Living a Equestrian Lifestyle in Cheyenne, Wyoming

If horses and horse back riding is your thing, Cheyenne, the capital and largest city (57,000 people) of the great state of Wyoming might be a very good place for you to live. Whether it's a half-day trail ride or a overnight trek, riding in Wyoming is unforgettable - thanks to its wide-open prairies, high country trails, and wandering rivers. Equitrekking is a popular pastime, and it begins at UXU Ranch for scenic and challenging riding on surefooted horses in the Shoshone National Forest

The city was an early western town and became very important when the major east/west railroad came through town.  The city has a lower than an average cost of living, and in fact was named by U.S. News as the #1 most tax-friendly town in the U.S. in 2008 (Wyoming has significant revenues from energy produced in the state). Laramie County Community College is in Cheyenne.

Where to Retire in Cheyenne and Home Prices

Retirees can live in town or in developments on the outskirts. Or if more adventurous, they can live on a 5-10 acre ranchettes outside of the city limits.The median home value was $327,514 in early 2023, according to Zillow. Places with acreage will be much more.

What Is Special about Cheyenne

One of US News & World Reports' 10 most tax-friendly towns in America (2008). Frontier Days includes a huge outdoor rodeo. Cheyenne has a fascinating railroad history with a display of some of the biggest steam locomotives ever built - the Union Pacific Big Boy locomotives. They could typically carry 100 railroad cars over the Rockies at 50 mph. Cheyenne is also home to a downtown historical district, and The Botanical Gardens. The town of Centennial in the Medicine Bow Mountains. Signature and Register Rocks where the early pioneers came through and etched their names in the limestone cliffs.

What Is Not Special about Cheyenne

When you live in Wyoming you are a long drive from just about every amenity and service, the weather can be very harsh, and the wind blows almost incessantly.

Climate and Physical Environment

Cheyenne is in southeastern Wyoming, just 12 miles north of the Colorado state line on the Front Range. The average January temperature is in the mid 20's and the average July temperature is in the high 90's. The climate is semi-arid with considerable snowfall in late winter/early spring. High winds are a problem most days of the year in Cheyenne, even wrenching car doors off their hinges if you're not careful. Cheyenne regularly experiences sudden, violent summer thunderstorms that may produce flooding and large hail plus the town sits on the flat prairies at the eastern and northern edges of tornado country and may occasionally see a small funnel cloud or two., Winter blizzards can become dangerous with strong winds and wind chill temperatures sometimes dropping below -40 degrees.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Frontier Days, held at the end of July, is the big annual attraction and sponsors the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. Laramie County Community College provides some cultural opportunities and college-level coursework. The recently-renovated Union Pacific Depot and the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens are prominent local attractions. The food scene is dominated by fast food, national chains like Olive Garden and Old Chicago, and a few substandard mom and pop restaurants. Denver, over a hundred miles to the south, has the closest thing resembling fine dining in the area. Also, there are no professional or semi-pro sports teams in the area. Most residents are ardent fans of the local college football team, the University of Wyoming, Laramie, cowboys. They may also support professional Colorado teams such as the Broncos, the Rockies, the Nuggets, and the Avalanche.

Crime

The crime rate is below average and is primarily focused on drug-related property crimes and serious problems with substance abuse and domestic violence.

Medical Facilities

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center is the sole major medical facility serving the non-military residents of Cheyenne along with a VA Medical Center for the veteran population.

Transportation

Because of its small poulation and remote location, Cheyenne has meager transportation resources. Located at the intersection of I-25 and I-80, it does have an Amtrak station and local airport, and is only 50 miles from the Loveland/Fort Collins airport. The only major airport in the area, however, is Denver International Airport, 150 miles to the south.

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City of Cheyenne

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