SLC or Denver/Boulder? (Francis: environment, credit, relocate)

[UTorCO?]

Pros and cons for someone who loves the outdoors but is not religious at all??

We can afford both and can choose either for work.

I love the accessibility of the mountains (I think UT wins there), but love religious/political diversity (think CO wins there).

Has anyone decided between these 2 states and which did you choose and why? (or what would you choose if you haven't done this but have thoughts)

[newtoutah]

I would think Colorados mountains would be better. Im an ocean person not a lake person and we wound up here. Personally I would choice Colorado but thats just me

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

The winters here are much better, I've been told, in SLC due to the valley between the mountain ranges; Denver is "open" on one side. We don't seem to have the extreme cold or the ice I see reported in Denver.

[DP525]

Colorado. Next topic.

[Finstudent]

We moved to Utah about 8 years ago from the Denver/Boulder area, and while I've been back to visit many times I don't miss it enough to move back there. It's close enough to travel to to enjoy whatever you liked in Colorado. But you don't have the crowds and traffic. My friends in Colorado say the ski traffic up I-70 is hideous, and gets worse every year. Traffic to the ski areas around SLC is rarely bad, but can be only delayed by avalanche closures in the Cottonwood Canyons.

[skippyfingerlickin]

Utah without question.

[drsevrin]

SLC hands down. I'm a non-LDS, non-religious Salt Lake native who has also lived in Northern California and traveled through much of the US. I left the San Francisco area to return to Utah because of the far easier and more family-friendly way of life. For me, I see the "Mormon Issue" as a non-starter. I love my Mormon friends and neighbors and credit them for giving the city it's vibrancy, livability and safety. At the same time, I love the fact that there is a thriving counterculture which gives me a fantastic alternative music scene, great clubs and bars, art film houses, you name it. I'm a big New Wave / Punk music fan - and Salt Lake get's shows that Denver never will. Many times when big alternative acts tour the US on 8-10 city tours, you'll find they stop in SLC, along with LA, SF, NY, Chicago, etc. - but skip over many larger cities in the region. It's the dichotomy and juxtaposition of these influences that make Salt Lake so unique, compelling, and livable. I count among my friends and workmates Indians, Egyptians, Palestinians, Bangladeshi's, Lebanese, Jews, Vietnamese, Latin Americans, Mexicans, Eastern Europeans, and on and on. No lack of diversity in SLC. I will never move unless I'm forced to do so.

The mountains are too far away from Denver, which is too crowded and big. Boulder may be close to mountains but it's too small to have all the big city amenities that SLC has. You really have the best of all worlds in SLC: outstanding outdoor activities on your doorstep, combined with the arts and culture of a big city. I live at the edge of the city - my backyard is literally a National Forest wilderness, and yet I'm 15 minutes from art films, professional sports, a world-class symphony, ballet, art galleries, an excellent University, first class medical facilities, world-renown performing acts, endless coffee shops, bars clubs, etc. Where else can you ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon? And yes, the skiing and boarding is absolutely unbeatable - due to the lake effect snow that Colorado lacks. The Utah economy continues to thrive, unlike the rest of the nation - in a large part due to the industrious and well-educated work force.

When living in the Bay Area I was always struck by how many East Coasters had relocated there, thinking it was the best place ever. I guess because they simply flew over SLC they never figured out what they passed up. I hope it stays that way.

[UTorCO?]

This is really great feedback, so than you all!

Interesting how there are pretty strong feelings on both sides. Seems like you either love it or hate it!

For those who have answered (or others!) would you feel differently if the question were about raising kids there (I realize I didn't mention that). We would do private school so hopefully avoid some of the feelings of exclusion of not being in the neighborhood ward, but not sure how that influence would be for them overall.

Dr Sevrin, as you were raised there and love it, I am assuming this was not a hgue issue for you? I heard non-LDS kids sometimes go really overboard with drugs/alcohol as a sort of rebellion against LDS but wonder if that's more than teens in other areas or not?

[kaytidid]

I didn't answer before because I had never considered CO when we were looking to relocate from NJ.

I love UT. I didn't have any kids before we moved here. It was before all the easy internet access. I did get asked "why Utah?" many times. I guess I was a bit naive about here. Maybe that was a better thing. Then I couldn't move here with all sorts of preconceived notions about what it was going to be like. We have since had two daughters. They are now almost 12 and 8. They go to the local public school and are not excluded at all....at least not church wise. My 12 year old is a girl and some exclusion comes with that age...but I digress. They both have lots of friends and our beliefs are a non issue. I really don't necessarily agree with putting them in private school to "avoid some feelings of exclusion". If you want to for educational reasons, that is an excellent reason to do so. When you start to start to isolate to avoid exclusion, what purpose does that solve? When they get older, will they be able to work in a non LDS environment their whole life? Not even just LDS, but anyone that is different? With children, in a private school or not, there will ALWAYS be some exclusion. It is the nature of the beast. My girls have learned about a whole another culture. They ask questions about the LDS church and why they believe what they do. We have attended special events of friends (blessings, baptisms) for their children. We have never been asked to convert and it has actually made my girls stronger in their own faith!

It IS different living in Utah! There is no getting around that. But the way I see it, is that different does not always mean bad.

[UTorCO?]

That's interesting, thanks for that insight. I had heard many times that in public school the kids all go to the same ward and if you aren't part of that ward, you're basically out in the cold. Not b/c the kids are being mean, but b/c their social life revolves around something you're not a part of. This is all hearsay, so if that's not true, it's good to know. I know kids can be mean, and there's no escaping that (private or public!). And we live in a very diverse area right now, so we certainly don't cut ourselves off (in fact we have children of 2 different races--one of our children is adopted and not white). But I didn't really want to put them in a situation where they are the only ones not going to church functions 5X a week and they are sitting home w/no friends. I've lived abroad and been the minority and it was fine, but in this situation I thought it was more about everyone heading off to do church functions and non-LDS being totally left out b/c that is the kids' social scene.

Sounds like it's not like that where you are, so maybe it varies by area or maybe what I heard was an exaggeration?

Oh, I guess I'll just add here that I don't think there's one right or wrong reason for private school. Everyone has their own reason for doing that (just like there are many reasons to adopt). So I don't really feel like my reason is "wrong" but perhaps my perception of what goes on in public school there is wrong.

Good to hear you like it...it's encouraging!