Top Neighborhoods
Laramie's housing market is a tale of two cities: the historic, walkable core where professors and grad students clash over 1920s bungalows, and the newer outskirts where railroad workers and Wyoming Tech employees seek modern space. Choosing wrong means either a brutal winter commute on I-80 or being stuck miles from the only decent coffee shop. This isn't about vibes—it's about surviving February blizzards and finding parking during UW homecoming.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Laramie
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Railroad District | Gritty-chic, student-heavy | $950-$1,300 | UW grad students, rail workers | ~65 |
| West Laramie | Family-suburban, quiet | $1,100-$1,500 | Young families, hospital staff | ~45 |
| Downtown Core | Walkable, professional | $1,200-$1,600 | Professors, remote workers | ~80 |
| Eastside | Budget, no-frills | $800-$1,100 | Railroad employees, first-timers | ~35 |
| South Laramie | New-build, commuter | $1,300-$1,700 | Tech workers, telecommuters | ~30 |
Historic Railroad District
Overview: Bounded by 1st and 7th Streets, this is where the Burlington Northern crews lived in the early 1900s. The brick rowhouses on Kearney and Garfield Streets still have the original railroad worker character, but now house UW geology grad students.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $950 - $1,300/mo (1BR) | $1,200 - $1,600/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $285k - $340k (mostly fixer-uppers)
- 🚗 Commute: 8 min to UW campus | 5 min to downtown
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~65 (Walkable to bars, but grocery run requires planning)
Local Intel: The freight trains still run at 2 AM, and if you're on the north side of Garfield, you'll hear them. Street parking is a nightmare during UW basketball games—plan to be trapped for 4 hours. Hidden gem: grab breakfast burritos at the Albany (corner of 2nd and Grand) before 9 AM to avoid the student rush.
Who Thrives Here: PhD candidates who need to bike to campus, railroad engineers on swing shifts, and bar staff who want to walk home after closing at the Buckhorn Bar.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ True walkability: 12 restaurants/bars within 4 blocks, including Sweet Melissa's Cafe
- ✅ Character: Original 1900s architecture you won't find in new builds
- ❌ Noise: Union Pacific trains and bar crowds until 2 AM on weekends
- ❌ Parking: No driveways, street-only, and snow removal means moving your car every 4 hours in winter
Schools: Laramie County School District #1 (average), but Albany Elementary is rated 7/10 on GreatSchools. Most families leave when kids hit middle school.
The Verdict: Move here if you're under 30 and prioritize walking to the Crowbar & Grill over quiet. Avoid if you work early shifts or own more than one vehicle.
West Laramie
Overview: Everything west of 15th Street and north of I-80, this is where UW professors buy after tenure and hospital staff settle. The area around Ivinson Avenue and 18th Street has the best-maintained 1950s ranch homes.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,100 - $1,500/mo (1BR) | $1,450 - $1,900/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $385k - $450k (updated ranches)
- 🚗 Commute: 12 min to UW | 8 min to Ivinson Medical Center
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~45 (Car-dependent, but sidewalks exist)
Local Intel: The secret is the 18th Street shortcut: if you're heading to I-80 eastbound, take 18th to Armory Road to skip the Ivinson Avenue light. The Farmers Market at the Laramie County Community College parking lot (Saturdays, June-Sept) is where locals get their produce—better than the grocery stores. Avoid the Ivinson Avenue/Grand Avenue intersection from 4:30-5:30 PM; it's gridlocked with hospital shift changes.
Who Thrives Here: Tenured professors, nurses with irregular schedules, and families who want 3 bedrooms without paying Cheyenne prices.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Safety: Lowest crime rates in Laramie—property crime is 40% below city average
- ✅ Space: Most homes have actual yards and driveways, rare in the core
- ❌ Walkability: You'll drive for everything. Closest decent coffee is 1.8 miles away at the Java Joint
- ❌ Age: Many homes still have original 1950s plumbing and electrical; inspection nightmares
Schools: Laramie County School District #1 (above average). Roosevelt Elementary and Laramie High are both rated 8/10. This is the default choice for families.
The Verdict: Move here if you have kids, work at the hospital, or want a garage. Avoid if you want to walk to dinner or don't own a snow shovel.
Downtown Core
Overview: Bounded by Grand Avenue, 1st Street, 3rd Street, and the railroad tracks. This is Laramie's attempt at a "cool" downtown—think one square mile of historic buildings converted to lofts and offices.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,200 - $1,600/mo (1BR) | $1,600 - $2,100/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $420k - $550k (historic lofts, few single-family)
- 🚗 Commute: 5 min to UW | 10 min to Wyoming Tech campus
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~80 (Most walkable area in Laramie)
Local Intel: The parking lot behind the Laramie Plains Civic Center is free after 6 PM and on weekends—insider spot for downtown dining. The Albany (2nd & Grand) has the best happy hour (4-6 PM, $5 house drinks). Avoid the "Downtown Farmers Market" on 2nd Street in July-August; it's mostly tourists and prices are 30% higher than the 18th Street market.
