possibly moving to SLC and have a few questions (Salt Lake City: apartments, rent)

[yos]

First off, where would a good place for a 23 year old single male be to live in SLC - I'll be working downtown. Also, will an income of 40 - 50 K be enough to live off in the SLC area for one person? I've lived in NYC previously and 40 - 50 K is barely livable there. Any tips for the social scene? I've heard people my age are fairly few and far between... any other tips for a single, non-mormon ( I have absolutely nothing against them ) male to break into the community? I love to ski, bike (mtn and road), and play soccer. If anyone knows of pick soccer games / recreational clubs in the SLC area as well, it would greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!!

[eggalegga]

I would say near the U, the avenues or Sugarhouse. Both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons would provide you with skiing, biking and hiking opportunities. Oh, and Parley's canyon too.

I think $40-50k is plenty for housing and transportation costs.

Do you know any of your co-workers? Perhaps they could guide you to find the clubs you seek.

Good luck and I hope you love it here.

[yos]

hey thanks so much for the reply. yes i will know my soon to be co-workers as I'm flying out for two separate interviews in next two weeks, i'll be sure and ask them. i've been to SLC a few times before for downhill ski trips and absolutely loved it, just wondering if it will be a fit for a young, outdoorsy professional to live in.

[easternerDC]

I would say that SLC is a great place for a young outdoorsy professional. I moved to Utah for the outdoor lifestyle, and it is pretty much the norm here. There are plenty of hiking and biking clubs. However, the one thing I have been having to adjust to is that it is so darn white here! (yes I knew it would be going in). Coming from living in DC which is really diverse, it was an adjustment to look around in a restaurant and see only white people.

Denver/Boulder would also be a great option for a young professional who loves the outdoors, and would be more diverse, and I assume maybe less married people with enormous families.

All that aside, I am glad I moved to Utah!

[yos]

yeah, that would be an adjustment moving from New York City for me as well. I know that I will love the skiing and biking. Hopefully I can find some recreational soccer clubs too. I guess I was just a little more concerned about the night life and singles life for non-LDS people. As I'm sure you know, the east coast NYC/ DC area is pretty hoppin' for young singles... but just wanted to see if there is any of that in the SLC area at all. Sorry if these posts sound too much like a personal add, I just want to get a feel for what I'll be possibly moving too.

[Bayzing]

As a single adult I would certainly recommend living downtown in the Avenues or perhaps in Sugarhouse. I spent quite a while as a single adult in Salt Lake and I've lived in about every corner of the valley. You definetely want to be close to downtown if you're single.

$40 - $50k should be plenty of money for a good lifestyle as a single adult in Salt Lake. You can probably get a very nice apartment for $1,200/month. Check out Craigslist.org

The single social scene in Salt Lake City (and Utah in general) has a different dynamic because of the LDS church... it's difficult to explain... but there are probably LESS single adults in Salt Lake between in their 20's then you would find in many other cities of the same size. Mormons tend to marry young... so you have a lot of 23-year-old married couples... and less 23-year-old singles. Also... active Mormons (probably about 35-45% of the entire population) don't drink alcohol... therefore they avoid the bar scene and tend to socialize more with their church groups rather than in clubs.

BUT REMEMBER... The Salt Lake City/Ogden/Provo metro area has about 2 million people.... despite the LDS influence... there are still plenty of young single adults in Utah... and plenty of places to socialize... I know of several clubs and even bars downtown that are always busy on the weekends... it's just not to the scale you would see in New York, LA, Chicago, or most other big cities.

[BorderGirl]

I live in Sugarhouse and I love it. I'm not Mormon and I haven't had a problem for the most part. Everything is within walking distance or within a very short drive. I have a few local bars that I enjoy going to and I don't have a problem meeting people my age (24) that aren't Mormon. When I need a break I just go up to Park City. Your price range will be just fine. I make quite a bit less and I get by nicely. However, my rent is insanely cheap.

[yos]

looks like i'll be moving to SLC come early next year, is the Memory Park area ok for a young professional, i saw a post for apts at this place - http://www.aimco.com/Communities/def...pertyID=005759

Not sure exactly what my salary range will be, but I'm anticipating ( hoping ) it won't be any less than 45k.

any thoughts? it would be much appreciated. i still am really interested in the avenues and sugarhouse. i hear if you live in the northern avenues, you're pretty close biking from your house to some great mountain bike trails on the ridge. Is this true? If so, that would be swell.

[easternerDC]

Originally Posted by yos

i hear if you live in the northern avenues, you're pretty close biking from your house to some great mountain bike trails on the ridge. Is this true? If so, that would be swell.

Here is a link to a site that provides really good info on mountain bike trails.

http: // www dot utahmountainbiking dot com

[Bayzing]

NORTHERN AVENUES??? Not even a real neighborhood or location. The Avenues is simply known as the Avenues.... ther are the "upper Avenues" and "lower Avenues". The upper Avenues are further North... essentially further up the hill... but that area is populated mostly with exteremly high-end homes ($1m +) Utah Jazz player Karl Malone owned a home up on one of those streets and so do some other high profile fat cats from Salt Lake. Iam certain there aren't too many apartments for 20 something singles in the upper aves."

TRUE... some of the Avenues neighborhoods are very close to City Creek Canyon... which offers hiking and biking trails. If your interested in that... focus your search in neighborhoods near the State Capitol. There are some nice spots with really close access to City Creek Canyon that you could probably afford. But remember... there are some PROS and CONS to living in the AVENUES.

PROS: Beautiful valley views... close to downtown and the University of Utah...older historic homes... population is more diverse... etc.

CONS: Poor access to ANY freeway... this is a HUGE issue if you commute outside of downtown... it can take over 20 minutes to access a freeway from the upper aves. There are also fewer grocery stores and fast food places in many parts of the Avenues... certainly not as accessible a place as Sugarhouse.

Hope that helps