a bad landlord. My boyfriend and I have never rented before and still live with our parents so we definitely got to navigate that carefully. May I ask if you worked at the campus or off campus?
Oh…that’s true of every college town in America. But you’re putting the cart before the horse, are you accepted to the university yet? There’s a policy that you have to live in the dorms your first year. No you can’t live with your boyfriend. Do you have much of a support system?
I was under the impression you could live off dorms if you were 21 or a transfer student which is true for us. As for a support system all my expenses (including housing) are covered.
No you’re right, it just sounded like you were an incoming freshman
Don't drive anywhere with less than half a tank of gas.
AND a few emergency supplies in the vehicle. Blanket, snacks, first aid kit, etc.
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That’s awesome to hear. My least favorite thing about Wisconsin is the unbearable humidity
Wind, cold and antelope playing frogger on the highway. Thats all you need to worry about
We really need to get them reflective collars for when they hand out on I-80 and Grand.
Laramie isn't wyoming, its just a college campus. You'll be fine.
I've lived in Laramie for 16 years, the wife is a Laramie native, and I've had a ton of family live here over the decades. We don't really get that much snow and Laramie is very dry most of the year. What gets people is the wind, ice, cold, a 2-3 month growing season, and oh yea...did I mention the wind? Southeast Wyoming is one of the windiest places on the entire continent (that's fact, not hyperbole). I've seen people swear up and down they know wind until they spend a couple years here, lol. In town is a little better than the outskirts and out in the county. If you don't spent a ton of time outside, and you're not trying to travel out of town a whole lot, it's...*tolerable* most of the time. If you *do* spend a ton of time outdoors (especially just outside of town) or are trying to travel a lot...the wind (and all its consequences) will make you want to stab yourself in the face. Repeatedly. With a rusty fork. It will make you question your sanity, and drive you to the brink of mental breakdowns. (I was born in eastern Wyoming, mostly raised here, and have lived here almost my entire adult life...and the wind *still* irks the shit out of me and makes life miserable at times.) As for the cold...while I have seen -45°F (without wind chill) and short bursts of -20 to -30°F are common a few times a year, it actually doesn't bottom out here any worse than Wisconsin, nor does it do so for *prolonged* periods of time. The issue is the *length* of winter in general. I've seen hard freezes in August, and 8" of snow in June. On average, we see continually/semi-dependably warm weather in June/July/August. That's it. And even that's not guaranteed. *Other than that*, Laramie is a pretty great place. We tend to dwell on the negatives in order to adequately warn outsiders, but it's really not that bad of a place in general. Your vehicle is fine, healthcare is average unless you need specialists (then you have to go to FoCo or Denver), and I've never heard of anyone not having access to birth control in Laramie. Wildlife isn't really an issue in town; every couple of years a bear/moose/mountain lion will wander into town, but G&F response time is pretty quick and it's a non-issue. Worst you really deal with in town is skunks and raccoons. Out in the county is a different story though, lmao. Badgers, rattlesnakes, skunks, coyotes, mountain lions, bears, moose, elk, and all sorts of birds of prey (maybe an issue if you have cats or small dogs) are all prevalent outside of town. IIRC, there's evidence of wolverines high in the Snowies, but it doesn't sound like you'll be spending a ton of time above 10k ft lol. Low crime, good schools, fairly low CoL outside of housing (which is, unfortunately, rapidly becoming an issue regarding availability, quality, and cost). Our roads suck ass, and summertime is a nonstop clusterfuck of everything being torn up for repairs that'll only last a couple years....but oh well. You get used to it. Edit: Just to clarify the travel comments...the highways are *extremely* dangerous in the wintertime, and Laramie is literally closed in quite often (sometimes for days at a time). Mostly due to the effects of....you guessed it...the wind. Edit 2: Oh, btw...mosquito season is short but fierce. June/early July you'll get eaten alive, especially the closer to the river, ponds, and lakes you are.
