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!

[razorback-bert]

My pardner is from Bingham Canyon ( which isn't there anymore, it's now the overburden from the big copper mine), we have worked Utah and visit his family in Copperton (SLC). I love it, will move to Vernal in a minute. Oh, yes be sure to smell the Great Salt Lake after it turns over, it turns your stomach over.

My cocker spaniel is from American Fork, Utah.

Have to go to Wye. to get real beer and Scotch at fair price from SLC. As a southern, I felt right at home bootlegging booze across the state line.

[dingram]

Interesting question, but very biased. First off, anyone can "go to heaven" eventually. There are about a billion scenarios that apply. For instance, does a young child have a chance for heaven, being not able to read the bible? That is an easy one, but what about a grown native of some undiscovered jungle tribe? Do you think that only people who have been "saved" and accept Jesus can go to heaven? If so, you have eliminated a hefty portion of the world population. If you don't believe in the LDS church, fine, but the last time I checked, there were about 300+ demoninations who all interput the Bible in different ways. I suggest instead of arguing a bunch of B.S., maybe we should just wait to die and then we will know the truth. In the mean time, let your faith help you be worthy in your beliefs and stop judging others on their faiths.

[saminfl]

I spend several weeks working there each year. I love the golf courses. There are lots of them and they are reasonably priced.

[HarryDunne]

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints AND I am a Christian.

Usually when someone says "Mormons ain't Christians" it's because they simply don't like Mormons. It's pure hatred, nothing more. A person can quote all the scripture they want, give all their so-called reasons why they feel Mormons ain't Christians, but, in the end, it's just because they don't like Mormons.

[Paulus Invictus]

If you don't mind long winters and like really great powder snow for skiing, it may be the place. If you don't mind some heavy smog, but like the friendly natives, it could be the place.. If you are a Catholic, not to worry. Brigham himself helped build the first Catholic cathedral in town. The city votes for dumocrap mayors and has some crime problems. The schools are quite good in some areas. Check it out. The city has had some heavy growth in the 90's but may be slowing now. It's a beautiful city in many respects with wide streets and even a good new transit system (trolley cars). Traffic is better now that they have re built the freeways through town, but it is still heavy. By the way, I don't live there but visit often.

[vladog]

Well in all fairness I must say we are Midwestern, actually South East Ohio. I think a lot our dislike was the area itself. We are used to trees, trees, trees, and water everywhere. I believe that infulenced our perception of the state. Although we did like Nev. quite a lot.

[Robert Lomax]

How is my question biased? Please read the question again and answer it instead of spouting some emotional, liberal babble about how we're all going to heaven. Do you think Osama is going there? I made no assumptions about LDS in my question, so therefore my questions are not biased. Suppose I want to find out more about LDS and want to convert? You don't know whether or not that's the case.

[scottiewottie]

Obviously, you didn't live there! We Mormons have the horns, you non-mormons don't!

[jo6pac]

Brigham himself helped build the first Catholic cathedral in town.

Brigham who? Brigham O'Malley?

[Utah Girl]

I know what you mean about the scenery at times. I think Utah is beautiful, but I came home from North Caroline last March, and thought "I really do live in a desert." The scenery can be very stark at times. It is very different from Ohio or anywhere in the East or South.

[Paulus Invictus]

Nope! Brigham Young, great-grandfather of a fine quarterback, formally with the 49'ers. Brigham also helped build the Episcopal cathedral, I believe.

[LadyDoc]

You have to get alcohol at "clubs". SLC is about half "gentile", and there is a nice Catholic cathedral there. There's some crime, but it's clean and neat. The LDS people are clannish but friendly, and of course there are "jack mormons" too (non practicing LDS). I wouldn't have a problem living there, although it might get lonely in some of the outlying cities, which have a larger LDS percentage, and so there is little social life outside of the local stakehouse.

They have local sports teams. They even have an orchestra and a ballet and a fairly good medical school.

There are lots of LDS immigrants from other countries, and a lot of illegal mexicans, but it's not as sophisticated as Denver.

[vladog]

Tell you a funny thing. My daugther who hated the wind out there and the bad winters wanted out of there no matter what. Watch what you ask for. She has been in the Azores since this past March. Their winter over there is mostly high winds and rain. Her e-mail to me last week said that day winds were 65mph, they do hit 100 or more.

[Sunsong]

I am a Utah native, still living here. Non-Mormons are treated differently, and often their children are shunned by the Mormon kids in the neighborhood. The Mormon Church absolutely dominates Utah politics and though they vote Republican, they are high taxers and they believe in restrictive laws rather than freedom.

I agree with the poster who says there is a socialistic bent to Mormon philosophy and therefore, Utah politics.

The mountains are wonderful, as are other natural attractions nearby and if you like to ski, it's fantastic -- as long as you are prepared to be heavily taxed and regulated.

[LadyDoc]

Barren hillsides, soot, smog, and cloud cover, and a lake that looked like it was filled with toxic sludge.

That's the view from the interstate. You should have turned east at Temple Square, and headed into the canyons. That's the most beautiful area I've ever seen.

Rent the movie "Savannah Smiles". That was filmed in SLC.

[Utah Girl]

Where did you live in Utah? Up by Hill Air Force Base? That area is very windy, my father is from that area, and he would talk about the winds every winter. Some spots in Utah are very windy (Lehi, Provo Canyon, etc.) It isn't too bad where I live though.

[Utah Girl]

I don't get the statement that Mormons tend to be socialist. We are taught to be independent and self-reliant. Can you elaborate further?

[Utah Girl]

Footloose was filmed in my neck of the woods in Utah County.

[oust the louse]

I had friends who were out there for about 6 years and couldn't wait to leave.They are very fun,partiers,always looking to go have a good time when friends or relatives visit.Also very into the outdoors as far as hiking,camping,skiing etc...They lived closer to Park City but really felt isolated because they couldn't find many play friends for thier kids.The kids are great kids,but there are some really conservative(boring)people out there.Mormons everywhere always looking down thier nose at your lifestyle,not wanting to be friendly at all.Who needs that?

[jo6pac]

On July 4, 1899, ground was broken for the Cathedral of the Madeline on the northeast corner of South Temple and B streets. Said to be the finest ecclesiastical edifice west of the Missouri and cost, including the bishop's residence, $600,000.

Good trick, since Prophet Young died in 1877. Unless...nah.