Best thing and worst thing about living in Salt Lake City (fit in, neighborhood)
Salt Lake City areaSalt Lake County - Davis County - Weber County
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Its interesting reading everyone's likes and dislikes about SLC. I'm from Southern California and I'm seriously thinking about relocating to the SLC area. So much to do in the outdoors and the scenery throughout the state is amazing. I like the proximity to other out-of-state cities (Las Vegas, Denver, Boise, Los Angeles, etc.) and national parks/attractions.
The job market there seems to be better than here. Hopefully I can find something before moving. I'm worried about moving first (before securing a job) and possibly not finding anything. In the other hand, many employers most likely won't even consider me when they see my CA address on my resume. Why would they hire someone out-of-state when they can hire someone local?
The job market there seems to be better than here. Hopefully I can find something before moving. I'm worried about moving first (before securing a job) and possibly not finding anything. In the other hand, many employers most likely won't even consider me when they see my CA address on my resume. Why would they hire someone out-of-state when they can hire someone local?
Cheers.
The market's definitely better here than most places, but it's not "good" ANYWHERE. Unless you have a lot saved up or a fallback plan, don't move without a job. If it helps, make friends or get a PO box or something in Utah and use that as your resume address (or mass apply and hope to come across a position that's open to relocation). It strongly depends on the job in that case.
First, are you sure you want to do this? Ok. Yes, the scenerey is pretty awesome and if you like the outdoors, you'll love it here. Most people come here for the skiiing, which I'm told is excellent -no, I don't ski. Too spendy and I'm too old to start breaking things. Hiking, climbing, biking are all excellent -and, they're all can be had within a 30 to 60 minute drive. Plus, you got all of the beautiful national parks -Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, along with other state parks like Flaming Gorge, the Great Salt Lake, Capitol Reef, etc. This state is gorgeous. Great farmers' markets everwhere and it doens't feel like a city at all. It feels more like a big small town with a lot of family-oriented activities going on all the time. The Jazz and the Bees games are fun to go to and the University of Utah has a lot of things to offer. Getting around is pretty easy via the highways and Trax lines along with the new Frontrunner that connects Ogden, Salt Lake and Provo.
Now the bad stuff. I have lived all over the US and overseas and these are THE WORST drivers I've come across since I left the Middle East. The state should stop spending money on stop lights, stop signs and speed limit signs because all are totally ignored. They drive like maniacs. If you're on the highway going the speed limit (65mph) in the far right lane, you WILL be tailgated and you WILL get "The Bird." It's like Daytona on ALL streets big and small. I think they run red lights because the lights are soooo long and because people are sitting at the stoplight forever, they start texting, talking on their phone or daydream. Then, once it turns green, everyone is scrabling to get through the light so they're not waiting another 15 minutes for the next green light. I rarely ever see anyone pulled over by a cop on any street. I'm just amazed that there aren't more accidents than there are.
Moderator cut: personal attacks not allowed So, they do whatever they want, whenever they want. I can only go by the scuttlebut because, well, I really don't know anyone here. I've been here for over 6 years and only know my wife's brother and a friend of hers who used to be Mormon, but has fallen from Grace. Most people at work are Mormon and although they're nice, they really don't want to socialize with non-Mormons. I drink coffee in the morning and I drink beer at night and they don't want to be corrupted by my ways, I guess. Same as like some other close-knit group. I go out of my way to be nice and friendly, but I'm treated with a mild form of neglect -like a dog that nobody wants. In some ways it's better than when I lived in South Carolina. When I opened my mouth there, I got this "What are you do'in in my town, boy" look. But since the LDS church controls everything, it feels more like I'm living in theocratic state (Middle East anyone?).
I'm wondering if those that pushed for the Olymics here in 2002 are regretting it. Why? Well, a lot of people came to visit during that time and I think it put Salt Lake City on the map to the point where people (non-Mormon) wanted the scenery, the activities, the small city feel, -and MOVED HERE. Bringing with them non-Mormon ideas.
Last thing. Inversions. Come November when the temperatures get down into the 40's or so, cold air beats down on warmer air and traps the pollution in the valley. It's like a very large soupy bowl. It can last a day or two to maybe a week or two. I walk about a half mile to work each day and I when it's a RED AIR day, which happens a lot in Nov and Dec., I wear a mask. But, come January, the storms start coming through and they clear the air and create the powder that the skiers love so much.
Ok, so yeah, this was a tab bit long, but you know: knowledge is power.
Hope it helped.
Last edited by SouthernBelleInUtah; 08-09-2012 at 10:23 AM..