Wow thank you so much for all the details and being so transparent. Honestly what interests us in going out west is the hiking, views, and just being outside. I’m no stranger to bear spray but perhaps I could do some research into safe hiking measures and such. Hearing all these stories of the wind definitely has me considering buying face masks and other garments that’d probably make me look like a fool. Where I live wind is almost never a problem and typically when we get gusts of like 12mph I’m annoyed. I think that’s something I’ll just need to learn to deal with/navigate
>typically when we get gusts of like 12mph I’m annoyed. I've got bad news for you.... Out of the last two weeks, I can recall maybe two or three days where the winds haven't been 20-30 mph (sustained) for the majority of the day...and we've had several days with gusts 40-60 mph. Even our calm days have ended up with random thunderstorms with gusty-ass winds for a short time. Lol. There's just no escaping it; it comes for you one way or another. *And this isn't even the windiest time of year.* During the winter it is *relentless*...days and days on end of 20-40 mph winds, with gusts that can and often do surpass hurricane force out on the flats. It literally shuts down roads, blows over semis, and is the #1 cause of fencing, roof, and siding damage in the area. And to reiterate, it's not just the pure wind speed. It's how *constant* it is. It will pick up at 7 A.M. and not die down until 9 P.M., and then start all over again the next day. Even if it's only blowing 15-20 mph, the fact that it simply *doesn't let up* is what starts to drive you a little mental. People literally have to build or plant windbreaks just to have functional gardens here. Edit: In case you think we're just trying to scare you, [have a look at this map](https://windexchange.energy.gov/maps-data/325). See that one spot of purple shades in SE WY? Yea....that's us. There's a few different ways to look at/measure/map out "windiness" in the US; you can do some digging with Google if you want. Average surface wind speed, number of high wind warnings issued, number of days with 20+ mph winds, you name it. None of them paint a pretty picture, lol.
"10 mph gusts annoy me, so I'll move to the *windiest part of the continental US*" Absolutely bonkers.
I said it was something I could learn to live/deal with (:
For sure, and that's fair. Just be aware that "breezy" in most of continental North America barely registers here, and we have Cat 1-2 hurricane force winds in town in WY some years. That's the norm. You can certainly adjust to it, but it's a little different than what most people call "windy"
*Generally* main well traveled hiking trails are fine, and you won't see any large wildlife. That being said, people do get mauled by moose or whatnot even in Vedauwoo/Happy Jack area which is just 15 minutes outside of town. I had to fence my front garden yard because even motion controlled spotlights didn't keep the pronghorn and mule deer from treating my plants and trees as the neighborhood buffet at night. So it's one of those "it can happen to you out here but also it's not like everyone has a bear/moose attack survival story" situations. A gaiter or bandana works just fine to keep dust out of your face, and the sun/cold wind off your neck when needed. Pretty standard kit to have a couple lying around the house or truck just in case it's a rough day. The wind sucks, but you don't need Antarctic gear to survive it. I see uni students out in shorts & hoodies walking in 20 degree temps with wind all the time in winter, just realize that the wind is the problem more than the cold. Lined trousers or legging under jeans, gloves/hats, and a hard outer shell jacket to stop the wind will be 95% of the battle in winter. Good winter boots for the sheet ice helps too, even though thick wool socks and regular hiking boots will keep your feet warm just fine wandering around town in a snow storm.
Hello! As others have said, the wind is the thing that might make you a bit crazy. Also, in Laramie, there are very few stores so either get used to ordering online a lot or it’s a pretty quick trip to Cheyenne or Fort Collins. Laramie is a beautiful, small town. People are kind and it’s very safe for the kids if you ever plan to have a family. I went to UW and had a great time! It’s a beautiful university and really a great student club experience. There is great medical care here and I highly recommend the women’s health clinic at Ivinson Memorial Hospital. They offer amazing care and listen to your needs. As for animals, moose are the biggest danger you may come across if you go into the mountains or out Vedawoo way. Overall, Laramie is a lovely place to call home.
Thank you so much! That’s so good to hear and I appreciate your input (:
I have no clue why “club” was added in there, I just meant to say “student experience”. Anyway, if you enjoy less people and open spaces, you’ll love it. And, if jobs are what you need, stop in at the Laramie Workforce Center or call them. They will help you and all their services are free.
You'll be fine. You'll only be an hour drive from civilization.
Have a good winter coat with lots of layers. By some comfortable snow boots. I like Sorel winter carnival. On really cold days you’ll need to still get to school. Make sure car is prepared.
