Ogden vs. Park City (Layton, Draper: appointed, crime rate, home)

[malindall]

Hello Everyone!

I have been lurking around the Utah forums for quite a few months now. I really enjoy reading everyone's opinions. We are relocating from Austin Texas. Believe it or not we have sort of narrowed it down to Ogden or Park City. I know that they seem like they are on total opposite ends of the spectrum. I would like some help if anyone could offer any.

My husband would like to live in Park City. He has a friend there, loves the outdoors etc. The air quality is better there for my daughter who has asthma. If we move there the kids would have to be in public school since housing is soooo expensive there. The commute for my husband would be decent from there.

I want to move to South Ogden, Uintah or even Mountain Green because I fell in love with a private school there. It seems that we could get a very nice home and still afford the tuition. Is the air quality better in these areas than in Salt Lake? Does anyone know about St. Joseph's in Ogden? This commute would be a little longer for my husband.

I visited Salt Lake in August and was able to drive all around these areas. I visited a few private schools but ran out of time to visit Park City's schools.

Thanks!!

[powerlumina77]

We moved to Ogden from PA, and really enjoy the feel of town. I guess the best way to compare them is to note that Ogden is a real town, with all the good (Farmer's market, Greek/Outdoor festivals, cheaper housing, diversity) and bad (more crime, some bad neighborhoods).

We enjoy Park City for a day trip here and there, but outside the touristy main street, there isn't much else. I'm sure if you have the means, there is much more to it and much more to be involved in. But it would take lots of $$$$ to buy in there and roll with that kind of crowd.

Ogden has not disappointed us, as there are some great restuarants, great access to the trails up on the bench, and you're always a half-hour from a beautiful drive through Ogden valley.

Hope someone else can help you out with schools.

[malindall]

Hey Thanks!

Thanks for responding. I thought Ogden was great. My gut tells me to push for Ogden, but my husband says it will be better for my daughter's asthma in Park City. I really would like a relaxed, homey mix of folks; not a super affluent bubble. Of course, I have to sell here in Austin first!!! My husband, however, will be arriving in Utah later this month.

[alexei27]

Wow...yes two different planets on so many levels!!!

Park City is beautiful. They tend to be above the smog layer in Winter. Travel to SLC can be a bear on I-80 when it snows. Personally...given the exorbitantly high cost of living in Park City, your northern choices east of Weber Canyon are better. You still get the stunning views and amenities at half or less of the price!! I would also look east of the canyon vice Ogden (a personal preferance but there are many seedy pars of Ogden).

Either way...the commute to SLC is rough. What you do have going for you if you choose to live north is a new rail system and freeway going in as we speak. This "should" alleviate the commute to SLC a bit. We'll see :-)

Happpy to provide more info...just hit me up!!

Brandon

[tantan220]

Ug- Ogden is probably the most boring city in America. Plus it has a high rate of gangs and drugs (probably because the kids are so bored all the time). If you have a chance to move to Park City then go for it! It's a beautiful town!

[powerlumina77]

Wow, dude, we moved here from near Philly, and I can seriously take you to some towns in Delaware that will make Ogden look like the thrill capital of the world!

I know you're kinda joking, but unless you have a lot of money to throw around, Park City will be pretty boring too.

We love Ogden- The river parkway and skate park are great, you can watch people wipe out on the Flowrider surf wave, and drive up to Snowbasin to mountain bike or ski.

If you've grown up here, you may think this place is boring, but growing up in a shopping mall back east will make you cry!!

[tantan220]

I guess I am kind of jaded. I grew up in Ogden and counted down the seconds until I could get out of that hick town... I mostly couldn't stand everyone's conservative attitudes in that area. Park City and Salt Lake are much more liberal and accepting.

And how do you grow up IN a shopping mall?

[powerlumina77]

Well, I guess I'm jaded too. I like to do things outside, and when you have to drive over 2 hours to get a decent hike in, it can be frustrating. So basically, you end up just going to the mall/shopping/out to eat/or stuck in traffic. Kind of a rough scenario.

So for us, Ogden is a great change. There's usually something going on downtown, it actually snows! And instead of being stuck inside all winter we can ski!

[Helter Skelter]

I moved to Ogden two years ago, and I don't think you'll like it here...
The crime rate is a little high. I have personally seen two shootings in the past two years. Anything that I leave in the back of my truck gets stolen.
Also, I have caught two kids trying to break into my truck through the rear window. This is in downtown Ogden. Private School will not prepare your little girl for this. Thank god I went to Public school in Denver....

Park City Is decent, but there isn't much there... And the Commute is Horrible in the winter.

The Layton Area is nice, but the traffic is worse.

Mountain Green is Absulutely stunning, but you have to drive into ogden anytime you need to go to the store...

As tantan220 mentioned, the political/religious views are extreme anywhere in Weber county.

[rsjmiller]

If you can afford Park City, do it! I grew up in the Salt Lake Valley, and when it came time to buy my own place, I didn't spend much time looking in Ogden. There are much more friendly and clean places in Utah. Try Draper, or if you need someplace a little more out of the smog, try Eagle Mountain.