Considering a move to Utah (SLC area)

[Sawin]

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?

[davsel]

I would be reluctant to live in SLC - as I am not a Mormon.
YMMV

[Aloha_Shooter]

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]

According to Motley Crue, SLC has the hottest women in the country.

[Zundfolge]

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]

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.

[Mtn.man]

http://www.classichitsandoldies.com/...-snow-in-utah/

[ruthabagah]

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/2...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.

[davsel]

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.

[Mtn.man]

Donny and Marie.