I'm Here! First Impressions of SLC. (Provo, Sandy: amusement park, hotel, house)

[Falling]

Hi Everyone, I flew into SLC on Friday and thought I'd share some of my first impressions, overall, I've been pretty impressed!

1. I had prepared myself that when I walked off the plane the airport would look like an episode of "Big Love" with every woman wearing skirts. That I was sure I'd be able to tell the "Mormons". I walked off the plane and haven't seen one person yet that I would feel confident saying "they must be Mormon". In fact, even in Draper and Sandy, I've seen women and men with piercings and tattoos. I've been pleasantly surprised!

2. It IS Beautiful. From the photos I saw, I was worried it would all be that ugly brown desert color, and while parts do look like that, the rest of SLC makes up for it. There is everything from lush green forests to snow covered peaks. It took my breath away.

3. The Lake is NOT like Lake Michigan. Being from Chicago, I'm used to the buildings being built right up to the lake, my own house is only 5 mins from the beach...so I excepted the same here...but that's not the case. The Lake is about 15-20 minutes away, the city is not built right up to it.

4. There is a Night Life! Friday night my friends took me out drinking and we had a blast downtown at this bar called "Port of Call". It was weird having to finish a drink before they could give you another one or a shot, but they aren't mean about it, they just set it near your table until your ready for it. I noticed the drinks were not as strong as I was used to, but I just drank more, lol. The crowd was young and hip and fun.

5. It's High and Dry. The dryness and the altitude are killing me. It is so dry here, my nose and throat are parched all the time, I couldn't even sleep last night, I had to fill up all the sinks in my hotel room with hot water. The altitude has also been making me sick, every time I go up or down a hill my head kills. When I breath in the air it's "feels" different, like I have to take a deeper breath to get the same amount of air. It's been making me feel sick, I hope it doesn't last.

6. People are nice! I met great people on the plane. When I got off the plane, this guy bought my cart for me. Yesterday afternoon I had a conversation with another car at a stoplight. Everyone I've met has been friendly and informative.

7. Downtown is small. I asked where the skyscrapers were and was pointed to a set of buildings that were about 1/3 the size of a Chicago skyscraper. I'd expected the downtown to be much, much larger. Even the Temple was smaller then I excepted. Downtown is nice, just small.


That's all I have for now

PS. If your looking for the Lake, don't follow the signs that say "Lagoon"...it's not a real Lagoon...it's an amusement park, lol.

[kwm03160]

People don't build homes by the lake because of the smell & bugs. I just returned from Chicago, and I loved having my hotel by the lake! I also liked how green & lush Chicago is. I wish I would have had more time to explore!

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Altitude sickness can be helped by drinking a LOT more fluids than you're used to. When I first moved here, it took about 8-9 months for my skin to kick it into high gear and get oily enough to be "normal." Now, I don't have to slather on skin cream twice a day. If you move here, a humidifier helps!

[cinnabon]

falling, thanks for the list! I have to say this was similar to my first impressions when I visited in March. People were so nice! I had ski gear & at the airport I could barely manage my luggage by myself. This really nice young couple helped me out even though they had a baby & stroller with them... So this was my first impression! Then I got to my hotel, and the desk clerk was unbelievably nice.

The altitude didn't really bother me except up in the mountains skiing I really felt the lack of O2, and got winded a lot more quickly. In 4-6 weeks your body gets used to this and learns to use O2 more efficiently.

You read the forum, and people talk about the negative, so I think people get this bad impression. Someone had commented to me on here: "visiting is not the same as living there" when I mentioned how nice everyone was. But all week I spoke to people who lived there & everyone had good things to say. After NJ, I know I'm going to love it there!

And yeah, the lake is near the industrial area and is not like a "normal" freshwater lake that is good for recreation. Not sure if people even swim there or are there beaches? Or is it too yucky?

