How to Live Like a Local in Casper, WY
Jonathan Boudreaux was working in the oil industry and living with his family in Houston when his company transferred him to Casper, Wyoming, in 2018.
“We fell in love with it immediately. We really like the small-town vibe, especially coming from Houston. We enjoy the sense of community,” Boudreaux says. “It’s just a really welcoming city with good people, and there’s so much to do here.”
His family has no regrets about their move. It has turned out to be a great choice for Boudreaux, his wife, Lindsay, and their children, ages 8 and 16. Boudreaux shares more about his family’s experience turning Casper, Wyoming, into a home.
In This Article
Finding a Home in Casper
Soon after relocating to Casper, the family purchased a home. When they moved there in 2018, the housing market had limited inventory, so Boudreaux felt fortunate that they were able to settle into a nice neighborhood.
“We’re in a wonderful neighborhood with wonderful neighbors. The sense of community we love about Casper, as a whole, is within the neighborhood, too,” Boudreaux says. “My kids are able to play outside on the street with the other neighborhood kids, which isn’t something we did in Houston.”
In Casper, the average home value is around $291,000 (Zillow, January 2025) – about 82% of the Wyoming average and about two-thirds of the U.S. average value.
Accepting a Job Offer
A year after their relocation, his company wanted to transfer him again, but his wife vetoed another move. Eventually, Boudreaux accepted a position as the manager of gas operations for Black Hills Energy – a role he was excited to take on.
“I know how vital utilities are to communities, and that was something I wanted to be a part of,” he says. “One thing that’s been fun about my job is getting to be out in the community as the Gas Operations Manager for Central Wyoming. I get to go to events that we sponsor and interact with public officials, and that’s one way I’ve made connections all over town.”
Raising a Family
Lindsay Boudreaux works at Verda James Elementary, one of several area elementary schools in the Natrona County School District.
“We really enjoy the school system here,” Jonathan Boudreaux says. “When we moved here, my son was not quite pre-kindergarten age, and my daughter was in third grade.”
Their children have grown up going to beautiful local parks and participating in youth sports leagues. His son plays football with the Casper Junior Football League, and his daughter played soccer and now runs track. Boudreaux also notes that teaching his daughter to drive in Casper was a much safer and more manageable environment than if they had stayed in Houston.
Getting Plugged In
Boudreaux is a member of the Rotary Club and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.
“When we decided to move to Casper, we knew that the city was now home, and we wanted to be more involved in the community,” he says. “I joined the Five Trails Rotary Club, and now I’m the president. That was a huge connection point for me. I enjoy service above self, and everything that Rotary stands for is in line with my personal goals to make the community better.”
Boudreaux’s values also align with those of Habitat for Humanity, believing everyone deserves to own their own home. As of 2024, Habitat for Humanity was in the process of building its 50th property in Casper.
Finding All the Best Spots
One of the things Boudreaux loves most about Casper is that there’s no shortage of things to do. Shortly after they arrived, the family bought a camper. Now, they spend weekends near Alcova Reservoir, where they sometimes take a boat out for the day.
The family also enjoys going to shows and other live events at the Ford Wyoming Center and the David Street Station, a vibrant entertainment complex located in downtown Casper.
They also frequent entertainment venues such as The Gaslight Social or The Beacon Club. Among the family’s favorite restaurants are FireRock Steakhouse, Tacos Mexico and Eggington’s.
“The whole community supports each other, which is amazing. Shopping and eating local are really big here,” Boudreaux says. “It’s cool to go to a restaurant where the owner will come up and shake your hand and thank you for coming in to eat. Casper is just a great place to live. I know if people give it a chance, they’ll get sucked in.”
Get to Know Casper
Want to learn more about living and working in Casper, WY? Check out the latest edition of Livability Casper, Wyoming.
