[cd jones]

I too am interested in any response. Looking for retirement location in 3-4 years.

[Shermy]

SOS.

[Restorer]

I doubt things are terribly different in SLC from what they are in any other large city, except that it is probably a little more conservative than most. Now life in rural or small UT or ID can be difficult. Not so much because people are hostile, but because most of the population is heavily involved with the LDS church activities, leaving non-LDS kind of out in the cold.

[lady lawyer]

I'm sure there are non-Mormon Freepers living here. I think Andyman is one.

FYI, we Mormons are Christians, too.

Being Mormon, I'm not qualified to answer your questions. I hear mixed reviews from non-Mormons. Some like it fine. They appreciate the fact that the crime rates are low and the environment more family-friendly than in some other places. Others really resent the fact that the dominant culture is different from their own.

I suspect it might be like a non-Catholic living in Rome.

If you decide to come: Welcome.

[strela]

What is it like living in Salt Lake City?

I spent a year there one night.

[freeplancer]

First off, whatever you have heard, is nonsense. I live here and it is a spectacular place to live. I don't have time to write a 50 page paper dispelling all of the myths and stupid rumors, but the Mayor of Salt Lake City is a Democrat and the largest newspaper is unfortunately liberally biased big time. Just those facts alone should put a halt to any allegations or false hoods about Utah intolerance. Email me in private for any questions.

[Jack Wilson]

Aren't the liquor stores state-run and open limited hours?

[JoeGar]

All of your wives complain about your leaving the toilet seat up.

[Andyman]

I love it. I'm Catholic and love my parish as well as my LDS neighbors. The Catholic community here is very vibrant and close-knit, I think in great part because of the fact that there is a different dominant religion. Where you live here is very important too. On the east side of town people can be rather snooty and the LDS folks a little more aloof. If you come into a neighborhood with an open mind and heart (we invite Mormon missionaries into our house all the time but we have not yet been able to convert one) they will open their hearts to you as well. This is simply the best place I have ever lived.

If you want to converse about this in a real phone conversation for greater detail, feel free to email me and I'll send you my phone number.

[Lurking Libertarian]

As a Jew, I've always wanted to live in Utah so I could know what it's like to be a gentile. (-:

[Dog Gone]

St. Lake City is a city. Two blocks from Temple Square in downtown you can see people with purple spiked hair and facial piercings. There are illegal drugs there just like anywhere else. You can certainly find trouble if you're looking for it.

It has restrictive liquor laws, including the famous 3.2 beer rule. But you can find all the booze you want at liquor stores and in clubs.

I'm pretty sure that Salt Lake City has its own Democrat congressman, although the state legislature was trying to gerrymander him out this year.

It is an ideal place to live if you like winter sports. It's just up the hill. The city itself is on the edge of the desert and isn't scenic by most standards.

You certainly don't have to be a Mormon to live there or work there and many aren't. In some business circles it might help, though.

[stuartcr]

Should be OK unless, you live in the Mormon equivalent of a freerepublic neighborhood.

[Talkwire]

Though SLC is a bit more metropolitan than one would expect, the state of Utah is not. The LDS Church controls the government and the economy. The politics are populist, protectionist, and socialistic.

A Saint with a Bishop recomend will get a promotion/job over a non-LDS every time. Your kids will have half the friends they would otherwise. You will work twice as hard to have half the fun you do now (and risk a fine for it to boot).

SLC is not an attractive part of the country; kinda smoggy and brown.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.