View Full Version : Considering a move to Utah (SLC area)
For all sorts of complicated and long-developing reasons... Be they career related, property/land opportunities or political/socially motivated, my wife and I are dabbling in the possibility of moving to the SLC area. Our first impression is it looks like we could live like royalty with respect to a home there, with little loss in terms of amenities, job opportunities, life style and hobby access, etc.
In short, our concept/impression is that we'll be able to capitalize on both sides of a real estate equation by selling high (here in CO) and buying low (-er, in UT). Our home has appreciated tremendously... While we fully intend to move in the next couple of years anyway, we're beginning to think the timing makes good sense to go sooner than that.
Do we have any former or current residents of the SLC area or folks who travel there often, who can share insights and opinions on the good and the bad?
I would be reluctant to live in SLC - as I am not a Mormon.
YMMV
Aloha_Shooter
04-16-2015, 14:04
I'd rather live with Mormons than Boulderites or the wannabes in Manitou Springs. I don't think much of the church itself but most Mormons I know are damned good people.
mcantar18c
04-16-2015, 14:11
According to Motley Crue, SLC has the hottest women in the country.
Zundfolge
04-16-2015, 14:15
I would be reluctant to live in SLC - as I am not a Mormon.
YMMV
Yeah, would be horrible to live around a bunch of friendly white people that keep their property well maintained, own guns, vote for Republicans, stockpile food and water and are generally good neighbors that obey the law.
SLC Mormons are no big deal, now certainly you might not want to move to a small town that is nothing but Mormons (they'll be super friendly until they find out you're not joining their church then they'll just ignore you ... pretty much like ANY small town folk) but the "city Mormons" are fine.
If Colorado doesn't straighten its shit out in the next few election cycles, SLC is high on the list of areas we'd look at relocating to (as a Graphic Designer it looks like I'd always be able to find work there).
One little issue might be Ogden ... apparently that's where all the libs live (of course sometimes its nice to live in a somewhat liberal enclave in a conservative area because they're small enough not to damage politics overall, but you get good coffee shops and restaurants out of the deal).
Great-Kazoo
04-16-2015, 14:51
For all sorts of complicated and long-developing reasons... Be they career related, property/land opportunities or political/socially motivated, my wife and I are dabbling in the possibility of moving to the SLC area. Our first impression is it looks like we could live like royalty with respect to a home there, with little loss in terms of amenities, job opportunities, life style and hobby access, etc.
In short, our concept/impression is that we'll be able to capitalize on both sides of a real estate equation by selling high (here in CO) and buying low (-er, in UT). Our home has appreciated tremendously... While we fully intend to move in the next couple of years anyway, we're beginning to think the timing makes good sense to go sooner than that.
Do we have any former or current residents of the SLC area or folks who travel there often, who can share insights and opinions on the good and the bad?
I'm not qualified to give much input here. But SLC gets lots of lake effect weather/snow. More than most of the east slope generally - SLC Winter is substantially shittier.
^^^THIS^^^
SLC's brown cloud makes denver's look like a tropical paradise . While researching UT as a potential relocation spot SLC never came close to the list . The mormon belief / religion was not the deal killer. It was location / weather, overall price for COL etc. IF more snow and longer days of the brown cloud is acceptable, go for it.
The capital gains might put a hurt on you. For that info talk with your accountant.
While it may pain you to do so, arfcom's UT home town forum would be more help than here. People move from area A - B for a reason. Getting an unbiased answer from former SLC residents might not be the answer you're looking for.
BTW: If something on the western slope / Fruita area doesn't gel. UT is next in line. We're opposite than most people looking to relocate. We prefer a pop. of 10K if not less, way less.
http://www.classichitsandoldies.com/v2/2015/04/16/spring-storm-bringing-blinding-dust-snow-in-utah/
ruthabagah
04-16-2015, 15:00
I know several people who did the same move in the last 4-5 years. None of them is LDS. They all moved there for either job opportunities, better lifestyle or to be close to other relatives.
