Connecticutian looking to relocate to SLC. (North Salt Lake: middle-class, apartments, to rent)

[SingingStar7]

What should I expect in terms of culture shock & everything else? I'm nearly 23 & hoping to move out there by October of this year, provided I can find a job by then. I mainly want to move out there because I love the area (I drove through the area several years ago, & it still sticks in my mind) & I just want a change of pace.

How's the job market over there? I've been hearing mixed replies on this one, so I'm not sure.

What about the average wage in retail? I've got over 4 years of experience in this area. What's the minimum wage (CT's $7.25/hour)? & what should I expect as far as the salary when I get out there? Right now I'm making about $20,000 a year as a fulltime banker. What would that equal in Utahn terms?

Thanks for answering this newbie's topic!

[DP525]

I know you would have no trouble finding a job in the Salt Lake area. Commercial growth is still huge here even though the housing boom has slowed quite a bit. I can't help you with the wage numbers as I have been far removed from that part of the labor market for many years (I am an engineer). But your $20k seems reasonable in Utah. One thing to keep in mind is Utah's cost of living will be significantly less than CT's. But along with that generally will be lower wages. Utah gets knocked on wages pretty bad but the unemployment numbers here have been low for quite a while so I would expect that to be changing.

As far as culture shock...it would depend on your current lifestyle and what you are expecting from Utah. This is not the party capital of the world. Many activities are geared towards families so you might feel a bit left out. I have read several accounts of young, single non-LDS having a difficult time making social contacts. Young LDS will generally date other LDS. There are plenty of single people around but you will have to work much harder to find them.

[SingingStar7]

Thanks for the reply, DP.

My lifestyle is very...quiet, for lack of a better word. I don't drink, swear, or smoke; I've never been to a bar (& don't really want to, quite frankly ) & I'm very much a loner in terms of the activities I like to do. I'm not LDS, though my mother was raised in the religion & her side of the family still is very LDS.

What else should I keep in mind when I go out there?

[kwm03160]

Keep in mind that the West, in general, is less formal than the East and things tend to move a bit slower here. Also keep in mind that rent keeps rising. It's not uncommon to spend 700-900 per month to rent a 1br apartment. The minimum wage is the same as the federal rate ($5 something per hour?). Most retail jobs (including entry-level banking) usually hover around $7 per hour. At least a few years ago, Wells Fargo was starting their tellers around 9-10 per hour... I don't know if that is still the case.

People also tend to keep to themselves. That will make it harder to find friends, but not impossible. I met a lot of my friends through work, and I would imagine that is how you will too.

Now for the positive... It is great to be in a climate with 4 seasons, the summers are not too unberable (we'll get a few 100+ days, but not a lot), the mountains are just beautiful, and recreation is farily close no matter where you live along the Wasatch Front.

Good luck on your move!

[SingingStar7]

That's very interesting about the rent, KWM. Right now a 1 bedroom place is nearly $700 & a studio's $5-$600 in my area of CT (I live in the suburbs). But I was looking around online & found a place where the rent's pretty cheap compared to the rest I've seen: The Terrace Apartments. Is this pretty reasonable? Obviously, I'm not familiar with the SLC area at all, so I'm not sure if the area the apartments are located in is safe or not (1810 South Main St.). Any opinion on that would be very helpful.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by SingingStar7

That's very interesting about the rent, KWM. Right now a 1 bedroom place is nearly $700 & a studio's $5-$600 in my area of CT (I live in the suburbs). But I was looking around online & found a place where the rent's pretty cheap compared to the rest I've seen: The Terrace Apartments. Is this pretty reasonable? Obviously, I'm not familiar with the SLC area at all, so I'm not sure if the area the apartments are located in is safe or not (1810 South Main St.). Any opinion on that would be very helpful.

Just curious, where can you find a studio in CT for $500? I'm going to have to move there! I currently pay $1000 in southern CT.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Originally Posted by SingingStar7

That's very interesting about the rent, KWM. Right now a 1 bedroom place is nearly $700 & a studio's $5-$600 in my area of CT (I live in the suburbs). But I was looking around online & found a place where the rent's pretty cheap compared to the rest I've seen: The Terrace Apartments. Is this pretty reasonable? Obviously, I'm not familiar with the SLC area at all, so I'm not sure if the area the apartments are located in is safe or not (1810 South Main St.). Any opinion on that would be very helpful.

I would not personally feel safe there, too much traffic and not a prosperous area. Just south of there, below 2100 South, has been declared a "blighted" area and a re-development is proposed.

Anything east of 700 East and north of 2100 South should be safe but more expensive. Just my opinion. I am older, single, middle-class, not from this area. Don't mean to offend any who live near there, just trying to give some advice to someone not familiar with the city.

[coolcats]

With four years experience as a teller, I think (but am not sure) that you could get $10 an hour.

[SingingStar7]

Coolcats, I've only worked as a teller for just over a year. Before that, I was with Shaw's for nearly 4 1/2 years & I held MANY positions there. Personally, I'd LOVE to go back into the grocery retail side because of the variety of positions they offer. I'm one of those people who needs variety in my day or I end up getting bored out of my mind, which, unfortunately, is happening now.

SouthernBelle, thanks for your opinion! It really is very much appreciated. I just went & Googled the area on their map & I noticed it was a little bit too far from the city for my taste. I like staying close by to stores & things like that (since I love to window shop) while also having easy access to the outdoors. Are there any areas within the SLC area that offers both? (I love convenience.)

Kidyankee, I live in the north central area of CT, about 1/2 an hour out of Hartford. Try looking up in my area & see what you can find. I'm shocked you're paying $1,000 for a studio apartment! That's outrageous!

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I drove by that apartment bldg as I was nearby - it's not good but not really bad, either. Monolithic 3/4 stories, inside courtyard with walkways that the apts open onto. Neighborhood is older neat houses turning commercial. But still, not my choice. It's not downtown, but it is by no means out of town. Maybe 15 min. to downtown. Nothing in walking distance, though.

There are apts downtown but probably expensive. Foothills area is closer to hte mountains, as is the Avenues and North Salt Lake.