SLC Area (Sandy, Ogden, Layton: fit in, sales, mortgages)

[mitsuturbo]

I'm SO happy to be out of Utah and back in Seattle!! Having lived in SLC for some years, i have some things to say. To salt lake city's credit, i do love the fact that there was NEVER any traffic to speak of, its laid out very well and IMPOSSIBLE to get "lost" for even a short period of time. Quality of housing is fantastic. Also, it's VERY easy to get a job there, and the public transit system has become an incredibly viable solution for getting around. It's getting better, too.

However, in the two fields i was involved in there (automotive, and IT) wages were abyssmal (i came back to seattle and nearly doubled my wage going from 28k to 52k in an identical job) and utah taxes are high. (5% off the top of your income, and sales tax applies even to food in the grocery store, at well over 6%) While quality of housing is good, rents/mortgages have gone up significantly in the last few years, and wages haven't.

As for the SLC area, it's pretty diverse. I don't mean there is a wide variety of ethnicities there, because there isn't. It's pretty 'white' by most standards. However, you can generally find something in the area that makes you feel "comfortable", if you are from somewhere else. For instance whenever i went to West Valley, i felt a bit like i was in Sacramento CA. Holladay and Sugarhouse reminded me of Colorado Springs and Woodland Park CO. Downtown SLC is pretty much anytown USA. Ogden.. reminded me of not so savory parts of Denver. Sandy, to me.. was kind of like Eugene OR. Attitudes in each part of the SLC area are very different, but usually follow a common trend for their respective area. I tried to stay away from WVC, as i dont like it, or CA for that matter. Holladay, and Sugarhouse (east of highland) were pretty nice, and the Capitol area was where i felt most comfortable. (closest feel to Seattle, i guess.. although its quite different)

Park city is very progressive and a lot of fun. It is a lot like any rural city you'd find in Colorado, such as Divide, Woodland Park, Dillon, Frisco, Leadville.. but with more activity. I'd compare it to Vail, Aspen, Avon, or Loveland, but it's just not quite the same. Park City still has a "smaller" feel to it, in my opinion.

Those are my thoughts after living there nearly 10 years. Feel free to dissect what i've written and pick it apart if you like. It's merely a young man's opinion.

[cinnabon]

For being so happy to get out, you don't really have much bad to say! I guess it was not a good fit in your industry.

[irman]

Originally Posted by mitsuturbo

nearly doubled my wage

Not a good way to compare since you have to take into account all facets.

IF all the items you normally procure, are exactly the same cost, then you doubled your buying power.

Sadly, they are not.

We lived in Redmond for quite a while so we know what the *living standard* in Washington is.

I do agree, that the tax base in Utah is a bit exorbitant to say the least. But then you have to take into account the total amount of people who earn a living here, and then figure out what it would cost per person.
A bit more complicated than just stating that taxes are high.

In the end, you have to put your priorities where they fit you. In my case, I accepted the way of life in Utah after I realised what I was doing to myself. Also, I needed a lot of open space (I am a Private Pilot), and I have that now. I have not seen any place else, where I can be on my own, with only a few flying buddies, and just the most incredible landscapes you can imagine.

[mitsuturbo]

It's true that my "buying power" only increased by about 70% if my wage increased 100%, but this has put me into a MUCH better standard of living. You are absolutely correct about priorities. This is a much better place for my daughter to grow up, IMO.

One of the things i miss about SLC, is the fact that there is a super walmart within 5 miles of you anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley. That, and how many grocery stores there are.

[DP525]

Originally Posted by mitsuturbo

One of the things i miss about SLC, is the fact that there is a super walmart within 5 miles of you anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley.

You MISS that?

[mitsuturbo]

Yes, i know.. and i'm a hypocrite for it too! I hate walmart.. i really do. Part of the reason i hate it, is because i can't seem to keep myself from going there. When i can buy a container of garlic powder for 50c there, or pay 3.59 at some other store.. i'll compromise a bit for the savings.

There is only ONE super walmart anywhere near me here, and it's nearly 30 minutes away. On the plus side though, there are farmer's markets all over the place here, and many fresh seafood markets!

[alexei27]

Originally Posted by irman

Not a good way to compare since you have to take into account all facets.

IF all the items you normally procure, are exactly the same cost, then you doubled your buying power.

Sadly, they are not.

We lived in Redmond for quite a while so we know what the *living standard* in Washington is.

I do agree, that the tax base in Utah is a bit exorbitant to say the least. But then you have to take into account the total amount of people who earn a living here, and then figure out what it would cost per person.
A bit more complicated than just stating that taxes are high.

In the end, you have to put your priorities where they fit you. In my case, I accepted the way of life in Utah after I realised what I was doing to myself. Also, I needed a lot of open space (I am a Private Pilot), and I have that now. I have not seen any place else, where I can be on my own, with only a few flying buddies, and just the most incredible landscapes you can imagine.

Excellent point. I moved from Layton to Long Island...with a 25K a year raise. I actually have less money due to taxes and the mortgage. It's all relative.