Know Utah pretty well, but have specific questions about SLC (West Valley City: cul-de-sac, middle-class)

[jazzlover]

As a native of the Rocky Mountain West--and one who has traveled the region extensively for business and pleasure for about 40 years--I have spent a fair amount of time in much of Utah, including SLC. However, like most urban areas, SLC is changing pretty fast. This has left me curious about some things that some knowledgeable locals I would hope could answer. I am asking these questions now because I currently do specialized contracting work (no, not in construction or any related field) that may take me to SLC for some extended period (if I accept the assignment). For information purposes, I am male, not married and not LDS.

So, to my questions:

1. Has TRAX changed neighborhoods around SLC? I know that South Salt Lake used to be considered somewhat undesirable, but I read about a lot of new development near the TRAX system. I am a big fan of mass transit, and think that "traditional" sprawling auto-dependent suburbia has no great future.

2. What is Magna like? I haven't been out there for several years. I've read mixed reports about it of late. It seems to be one of the few towns in the Salt Lake valley that still has a small-town type downtown core.

3. What is the singles scene like in SLC for middle-aged non-LDS folks? I hear everything from "awful" to not bad. I'm not the bar-hopping type, either, so that kind of scene is not especially appealing. (When I was in SLC quite a bit a few years ago, I was married, so I didn't pay any attention to the social scene.)

4. Is the traffic in the canyons (Little Cottonwood, Big Cottonwood, etc.) still pretty awful, or can one get up there and enjoy the mountains that are so close by? (I'm used to uncrowded mountain country, so I'm pretty spoiled that way.)

5. What are the crime issues like in the Salt Lake valley these days? What areas are the best or worst? The City-Data figures for SLC itself are not very positive, but I also understand that neighborhoods vary consdierably.

Any thoughts are appreciated, especially from those who have lived in the SLC area for quite awhile, and can express their opinions based on that perspective.

[coolcats]

I can’t answer all of your questions, but have opinions on a few

Originally Posted by jazzlover

:
Has TRAX changed neighborhoods around SLC? I know that South Salt Lake used to be considered somewhat undesirable, but I read about a lot of new development near the TRAX system. I am a big fan of mass transit, and think that "traditional" sprawling auto-dependent suburbia has no great future.

According to a recent article someone posted on this site, South Salt Lake has the highest crime rate in the valley. There is some development along the trax lines farther south in Murrey, but I don’t recall seeing much in South Salt Lake.

Originally Posted by jazzlover

What is Magna like? I haven't been out there for several years. I've read mixed reports about it of late. It seems to be one of the few towns in the Salt Lake valley that still has a small-town type downtown core.

Magna is more blue collar, cowboyish, and has more immigrants than areas south and east. But I don’t think it’s that bad. I drive through Magna every day on my way to work. There are some older neighborhoods that have some houses with the stereotypical cars on cinder blocks. Then there are some newer neighborhoods that are ok enough. You can tell the area is not high income. But I don’t think crime is really that much worse. If you look at the crime rating for the Magna zip code 84044, it’s pretty comparable to Sandy and West Jordan.

Originally Posted by jazzlover

What are the crime issues like in the Salt Lake valley these days? What areas are the best or worst? The City-Data figures for SLC itself are not very positive, but I also understand that neighborhoods vary consdierably.

I think theft is bad here. I think it is often driven by drug addicts needing to feed their addictions. There is a fair amount of violent crime, but I think it usually happens to people who choose to be in bad places at bad times, or in domestic disputes. Just what I see anecdotally from the news.

[tantan220]

1. Has TRAX changed neighborhoods around SLC? I know that South Salt Lake used to be considered somewhat undesirable, but I read about a lot of new development near the TRAX system. I am a big fan of mass transit, and think that "traditional" sprawling auto-dependent suburbia has no great future.

No, not really. Trax is great but most people still don't use it. Living in SLC requires a car or else you'll have some serious issues.

2. What is Magna like? I haven't been out there for several years. I've read mixed reports about it of late. It seems to be one of the few towns in the Salt Lake valley that still has a small-town type downtown core.

Magna isn't a horrible town, but it is out on the west side of the valley in an area that is considered undesirable. If you're looking to buy a home this may be a good area to look because homes are cheap. Otherwise I'd avoid this area. It has a very high hispanic poplulation.

3. What is the singles scene like in SLC for middle-aged non-LDS folks? I hear everything from "awful" to not bad. I'm not the bar-hopping type, either, so that kind of scene is not especially appealing. (When I was in SLC quite a bit a few years ago, I was married, so I didn't pay any attention to the social scene.)

The singles scene is actually getting better. There are places like the Oyster Bar in Cottonwood Heights that are full of singles mingling every evening.

4. Is the traffic in the canyons (Little Cottonwood, Big Cottonwood, etc.) still pretty awful, or can one get up there and enjoy the mountains that are so close by? (I'm used to uncrowded mountain country, so I'm pretty spoiled that way.)

The only time you'll encounter problems is during the ski season before and after the resorts close. Also if it is snowing heavily. But these are to be expected. Otherwise it's a short and rewarding trip up these canyons!

