We originally intended to make a list of common businesses each town had, or lacked - such as Wal-Mart or K-Mart, Ace Hardware or Home Depot, Albertson's or Safeway (the big grocery chains in the west), consumer electronics, chiropractors and acupuncturists, health food stores, and so on. This became unnecessary as we realized they all had these, as well as local mom-and-pop businesses of many kinds. Two notes: only Sheridan had a store dealing specifically in home brewing supplies (I believe Lars inquired about that); and only Evanston lacked auto dealers and mechanics dealing specifically with imports.
Next, we looked at real estate - following up on newspaper ads and also driving around different neighborhoods, looking primarily for well-maintained and nicely landscaped 3br 2ba homes in nice areas. With the exception of Jackson Hole, all the towns had such homes available starting around $150,000. There's not much in Jackson below $500,000; one has to look in Alpine, Star Valley, and Afton (40-60 miles south) to find anything more affordable here.
Casper lies at the foot of Casper Mountain - really a mesa - which has a small ski area and lots of heavily wooded campgrounds and hiking trails, all within 20 to 30 minutes of town. Casper's famous winds were very noticeable at the airport, but much less so in town. We didn't get to the two large reservoirs about 30-40 miles southwest of town, but understand they are big boating, fishing, and water-skiing areas.
Sheridan lies just east of the Big Horn Mountains, which have some beautiful views and terrain, including some very heavily treed areas and spectacular rock formations. We drove over Granite Pass to a ski area, encountering falling snow about halfway there (this was last Monday, June 23). Again, lots of campgrounds and hiking trails. There are two lakes in the area for boating and fishing enthusiasts - one about 30 miles south, and one about 20 miles north.
I probably don't need to say much about Jackson Hole (the valley) or Jackson (the town), or Grand Teton National Park. Evanston, on the other hand, is fairly obscure, and the second-smallest of the towns visited. It sits on a high plain, but snow-capped peaks were visible to the south, and a half-hour drive in that direction took us into the Wasatch National Forest, which, again, had alpine forests and meadows as well as some Matterhorn look-alike peaks, and lots of (empty) campgrounds. Further driving took us to the huge Park City ski complex in Utah, slightly less than an hour's drive on I-80 and US 40 from Evanston. Within 2 hours of Evanston lie Bear Lake to the northwest and Flaming Gorge National Recreational Area to the east (think smaller version of Lake Powell).
Finally, Laramie sits on a plain just west of the Laramie Mountains (a long north-south high ridge), with snow-capped peaks visible about 30 miles to the west, in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, and to the southwest in Colorado. A small ski area lies 35 minutes west of town. Did I mention the campgrounds and hiking trails?
Some random notes and observations:
We met a lot of really nice people on this trip. Actually, everyone we met was friendly and helpful.
All of the towns had trees and lawns and parks and green areas - but don't expect the high-density foliage one sees in the east.
Sign at the Evanston city limits: "Fresh Air, Freedom, and Fun!"
Yes, the landscape along I-80 between Evanston and Laramie is essentially barren dirt.
All the towns had LDS churches - and Episcopalian and Baptist and Catholic and Methodist and Lutheran.
Casper, Sheridan, and Laramie seem to be good choices with respect to quality of life and employment.
Some might prefer Casper's central location, while Sheridan is just across the border from Montana and Laramie is just across the border from Colorado (and close to Cheyenne as well).
Jackson would seem to be great for someone who can afford to live there, or doesn't mind a long commute.
Evanston could work for someone who likes a smaller town that's within an hour of a major metro area (Salt Lake City), or someone with a needed business (import car mechanic, e.g.).
Caveat: These are the opinions and perceptions of the author. Your mileage may vary.
Slogan in official 2003 Wyoming Vacation Directory: "It's not a road you're riding on, it's a path to freedom."