The Not-So-Great Side of Living in Casper, Wyoming | Moving to Wyoming: THE BAD 👉 Thinking about moving to Wyoming? Before you pack your bags and head to Casper, make sure you know the whole story. In this video, we’re diving into “The Bad”—the not-so-perfect side of living in Wyoming, specifically in Casper. From wild winds to long winters and limited travel options, here’s what you NEED to know before you make the move. Hi, I’m Alisha Collins with the Alisha Collins Real Estate Team, and this is part one of a three-part series covering The Great, The Bad, and The Mostly Okay sides of life in Casper, Wyoming. Whether you’re just curious or seriously considering relocating to Wyoming, we’re here to be your go-to resource! 🌬️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The WIND – A Casper classic you will have to get used to
- Wyoming Winters – Snow, ice, wind chills, and how we deal with them
- Small-Town Living – Limited shopping, dining, and entertainment
- Travel Troubles – Our “international airport” and why driving to Denver might be easier
- No Pro Sports Teams – But don’t worry, we’ve got Wyoming Cowboy pride!
- Casper Movie Trivia – Fun facts about films shot right here in town
📍 Even with the challenges, Casper has heart—and it’s home to some of the most welcoming communities, incredible views, and unbeatable outdoor adventures. 👉 Stay tuned for the next videos in this series:✔️ “The GREAT” – Why people fall in love with Casper✔️ “The MOSTLY OKAY” – The quirks and things you learn to live with 💬 Have questions about moving to Casper or living in Wyoming? Drop them in the comments or give us a call. We’re always happy to help you discover whether Wyoming is right for you.
If you’re thinking about moving to a new city, you probably wanna know exactly what you’re signing up for. It’s a big decision. And while every place has its perks, there’s always things that might not be ideal for everyone. Of course, you won’t truly know what it’s like until you’re actually living there, but what’s the next best thing? Research. And that’s exactly why I’m here. We love talking with you, answering your questions, and being your go-to resource for all things Wyoming. Whether you’re thinking about making a move or just curious about what it’s like to live here, we’ve got you covered. Hi, I’m Alisha Collins with the Alisha Collins Real Estate team. If you’ve watched any of my other videos, you know I love talking about Casper, Wyoming, and Wyoming because, well, it’s my home and I really do love where I live. But let’s be real. There’s a no place that’s perfect, not even Casper. So I’m here to give you the full picture of the three-part series where we break down the great, the bad, and the mostly okay. Today’s topic, the not so great, the bad side of Casper. All right, let’s rip off the bandaid. What’s the worst thing about living in Casper? You all know what it is, right? The wind, AKA, the W word. The wind, or as we like to say here, the W word. Yes, it’s worth repeating. We don’t joke about it. If it’s a calm day, we don’t say anything, seriously. The second you acknowledge it’s not windy, boom, instant gusts, it’s science, or at least that’s how it feels. Now, while every day is not windy, every single day, it can feel like it, especially in the winter when it combines with snow to create bone-chilling wind chills and snow drifts that make shoveling a sport. And let’s talk about the wind speeds. Casper regularly experiences gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour, and it’s not unusual to even see higher gusts. If you’ve ever felt the sheer power of Wyoming wind pushing against your car while driving on the highway, well consider it an experience. You’ll see plenty of trucks pulled over waiting for the wind to die down. And let me tell you, when those semis start rocking back and forth it’s a little nerve wracking. The wind also makes simple outdoor activities a challenge. Ever tried grilling outside on a windy day, good luck keeping the flames going. Wanna go for a peaceful hike? Get ready to eat a little dirt when a gust kicks up, the wind is a force to be reckoned with. But on the bright side, it keeps the air fresh and clear. No smog here, but hey, if you survive Casper winter winds, you can survive anything. And speaking of winter, yes, we get snow, and sometimes a lot of it, if you’re not a fan of winter, Casper might be a tough place for you. Snowstorms can dump several inches, and combined with the wind, we get drifts that can bury cars and block driveways overnight. Driving in winter here is definitely something to adjust to. The roads can get slick and black. Ice is no joke, but you’ll learn pretty quickly to keep a shovel and some kitty litter in your car. And yes, kitty litter, it helps with traction if you get stuck. Beyond driving, winter can feel long here. The days are shorter and the cold can be intense. If you’re someone who thrives in sunshine and warmth year round, Casper winters might feel like they drag on forever. But if you’re a fan of cozy nights by the fire, snow covered mountains and winter sports, then you’ll find a lot to love. Casper is the second largest city in Wyoming, but in most other states it would be considered a small town. Some people love the close-knit community, but if you are used to big city life, it might feel quiet. A smaller population also means fewer shopping and dining options. We have some fantastic local businesses and restaurants. You won’t find high-end shopping malls or trendy new restaurants opening up every week. Wanna go on a shopping spree, that’s going to require a road trip somewhere like Billings, Denver, or even Salt Lake City. That also means fewer entertainment options. If you’re someone who loves going to concerts, big sporting events, or having a wide variety of nightlife options, Casper might not check all those boxes. While there are some great local events, theaters and live music, it’s not quite the same as living in a major metro area. However, the charm of a smaller city is that it’s easier to get to know your neighbors, and there’s a strong sense of community. It’s the kind of place where people wave at you when you drive by, and local businesses recognize their regulars. Casper does have an international airport, kind of, it’s called Casper-Natrona County International Airport. But don’t let the name fool you. There’s only one airline and about six flights a day, all of which connect through Denver. So if you’re flying out, sometimes it’s easier and cheaper to drive to Denver or Billings instead of dealing with layovers and cancellations. But every now and then you’ll find a steal of a deal right out of Casper, so it’s always worth checking. Fun movie trivia, as a side note, did you know Casper’s International Airport may not have the busiest flight schedule, but it has had its moment in the spotlight. It made an appearance in the 2010 Comedy, the “Bridesmaids,” where an airplane makes an emergency landing to deplane a rowdy passenger and her group of friends. And another cool fact, Casper was also featured in the 1968 John Wayne film, “Hellfighters,” which used the former Wordwell field near Casper for scenes depicting a South American airstrip. And did you know that Casper has a slice of alien planet right in its backyard, Hell’s Half Acre. With its wild and out-worldly landscape, was actually used as a filming location for a famous sci-fi movie. If you think you know that movie, let me know in the comments. If you’re a big sports fan, you might be a little disappointed to know that Wyoming is one of the few states without a professional sports team. But don’t worry, we still go hard for the Wyoming Cowboys in Laramie. College football is a big deal here, and game days bring plenty of excitement no matter where you live in the state. Plus, if you’re into hockey, Casper has its own junior hockey team, the Casper Roughnecks. And if you are up for a drive, you can always head to Denver to catch a Broncos Nuggets or Avalanche game. So is Casper really that bad? Honestly, not at all. Every place has its challenges and Casper is no exception. If you can handle a little wind, snow, a fewer shopping options, Casper has a lot to love. The strong sense of community, outdoor adventures and breathtaking scenery, make it a pretty special place to call home. Make sure you check out the other part of the series, “What Makes Casper Amazing,” which we’ve already shared, and “What’s Just Okay,” which is coming. And if you’re thinking about making a move, give my team a call. We love talking with you. We love answering your questions and being your go-to source for all things Wyoming. We love where we live, and we want you to love where you live too. Remember, we can help you find a home in the Casper area and all around Wyoming. See you soon. Things that might might, what? Why can’t I say that word, shit! Is it too windy? And this is going too slow? What the crap, not the that.