When considering moving to Wyoming, checking off the relocation basics, like housing costs, job market, schools, and commute times, is a smart way to scout a new city. But what they don't tell you is what a Tuesday morning feels like when you step outside and find mountains on every horizon, or what it means to belong to a city where people actually know your name.   

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Laramie is one of those cities that feels less like a pin on a map and more like a community. Whether you’re putting down roots, launching a new chapter, or trading city chaos for crisp, alpine air, we’ve put together a list of everyday reasons locals love calling this corner of Wyoming home. 

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Bright Skies, 233 Days a Year

Let's clear up the biggest misconception about moving to Wyoming. People automatically assume that cold winters mean grey skies. For Laramie, it doesn't.

Sitting at 7,220 feet above sea level, the city receives just 12 inches of annual rainfall, which is well below the U.S. average of 38 inches. According to the University of Wyoming, Laramie averages 233 sunny days per year. Even January, the coldest month of the year, typically boasts clear blue skies. Summers are warm and dry, with average July highs of 81°F and evenings cool enough that most residents don’t bother with air conditioning.

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When winter arrives and snow falls, the surrounding mountain ranges turn into a high-altitude playground, perfect for anyone who's been waiting to get their skis on and hit the slopes.

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The Great Outdoors Are Basically Your Backyard

One of the most compelling reasons people love living in Laramie is how close everything is. When it comes to things to do in Laramie, WY, the outdoors lead every conversation. 

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  • To the East: Vedauwoo Recreation Area, a surreal landscape of striking granite rock formations, is a popular destination among technical climbers, hikers, and mountain bikers.
  • To the West: Medicine Bow National Forest and the Snowy Range Mountains are home to vast alpine lakes, backcountry trails, and the Snowy Range Ski Area just 32 miles from downtown.
  • To the South: Curt Gowdy State Park sits between Laramie and Cheyenne, offering endless miles of trails and water recreation on Granite Reservoir.

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Hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, camping, horseback riding, rock climbing, snowshoeing, and skiing are all within a short drive. And for wildlife enthusiasts, the surrounding terrain is home to moose, elk, pronghorn, and mule deer. 

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And the best part: you don't have to plan a long weekend to experience any of it. You just have to be done by 5.

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Historic Charm Meets Local Flavor in Downtown Laramie 

Laramie's historic downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the storefronts live up to it. Coal Creek Coffee Company anchors the morning routine, while local favorites like Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria & Bakery, Bond's Brewing Company, and Altitude Chophouse & Brewery are popular options for dinner and evening drinks. 

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International dining is just as well-represented. Local staples like Anong's Thai Cuisine, Mizu Sushi, and the legendary Sweet Melissa Cafe give residents a range of authentic cultural cuisine and vegetarian comfort classics to choose from. Several local restaurants have even been featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

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During the summer, the downtown Farmer's Market brings local produce, Wyoming-raised meats, baked and handmade goods, to the streets of Laramie before moving indoors when the cold sets in. Shops like Works of Wyoming, a boutique dedicated to Wyoming artists and makers, reflect the unique, creative identity of this city and the people who built it.

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A Packed Community Calendar 

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Living in Laramie means your weekend is never short of things to do. Some notable daily and seasonal events include:

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  • Year-round: The Laramie Recreation Center is open daily and features an indoor track, three pools, and fitness classes. 
  • July: Laramie Jubilee Days takes over the town for a week-long statehood celebration featuring a PRCA rodeo, live music, street dances, a downtown parade, and a community carnival that draws the whole city together.  
  • Fall: UW Cowboys football games light up the War Memorial Stadium. And because Wyoming has no professional sports teams, the Cowboys genuinely belong to the whole community.
  • Winter: Cold weather brings easy escapes to the nearby Snowy Range Mountains for high-country skiing and snowmobiling. The Laramie Ice and Event Center is a great local spot for skating and hockey, while the Arena-Auditorium is perfect for catching Division I basketball games. 

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A Welcoming College Town Community

Ask residents what they value most about Laramie, and the answer is almost always the same: the people.

With a population of roughly 31,000, Laramie offers small-town warmth without feeling isolated. As the state's flagship university, the University of Wyoming brings a distinct cultural energy to town. Founded in 1886, UW hosts over 10,800 students representing all 50 states and more than 70 countries. Facilities like the UW Art Museum (free and open to the public) and the Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium enrich everyday life for students and longtime locals.

By most measures, Laramie is recognized as one of the top cities, if not the best city to live in Wyoming. The Travel named Laramie the #1 college town in America in 2024, while national rankings consistently place it among the best cities to live in Wyoming. Laramie also has a rich history. Louisa Swain cast the first legal female vote in a U.S. general election in 1870 here — a milestone honored at downtown's Louisa Swain Statue. 

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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Wyoming

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What is the "secret" shoulder season that locals look forward to most? 

Autumn. While summer brings big crowds for Jubilee Days and winter brings the skiers, early fall is pure magic. The crisp September air turns the aspen groves in the Snowy Range a vibrant golden-yellow, football game days bring a festive buzz to town, and the mild daytime temperatures make it the single best time of year for trail running, mountain biking, and evening patio drinks. 

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What are the unexpected local "foodie" highlights beyond downtown?

Because Wyoming is cattle country, you’ll find incredible grass-fed local meats at the butcher counters, but the hidden gem is the local food truck scene that pops up around the craft breweries. Beyond that, the legendary local bake sales, community potlucks, and roadside jerky stands give everyday eating a distinctly cozy, West-meets-modern feel.

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What makes Laramie such a joy for dog owners? 

Laramie might be one of the most dog-friendly towns in the Rockies. With miles of wide-open public land, dogs are welcome on almost every trail system surrounding the city (including off-leash zones in the National Forest). Downtown businesses routinely leave water bowls outside, patio dining with your pup is standard summer culture, and dog owners have an instant icebreaker at every park. 

Finding Your Home in Laramie

For anyone seriously considering the move and buying property, understanding the Laramie real estate market is the next natural step before you start your search.

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When moving to Wyoming, working with a team that has hyperlocal insights into the local housing market makes all the difference. As a boutique agency with deep roots in Laramie and SE Wyoming, Original Realty Group doesn’t just know what's available in the market; they know what daily life looks like in every part of the city.

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Contact Original Realty Group to explore local neighborhoods, browse available homes, and get personalized guidance in finding the right place to call home in Laramie.

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