First (and sorry to rain on your parade) but real estate is NOT cheap in SLC. It was named one of the 10 hottest market in the nation. Bidding war are common and good land is scarce. http://www.forbes.com/sites/trulia/2015/04/15/gone-in-60-days-where-homes-are-moving-fastest-this-spring/2/
You can still get more for your buck than in CO, but it will be far from the city. Forget about a properties in the mountains.... Think about summit county prices.
After 5 years, one of my friend just moved back, because he was priced out of the real estate and his salary did not keep up with the increasing cost of living. He is moving back in a house they own here in Centennial.
One other friend is thinking about moving back too, because after 4 years, they are finding that it is really hard to meet non LDS people. He lives in a littel town, west of SLC.
Relax, I do not have anything against Mormons as neighbors/coworkers/bosses/etc.
My point is, if you live/work in SLC and are not a Mormon, you may be quietly excluded from some business/job opportunities. That is all.
I'm not qualified to give much input here. But SLC gets lots of lake effect weather/snow. More than most of the east slope generally - SLC Winter is substantially shittier.
Good to know, we had not considered that yet.
I'd rather live with Mormons than Boulderites or the wannabes in Manitou Springs. I don't think much of the church itself but most Mormons I know are damned good people.
Us too...
Yeah, would be horrible to live around a bunch of friendly white people that keep their property well maintained, own guns, vote for Republicans, stockpile food and water and are generally good neighbors that obey the law.
SLC Mormons are no big deal, now certainly you might not want to move to a small town that is nothing but Mormons (they'll be super friendly until they find out you're not joining their church then they'll just ignore you ... pretty much like ANY small town folk) but the "city Mormons" are fine.
If Colorado doesn't straighten its shit out in the next few election cycles, SLC is high on the list of areas we'd look at relocating to (as a Graphic Designer it looks like I'd always be able to find work there).
One little issue might be Ogden ... apparently that's where all the libs live (of course sometimes its nice to live in a somewhat liberal enclave in a conservative area because they're small enough not to damage politics overall, but you get good coffee shops and restaurants out of the deal).
Relax, I do not have anything against Mormons as neighbors/coworkers/bosses/etc.
My point is, if you live/work in SLC and are not a Mormon, you may be quietly excluded from some business/job opportunities. That is all.
We are not LDS and certainly will not be converting, but we mesh with them just fine. I have some family who are LDS, 7 of whom (aunt/uncle and 5 kids) live in and around SLC. I don't intend on relying on them by any stretch in our social life, but they're good and honest people who would absolutely help us find the right place for us in their metro area. I am not concerned about being "welcomed" by everyone, and honestly don't want to be. They shouldn't pay us much attention because I won't pay them much either...
I am a Director-level IT guy, highly employable. I don't worry about finding a good job and have already sourced a couple in less than an hour's time through various channels. If religion plays a part in job opportunities, I'd probably exclude it from the top of my application-list anyway.
According to Motley Crue, SLC has the hottest women in the country.
About 5 years ago, I dated a girl from SLC... blonde, blue eyes, 5'7", fantastic body... and liked to take pictures of herself naked. I won't share them here, but.... I can't say they're the hottest in the country, but Motley Crue isn't altogether wrong. ;)
sellersm
04-16-2015, 16:18
All I can contribute is some feedback from folks I know that used to live there, and some who moved back: check the air quality. Also, the point that davsel made *may* come into play, depending on the are in which you locate: according to some folks who moved here from UT, that happened to them.
If you are not part of the LDS church your career path out there will be significantly hobbled. I have never lived out there, but I have visited there many times and have quite a few friends out there. The LDS church situation is like a "Good Old Boys" club. The economic and employment wheels are heavily greased for LDS people, and as a non-LDS "outsider" you have a significant up hill battle.
<MADDOG>
04-16-2015, 17:55
If you are not part of the LDS church your career path out there will be significantly hobbled. I have never lived out there, but I have visited there many times and have quite a few friends out there. The LDS church situation is like a "Good Old Boys" club. The economic and employment wheels are heavily greased for LDS people, and as a non-LDS "outsider" you have a significant up hill battle.
