A lot of things are in the eye of the beholder and this topic is no exception. It really depends on what is important to you and your family values when it comes to where you might want to settle down. Here are some of the best towns in Wyoming to raise a family based on different criteria. They are in no particular order.

1. Powell

Powell is a very well rounded community for young families. The town is located at the eastern gate of Yellowstone and offers great recreational activities for young families with all of its beautiful lakes and parks. Powell prides itself on its wonderful educational system including the two year community college that enhances the community with its workforce training.

2. Green River

Green River offers a nice balance of nature and community events. This is a great place to hunt, fish and camp as well as participate in family oriented events such as Flaming Gorge Days. Green River is a quiet bedroom community with a very low crime rate. It's a picturesque town with the river running right through the center. Along the river, there are walking paths and parks. Green River is a very family friendly town.

3. Afton

Afton is another great town to plant some roots. This town has a high home ownership rate, there are lots of fun family events like the Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo and their high school was awarded a National Blue Ribbon for high academic achievement and improvement.

4. Lovell

Lovell is a conservative town with a great educational system. The public schools are well funded and there is a low student-teacher ratio. Lovell's unemployment rate is below the national average as is the cost of living.

5. Sheridan

Sheridan is located at the base of the Bighorn Mountains and has many wonderful parks and trails with access to an array of recreational activities. The downtown area is very clean and well maintained with lots of shops, restaurants and bars. The cost of living is a bit pricey, but the schools are among the top in the nation and there is very little crime. Overall, Sheridan is a great place to settle down and raise a family.

6. Lander

Wyoming is a conservative state. If you're looking for a town with a little diversity when it comes to attitudes and politics, then Lander is where you'll want to live. For outdoor enthusiasts, there is easy access to hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, mountain biking and rock climbing, not to mention the spectacular scenery that comes with all of the above activities. There's also a great blend of being self sufficient, living off the land and feeling like you're part of a community.

7. Buffalo

If you want to live in a town with true western charm, then you might consider Buffalo. Buffalo is nestled at the base of the Big Horn Mountains with easy access to I-90, I-25 and the Cloud Peak Scenic Byway. Buffalo has a laid back charm that is hard to find just anywhere. To sum it up, Buffalo has a great blend of history, quaint shops, great restaurants and friendly people.

8. Newcastle

Newcastle is situated at the foothills of the Black Hills. It offers many amenities of a larger town but still has that small town charm. Newcastle is an industrial town so there are a lot of job opportunities in oil refining, the railroad, coal mining and the government. It has a great school system with a low student to teacher ratio and high graduation rates. All in all, it's a great place for a family to live.

9. Douglas

Douglas is situated along the North Platte River and is home to Wyoming's State Fair. Douglas is just a pleasant, friendly small town. People are sincere and take an interest in each other and are always there for each other. Douglas offers a good selection of social, artistic and cultural events. Douglas also has a low cost of living, high income per capita and lots of local amenities.

10. Laramie

Laramie is home to the University of Wyoming so there are always lots of artistic, cultural and sporting events taking place. If you're the outdoorsy type, Laramie is close to good outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, fishing and camping. The town itself is a safe place to play outside and ride bikes around the neighborhood. You couldn't ask for a better place to raise children.

Can you think of any other family friendly towns in Wyoming?