5. What are the crime issues like in the Salt Lake valley these days? What areas are the best or worst? The City-Data figures for SLC itself are not very positive, but I also understand that neighborhoods vary consdierably.

SLC is split in half by Interstate 15. Most anything East of I-15 towards the mountains is nice, upscale, and will have lower crime. When you start heading west you get into low-income areas with higher crime rates. SLC has crime, but not terrible. After living in Houston, SLC is nothing in comparison.

Hope that helps!

[coolcats]

Originally Posted by tantan220

SLC is split in half by Interstate 15. Most anything East of I-15 towards the mountains is nice, upscale, and will have lower crime.

I'm not so sure about that one. I see plenty of crime reports from the East Side. Southwest valley around South Jordan, West Jordan, Herriman is pretty nice.

[tantan220]

True- this is just a general rule.

[Bayzing]

Originally Posted by tantan220

SLC is split in half by Interstate 15. Most anything East of I-15 towards the mountains is nice, upscale, and will have lower crime. When you start heading west you get into low-income areas with higher crime rates.

I actually concur with this.

EAST SIDE: Virtually all of the East Side is filled nice upper-middle-class neighborhoods. There are some small exceptions... certainly the downtown area between State Street and 700 East would be considered sketchy... until you get out to the Murray area. Also there are some "mediocre" neighborhoods further South... such as the White City (central Sandy) and some parts of Midvale. But it's difficult to find a bad area anywhere in the valley East of 1300 East. The upper east bench is very upscale "old money" until you get out to Draper where you have some big new homes.

WEST SIDE: There are plenty of decent neighborhoods on the West side but most of them are very middle class. Many of the neighborhoods on the West side are spotty... you'll have some nice suburban homes on one street... and some very run down homes... or even mobile home parks... on the next street over. A few years ago I lived on a nice cul-de-sac in West Jordan... I really enjoyed my street... but just a few blocks away there was a trashy mobile home park. Be particularly careful picking a place in West Valley City or Kearns... you really don't get any upper-middle-class neighborhoods until you get far enough South (to the West Jordan/South Jordan area). Once your past about 9000 South you start to get into some nice upper middle class "new money" type of neighborhoods... the new Daybreak development is especially nice... so are some of the developments in Riverton and Herriman... but like I said... these areas are mostly "new money" areas that are just being established.

[kdams4]

i have only been out of utah 3 times my whole 32 years and i have to say utah is in its own little world here we have different laws , different people , and all together different way of looking at life all together.. im a single black female that is NOT LDS and i seem to do ok with the fun that i do get into and im drug free and dont drink ... bottom line its all in who you know and how open minded you can be...lol godd luck to you ...

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

There is a singles group, I think maybe 25-45, that meets for dinner and the Symphony. I don't think they do every performance but the Symphony is helping them. If you like classical music, of course.

[TWariner]

1. Has TRAX changed neighborhoods around SLC? I know that South Salt Lake used to be considered somewhat undesirable, but I read about a lot of new development near the TRAX system. I am a big fan of mass transit, and think that "traditional" sprawling auto-dependent suburbia has no great future.

There is a lot of development along the entire length of Trax and in parts of downtown Salt Lake that were considered not so great, near the freeway.

2. What is Magna like? I haven't been out there for several years. I've read mixed reports about it of late. It seems to be one of the few towns in the Salt Lake valley that still has a small-town type downtown core.

Magna definitely has a small-town feel. There are some nice areas and some older areas. It does have a quaint, small, old-fashioned downtown. It's cheap to live there and the country/small town feel is nice. I don't know about the type of people who live there. It's not for everyone.

3. What is the singles scene like in SLC for middle-aged non-LDS folks? I hear everything from "awful" to not bad. I'm not the bar-hopping type, either, so that kind of scene is not especially appealing. (When I was in SLC quite a bit a few years ago, I was married, so I didn't pay any attention to the social scene.)

I've heard it's good, but I wouldn't know. I'm LDS and married.

4. Is the traffic in the canyons (Little Cottonwood, Big Cottonwood, etc.) still pretty awful, or can one get up there and enjoy the mountains that are so close by? (I'm used to uncrowded mountain country, so I'm pretty spoiled that way.)

I don't think there's any problems with traffic. Not with what I've seen. You should go up Provo Canyon, and drive the Alpine Loop, and check out Sundance, and spend time in Park City and Deer Valley, and beautiful Heber City, and if you really want to get away, and there's the High Uintahs nearby, as well, which are only about an hour away from Salt Lake, through Parley's Canyon.

5. What are the crime issues like in the Salt Lake valley these days? What areas are the best or worst? The City-Data figures for SLC itself are not very positive, but I also understand that neighborhoods vary consdierably.

The avenues are probably fine. The areas along the benches and up around the U of U. Sugarhouse. Along 1300 E. there are a lot of very nice neighborhoods and homes. There's a lot of nice areas in downtown Salt Lake.

In the valley, all along the benches are nice - Holladay, Murray, Sandy, Cottonwood Heights, Draper. South Jordan is very nice. West Jordan. Herriman. The Daybreak area.