My former boss moved there 5(?) years ago from C/S, and he, with underlying pressure from his wife, moved back to C/S a little over a year ago. What you state is very much what he stated; it's difficult for a non-LDS member from a business perspective.
There are some...un-named vocations right here in Colorado that are heavily LDS, and I've had some one in that vocation say directly to my face, "they won't make it in this town, they aren't LDS, I don't know what they were thinking".
When my co-worker and I left the place of employment, we looked at each other and both said, "are they supposed to say that out loud?!?!?!" That was on the Front Range, I can't imagine it isn't more pronounced near SLC.
Bailey Guns
04-16-2015, 19:16
Yeah, would be horrible to live around a bunch of friendly white people that keep their property well maintained, own guns, vote for Republicans, stockpile food and water and are generally good neighbors that obey the law.
Exactly. For some odd reason one of the first thing people say when we tell them we're moving to Idaho - "There's lots of Mormons there." My response is almost exactly what you wrote.
UT was on our short list of places to move to, though not necessarily SLC. We were looking further south. But we decided on ID instead. When I took the UT concealed handgun instructor course in SLC one of the instructors said, "Nothing gets through the legislature in this state without the approval of the gun lobby." I thought that was fantastic.
I do know that they stick together in regard to business. For a while I had an HP sales rep. from Park City and I asked her about business in the SLC area. She told me there really wasn't any since the CEO of Dell at the time, Kevin B. Rollins, was LDS.
I hope everything works out for you!
We looked at moving there a couple of years ago, I have a few co-workers (not LDS) and many contacts that live there (LDS was my customer for about 4 years). All the Mormons I've met have been great people and overall I got the impression that not being LDS wouldn't be a big deal for adults but that it could be difficult on kids in school (being excluded and difficulty making friends). That was the primary issue that took UT off of our list. Also, I was told the further south you go from SLC the more 'Mormon' people become. :)
Career wise it could be an issue working for companies owned by Mormons (not sure but it makes sense) but working for vendors and selling into IT departments in UT, it was never an issue not being LDS.
Jeffrey Lebowski
04-16-2015, 20:39
I've spent only a small amount of time there and it was the East side of town near the Cottonwood Canyon area for a race and I was SUPER impressed. I really liked SLC and it would be high on my list if I had to relocate, personally.
Echo all the stuff others have said about the politics and I definitely met some anti-LDS folks just walking around town looking for the microbrew places. So I'm unsure how much of an issue that would be in town.
Beautiful area and definitely more my politics than Colorado.
crashdown
04-16-2015, 21:21
Only been fired once in my life.
I was the top producer, never reprimanded, and the highest paid non-Mormon in a 4 state Mormon owned company.
They settled right before the court date, and I got a nice check overnighted to me.
To Bear Arms
04-17-2015, 07:22
I grew up in SLC and I am not a Mormon. The longer I am away from Ut. The more I miss it. I miss driving 30-45 min and being in the mountains and being able to shoot, camp, fish ect.
The weather is pretty much like ours out here but the snow actually stays longer then a day. I don't remember it drastically changing like it does here.
In general the people there are very nice and friendly and I would rather live in a Mormon neighborhood then the one I live in now.
I still have all my family living out there so I am out there all the time still.
If you have any specific questions feel free to PM or email me.
If you have any
My former boss moved there 5(?) years ago from C/S, and he, with underlying pressure from his wife, moved back to C/S a little over a year ago. What you state is very much what he stated; it's difficult for a non-LDS member from a business perspective.
Thats very interesting and unfortunate, Maddog. I'd certainly hate to find myself and wife in a similar situation. What did your former boss do, if you don't mind my asking?
Only been fired once in my life.
I was the top producer, never reprimanded, and the highest paid non-Mormon in a 4 state Mormon owned company.
They settled right before the court date, and I got a nice check overnighted to me.