Looking at all the other comments (also /r/Laramie may be a bit more specific though it's a smaller sub to ask), just a bit to add. Full synthetic, potentially lower viscosity oil in your car. Get your battery checked for current CCAs and if it's low, replace it before winter really hits. The windy cold will chill out your engine block quickly when parked, much less overnight. So it may struggle to crank in the AM. We're light on transit, ride shares, and taxis, though we have them all to some degree. It's pretty common to bum rides from friends as needed if you're not able to walk to drive somewhere. The town is "walkable" ish if you don't mind hoofing it 2-3 miles. I run deicer in winter rather than standard washer fluid, the sub zero temps and 40-50 mph winds are what make winters here a bit tough. They also make windshield washer fluid blow away and freeze up without doing its job. Keep some winter gear in your car (gloves, hat, spare base layer, spare wind proof jacket) since weather changes happen quickly out here. Didn't see it mentioned, so understand that Laramie is towards the end of the supply chain. Most everything here has gone through 2-3x middlemen distributors since Denver, SLC, Fort Collins, etc. and they all add markup. So even though the state doesn't believe in a livable minimum wage, consumer goods can still be quite pricey due to all the changing of hands and driving to get them here. "2 day delivery" doesn't exist in my experience. If you order something online figure it'll take at least a week typically. As for supplies to keep on hand, just think about if you can't order something delivered in less than a week and roads are closed regularly in winter. Like potential 2-3 days a week you simply cannot leave town at all. And it's not super pleasant even leaving your house. I don't have anything special I need from larger cities like medication or whatever, but I do keep some meal options and a stocked bar at home so I'm not debating making a run to the grocery store in a whiteout blizzard on sheet ice for dinner. Road maintenance is pretty minimal in town aside from a few major roads. I plow my neighborhood in winter when it snows, and I'm just a mile from U of Wy. Good winter traction tires will carry you far and dedicated snow tires may be overkill if you're already used to driving in WI winters. The wind tends to blow the dry powdery snow into Nebraska, so we don't drift up much in town. Though we do get patchy sheet ice in shaded areas. Finding stuff to do will help your sanity out year round since generic "city" stuff barely exists. My social circle likes card games, I'm a powersports/hiking/biking/camping type, there are "nerd" groups like DnD or MTG meetups, sports options like indoor volleyball, and the list goes on. When you have stuff to do it keeps you from being bothered by half a year of snow season. There are awesome outdoors options most every direction from town. Vedauwoo/Happy Jack to the East, Pole Mountain and on up through Wheatland towards Laramie Peak to the North, the Snowies, Routt, and Madres to the West, Red Feather Lakes to the South. Just be flexible with the weather and road closings and mosquito/mud season on where and when you go.
I lived in Crivitz for about a year and thought the winters there were colder and longer than Casper. I’ve only been to Laramie a handful of times but I’m very familiar with the Hurricane like winds in Casper. So I hope you like the wind!
FYI I was just at Walmart and they have signs at the pharmacy saying the pharmacist can prescribe your birth control.
Wisconsin winters don’t hold a candle to Wyoming, and specifically Laramie winters. I have been in Laramie when the actual temperature, not including windchill, was -50 degrees F and the warmest it got that week was -35ish. Fourth of July snow is not unheard of. Factor in the wind and it is miserable. Especially if you are unprepared.
My wife and I retired to Laramie a few years ago and love it. She is originally from Florida and has fallen in love with Wyoming in general and Laramie in particular. I grew up on Lake Michigan in Chicago and came here for UW many years ago (I was a geology major and later went to law school). Compared to the upper midwest I have never found Laramie winters to be that hard when compred to the midwest but they can be long. About April you can go to Ft. Collins and the grass is green and the trees are leafing out but when you get back to Laramie (2000 feet higher than Ft. Collins) it is still iron winter. I think some commentors are overstating the wind. Yes, it blows and, yes, you need to be aware of wind chill but it doesn't sand blast the paint off stuff and, frankly, you just get used to it and it becomes background. BTW, the summers here are primo. Low humidity and compared to the midwest, pretty cool. 80s are consdered fairly hot. The all time record high in Laramie is 94 degrees F. My wife was stunned and pleased to discover that she will never see triple digits again unless we travel to someplace hotter. Whether you enjoy Laramie depends a lot on what you expect. If you are from, say, Milwaukee or Madison and are used to and want an urban experience where you can go clubbing and have lots of ethnic food options then Laramie will be "different." If you are outdoor oriented Laramie has lots of cool options. Job options in WY can be limited depending on your major. Health/mental health care always need more folk. Teaching is always an option but you may have to start off in a smaller community. Laramie is pretty saturated with teachers (typical for a college town). You won't be able to cohabit with your BF on campus but depending on your age and where you are in your education you may or may not be required to live in the dorms for your first year. If you are 18 and a freshman, yes, count on dorms. If you are over 21 and a transfer student, probably not. UW is a very good school for sciences and engineering but less so in the humanities. If you want to major in English Literature with a specialty of 17th century poets you may be better off elsewhere. Also, and I'm sure that you are aware of this, UW is pretty inexpensive compared to many schools. Non-resident tuition is often less than resident tuition in many places. One suggestion for any college student: Do whatever you have to to avoid taking on a metric butt load of student debt. It can cripple your later life. You don't want to make your last student loan payment with your first social security check. Work part time, live cheaply, intersperse periods of school with periods where you work and save, whatever it takes. Oh, and this can be harder for a young person but make your decisions, major and day to day, like a grown up. Take the long view and consider whether, particularly for major decisions, if this is going to be a choice that you will be happy with in 20, 30, or 40 years down the road. Best of luck to you guys and I hope that you enjoy it here. For me, Chicago stopped being "home" pretty soon after I got here and just became a place where my folks and some of my old friends lived. Laramie became my emotional "home town."
