What is it like living in Salt Lake City?

me | 11-20-2001 | me

[freedomcrusader]

I have a potential job opportunity in Salt Lake City, Utah, and I was hoping to get insights on living there from folks who have lived there, or are currently living there.

I don't mean to be biased/bigoted, but I've heard negative things about being Christian (especially Catholic) in Mormon Utah.

Any thoughts, insights, cautions, reassurances, etc. are greatly appreciated!

[lady lawyer]

Actually, I missed the lunch, although my sister and daughter attended and enjoyed it very much. I'd be happy to attend another one unless, like last time, I can't break free from the office.

[let freedom sing]

People will ask you where you're from-- it's a big deal, if you're "from Utah", but otherwise no one cares. Salt Lake City has diverse communities-- like any major city. The freeways are a tangled mess, but most streets are oriented N,S,E,W and if you get lost, just look up at the mountains and you can reorient yourself, easily. Public transit is easy to use. Lots of events are oriented toward families, and it'll be a shock to see all the kids-- everywhere, big families.

[Nan48]

Having lived in Utah most of my life, I have seen many changes. For one, SLC has become more liberal, which is a good and a bad thing--good in that it is more inclusive of people of various faiths, and bad in that there is a lot more corruption and vice, but compared to other large cities it is a lot more safe.

Being LDS myself, I welcome people of all faiths. I've made acquaintences and friendships with many non-LDS people and found that we have more in common than we have different. I value their friendship and respect their right to choose whatever religion they want to live.

Utah is probably one of the most conservative states in the union.

[John H K]

And if you worry about such things, the large earthquake threat is extremely high...the Wasatch mountains are there and so beautiful because they've gone up rapidly, one earthquake at a time. However, the last really large one occured right before the SLC area was settled en-masse, and they've occured on a cycle suggesting the next really large one may be relatively soon. It's just as threatened as the LA or SF area, really, but the public impression of a threat is far less.

[Billthedrill]

Used to visit SLC pretty regularly. The scenery is spectacular, and gets even better going East from there. The traffic is much heavier than anything around that part of the country, but then so is the population density. SLC has a nice airport but it's getting a bit small to support the growing community (although that information may be a bit dated - I haven't had to drive to that airport in five years).

Utah is one of the lesser-known recreation areas and those of us who know ain't talkin' - Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, and Flaming Gorge, and that's just the places I've visited and can guarantee. Moab and Green River and the surrounding areas are stunning. If you're into the outdoors Utah is a really great place to live.

[Waco]

"Spent a year there one night." Must be a lot like Cincinnati.

[LeGrande]

Sorry to disappoint you but I don't think Mormons consider Jews gentiles.

I live east of Provo in the Mountains. Great climbing, Skiing, Mountain biking, golfing, etc. About the only thing Utah lacks is good opera, theatre, etc.

I haven't found the mormons to be clannish, but I am fairly gregarious and most people are friendly if you give them half a chance. I also think that your attitude is 90% of enjoying where you live. :)

[Brewer]

I lived in Bountiful, which is on the north end of SLC. It's a nice little town and up off the valley floor and out of most of the smog. There is some smog, especially during the winter. If you like the mountains and winter sports, you will like Utah.

The fishing is great and gambling is only a couple of hours away. Salt Lake is as clean as any big town I have lived in, but the politics suck. You will find the Morman influence most everywhere.

I am Catholic and went to a great Catholic Church in Bountiful, Utah. I should thank the LDS Church for helping my wife decide to become a Catholic. Those pesky LDS visitors wouldn't let up until she decided to convert.

I would go back though.

[Little Bill]

Utah is a Great place, born there, will be planted there. Native Utahans have small problem with aliens, non native born. If you are church oriented and love kids, no matter what your faith, you won't have a problem.

[jilley]

Hi babe. Funny running into you here since we are BOTH AT WORK. Anyway, to anyone reading this, I am a High School English and Special ED teacher here in Utah. Yes, I am a member of the LDS church and married to FReeplancer, but I really believe this state and SLC to be a very welcoming place. I hope that nobody mistakes our Mormon missionaries as young men and women who push their way into homes and demand a conversion, because that is not how they are. We salute our flag, pray to God, honor our families and try to love everyone. My husband is ex 82nd airborne paratrooper and served a stint in Special Forces. We love our country and I just wanted to bragg on my sweetie.

