non-LDS family considering move to SLC (Sandy, Orem: crime rate, homes, teaching jobs)

[Fresno_Ken]

I am non-LDS and thinking about moving to SLC area. My wife has been interested in checking it out but not as excited about such move as I have been. Being non-LDs is our number one concern. We went to Logan this weekend on a last minute decision. My wife cannot stop talking about how wonderful Logan was. The people were amazing friendly, the country was beautiful, and the prices of homes were half of what you might expect in Fresno.... We were very open about not being non-LDs and asked many questions about life in Utah to just about everyone we met.... store clerks, hotel staff, waitresses. We talked to people on the street about being visitors and about our thoughts of moving to Logan. Being non-LDS didn't seem to be an issue. We got a lot of advice on how to fit in but the most common statement was to just respect the LDS beliefs and we would do fine.

I wish we could have stayed longer but we left on such short notice I really needed to get back to my office. We plan on making another trip in December and making the move next summer.

I loved Utah!

[coolcats]

Glad you liked Logan. The whole Cache Valley is great. Probably the greenest part of Utah.

[bratchatter]

hi there...wow that is great to hear....I called the school board yesterday to get better understanding of what to expect class size wise and schedules and such seeing how if/when we move we have 1 child in elementary, 1middle and 1 high school.. We are just waiting for my husbands company to give the go ahead and send us...
FRESNO Ken that is great you guys were able to run over and see it....did you take any photos??? Do you and your wife have kids??

[Elder_Shawn]

Originally Posted by Fresno_Ken

I wish we could have stayed longer but we left on such short notice I really needed to get back to my office. We plan on making another trip in December and making the move next summer.

I loved Utah!

Fresno I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to Logan. Utah State Univ seated in Logan really makes a difference on the community and helps to diversify the area. All of my friends that attended USU absolutely loved it and I haven't heard a bad thing about Logan in a long time!

When you come back in Dec bring your coat and snow shovel haha!

[Fresno_Ken]

We do have kids..... a 3 yr old and a 2 yr old! And as far as a coat and shovel, I lived in Nampa, Idaho for 10 years so I remember! I loved the snow... gives new meaning to a white Christmas! Hard to relate when it is 65 degrees outside and you need to mow the lawn!

[eccentric]

We are considering a move there as well. We are 40+, and non LDS. My sister and her husband as well as myself are of no religion. I do intend to keep it that way. I have read all about LDS/Mormons, and while I understand, and respect their beliefs. I find it disturbing that they have been accused of shunning people because of their own beliefs, as it is one of the declarations;(from Wikipedia)
Below is a passage from The Wentworth Letter that Joseph Smith Jr. wrote after being asked about the basic beliefs of the Church. This collection of thirteen statements are known as the Articles of Faith and present a good overview generally accepted by most Latter Day Saint denominations.

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues and so forth.

We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. \

So, overall, their core beliefs are ok. Some of them are a little out there for my taste, but each to their own.

I do have to say that their hold on STG has been diluted somewhat,(61%) and will probably be diluted more as more people come there. I just don't want to get there and then have LDS "hitting on me", LOL, as I will recite their beliefs back at them. But, something tells me that it won't be an issue. I had the pleasure of talking with a few city and government employees today, as I will be bringing my business with me, and wanted to know the restrictions/licensing/etc. so I called. All of the people I spoke to were very friendly, and accommodating. My business is more from the internet, so only a moderate amount will be local.

What scares me more than their religious stance is the income. My sister and her husband have to have good jobs, as they are both trained professionals, so 9 bucks an hour isn't going to cut it. That worries me. I personally want to buy a house, and have a large portion of cash for that, but from what I am reading, it can be hard to sell a house within a few years time, should we decide to leave, so that means to be safe, I will have to rent, and I hate throwing money away, which renting does. I'm specifically looking at the washinton area though.

Sorry to ramble, but this thread just captured me. If I do go, it will be mid year 2007, so anyone still there that wants to meet other non-LDS's, let me know.

Questions I do have;

Someone mentioned floods, fires, etc. What are the actual risk in that area?

What's with the bar and coffee thing? There's only 1 bar? Little to no coffee shops? Why? Something to do with LDS?

What else should we know?

