Young professional possibly relocating to SLC (Salt Lake City, Sandy: upper-class, appointed, apartment)

[steveklein]

Where would I find the concentration of mid 20s to early 30s people living in Salt Lake City? Is there an area with a decent number of mid-rises or high-rises near the city center walkable to restaurants, bars, shopping, etc? How much is rent in these areas for a 1 bedroom?

Also, how is the bar scene in Salt Lake City? Is it really that dead because of Mormon culture, or are there plenty of young people out there still looking to have a good time?

[CCSLC]

Downtown. Absolutely only downtown.

The only truly walkable area of Salt Lake City is the urban city center and its adjacent neighborhoods: Avenues, Central City, and Marmalade (to a degree). Sugar House is also walkable, but only to its own commerical district and not the downtown/city-center area.

Downtown is also the only place in SLC that has a real "bar scene," and while there's still certainly room for growth, it's much, much better than reputation would suggest. There are actually over 100 bars, pubs, or lounges in Salt Lake City proper, including some very popular ones along 200 South (Bar X, Beer Bar, Johnny's), 300 South (Junior's, Tavernacle, Dick & Dixie's), Main Street (Maxwell's, Cheers To You, Keys on Main, Beerhive), and State Street (Bayou, Piper Down).

Downtown is also home to the area's residential high-rises (there aren't too many though), such as American Towers, 99 West, The Regent, and several loft spaces. The majority of the high-rises are condos and not usually for rent, but there are many decent apartment buildings, often historic ones that are 4-6 stories, in the same area. Average rent for a 1BR ranges from around $600 to $1,500 depending on class of building and amenities. Most my renting friends in the area pay $800-$1,000 for a nice 1BR.

If you come to SLC expecting NYC-level nightlife, you will be disappointed. If you come to SLC expecting it to fulfill its reputation as a teetotaling snooze, you will be very pleasantly surprised. I worked as a bartender for many years, and I find SLC's bar scene to be just the right size: large enough to always be interesting and changing, with plenty of disparate options every night of the week, but pleasantly small enough to bar hop one area of town in a night. As an aside, there is also a thriving local music and arts scene downtown.

[Wildcat1889]

What CCSLC said - also, public transportation in SLC is pretty decent, at least as long as it's not late at night or Sunday. At least for work, you could probably commute quite easily and live without a car. For people like you, I tend to think that the areas around the University might be enjoyable socially (Millcreek also comes to mind), although I wonder if you might prefer upper-class renting closer to downtown with your professional background.

Either way, chances are that you will actually enjoy SLC. There is a pretty good emerging scene of young professionals (some from out-of-state) and chances are that you'll fit right in.

[berger123]

I agree Salt Lake central has changed immensely over the last 10 years. Even Sugarhouse area now has 11 bars within a couple blocks of each other(for Utah that is alot). In terms of people in their 20's and 30's historically people in Utah get married very young but it's definitely diversifying and changing for the better in my opinion. Also Wildcat starting in August Trax schedule is going to change to be the same as Saturday. I just wish it was open til 2 on the weekends.

[Montygirl]

I agree with all of the above and looking forward to frequenting some of the great bars we have seen but could not access as we have kids and up until recently no babysitters as from overseas! Our girls are off to girl scout camp in July and we are looking forward to hitting the bar scene in SLC as when we have passed it or I have been out with girlfriends it has looked good and as you say has a great music scene.We have experienced some great bands already at the depot along with our kids and look forward to more of the same. Salt lake/Utah is definitely starting to evolve and diversify because of the amount of big companies moving in here . Glad the Trax schedule is improving, great service but so doesn't run late enough not only back to the suburbs but also to Sugarhouse! It isn't on par with NYC or where we lived in our early 20/30's in London but it has a great vibe and pleanty of great places to eat, drink & socialise! Interesting times for this city and can only get better and better.

[steveklein]

Good information. Thanks guys.

I am considering living in SLC with a bicycle but no car so I am also curious what the biking scene is like. Every city I know pumps up its green-ness, and bike-friendliness... but I want to get the straight dope... not from the chamber of commerce. How easy is it to get around downtown and nearby areas by bike? Is it safe?

I found a map of the biking paths and lanes in the city ranked by comfort/stress level for cyclists but when I did a Google Streetview, I didn't really see any dedicated biking lanes or separated paths in areas that I thought I'd see them (S 300/Broadway, for instance).

[CCSLC]

SLC has become very bike friendly in recent years and it's easy and convenient to get around town by bike. There's a large, active cycling community here. The "GreenBike" rental/sharing program is also more successful than projected, so even the less dedicated, infrequent cyclers are giving it a shot.

The city installed its first protected bike lanes a couple years ago on 300 East, and last year gave 300 South protected lanes, too. There are also numerous "traditional" (not protected and sometimes auto-sharing) lanes throughout the city...even into other municipalities in the county, and they all connect to an ever-growing network of recreational trails. Salt Lake is also on track to become the first city in the country with a protected intersection: Salt Lake City Will Have First Protected Bike Intersection in the U.S. – Next City.

While bikeSLC.com is an official city site, it's accurate and not hyperbolic. You can rely on it.

[OutdoorgirlUtah]

Bar scene and Utah you must be dreaming right. Utah has the worst alcohol laws known to man. The mormon church also runs the state. I'm so happy I'm no longer there. Missing my friends and the gorgeous mountains but not missing the ridiculous laws of Utah

[Montygirl]

Sorry but you are scaremongering Outdoorgirlutah, desert edge brewery, squatters, green pig, Gracies bar, red rock, keys on main to name just a few. Yes the laws are a bit different (especially coming from the liberal laws of the UK and having kids in tow too ) we have still managed to find some good bars , albeit that you often have to have at least a side to eat(or some bread!) I have friends who moved here too from Europe(no kids ) and live downtown and enjoy going out there. I lived in NZ and the laws were also different to what I had experienced before with several dry areas . Its not NYC or LA but its not as bad as some make out.The state liquor store near us in Sandy has amazing choice of alcohol and we have a nice pantry with some great USA and Aussie/Kiwi wines in(some of which were not exported to the UK) I think it is a changing here and I think the laws here only impact a lot on you if you let it. Apart from the alcohol laws I have not found anything else that stops me living my life the way I did back home and Im out in the burbs!

[OutdoorgirlUtah]

Oh yea don't forget the hours of the liquor stores they are ridiculous always gotta plan ahead for the holidays. Want some alcohol and didnt plan ahead too bad. Can't buy liquor on holidays. Nevermind the prices of alcohol in the state are ridiculous gotta pay for that watered down beer. Or getting treated like a criminal going to restaurant and want a cup of that watered down alcohol getting double id. Also the lovely zion curtain. wouldn't want to pour a glass of alcohol in front of a minor. I moved to Phoenix last year so I no longer have to deal with that silliness. If you think the state liquor stores are big you haven't seen anything yet we have a store here called total wine and more first time I went in it it was like a kid going into a candy store that place was at least 2-3 times the size of the state liquor stores and they have liquor sampling available its amazing to actually feel like an adult after living under such stupid laws for so long.