Ha! Well, I guess I wouldn't be opposed to a nice settlement check either, but that's certainly not assured.... If someday I find myself employed by an LDS owned company, I'll have to give you a shout for some lessons learned.
I've spent only a small amount of time there and it was the East side of town near the Cottonwood Canyon area for a race and I was SUPER impressed. I really liked SLC and it would be high on my list if I had to relocate, personally.
Echo all the stuff others have said about the politics and I definitely met some anti-LDS folks just walking around town looking for the microbrew places. So I'm unsure how much of an issue that would be in town.
Beautiful area and definitely more my politics than Colorado.
Thats a reassuring response Jeffrey, thank you.
I grew up in SLC and I am not a Mormon. The longer I am away from Ut. The more I miss it. I miss driving 30-45 min and being in the mountains and being able to shoot, camp, fish ect.
The weather is pretty much like ours out here but the snow actually stays longer then a day. I don't remember it drastically changing like it does here.
In general the people there are very nice and friendly and I would rather live in a Mormon neighborhood then the one I live in now.
I still have all my family living out there so I am out there all the time still.
If you have any specific questions feel free to PM or email me.
If you have any
To Bear Arms, yours is precisely the kind of reply and insight I was hoping to find amongst the members here. I will definitely shoot you a PM in the next few days with some questions. Thanks a ton!
I worked out there and would move out there if not for the wife and daughter (all our family is here). There isn't anything I don't like about it there. If you do move head down to Ron Avery's school in St George! I do miss it there.
speedysst
04-17-2015, 16:15
Best reason to move to SLC = Miller Motorsports Park 35 miles away in Tooele!!
I have lived in the SLC area before it is a nice area and has pros and cons.
Pros-
-Climate is similar to the front range of Colorado,
-Crime rate is fairly low especially if you choose good neighborhoods,
-Mountains and out door recreation are close, awesome remote recreation a days drive away.
-Skiing and snowboarding are world class.
Cons-
-If you are not Mormon you will be a 2nd class citizen. you will be last on the list for jobs and other opportunities in much of the area. Your kids will not be accepted much of the time. People always say “I know a Mormon and they are great” but it is much different living among them as a non-Mormon.
-The smog in the winter is bad.. worse then Denver.
I loved Utah and had great times there but the culture wore on me after a while. It can be a drag being around people who just have a lower view point of you because you are “not a member”. A couple times I got pulled over by police and had my car searched. One time the cop said it was because I had a lighter in the console, the other time it was after I said I wasn't in a “ward”(a round about way asking if you are a Mormon) where I lived.
My boss bought a place about 45 mins out of slc he drives in and loves it paid about 350k and got just shy of 4200 square ft and approx 5 acres
<MADDOG>
04-19-2015, 13:19
Thats very interesting and unfortunate, Maddog. I'd certainly hate to find myself and wife in a similar situation. What did your former boss do, if you don't mind my asking?
General Manager of a national fire/alarm/security company.
I hit the road in '95 looking for a place to live. SLC didn't make the list. Lots of chain stores/restaurants. Screwy liquor laws. Knew some people that lived there. Most stayed because of the outdoor activity opportunities.
If I could live/work outside of SLC, I might consider it now. There are other places I'd rather be.
All the Mormons I've met have been great people and overall I got the impression that not being LDS wouldn't be a big deal for adults but that it could be difficult on kids in school (being excluded and difficulty making friends). That was the primary issue that took UT off of our list. Also, I was told the further south you go from SLC the more 'Mormon' people become. :)
Career wise it could be an issue working for companies owned by Mormons (not sure but it makes sense) but working for vendors and selling into IT departments in UT, it was never an issue not being LDS.
Thanks for your reply th3wolf. We have a 7 month old daughter and intend to have at least 1 more child in the next couple of years, so the concept of potentially alienating them in school and making it harder on them to make friends, is definitely a new concern... I'd hope that isn't the case, but I'll definitely keep it in mind when I talk to my family out there.
