Help find a city close to SLC best for non-LDS (Ogden: rental, to buy)

[Rachee3]

Originally Posted by mommyto3girls

Are you going to come and visit first before just moving out here? I wish I had before we moved here because my husband left for 6 weeks for job training right after we moved and I struggled with the culture shock.

Yes, I will be coming with my husband this time, in a few weeks to visit. I have a blog up on this site, not much on it yet, but if you want to check it out I think you might get a better idea of what I'm about and what we are looking for. I really hope lots of people will check it out, for those same reasons. I am going to be moving to Utah kinda blind. So I am really needing all of the input and help I can get. Especially before this upcoming trip. I really need to come prepared with where I want to check out. I am expecting some culture shock, but I'm sure I will get used to it, and hopefully love it there! Just click on the "B" under my name to reach the blog. And thanks again for all of your help!

[lolagranola]

Rachee, we moved here "blind" too. We planned a scouting trip first, but it didn't happen. I "thought" we did a lot of research...home prices/taxes/COL/schools...but, somehow I missed the "mormon factor".

I didn't find CD until we'd been here a few years. I was slightly aware that SLC was a big center for LDS, though I didn't know who/what they were before coming...kinda expected them to be similar to Pentacostals. Anyway, I was TOTALLY oblivious to the usVSthem thing, one or two people "warned" me, but they were so wacko about it that I discounted it entirely.

So, upon arriving here, I had no/little expectations about "looking out" for "them", or any such thing. I DID think it was a bit odd that ALL of our neighbors attended the same church*(see footnote), but from my perspective, that helped to make a friendly neighborhood. So it was a year or more before I started feeling the usVSthem vibe here in UT. I think it was a good thing I didn't know I had to choose-up sides!!

Sorry, thought this would be short and sweet. All turned out well for us.

*footnote!...."odd"?? Well, what was REALLY ODD wasn't just that they all went to the same church...it was that we were only there for a day or two before someone gave us a "ward list"..."here's a map of the neighborhood, everyone's name, phone#, and the 3 hours a week they and all of their neighbors will not be home"....LMAO!!! I am from NY, I am Italian, and thought these people are MUCH TOO TRUSTING!!!

[kaytidid]

We also moved here blind. This was before internet was around and the only thing I knew about Salt Lake was it was in Utah and some people had told me that there were no blacks living here. Keep in mind I was from NJ and they were black friends/neighbors that told me that. We came out for a week a month or so before we moved and that was the first I had ever seen Utah. I only knew what I knew from reading the paper that we received once a week.

We also have had no troubles whatsoever...so with Lola's experiences of not having any preconceived notions or expectations and mine also, I begin to wonder if that is what the secret to living happily in Utah is.

[Rachee3]

Originally Posted by kaytidid

We also moved here blind. This was before internet was around and the only thing I knew about Salt Lake was it was in Utah and some people had told me that there were no blacks living here. Keep in mind I was from NJ and they were black friends/neighbors that told me that. We came out for a week a month or so before we moved and that was the first I had ever seen Utah. I only knew what I knew from reading the paper that we received once a week.

We also have had no troubles whatsoever...so with Lola's experiences of not having any preconceived notions or expectations and mine also, I begin to wonder if that is what the secret to living happily in Utah is.

I agree with that, kaytidid! I am just being as positive as I can be. I am Hispanic and my husband is white. And I have other people tell me that I will be the only Hispanic there! My sister who lives in Utah is alot darker then I am and she has made many friends and just loves it!

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Originally Posted by Rachee3

I agree with that, kaytidid! I am just being as positive as I can be. I am Hispanic and my husband is white. And I have other people tell me that I will be the only Hispanic there! My sister who lives in Utah is alot darker then I am and she has made many friends and just loves it!

What a laugh! There are many, many Hispanics here and no one will blink at you. Good luck!

[kaytidid]

The only hispanic? In Utah? Uh, I don't think so. You will fit in just fine and with a great attitude, you and your family will fit in even better!

[t.j.]

I think you would enjoy South Jordan. Ive lived here years now. When I moved here it was far more LDS ( I am not) but it has become much more diverse. As others have mentioned, it has some of the best schools in the state. Its ten minutes max to any shopping store or basic restaurant you may want, yet its one of the last agricultural areas there are. The lots are larger (mine is over half an acre) so you dont feel so tight against other people. There is little to no crime. We have only had one problem in all the years I've lived here, some kids from another city came on a little spree. The neighbors know each other well enough and watch out for each other enough though that they were caught in the act. I thought it was so strange when I bought my house, my neighbors had beautiful homes, yards and pools, yet also had farm animals! There is a huge equestrian park that is also used for the county fair. Its been a great place to raise my children.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Rachee3

I agree with that, kaytidid! I am just being as positive as I can be. I am Hispanic and my husband is white. And I have other people tell me that I will be the only Hispanic there! My sister who lives in Utah is alot darker then I am and she has made many friends and just loves it!

There are tons of Hispanics here -- among them my husband, his entire family and my soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Seriously, that's one thing you don't have to worry about!

[Rachee3]

Originally Posted by t.j.

I think you would enjoy South Jordan. Ive lived here years now. When I moved here it was far more LDS ( I am not) but it has become much more diverse. As others have mentioned, it has some of the best schools in the state. Its ten minutes max to any shopping store or basic restaurant you may want, yet its one of the last agricultural areas there are. The lots are larger (mine is over half an acre) so you don't feel so tight against other people. There is little to no crime. We have only had one problem in all the years I've lived here, some kids from another city came on a little spree. The neighbors know each other well enough and watch out for each other enough though that they were caught in the act. I thought it was so strange when I bought my house, my neighbors had beautiful homes, yards and pools, yet also had farm animals! There is a huge equestrian park that is also used for the county fair. Its been a great place to raise my children.

South Jordan, huh? I will have to look into that one more. I grew up in the country here and we had a few acres and animals. And the few homes around us were just the same. I loved it. We had space, but were still close enough to town. I would love for my children to be able to raise animals. When I married and moved into the city, that was hard for me. And although I have gotten used to it, I like some space.
Thank you so much for the info! I really appreciate it!

[Rachee3]

TO Katzpur and Kaytidid,
Thanks for the encouragement!