[Chickrae]

Glad your first impressions are great because it is a wonderful place to live. I just moved to Oklahoma after living in the Salt Lake area for 27 years. I MISS THE MOUNTAINS. The mountains are breath taking no matter where you live. Go to the Provo/Orem area and the mountains are even more incredible.

Just from a mormon speaking, mormons look just like everyone else. I actually grew up in California and became a member of the church there before transfering to Utah for job purposes. Everyone is very friendly and accepting even if you have other religious views, so I think you will like it.

The city is pretty easy to get around in also. Now that they have the front runnner which opened about three weeks ago, it might relieve some of the rush hour traffic problems. I know my son takes it back and forth to work. He lives in Davis County (Syracuse) and loves it. Helps out with gas prices too as its only 4.00 each way. FYI.

I don't miss the dryness of the area. I was always using lotion constantly. Here in Oklahoma I dont need it, so that has been nice.

Port O Call is a nice place to go as you said, my daughters have gone there alot dancing.

Hope you love Salt Lake. I moved from Layton which is north of there and I do miss it. Used to live and work there.

[Chickrae]

Originally Posted by Falling

Hi Everyone, I flew into SLC on Friday and thought I'd share some of my first impressions, overall, I've been pretty impressed!

1. I had prepared myself that when I walked off the plane the airport would look like an episode of "Big Love" with every woman wearing skirts. That I was sure I'd be able to tell the "Mormons". I walked off the plane and haven't seen one person yet that I would feel confident saying "they must be Mormon". In fact, even in Draper and Sandy, I've seen women and men with piercings and tattoos. I've been pleasantly surprised!

2. It IS Beautiful. From the photos I saw, I was worried it would all be that ugly brown desert color, and while parts do look like that, the rest of SLC makes up for it. There is everything from lush green forests to snow covered peaks. It took my breath away.

3. The Lake is NOT like Lake Michigan. Being from Chicago, I'm used to the buildings being built right up to the lake, my own house is only 5 mins from the beach...so I excepted the same here...but that's not the case. The Lake is about 15-20 minutes away, the city is not built right up to it.

4. There is a Night Life! Friday night my friends took me out drinking and we had a blast downtown at this bar called "Port of Call". It was weird having to finish a drink before they could give you another one or a shot, but they aren't mean about it, they just set it near your table until your ready for it. I noticed the drinks were not as strong as I was used to, but I just drank more, lol. The crowd was young and hip and fun.

5. It's High and Dry. The dryness and the altitude are killing me. It is so dry here, my nose and throat are parched all the time, I couldn't even sleep last night, I had to fill up all the sinks in my hotel room with hot water. The altitude has also been making me sick, every time I go up or down a hill my head kills. When I breath in the air it's "feels" different, like I have to take a deeper breath to get the same amount of air. It's been making me feel sick, I hope it doesn't last.

6. People are nice! I met great people on the plane. When I got off the plane, this guy bought my cart for me. Yesterday afternoon I had a conversation with another car at a stoplight. Everyone I've met has been friendly and informative.

7. Downtown is small. I asked where the skyscrapers were and was pointed to a set of buildings that were about 1/3 the size of a Chicago skyscraper. I'd expected the downtown to be much, much larger. Even the Temple was smaller then I excepted. Downtown is nice, just small.


That's all I have for now

PS. If your looking for the Lake, don't follow the signs that say "Lagoon"...it's not a real Lagoon...it's an amusement park, lol.

I might mention, you will love the snow especially if you ski. It has the best powder anywhere. The Park City ski areas are great, however the lift prices are lower in the Ogden area...Snow Basin, Powder Mountain.
I miss Utah...........loved living there...you will too.

[Chickrae]

Originally Posted by cinnabon

falling, thanks for the list! I have to say this was similar to my first impressions when I visited in March. People were so nice! I had ski gear & at the airport I could barely manage my luggage by myself. This really nice young couple helped me out even though they had a baby & stroller with them... So this was my first impression! Then I got to my hotel, and the desk clerk was unbelievably nice.