Furyan, as a former traveling salesman that covered 17 States by car I concur. There is NO question Utah drivers are the most dangerous to drive near. They are NOT predictable, have NO skill and are completely and utterly oblivious to the dangers at hand having virtually NO skills whatsoever. They drive "Offensively" and as such they are dangerous. The most famous Utah maneuver is the Triple Lane Change from the far left lane to an exit on I-15 at a 45 degree angle, NO turn signal just a zip before you causing your life to flash before you. It's a flat out miracle there aren't MORE disastrous crashes as a result. And NOTHING annoys me MORE than newscasters referring to them as "accidents" they are NOT accidents they are "Crashes" resulting from brain dead people that have NO business behind the wheel of a car. OK rant over
I disagree, the most dangerous place to be in Utah isn't the road, its the parking lot of any major store. I have never seen a place where so many ppl feel its normal to pull thru instead of backing out, and its normal to cut diagonal across a parking lot, even when its busy.
I lived in Utah for 2 years in the late 90's, moving back to NY in time for the .com boom. All I can say is my two year stay was way too short.
Bottom line, quality of life is very high. If you love the outdoors, there's so much hiking, biking, skiing, running, etc. With a vibrant economy and a reasonable real-estate market, you can do pretty well.
I haven't stopped missing UT since and would hope to return some time soon.
Furyan, as a former traveling salesman that covered 17 States by car I concur. There is NO question Utah drivers are the most dangerous to drive near. They are NOT predictable, have NO skill and are completely and utterly oblivious to the dangers at hand having virtually NO skills whatsoever. They drive "Offensively" and as such they are dangerous. The most famous Utah maneuver is the Triple Lane Change from the far left lane to an exit on I-15 at a 45 degree angle, NO turn signal just a zip before you causing your life to flash before you. It's a flat out miracle there aren't MORE disastrous crashes as a result. And NOTHING annoys me MORE than newscasters referring to them as "accidents" they are NOT accidents they are "Crashes" resulting from brain dead people that have NO business behind the wheel of a car. OK rant over
I agree. Although I remember you like to speed and don't tolerate drivers going the speed limit in the middle or left lane TO PASS (and then get back over to the right)
I hate it when I get tailgated just because I go the speed limit or even 5 more.
WOW I-15, its a challege. 80 m.p.h. is the flow during evening rush times, its all good till some num nuts cuts the nose of your car off, It does not help to honk your horn or flash your lights at them they simply dont care, If they wreck you, So keep a extra eye out when traveling on the 15. and the exit signs come first like 22b instead of 22a south boun exit information sucks
I love Utah!! Love the atmosphere and the outdoors!! So glad we made the transition here. However, after living all over the USA I would have to say the drivers here are unenlightened with simple road etiquette!! The transition onto the freeway, passing over three lanes at a time and so unfriendly to pedestrians who have the 'right of way'. Would like to see more stringent driving tests......perhaps open book isn't working!
I am hopeful that the air quality continues to be an important factor and changes will continue for better air quality!
Good: Tame weather, natural disasters are rare and when they do happen are highly localized, a lot of outdoor recreational opportunities within easy reach. And they can be had year 'round. Makes it easy to stay in shape. Overall we don't have a lot of the big city problems that other places have (not yet at least). Apprently our economy is faring well compared to most of the nation. Address grid system makes it a snap to find locations. Cost of living isn't too bad. Interesting geography to be seen from just about anywhere, taxes are reasonable overall. No real bug issues like the warmer and more humid parts of the country face.
Bad: Homicidal drivers, continuous road construction. Lack of diversity, mormon influence is very powerful here (ie ksl refuses to air 'new normal', politicians commonly enact policy clearly influenced by church, etc). 3.2 beer. Happy hour? Illegal. http://www.economist.com/node/21540272
People here are obsessed with appearances and I don't mean just personal. A sense of shallow, fake friendliness, people tend to insulate themselves. Unless you live in SLC proper, it's sleepy. Kid-centric. Over-abundance of chains. Lots of sprawl. Nasty winter inversions, summers feel desolate and dead with brown everywhere (mountains excepted). Crowded schools, lack of emphasis on education spending.Hardcore red state makes it feel like my vote means nothing. And biggest of all, our population grows but our water supply does not. This will become the single most pressing issue facing this area in the not too distant future.
Last edited by 11thHour; 08-25-2012 at 02:16 AM..
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In the other hand, many employers most likely won't even consider me when they see my CA address on my resume. Why would they hire someone out-of-state when they can hire someone local? 
The transition onto the freeway, passing over three lanes at a time and so unfriendly to pedestrians who have the 'right of way'. Would like to see more stringent driving tests......perhaps open book isn't working!