Thanks

[Fresno_Ken]

I am not LDS but I do have a small understanding of things regarding LDS and areas that are predominantly LDS. In all my research from online, phone calls, emails, and visiting Logan, the reason only one bar..... Citizens of Logan are still living in the "Beaver Cleaver" days. Morals are still important. People do not get divorced, people do not sleep around, being gay isn't cool, and hanging out at the bar is replaced with spending time with family. There just doesn't appear to be a business for bars. The people in Logan seem to know their neighbors and wave to strangers and spend their time getting to know each other and working together. Being a "Beaver Cleaver" town is something the world should go back to.

In the short time I was in Logan for a visit, I felt like I belonged. Maybe that is because in towns like Reno, Sacramento, and Fresno people don't smile or say hello. People seem to have issues with the world and are just looking for someone to cross some imaginary line they have drawn in the sand. Sad thing is you never where the line is or why it is there.

As far as coffee and tea..... it is a religious thing I guess. I once heard it was all caffeine but I am told that is incorrect. I had no problem getting iced tea at the restaurants I went to except one. They had bottled but not fresh brewed. But seriously, if the fact most do not drink coffee or tea bothers you.... Well, let's just say that I find it very impressive that so many people actually live their lives according to their convictions. In cities like Fresno there are over 50 murders a year, over 180 rapes a year, over 5000 cars stolen a year, and over 2000 assaults a year. Compare that to Logan with 0 murders, 12 rapes, 34 cars stolen, and 16 assaults in 2004. I would give up coffee and iced tea in exchange for knowing my wife is safe, my car will be in the driveway in the morning, and some guy isn't going to try and kick my a** because I looked at him wrong.

Not sure I helped or just offended you... that was not my intention, but Logan and its high morals is the best part of the culture in Logan. I for one am not LDS but part of my decision to move to Logan was because it has only one bar, is mostly LDS, and just a throw back to fifty or sixty years ago in how people treat each other.

[chasto]

Quick 2 cents. I was raised in Sandy/Draper. New money is flowing into this area. Less and less LDS. Raised in the church, I know the areas. Elder_Shawn's 60% is high for Millcreek. The closer you get to SLC down town the thinner th LDS herd. I currently reside in Sandy and will of course, buy a house here. Schools and convenience make my decisions. Family and location/Apreciation make up the other half. Its a roll of the dice. Look at houses in the area and visit with the neighbors. If they are cool then their faith should not matter. Good luck. Sandy was rated #23 on Forbes best place to live list.

[TopKnot]

Originally Posted by Fresno_Ken

Citizens of Logan are still living in the "Beaver Cleaver" days. Morals are still important. People do not get divorced, people do not sleep around, being gay isn't cool, and hanging out at the bar is replaced with spending time with family. There just doesn't appear to be a business for bars. The people in Logan seem to know their neighbors and wave to strangers and spend their time getting to know each other and working together. Being a "Beaver Cleaver" town is something the world should go back to.

As I get older, I wish more and more for a place like "Cleaverville/Mayfield?" and that is why I decided to move to Utah. Cannot wait until next summer so I can leave the "Old South" and get to a place that has values.

I'm a member of Toastmasters and did a speech on the Beaver Cleaver way of life. The older members enjoyed the speech and the younger members were...well, just polite.

[Snowbird]

I don't know much about Logan, but in Salt Lake City there are many "bars" called private clubs for members. You just have to pay a small membership fee and you're in. In restaurants you can get full bar service, but the drinks are highly regulated as to quantity of alcohol in each, so don't expect a strong drink. But then again you can order a double. There are several really good brew pubs..only 3.2% alcohol, but I've come to really not mind the alcohol content since the beer is really good. One pub even makes fun of the local culture a bit (Polygamy Porter...why have just one??). As for coffee shops, in my neighborhood there is one on nearly every block. Salt Lake Roasting Company has some of the best locally roasted coffee around, just down the street from me I have three independent little coffee shops, with comfy chairs and wireless internet. You can usually get beer and/or wine with food in any restaurant. The liquor stores are state run, so the selection is lame and the service is stern..no pretty neon advertisements or St. Pauli girl posters here, but they do sell it here. The Mormons are a good group of folks to live near, they are very friendly, family oriented and community minded. Just tonight, we are going to our neighbors for a little gathering to wish a daughter well as she goes off on her LDS mission. They know we're not LDS, and they are not trying to impose their religion. They are just our friends and neighbors and we are joining them to wish their daughter well. Life in any place is what you make of it.