Draper,UT??? (Salt Lake City, Sandy, Millcreek: upper-class, houses, transfer)

[SilkTruffle]

Hi, i'm a 24 year old African-American just recently married to my junior-high sweetheart . We are just looking for a fresh start somewhere nice where we can settle down and start a family. I have just fallen in love with the scenery of Draper and my husband and I are looking for a nice upper-class neighborhood (we make a $100,000+ income). We are concerned about the school district(s) and religion (a Baptist church would be preferred) also we would like to have freindly neighbors including some African Americans just because we have both struggled with race issues in the past and would feel more comfortable if some friendly people could befriend us. Basically I just want a basic description of life in Draper,the good, the bad, and the ugly. Can anyone help me out??? Thanks!

[newtoutah]

There aren't that many African Americans that I have seen at all in Utah. Im not from here and Im used to seeing many different ethnic groups and here its not. Draper has good shopping to me but other than that I can't give you any more information about if your going to be discriminated against. Also, is your salary what u are making now in another state or in Utah??? If u aren't here yet u may want to check out the job information and the salary comparisons

[frogandtoad]

I would just think that the nicer areas of SLC proper would work better for anyone not white LDS. Like The Avenues, Federal Heights, Harvard/Yale, etc. Some of the housing in there would be too expensive for someone in the $100K range, but much of it would be affordable. Any time you're closer in to the center of the city you'll find more diversity (religious, ethnic, racial, etc). And it's not like downtown SLC is "city-like" compared with most of the U.S. It feels more like a medium sized town to me!

[cinnabon]

I agree with Frog and Toad. That far south of downtown you are looking at a higher LDS population, the vast majority of whom are white, and less diversity in general. While you may not face any discrimination, as I think people around here are pretty accepting, you may feel very out numbered. Even where I am in E Millcreek, it's very close to town, but is slightly slower paced. But I would check out Sugar House, Avenues, etc. I think the scenery is every bit as pretty up here as in Draper.

[Kemba]

I visit Utah for fun, and may consider moving there if I ever get tired of living in the sunshine. As for Draper, it is indeed beautiful. I passed through there a couple of months ago. I'm sure a lot of its residents commute to Salt Lake City for jobs about 20 or so miles away. The main Utah correctional complex is in Draper, so I'm sure a lot of residents work there. Back to the scenery, I did see some hanggliding going on in Draper, and people tell me that is a popular activity there. I could not get over how clean the area is. I don't know about churches, but I know that the area is becoming more diversified because people are moving in.

[SilkTruffle]

I would like to thank everyone for the replies and to answer newtoutah's question:

Originally Posted by newtoutah

Also, is your salary what u are making now in another state or in Utah???

my new job would be giving me a major up on my salary as I myself would be making 7-digits wherever i move but anyhow I will look into the other possibilities i have because i have a lot of choices right now. Thanks again!!!

[kaytidid]

Originally Posted by SilkTruffle

I would like to thank everyone for the replies and to answer newtoutah's question: my new job would be giving me a major up on my salary as I myself would be making 7-digits wherever i move but anyhow I will look into the other possibilities i have because i have a lot of choices right now. Thanks again!!!

Congrats to you for doing so well for yourself at such a young age! Could I be so nosy as to ask what it is that you do?

[newtoutah]

So r u transferring???

[borntobeme]

I've lived in East Sandy, Sugar House, Down Town SLC, and Now live in South Jordan in the New Daybreak community, All really nice communities. I have family that live in Draper. They are not LDS but have found it a friendly place to live. They love it. Ther are a few churches that are not LDS in that area. You Should not have a hard time finding one close.
As far as diversity, Sugar House is deffiantly at the top of the list for me. It's closer to Down Town, so you will pay much more for what you get as far as houses.
You should check out Day Break. The community is new, so everyone is still at the meet and greet stage with Neighbors. I have seen several Black, Asian, and South American families here. There is a mixture of Upper class, to middle class families. It's a nice mix here and I've never felt safer.
Good luck

[US-Traveller]

7 figure salary in Salt Lake City! Never heard of that anywhere unless your a business owner or chief executive. Don't want to be mean, but city-data is no place for fantasy!

Besides if you make that much wherever you go why wouldn't you go to a place like Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York. Most people, like me, are moving to Salt Lake City because of the opportunities and the bang for your buck.