Gillette, WY, United States

Coal, oil, and coalbed methane built Gillette—Wyoming supplies 35% of U.S. coal, and this city is ground zero. The Powder River Basin's extraction industry still dominates employment, though coal demand has cratered since 2010. Energy sector jobs pay well ($60k–$90k+ for skilled workers), but layoffs are cyclical and brutal. Local officials are pushing diversification into tech and light manufacturing, but honestly, if the energy sector tanks further, so does Gillette's economy.

Rent runs $1,200/month for a one-bedroom downtown, which is steep for Wyoming but reflects boom-era inflation that never fully deflated. Healthcare is accessible—Campbell County Hospital serves the region adequately. No public transit; you need a car. Bureaucracy is standard American—straightforward if you're a U.S. citizen, but visa sponsorship for remote work is nonexistent. Winter is brutal (sub-zero common), and the landscape is treeless high plains, which takes adjustment.

Summers are dry and pleasant; winters punish you. Food scene is basic—chain restaurants dominate, though a few local spots exist. The expat community is tiny; most residents are energy workers or their families. Weekends mean hiking the Bighorn Mountains (90 minutes west), fishing, or driving to Sheridan for culture. Gillette suits energy sector professionals seeking high pay and outdoor access, not digital nomads or those seeking cosmopolitan life.