Is Lander Wyoming a good place to live?

Hey everybody,

I'm a fish biologist in Oregon, and may be taking a job in Lander soon.  The area looks pretty incredible.  

What's the town itself like (and of course the local climbing community)?  

I really appreciate any info!  Thanks!!

Ben

i think it depends on what you're looking for. We spent four years there and liked it. The town is small and conservative (outside of the outdoor community). Housing is affordable although healthcare is lacking. There aren't that many great places to eat out, if you're into that type of thing, which we're not really. There are awesome and uncrowded places to hike/run/bike with your dog offleash 5-10 minutes from town. I personally found it kind of hard to meet people in the beginning when my husband was injured. However, this is probably because I worked a full time government job and was just trolling for partners at the gym. Since this was coupled with some mild social anxiety, I suspect my experience was not the norm.

Check it out! We'd probably still be there if we didn't have housing and family/friends in Jackson. :)

I spent two months there last summer. Local climbing community is very inviting. There are a number of people who come through seasonally, who are always looking for partners (my buddy is a travel nurse and he will be back in the next couple weeks for the summer). The Lander Bar/Elemental crew is pretty darn friendly and open to newcomers IMO. Can't speak very intelligibly to long-term resident issues but do know that the Lander and Riverton hospitals aren't equipped for everything. My friend says they ship a good number of people to Billings for bigger stuff. There seemed to be a pretty significant wealth gap. 

Ben Cram wrote:

Hey everybody,

I'm a fish biologist in Oregon, and may be taking a job in Lander soon.  The area looks pretty incredible.  

What's the town itself like (and of course the local climbing community)?  

I really appreciate any info!  Thanks!!

Ben

Lander is pretty much my dream town, small town with amazing access to everything outdoors.  The people that I have met there have all been super friendly and the climbing community is small and friendly.  If I had any chance of getting a decent job in Lander I'd move there in a heartbeat!

It's a 7000 person town in the middle of nowhere. That should tell you a lot.

jmmlol wrote:

It's a 7000 person town in the middle of nowhere. That should tell you a lot.

Like what?

I'm with Ken.  I'd be there is a heartbeat if possible.  Over the years we have spent months there climbing and enjoying the town of Lander.  I have always felt the people are a great balance of rancher meets climbing culture.

Good luck with your decision!

AmandaM wrote:

Like what?

That there ain't a lot going on.

Jon Frisby wrote:

 Can't speak very intelligibly to long-term resident issues but do know that the Lander and Riverton hospitals aren't equipped for everything. My friend says they ship a good number of people to Billings for bigger stuff. There seemed to be a pretty significant wealth gap. 

Casper, Billings, Denver, Salt Lake, and in rare circumstances Idaho Falls, and even Jackson.

Don't get seriously injured!

As a long time resident of Casper, WY, I love Lander. Town is great and there's a tight knit groups of climbers(might seem a little "clique-ish at first) but are all friendly and inviting. There indeed isn't a whole lot going on in town, but if you're looking to spend the majority of your time climbing/backpacking/fishing/biking/anything outdoors, then it's a great place to be. And most importantly, the beer is FANTASTIC!

You will definitely have some of the best climbing in WY right in your backyard, and other areas are a short drive away(Ten Sleep, Wind Rivers, Fremont Canyon, Sweetwater...)

Best of luck!

Lived in Lander for a year. Would still be there but work is hard to come by depending on your career. Endless year round climbing and a friendly climbing community. The town has character and just enough going on to keep you busy when not at work or climbing. Id say the only negative for me was being far from large airports. Denver 6 hours, SLC 4.5 hours. Kinda makes it difficult and expensive to get anywhere. But If you love clipping bolts and climbing pocketed limestone then you wont wanna leave.

Thanks for all the great input guys!  

The closest town to me right now is about 1,000 people, so...  Lander seems like a nice upgrade.

So far it sounds like just what I'm after.  Im going for it.  Wish me luck! 

Zach Buecker wrote:

...Endless year round climbing....

Geographically, how does this break down for living in lander?

Which begs the question, what's the climbing weather? If you're a Western US climber and you anchor yourself in the northern rockies, weather dictates your life more than rock availability.

Thoughts? Comparisons to other western towns are helpful...

Sam Prentice wrote:

Geographically, how does this break down for living in lander?

Which begs the question, what's the climbing weather? If you're a Western US climber and you anchor yourself in the northern rockies, weather dictates your life more than rock availability.

Thoughts? Comparisons to other western towns are helpful...

South facing side of Sinks Canyon can be climbed through the winter depending on weather, but there are a lot of sunny days all throughout the winter as the Winds kind of trap weather on the other side of them.  Throughout the summer you just have to seek the higher elevation crags (there are a lot of them).

Ken Noyce wrote:

South facing side of Sinks Canyon can be climbed through the winter depending on weather, but there are a lot of sunny days all throughout the winter as the Winds kind of trap weather on the other side of them.  Throughout the summer you just have to seek the higher elevation crags (there are a lot of them).

So what im hearing is the local 'season' closes down in summer, more so than winter? Would not have figured that from the monthly climate info. Figured lander was more marked by winter cabin fever than chasing the shade in the summer.

Sam Prentice wrote:

So what im hearing is the local 'season' closes down in summer, more so than winter? Would not have figured that from the monthly climate info. Figured lander was more marked by winter cabin fever than chasing the shade in the summer.

No, it certainly closes down more in the winter then the summer, but you do need to chase shade in the summer (which is easy to do).

I'm an old guy, used to work in Lander as a teenager back in the early 60's.  Live in McCall, Idaho now, but thinking of moving back (to be closer to relatives).  I'm an avid Nordic skier....masters races, etc.  I understand they have two groomed areas there;  the local golf course?  and an area out toward So. Pass.  Anyone here know how they are?  ie. do they keep them groomed often?  How many kilometers at each area?  hills?  Any other areas within an hours drive? What about mtn biking?

No. Don't go there