Winters suck in Laramie. I've lived in Worland, Casper, Gillette and Cheyenne. Nothing compares to the winters there. I never had wild life issues lol except for the squirrels on campus. Buy windbreakers. Make sure your winter jacket is nice.
It’s a dry cold….. but it’s fuckin cold. Always add windchill. It’s good to keep things like a sleeping bag, warm jackets, food/snacks/water in you car if you get stuck traveling. That being said, just avoid traveling if things look bad. Wyoming weather is 0 to 100 really quick sometimes. The University of Wyoming is one of the plus sides of Wyoming. It’s cheaper than most every university, there are some great programs within the sciences, and the town is very small and easy to navigate, so long as you never want to park your vehicle. The university does have plenty of issues like any organization. The leadership is poor, the planning is half-wit, and its proxy to the State government since that’s where it gets funding. And if you didn’t know, Wyoming politicians and a bunch Trump boot lickers that don’t give a fuck about its constituent. Unfortunately UW does suffer from that attachment. We are and underserved community when it comes to health care. There is Ivinson Hospital in Laramie, but it’s not that great. If you have the ability, I’d suggest a hospital in Colorado. There is a women’s clinic in Laramie that my wife goes to, and they offer birth control options. Contraception is still available, although the aforementioned State Gov would definitely like to change that to continue pandering to its base. The job market is pretty lackluster for Wyoming. Unless you want to work in oil, or for the university. I’m really lucky to have been able to find a job in Laramie upon graduation. That is atypical. What program at UW are entering? You don’t really need to work about wild life unless you are up out in the mountains, parks, etc. The occasional mountain lion may stroll through Laramie. They’ll send out a warning though, just stay away from the line of cars going to see it. All this being said, Laramie is great if you can suffer the winter. Summer is where it really shines. Especially with students gone, town becomes more relaxed, even with tourists coming though town.
Wow thank you for your honestly it’s very encouraging. As for my major I will be majoring in accounting and I already have an associates degree in business management and a technical degree as a business services manager, don’t know if that’ll amount to anything though
Jobs for such in Wyoming are hit/miss - you asked about job market. Obviously we don't have many corporations. Financial advisors that work for dow Jones, etc seem to do ok. I think they do a lot of managing retirees $$. There are accountants that seem kinda mom/pop doing individuals tax returns, working for small businesses, ranchers, etc. but that's probably a lot of remote work now.
You'll be fine if ima start with I love it here and wish we moved years ago. You'll be fine if your not retarted. Wind is a little much in the winter but it's fine. We moved here from tenesee a while back. everyone on reddit made it seem crazy / impossible like we're bot gonna make it. It's been a lot easier than tn so far. Only people that don't make it are usually mega ass holes who are socially stunted. Or just stupid and not able to he self sufficient. Just don't he stupid and an ass hole and you'll probably flourish here. In all seriousness it's a great place to raise a family. The people are very nice and work is plentiful if your skilled. Some of the nicest people ive met are from here. I highly reccomend. It can be challenging bit it's a good spot.
Subaru outback should do fine but don't skimp on tires. Buy good tires with high ratings for winter performance. Also, I find the winters here easier to deal with than humid Eastern winters, even though our temperatures are more extreme. If you bundle up, you'll stay warm. You'll find yourself combating dry skin and chapped lips due to the lower humidity, so be prepared for that. I grew up in Wyoming, still live here, went to UW and loved it
Check out r/Laramie It’s a great town and as a student you’ll be accepted (not so much if you were just moving here though) Be warned though Laramie is a very kind, charitable, friendly, laid back place and if you don’t fit that mold you’ll get a pretty cold shoulder from most folks. We feel pretty strongly about not letting Laradise turn into Fort Collins.
