Given the chance, would you live in SLC or Houston? (Salt Lake City: quality of life, to live)

[mlb]

Thanks. We've been looking for well over 5 years. We've narrowed our search and may be buying in the next couple of weeks/months.

I'm tired of the rat race. We were driving the I-15 to a doctor appointment the other day and it reminded us both of living in LA - not a good memory.

It's time to get out of here....and enjoy coastal climate and semi-rural living.

[kavm]

All the best! We will also look at CA when we retire - although our lives here are OK.

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by mlb

Couple of points......

I have never lived in Houston - but family has. From a development position (and you may not care) it's a zoning MESS.

You need to look at a place with the longterm in mind. Do you want to buy a house? What's the market there? Are prices climbing or are they high already? Would you want to raise a family there?

Diversity. Yes, Utah is white majority. HOWEVER, in my current job we process passport applications. People from ALL OVER THE WORLD - yes, even Pakistan - have come into our offices. They want their children - born here in the US to have documentation proving citizenship.

All that said - even tho we are leaving for California shortly - I would choose Salt Lake. Get here and buy a house NOW.

Because it's only going to get more expensive and the quantity of available homes is limited.

Yes, Houston has no zoning. It bothers some people, but not others. It just depends on your preferences.

And no, just because you see people from other parts of the world doesnt make a city diverse. Houston is one of the most diverse cities on earth and has the nations second largest Pakistani population after NYC. Salt Lake City isnt anywhere close and never will be. There isnt any sugar coating that.

As to what each city does best. If you like to be outdoors, appreciate the beautiful scenery around SLC, and like seasons, but can make sacrifices on some big city amenities, SLC is the obvious choice. If you want a place with a lot more city like amenities, arts and culture, culinary scene, nightlife, diversity, etc. but can handle the heat, humidity and bland surroundings, Houston is a better choice.

[ut new]

And by humidity, Houston is like Florida... take two showers a day, sweat while sleeping, etc.

[11thHour]

I've lived in both cities. SLC wins by a *wide* margin. The years I lived in Houston are years I wish I could get back and redo. Honestly I find Houston to be one of the single most generic, character-less cities in the nation. It also has among the worst weather in the country. Lots of crime. Zoning issues. Outdoor scenery and activities lack compared to SLC. I live in L.A. now, and I'd easily go back to SLC over Houston.

[goolsbyjazz]

Salt Lake City

[WyoNewk]

Originally Posted by mlb

...We were driving the I-15 to a doctor appointment the other day and it reminded us both of living in LA - not a good memory....

I noticed that about SLC the last couple times I was through there, except I was on I-80. I hadn't been through the city for several years at that point, and I couldn't believe the traffic. But it wasn't stop and go or idle through like I've often seen LA. No, it was 80 mph and you'd better not slow down or you'll create a traffic hazard. The highway was fast, but so busy it was hard to switch lanes and a little difficult to catch the signs in time to be in the right lanes at the right times. Someone familiar with the highways wouldn't have a problem, but for those going through for the first time? Whew!

Might have partly just been me, as I haven't driven in big city traffic much in the past 20 years. (Is this a sign I'm getting too old to drive in that kind of traffic?) SLC used to be a handful to get through because I-80 and I-15 weren't finished through the city -- detour here, detour there, detour, detour, detour. That was a little aggravating, but now it's scary!

[Ivory Lee Spurlock]

Originally Posted by kletter1mann

I know Houston well. Salt Lake City wins by a mile, it's not even close. For the life of me I can't imagine anybody actually wanting to live in Houston unless they grew up there and had never been anywhere else. No mountains, no ocean, horrible weather, utterly flat. Just make sure you live in SLC proper, not out in the endless suburban sprawl.

The Gulf Of Mexico is less than hour away in Galveston and Houston is also a port city. The Port of Houston is the busiest port in the United States in terms of foreign tonnage and 2nd busiest in overall tonnage and 16th busiest port in the world. So it's not like Houston is landlocked. Houston is also the most diverse city in the United States, even more so than New York City and Los Angeles, so you can be sure it's gonna have some of the best restaraunts of all varieties found in the entire country located there. Houston is definitely a foodies paradise. Houston and Tampa climates are going to be fairly similar. Houston also has all the major professional sports. Houston has plenty to offer a young person just starting out. It ain't perfect but no place is. I'm sure Salt Lake City has it's share of things that most locals would rather not deal with. Like shoveling snow so you can get your vehicle out of the driveway several times a winter can get old real fast and be real pain the back side. I'd rather deal with high temperatures and high humidty than ice, cold and snow. It's much easier to beat the heat in the summer than it is to keep warm in the winter. Dressing in layers to go out side is not only time consuming, but it's also another winter time hassle. I'll take a winter day in the sun when it's 71 degrees in Houston over that same winter day when it's 5 degrees below zero in the sun in Salt Lake City.

All that said, based on what the op is hoping to find in his new city, I think he would be best to give Salt Lake City a try and see how it goes. He'll never regret it. Howwever he might one day very much regret not giving Salt Lake City a try. If it doesn't work out for him, it's never too late to give Houston a try as Houston is almost always in a constant state of boom and the pay is good. Houston is one of the best towns in the country for a person who wants to start over to go to.

[ScaryTucson]

Salt Lake City area wins by a light year, unless you are put off by the mormon stronghold.
SLC has as good or better food options, excluding seafood of course.

SLC weather is 100x better, regardless of the colder and snowier winters.

If you want better weather, live on far southern suburbs of SLC and as low in elevation as possible (suburbs of Provo or even farther out).

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by ScaryTucson

SLC has as good or better food options, excluding seafood of course.

No and this isnt even close. Salt Lake City has no where near the quality of food Houston does.