[Lokibob]

I live in rural Utah (40 miles west of Salt Lake City) for over 20 years. I am a non Mormon and have found the LDS people to be careing and friendly. There is some effort to convert you to their religon, but isn't that true with every religon?

You didn't state what you like to do, but most of the things available in any large city are available in SLC. We have ballet, opera, the Utah Jazz, and fantastic skiing. Fishing, hunting, water skiing, rock climbing, mountain sports and camping are all within easy reach. Yellowstone park is a days drive away. The air is clear, the roads are fantastic (thanks to the olympics, they have all been rebuilt and widened) and the view is wonderful.

In the west there is less hustle and bustle. We leave in plenty of time to get there, instead of rushing to be on time. You will find the residents to be kick back, easy going, friendly, and open.

My little town is starting to get the overflow from the Salt Lake Valley because people want the rural living but a close attachment to the big city. Unfortunately, this has put a lot of pressure on our infrastructure, but is offset by the appraisal values of our houses. LOL

When Brigham Young laid out the plans for SLC, he said the roads would be "wide enough to turn around a 20 mule team". As a result, the main streets are extremely wide (most 2 lanes in each direction or more, and this is in down town, not the freeways). One of the confusing parts of SLC is the way addresses and streets are laid out. The first street South of the temple square is 1st South, the first road East of temple square is 1st. East, same North and South. So an address of 25th South, 8th West is simple to the experienced Salt Laker. Or, 3915 South, 4th East, would translate to go 4 blocks East of the temple, 39 blocks South of the temple, and the address is right there.

Yes, there are problems. Homeless, gangs, and crime in the city. Somewhat less in the rural areas, but but far better than NYC or LA.

I hope some of this is a help to you in your decision making process. SLC is NOT a major metropolitan area like NYC or LA, but I wouldn't trade the Utah life style for all the NYC's in the world.

[Rubber Duck]

My Dad was born and raised in Southern Utah. He likes to tell about the governor at the time , Simon Bamberger who, as a Jew, was the state's first "Gentile" governor. One line of Simon's stump speach which always drew laughs (he was a self-made multimillionaire from the mining industry):

"When I come to this country, all I have in my pocket was ten dollars . . . and I stiiiiil have it."

One of my best friends has family in Utah (devout Catholics like himself) who both teach at USU. They love it.

If anyone is lucky enough to find a job which pays a living wage there, take it. I've had friends there send me job announcements for years, typically paying $25K or similar pittance for someone with a master's degree, in an area with only slightly less pricey housing than southern California. And, beleive it or not, the competition for such jobs is stiff not only because there are a surplus of degrees already in Utah, but there are a surplus of people wanting to move there.

[vladog]

I will tell you what I know. My daugther and son-in-law were 18 months USAF Posting. They hated it. I visited once, I and my wife hated it. If you are not a Mormon in Utah you aren`t anything. Beautiful country, but I did meet one person that was from Utah that I liked. They all want to convert you into a Mormon.

[freeplancer]

Hey babe. Thanks for the embarassement.

[Andyman]

Sorry about that. Yes, I met your sister and daughter (but I remembered YOUR name, weird), and they were very nice. After Thanksgiving I'll put out a note for a lunch get-together.

[tracer]

All of your wives are belong to us..........

[alaskanfan]

I think it is because they have an ex-Blackhawk in goal.

[whenigettime]

I am a "transplant" have been here for 21 years. If you have any questions, please freepmail me! Happy to be of assistance. I am not a Mormon, btw.

[crystalk]

It is America's biggest small town. For better and worse. It is safe, friendly, if a bit boring and with maybe the cultural and public entertainment facilities of a town an eighth or tenth its size. But the traffic shows how many people really do live there.

Safe friendly and full of kids, like a trip back to the Fifties in a way. It will help if you don't have to have a lot of big city things to keep you happy, and if you are active in your own church whatever it may be. But Freepers may be a majority, it gave Bush the highest percentage (around 88%?) of any state, and Clinton the lowest...

PS Roseanne Barr grew up there. Its true!