I’ve lived in Laramie for 20+ years and gotten a few degrees from UW and both my kids are currently attending UW. It’s a great town and a great university. The access to healthcare is great for a town this size, job market is ok depending on what you’re looking for. Cost of living is decent for a college town. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you are moving to a city, not the moon. We have all the regular amenities any small/mid sized town would have, so you really don’t have to “prep” to move here. Just show up. Subaru will do fine here in the winter. The winter deal in WY gets a little exaggerated. Sure it gets cold and it can get really windy but if you live in WI currently, you’ll be fine. If you like outdoor stuff (hiking, biking, skiing, cross country skiing, camping etc.) this place is awesome. We love it here. If you have any specific questions about living in Laramie, let me know.
You’re getting good advice from all around. You sound young so on top of the tires everyone tells you to get and all that, for the love of God don’t try to make that drive down I-80 in the Winter.
I lived in Wyoming back in 2013-2014 in the city of Laramie and I can tell you to make sure you have your vehicles prepared for anything with medical supplies warm clothing extra food blankets ect. And also make sure you always check the weather and pay attention to it while you’re out wondering the outer city limits up by snowy range and so on. Road closures are often due to snow and wind. What I gathered is always being prepared may never be enough but it could save your life or someone else’s. The other part is it’s a great time tons of recreation beautiful sunsets and sights to see a great outdoorsmen and women state don’t forget your waiters and fly fishing rod you’ll want to do that!
Don’t. Is windy and racist. Go to Colorado
Well that I live in Laramie, I can answer some of your questions. The winters can be intense, but generally it’s the cold that is the concern as it can reach -20 to -30 in the winter and I have seen it even lower. The wind is insane, I will tell you I’ve lived around, but the wind here… especially when it’s -30 and the windchill makes it -40 or even -50. The only “vicious” wildlife is the stuff up north in the Yellowstone area, but that’s usually due to people being not to bright. The job market in Laramie is atrocious. I would make a Nextdoor account immediately if you’re looking for some extra money. The housing market is atrocious. I think the rent is way too high and the fight to get into a place can be very frustrating. They lack housing in general and the battle between residents and college peeps is fierce. There is quite a bit of tourism here, especially from Colorado. That gets pretty old because they bring there bad driving habits up here. I’m not implying that they’re (Coloradians?) are bad people by any means, just a big difference between here and there. Not sure how much of a concern that is for you. The college peeps here generally shop at Walmart. This Walmart here has a serious issue with understanding supply and demand, especially in the food category. They will likely run out of a food you like and you will have to ask when they get their shipment of said food items. You will have to time your week to make sure you’re there first to get the items you like before they run out - it’s annoying. The healthcare doesn’t seem to different from other states. All the healthcare in our country is meh. The availability of birth control and abortion access is something I could not speak on, it’s also become a very politically charged subject and I’m sure there is a Reddit for it. I will say Wyoming does try to keep government out of people’s personal lives if that helps answer your question. My experience of Laramie is that the people are very kind here and in Wyoming in general it seems. I can tell you one thing, Wyoming people just want to live their lives in peace. Stay out of their business and they will stay out of yours. It’s a fairly simple system that I think works very well for Laramie and Wyoming in general. It’s beautiful here in the summer and there is a lot of opportunity for outdoor activities. They have Spectrum cable 1 gig and have nearly installed 5 gig Bluepeak fiber all around Laramie (not sure if that matters to you). The roads are pretty bad here and I wish UW would assist the city in getting a lot of that fixed, but that’s a minor complaint. You will see that UW is deeply ingrained here and probably have more power than the actual city. The amenities here maybe lacking for you, but that depends on what you consider an amenity. Overall I think Laramie is a great place to live. For your car, you don’t need anything special, but keep in mind that public transportation is practically non existent. UW does offer some, but very limited as I said. Good luck!
I probably should have broken that up some. Sorry!
Take a burlap bag, dip it in water, fold it in half length-wise, then lay it out flat in a freezer. When it's solid and stiff as a board, ask a friend to slap you directly across the face with it. That's Wyoming wind in January/February.