Thinking about moving here but........ (Salt Lake City, Park City: how much, public school, living)

[kaytidid]

Of course, I have always dined with my kids in all sorts of establishments and I can guarantee you that my child would NEVER be screaming in a restaurant. NEVER. They are older now, but from the time we took them out when they were very little, our expectations were made clear and we never had a problem. We got compliments all the time on their wonderful behavior.

[cottonwood2420]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

it all kind of runs together, so you may not notice when driving that you've left one city and entered another.

I know. It annoys me to no end.

[kaytidid]

Originally Posted by cottonwood2420

I know. It annoys me to no end.

Why?

[lvhuskies]

Parks71, I would be interested to hear how your visit in March goes. I live in Northern CA (almost in Oregon practically) and we are looking at moving to the SLC/Ogden area due to a job transfer for my husband. We will not be able to visit until either Spring Break this year or over summer vacation.
All my research thus far is online and I'm headed to the library today for more info.
Our move would take place either late this year or early next; just depends on my husbands transfer.
I have twins who are in 1st grade. We are non-LDS; are the public schools run by Mormons and will be kids be taught about Mormonism in school? Or should I look into private schools.
I am not a city person, though I enjoy visiting cities; we currently live on 8 acres in the country and we'd be bringing horses, llamas, dogs and cats with us. Are there are good areas to live in the country that would be around a 30ish minute commute into Ogden (Roy) or West Valley (these are not by choice-they are locations where my husband could be working).

[Lmejh]

Originally Posted by lvhuskies

I have twins who are in 1st grade. We are non-LDS; are the public schools run by Mormons and will be kids be taught about Mormonism in school?

No, they're not run by the LDS Church or any other religious faction. If you mean if they are taught Mormonism in the school, the closest that gets is when learning history of the state and learning of the settlers who came to escape religious persecution in the east. However, nothing specifically about the beliefs of the Church are taught whatsoever.

[kaytidid]

Tooele County is a bit countryish with affordable acreage still available. You could reasonably commute to West Valley in 30 minutes. Lake Point and Erda have 5 acre parcels for sale. No, the public schools are not run by Mormons and they are not taught about Mormonism in school (other than the state history portion that is taught). They, of course, will probably have Mormon friends too, where they will also learn about that culture.

Tooele County will be opening a charter school in Erda this coming Fall too, if you wanted to look into that. There is also a Catholic school that currently goes to 6th (?) grade. The church has plans on building a new school building to take the grades up through Jr. High.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

In high school, the LDS kids get "released time" to go across the street to the seminary for their religion studies. As others have said, no religion in school per se, just as part of a history lesson. But I learned about the Cajuns' arrival in Louisiana as part of state history and it made mention of the Catholic church. I think that's common in many places - think Quakers in Philadelphia.

Salt Lake City itself is at best 50/50 LDS-non but other parts of the valley have different percentages. My neighbor's child (now 13) has never had problems finding friends!

[lvhuskies]

Thank you Lmejh and katidid! Katidid, where did you transplant from if I may ask?
I'm totally ok w/ the history of mormons settling in the utah area being taught-that is what US history is all about-teaching! Right now, my kids go to a K-8 small (400 students total) public school that we LOVE! Small class sizes (20 kids per class max) and amazing teachers!
I will note your recommendations for areas to check out. I'm totally doing my research.
Based on the info in my original post and more below, think we'd be happy in the area?
We attend a Calvery Chapel large Christian Church;
I enjoy running (currently trying to run 1st marathon before leaving CA);
mtn biking; hiking; backpacking; visiting the city - zoos, parks, museums. My kids love animals and the outdoors as well. I love riding horses and doing stuff w/ my kids, but also enjoy doing crafty stuff w/ girlfriends.

Thoughts? I welcome any and all!!!

[kaytidid]

Crafty stuff and Utah go hand in hand...

We moved from NJ 14 years ago. We didn't have kids when we relocated, so my girls are native Utahns. We are not LDS and they have had no trouble fitting in. They both have plenty of friends. I do think you would be very happy in Tooele County. Keep in mind that the small classes that your kids are used to having is pretty non existant every where you go in Utah. The new charter school that will be opening has a max limit of 23 students per class, I think. To get in for the next school year, you would have to fill out an intent to enroll and students names are drawn lottery style.
Utah also has one of the highest graduation rates in the country with a high percentage continuing on to college.

Salt Lake has lots of marathons, and you would have no trouble finding a running partner.

Good luck with your move! Let me know if I can answer anything more specific for you!

[lvhuskies]

Thank you kayidid! I was about to sign off for the day but decided to check to see if were you still online. Yeah, even our area now where we are, most schools do not have such small classes. And I cannot do an intent to enroll because our move is soo up-in-the-air. My husbands company will be moving him there, but unsure of when they will open. Great info you gave me, thank you soo much!
I will hop back on here with additional questions from time to time over the next year. Hopefully you'll be around!