Who Thrives Here: Remote tech workers who need fiber internet, UW adjuncts who teach one class a week, and anyone who wants to walk to the Crown & Anchor pub.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Walkability: 20+ restaurants/bars, 3 grocery stores, and the historic Fox Theatre within 4 blocks
- ✅ Internet: Fiber available throughout—Verizon Fios and CenturyLink Gigabit
- ❌ Noise: Friday/Saturday bar noise until 2 AM, especially near the Crown & Anchor
- ❌ Cost: You're paying a 25% premium for walkability; grocery prices at the downtown Safeway are higher
Schools: Downtown is zoned for Laramie High, but most families with kids move to West Laramie once they hit school age.
The Verdict: Move here if you work remotely and want to live without a car. Avoid if you have kids, need quiet, or commute to the industrial parks.
Eastside
Overview: East of the railroad tracks and north of I-80, this is the blue-collar heart of Laramie. Mostly post-WWII ranches and small apartments, home to Burlington Northern crews and UW service staff.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $800 - $1,100/mo (1BR) | $1,050 - $1,400/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $240k - $310k (smaller homes, mostly 1950s-60s)
- 🚗 Commute: 15 min to UW | 10 min to rail yards
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~35 (Car-dependent, minimal sidewalks)
Local Intel: The Eastside Safety Mart is the only grocery store, and it's cash-only for purchases under $10. The railroad underpass at 3rd Street floods during spring melt—use 5th Street instead. The real estate here moves fast; most properties are sold within 48 hours of listing, often to railroad employees transferring in.
Who Thrives Here: Railroad engineers, UW facilities staff, and anyone who needs cheap rent and doesn't mind driving everywhere.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Affordability: Cheapest rents in Laramie; you can find a 1BR under $900
- ✅ Proximity to rail yards: 5-minute commute if you work for BNSF or Union Pacific
- ❌ Amenities: No decent coffee shops, one mediocre bar (The Bunker), and the Safeway is overpriced
- ❌ Walkability: You will drive 100% of the time. No Uber/Lyft coverage after 10 PM
Schools: Laramie County School District #1 (average), but Albany Elementary is the only one with decent ratings. Most families here send kids to parochial schools.
The Verdict: Move here if you're saving money or work on the railroad. Avoid if you want walkability, decent nightlife, or plan to host guests.
South Laramie
Overview: South of I-80 and west of 15th Street, this is where the new money goes. Built in the 1990s-2000s, it's all tract homes, wide streets, and SUVs. The area around the Laramie County Community College (LC3) is the anchor.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,300 - $1,700/mo (1BR) | $1,700 - $2,200/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $410k - $520k (new construction, 3-4 bedrooms)
- 🚗 Commute: 18 min to UW | 12 min to Wyoming Tech campus
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~30 (Very car-dependent)
Local Intel: The LC3 campus has a free public gym and pool that most locals don't know about—$15/month for a community membership. The new Safeway at 15th and Grand has the best liquor selection in town. Avoid I-80 during wind advisories (common March-April); the highway closes regularly, and South Laramie becomes an island.
Who Thrives Here: Wyoming Tech employees, telecommuters who need home office space, and families who want newer construction without Cheyenne prices.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ New construction: Houses built after 1990 mean fewer maintenance surprises
- ✅ Space: 1/4 acre lots are standard, with 2-3 car garages
- ❌ Traffic: I-80 interchange at 15th Street is a nightmare during rush hour (7-8:30 AM, 4:30-6 PM)
- ❌ Character: Zero historic charm; it's a suburb that could be anywhere in America
Schools: Laramie County School District #1 (above average). The new elementary school near LC3 is rated 9/10, but middle school options are weaker.
The Verdict: Move here if you work at Wyoming Tech, need a home office, or want modern amenities. Avoid if you want walkability, historic character, or commute to UW during peak times.
Final Advice
For UW graduate students, the Historic Railroad District is unbeatable—you can bike to campus in 8 minutes and walk to the Buckhorn Bar. Young families should head to West Laramie; the safety, yards, and school quality justify the higher rent. Remote workers who need fiber and coffee shop culture will find their home in Downtown Core, but budget an extra $300/month for the privilege. Railroad employees should prioritize Eastside for proximity and affordability, but plan on driving 100% of the time. Counterintuitive pick: South Laramie is actually best for retirees who want single-level living and easy highway access for Cheyenne medical trips—just avoid I-80 on windy days.