The altitude didn't really bother me except up in the mountains skiing I really felt the lack of O2, and got winded a lot more quickly. In 4-6 weeks your body gets used to this and learns to use O2 more efficiently.

You read the forum, and people talk about the negative, so I think people get this bad impression. Someone had commented to me on here: "visiting is not the same as living there" when I mentioned how nice everyone was. But all week I spoke to people who lived there & everyone had good things to say. After NJ, I know I'm going to love it there!

And yeah, the lake is near the industrial area and is not like a "normal" freshwater lake that is good for recreation. Not sure if people even swim there or are there beaches? Or is it too yucky?

Dont swim in Salt Lake....its not nice. If you want a great place with a LAKE go to Bear Lake. Nice beach, pretty water.

[mattyj46]

Originally Posted by Falling

Hi Everyone, I flew into SLC on Friday and thought I'd share some of my first impressions, overall, I've been pretty impressed!

1. I had prepared myself that when I walked off the plane the airport would look like an episode of "Big Love" with every woman wearing skirts. That I was sure I'd be able to tell the "Mormons". I walked off the plane and haven't seen one person yet that I would feel confident saying "they must be Mormon". In fact, even in Draper and Sandy, I've seen women and men with piercings and tattoos. I've been pleasantly surprised!

2. It IS Beautiful. From the photos I saw, I was worried it would all be that ugly brown desert color, and while parts do look like that, the rest of SLC makes up for it. There is everything from lush green forests to snow covered peaks. It took my breath away.

3. The Lake is NOT like Lake Michigan. Being from Chicago, I'm used to the buildings being built right up to the lake, my own house is only 5 mins from the beach...so I excepted the same here...but that's not the case. The Lake is about 15-20 minutes away, the city is not built right up to it.

4. There is a Night Life! Friday night my friends took me out drinking and we had a blast downtown at this bar called "Port of Call". It was weird having to finish a drink before they could give you another one or a shot, but they aren't mean about it, they just set it near your table until your ready for it. I noticed the drinks were not as strong as I was used to, but I just drank more, lol. The crowd was young and hip and fun.

5. It's High and Dry. The dryness and the altitude are killing me. It is so dry here, my nose and throat are parched all the time, I couldn't even sleep last night, I had to fill up all the sinks in my hotel room with hot water. The altitude has also been making me sick, every time I go up or down a hill my head kills. When I breath in the air it's "feels" different, like I have to take a deeper breath to get the same amount of air. It's been making me feel sick, I hope it doesn't last.

6. People are nice! I met great people on the plane. When I got off the plane, this guy bought my cart for me. Yesterday afternoon I had a conversation with another car at a stoplight. Everyone I've met has been friendly and informative.

7. Downtown is small. I asked where the skyscrapers were and was pointed to a set of buildings that were about 1/3 the size of a Chicago skyscraper. I'd expected the downtown to be much, much larger. Even the Temple was smaller then I excepted. Downtown is nice, just small.


That's all I have for now

PS. If your looking for the Lake, don't follow the signs that say "Lagoon"...it's not a real Lagoon...it's an amusement park, lol.

Great to see your move to SLC has worked out well!! Do you happen to have any photos you have taken of the general SLC area?

[coolcats]

Originally Posted by Chickrae

Dont swim in Salt Lake....its not nice. If you want a great place with a LAKE go to Bear Lake. Nice beach, pretty water.

If you go to Antelope Island, there are some beaches on the GSL. It's sort of fun to go out. You can't sink down because the water is so salty. My 3 and 5 year-old's loved it (exept when they got salt in their eyes). Worth it for the novelty, but not for your typical day at the beach.

[lolagranola]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

Altitude sickness can be helped by drinking a LOT more fluids than you're used to. When I first moved here, it took about 8-9 months for my skin to kick it into high gear and get oily enough to be "normal." Now, I don't have to slather on skin cream twice a day. If you move here, a humidifier helps!

Yeah, we get alot of use out of our humidifiers (we're from the E coast). And I suggest vaseline inside your nostrils!!