To Bear Arms
04-20-2015, 17:29
Growing up in SLC and not being Mormon I had lots of friends who were Mormon and never had any issues with not being Mormon. The biggest thing was being "alone" on Monday nights as it was "Family Home Evening" night!
One thing that was nice was that there was a lot of Scout troops and most all of my friends were Scouts as well. Scouts don't seem as big out here but it could be the times we are in now.
Being I am a beer drinker the liquor laws are weird. No neighborhood liquor stores they are all State ran and few and far between, no cold beer at the LS, closed on Sundays, and the Micro Brew sucks compared to here. Granted we are special out here with all the Micro Breweries! [Beer]
BSA is essentially a youth program with required participation for young LDS males. I believe every stake has a troop and/or pack associated.
I wouldn't have any problem living in SLC. There are other parts of UT that I think I would like better.
I am certain that my wife will not be moving to UT in this lifetime.
If you can find work and an environment that works for your family, go. If it doesn't work out, either come back or find some other place. One of the great things about living in the USA is our ability to be mobile.
Be safe.
BSA is essentially a youth program with required participation for young LDS males. I believe every stake has a troop and/or pack associated.
Went through the BSA program in TX. Yes, all Mormon males had to put in their time. Some were good and some were...a little deficient.
Did summer camps as a teen. The Mormon kids were begging people to buy them a Coke. This was before the church bought the bottling rights to Coca-Cola. The Mormon troops were a bigger PITA then the mentally handy capped or state school troops combined. The Christian Scientists were the worst. I was the more easy going type and always got stuck with the LDS troops for orientation.
ronaldrwl
04-21-2015, 07:55
We moved to East Texas last year but Utah was on our short list of places to we considered. We haven't regretted leaving Colorado. It's a great place with the mountains and all but we couldn't stand were it was going politically. And having just watched a special on marijuana in Colorado, yikes, I'm glad we moved. And as a bonus the housing market was on fire.
We moved to East Texas last year but Utah was on our short list of places to we considered. We haven't regretted leaving Colorado. It's a great place with the mountains and all but we couldn't stand were it was going politically. And having just watched a special on marijuana in Colorado, yikes, I'm glad we moved. And as a bonus the housing market was on fire.
I've seen that special, or a similar one... "Yikes" is right. I love the mountains too, but I know I can find peace outdoors elsewhere. The direction CO is going politically and socially is not aligned with how we want to raise our family. Economically, CO is doing exceedingly well, at least in part because of the MJ industry, so a portion of our consideration to relocate is coming from the awareness that we'd be able to capture some pretty incredible appreciation/equity in our home at the same time.
Great-Kazoo
04-21-2015, 12:48
I've seen that special, or a similar one... "Yikes" is right. I love the mountains too, but I know I can find peace outdoors elsewhere. The direction CO is going politically and socially is not aligned with how we want to raise our family. Economically, CO is doing exceedingly well, at least in part because of the MJ industry, so a portion of our consideration to relocate is coming from the awareness that we'd be able to capture some pretty incredible appreciation/equity in our home at the same time.
Utah Is the place. We're waiting for some things to gel, before selling the homestead. The spouse is on web sites 2-3x a week looking at places between the state line and where 70/15 intersect.
ruthabagah
04-21-2015, 14:04
Utah Is the place. We're waiting for some things to gel, before selling the homestead. The spouse is on web sites 2-3x a week looking at places between the state line and where 70/15 intersect.
wow... there isn't much over there..... Closer to Delta or Beaver? I know the place.
Utah Is the place. We're waiting for some things to gel, before selling the homestead. The spouse is on web sites 2-3x a week looking at places between the state line and where 70/15 intersect.
I'd personally love the idea of being altogether away from the city, like you'll be, Jim.... but I need to factor in my career and income quite a bit still. We're a few million short of retiring :) I know my wife would get stir crazy if we were really isolated for a long time too. If we wind up out there, I'll definitely give you a shout though! I hope you and Mrs. Kazoo find your ideal place to live!
