I am here in defense of Laramie, WY. I moved here from Alaska about a year and half ago and I must say that this is one of the best places I have ever visited (and lived). Laramie is at extreme elevation for a town of this size (7,200'). At this elevation the winter weather is very volatile and all of the highways in and out of town close on average about once every two weeks. The wind in winter can be very brutal outside of town but it isn't to bad within the city limits. the Cost of living here is about average for the nation but a little higher than you would expect in Wyoming.
In my opinion that is all there really is for the bad. Laramie is nestled in a high valley between the Laramie Mountain Range a few miles to the east and the Snowy Mountain Range about 30 miles to the west. Both of these ranges have endless hiking and mountain biking trails which turn into cross country ski trails in the winter. both mountain ranges have fishing and hunting opportunities galore as well as bountiful wildlife for viewing. 15 miles east of town is the legendary climbing area the Vedeawoo rock formation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedauwoo . Laramie is enough off of the beaten path that most of the recreation is completely uncrowded. There is a local ski hill 30 minutes away and Steamboat Springs is only 2 hours away.
The summer is usually about 70 to 85 degrees for the high and 50 to 60 for the low. Basically every street has a bike lane and it is easy to hop on the roads leaving town in a bike and get to any of the recreation I have talked about.
As for a 'red' town, yes Laramie is going to be more conservative than your average college town, but in reality it averages out to be very middle of the road. It's actually very interesting politically and it is quite the melting pot between cowboys, hipsters, climbers, outdoorsmen, hippies, construction folks, and university types all getting along shockingly well. It has a kind of libertarian thing gong on where people are just free to be themselves. Wouldn't you rather have this culture than your average group think 'red' and 'blue' areas?
Laramie has very, very nice city parks that are spread through town and easy to get to. The east edge of town has a 2 mile square wild prairie area that is open to the public with canyons and trails and jackrabbits and antelope.
If you need to go to a bigger town for bigger town things then Cheyenne at 60,000 population and Fort Collins at 150,000 population are both an hour or less away. Denver is a hair over 2 hours away. The airport does 25 minute puddle jumper planes to Denver international with free parking for about $150 round trip.
Wyoming has no state income tax and no tax on food. There are at least 3 breweries downtown with one of them (Coal Creek Tap) having some of the best beers in their varietals that I have every had. The town has a Thursday and a Friday farmers market that are both very good. Laramie has very little crime and pretty much everyone you meet is super nice. I don't have children but I have heard that the school district is very good.
Laramie won't be for everyone but it certainly has its positive points.