So I Might Move to Lander, WY

CapnSev · #1 07-22-2010, 04:44 PM

I got a job offer yesterday from the state of Wyoming, asking if I would fill a position in Lander as a juvenile probation/parole officer. The job pays well, and the city has an affordable cost of living. It seems like a nice place, situated high up in the mountains with plenty to do, and lots of mountain roads to curb my cycling fetish. It seems like all the amenities I would want/need are there as well. I've never been there, but I might take a trip to see what its like.

However-

A) It's small. Like 7,000 people small. I'm not sure how I would handle everybody being in my business all the time.

B) How much am I going to be able to gig with my bass/find a band in a town with 7,000 people? There are a number of bars, and a lot of festivals up there, but the musician pool is slim pickings. Not playing would really suck.

C) I don't think my wife is on board with the idea for the same negatives that I listed. She's mostly worried about boredom, and frikkin' freezing winters. (Obviously this would be my biggest hurdle)

Help me out small town guys. How do you guys do it? Do you have a group that you gig with? Are you tired of everybody knowing everything about each other? Do your wives/GFs hate it?

rosanne · #2 07-22-2010, 05:41 PM

Don't know if this will help but I worked for over 10 years with a woman who visited Lander every year because her husband came from there. She often showed me photos and the countryside there is beautiful. She loved Lander.

MEKer · #3 07-22-2010, 07:44 PM

Whew--7,000. NOTHING will rock in a 7K population in WY. Sorry.

BTW, the Flying J Truck Stop Restaurant west of and heading into Salt Lake---right after you end the 100 mile stretch of dead zone coming from California--- ROCKS WITH THE BEST TRUCK STOP FOOD IN THE NATION!!!!!!!!!!!

But family financial survival counts the most. Is the job: a career one, is it just questionable long term, can you afford to NOT take the job??? Remember HOPE is not a strategy if you decline the job.

TheSuzie · #4 07-22-2010, 09:15 PM

Just be aware, that part of WY has been under some pretty heavy development for oil and gas production. Lander itself and surrounds are not in the thick of things but it is not that far away. May or may not be a concern to you but I figure it is good to have knowledge.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/...ing_03-27.html

http://www.grist.org/article/calvert/

gm2_in_co · #5 07-22-2010, 10:19 PM

We'll be neighbors. That's got to be a huge plus. Well OK, a couple hundred miles apart, but that's right next door around here. Besides, you'll have to come to "town" once in awhile to shop. (Have I convinced you yet?) Let me tell you about the Wyoming wind...

CapnSev · #6 07-22-2010, 11:26 PM

I can hold out and not take the job if I don't want to, but part of me thinks it would be an adventure. I just don't want to hang up the bass as the result of a small town move.

I'm not too worried about the gas development thing, I don't think that will affect me really.

And yeah, I know about those Wyoming winds

. I hear that the winds aren't crazy in Lander. I've been to Casper in the winter though, and let's just say the snow doesn't fall vertically there!

gm2_in_co · #7 07-22-2010, 11:58 PM

Well, I don't know what sort of music you prefer, but I'm betting you'll be surprised by the number of opportunities you'll have to play. Only thing is the style will be limited to country, classic rock, and (old school) metal mostly.

groooooove · #8 07-23-2010, 12:14 AM

im sure youll get along fine with both of the people that live in that town.

Kawai-chang · #9 07-23-2010, 06:52 AM

Just think of the yucks you'll have with the one drummer. You know, the nutty one.

CapnSev · #10 07-23-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gm2_in_co

Well, I don't know what sort of music you prefer, but I'm betting you'll be surprised by the number of opportunities you'll have to play. Only thing is the style will be limited to country, classic rock, and (old school) metal mostly.

Well I prefer stuff other than classic rock, metal, and country- but I can do classic metal and classic rock for hillbillies if I have to.

Honestly, if I started a band in a little town like that, it would be popular classics/top 40 stuff across a bunch a genres. That seems to go over well with the better part of the general public.

Jim Campbell · #11 07-23-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I can hold out and not take the job if I don't want to, but part of me thinks it would be an adventure. I just don't want to hang up the bass as the result of a small town move.

I'm not too worried about the gas development thing, I don't think that will affect me really.

And yeah, I know about those Wyoming winds

. I hear that the winds aren't crazy in Lander. I've been to Casper in the winter though, and let's just say the snow doesn't fall vertically there!

people i know that have moved to towns like that tell me that the first year was not so much fun,but once they got used to it and got to know the folks you couldn't blast them out of there with a bazooka.....the gig thing might take a little more effort and logistical creativity......but if you give it a chance you'll probably love it out there

mrpackerguy · #12 07-23-2010, 11:21 AM

Interesting demographics. Not sure they'd be for me. Only 29% of the residents are high school educated??

http://www.landerchamber.org/live-an...opulation.html

bassguppy · #13 07-23-2010, 11:24 AM

at least if Lander was somewhat accessible to a bigger city, but looking at a map the nearest "big" city is Salt Lake and thats 300 miles or 5 hours drive.

Probably alot of Ted Kaczynski types up there.

I would also think there a number of jobs all over the USA for juvi counselors/probation officers.

CapnSev · #14 07-23-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrpackerguy

Interesting demographics. Not sure they'd be for me. Only 29% of the residents are high school educated??

http://www.landerchamber.org/live-an...opulation.html

It goes on to say that 31% have had "some-college", and 19% have a Bachelor's. I think the categories are mutually exclusive, i.e.- if you have some college, you fall into that category, and are taken out of the HS graduate category.

I do know that they will pay me well for my college degree.

CapnSev · #15 07-23-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassguppy

I would also think there a number of jobs all over the USA for juvi counselors/probation officers.

Yeah, you'd think that, but almost no states have a budget for new hires, especially in that kind of field. Apparently, Wyoming must be doing pretty well, because they have juvi probation openings in 4 counties.

bassguppy · #16 07-23-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I do know that they will pay me well for my college degree.

Or...they are paying you well because they can't get anyone to take the job.

bassguppy · #17 07-23-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

Yeah, you'd think that, but almost no states have a budget for new hires, especially in that kind of field. Apparently, Wyoming must be doing pretty well, because they have juvi probation openings in 4 counties.

that's true.

CapnSev · #18 07-23-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassguppy

Or...they are paying you well because they can't get anyone to take the job.

Actually, I got a nice recommendation from the attorney general's office here, because they know some folks up there.

gm2_in_co · #19 07-23-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassguppy

at least if Lander was somewhat accessible to a bigger city, but looking at a map the nearest "big" city is Salt Lake and thats 300 miles or 5 hours drive.

Probably alot of Ted Kaczynski types up there.

I would also think there a number of jobs all over the USA for juvi counselors/probation officers.

Uh... the Ted Kaczynski comment hits a little close to below the belt. Or should I assume your perspective and doings to be very closely aligned to Harvey Milk because of your proximity?

Yes, Wyoming folk tend to be fiercely independent and resentful of bureaucratic interference. That pioneering spirit is still very much alive there even in its bigger towns. It can be frustrating at times, but I for one love that about the people there. Then again, I'm a Libertarian, so maybe you're lumping me in with Kaczynski too. Its a sort of marginalizing that's been a popular left v right tactic the last few decades for sure.