Great-Kazoo
04-21-2015, 19:25
I'd personally love the idea of being altogether away from the city, like you'll be, Jim.... but I need to factor in my career and income quite a bit still. We're a few million short of retiring :) I know my wife would get stir crazy if we were really isolated for a long time too. If we wind up out there, I'll definitely give you a shout though! I hope you and Mrs. Kazoo find your ideal place to live!
Outside the Mormon " empire" and multiple Church steeples in larger areas. The Biggest structure we saw no matter how far off the interstate said town was. The American Flag, be it over the plains or tree tops. High and proud it flew.
In Co the only place we've seen flags as big were...............Car Lots. [Cry]
ronaldrwl
04-22-2015, 18:21
Check out East Texas, Tyler, Longview. We found this to be the paradise of Texas. It's wet and green and lot's of great hunting and fishing.
Check out East Texas, Tyler, Longview. We found this to be the paradise of Texas. It's wet and green and lot's of great hunting and fishing.
Good for carnations too. [Tooth]
Check out East Texas, Tyler, Longview. We found this to be the paradise of Texas. It's wet and green and lot's of great hunting and fishing.
I spent three semesters in Nacogdoches, and hunted whitetail and pigs near Tyler in my youth. East Texas is a nice place to be.
Great-Kazoo
04-22-2015, 23:01
I spent three semesters in Nacogdoches, and hunted whitetail and pigs near Tyler in my youth. East Texas is a nice place to be.
FROM .
Thanks for the suggestions guys! I've never been to that part of TX, so i'll have to make a point to take a quick weekend trip down there soon.
Bailey Guns
04-23-2015, 08:50
I grew up in east TX. Mom still lives there. If you like sweltering heat and very high humidity, it's the perfect place.
I grew up in east TX. Mom still lives there. If you like sweltering heat and very high humidity, it's the perfect place.
That's what my wife said, and evidently not unlike where I grew up in GA... According to her, TX is very low on our list.
Well, we've pinned down the better part of a week (5days) when we're going to pay SLC and the surrounding area a visit a little later this summer. I fully intend to ask some locals that we stumble upon (wait-staff, hotel manager(s), friendly folks on the street, etc.) some very pointed questions about being non-LDS in that area... I hope to find some folks who are not LDS and get their true, real time perspective on it. I can tell a lot by their face and body language simply when i ask the question...
I'm intending to focus more on the northern side of the city, up to Ogden, to get a feel for the suburbs unless someone tells me otherwise.
Are there any "Must Do's/See's" while we're out there, even just from a tourist's perspective?
Well, we spent Thursday-Sunday in Salt Lake City seeing what the city and suburbs have to offer. We see many similarities with Denver but both agree we like where we are now better.... So the search will continue.
My favorite spot was the Browning museum in Ogden. It was incredible!
Great-Kazoo
05-25-2015, 11:14
Well, we spent Thursday-Sunday in Salt Lake City seeing what the city and suburbs have to offer. We see many similarities with Denver but both agree we like where we are now better.... So the search will continue.
My favorite spot was the Browning museum in Ogden. It was incredible!
I understand for employment you need a larger urban area. However have you considered outer areas to live and commute? The down side for you is work. For us it's the retirement years.
I understand for employment you need a larger urban area. However have you considered outer areas to live and commute? The down side for you is work. For us it's the retirement years.
Yes, absolutely. In fact, we will not even consider living in the actual city (any city. We'd prefer suburbia, edging closer to rural than urban)... The place we saw that was possibly the closest to working for us was Draper, south of the city ~15-20 miles. It was not unlike Broomfield, where we are now.
I definitely saw a lot of what earlier posters in this thread were talking about with regards to being LDS (or not) and making it harder on oneself and their children. I know we'd get along just fine with their culture and religious choices (we're conservative and Christian, too) but knowingly alienating ourselves and kids from the preponderance of the good and influential people in that city seems like a mistake.
Fortunately, we're in no hurry to relocate aside from not knowing how the local real estate market story is going to end. It feels to me like this summer or next, at the latest, would be the ideal time to sell.
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