Are there neighborhoods with easy access to services for someone with no car and limited mobility? (house)

[cleichter]

My husband and I are planning to relocate and SLC is a strong candidate for us...but sometime in the near future my mother would relocate to be with us, and she has somewhat limited mobility, and doesn't drive. Plus, she would want to be able to go to a senior center, library, movies, go food shopping etc. on her own (her independence matters to her a lot.) Are there any neighborhoods that would fit the bill? We have just gotten to SLC to be able to further our search and would like to check out some places that would work for her. Hope someone has some leads as we would love to consider SLC, but couldn't live here if it wouldn't work for mom.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

How far could she walk? The Irving Schoolhouse Apts on 2100 South are right across the street from part of Sugar House Center: Barnes & Noble, several restaurants, Wild Oats, the Dollar Movies, and a Shopko (like a super Wal-Mart), But some of those places are more like 3 blocks from 2100 South.

[kwm03160]

What you may want to do is look at the list of senior centers in the Salt Lake Valley at Senior Centers - - Salt Lake County and from there look at what is around it.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

A lot of the senior residence places run shutttle buses to groceries, movies, etc. They have a schedule you just have to check what day and time they go. The downtown area isn't as big as many other cities'. While there is good bus servie in the city, some of the senior residences aren't on a good line. One that is, is Lutheran Towers on 500 South right where it becomes 400 South.

[cleichter]

Thanks for the suggestions--I'll check those out.

My mom could probably walk about 3/4 mile (total--there and back).

[Chango]

I don't think I could live in Salt Lake without a car. Everything is spread out and the public transit system sucks.

[CCSLC]

Hmmm.... I know many people who do great in SLC proper without owning a car, but they do sometimes borrow one to get to more suburban areas for things (Home Depot, Target, etc.)

That said, there are wonderful senior centers right in the city, and they are very active. The new senior center on 700 South between 200 and 300 East is amazing, and that neighborhood (Central City) is quite near everything you mentioned. In fact, the senior center is three blocks (3/8 mile) from the main library and TRAX, which can easily take you to Gateway (shopping/movies), the University (museums), Trolley Square (shopping/restaurants), or any number of commercial establishments along 400 South. Trolley Square even hosts dances on weekend nights, periodically for seniors.

For a non-driving adult, seniors included, I really recommend Central City for its proximity to mass transit and the many cultural activities. There are already 2 or 3 senior-only residence towers in Central City (hence the new senior center), so there are lots of older adults in the area if making friends is a concern.

Know that Central City is right in SLC's urban core though, so some will make issue with perceived higher crime. I live there and haven't had a single problem, beyond the usual graffiti and occasional homeless common to any "city," but the perception is out there. If you're really concerned about even minor crime, a neighborhood slightly further east (toward the University) of downtown, but still on the TRAX line, would solve that completely. But of course, prices go up then. There are beautiful Victorian and Bungalow homes around Judge Memorial Catholic High School and the neighborhood just west of the University. Just stay as close as you can to 400 or 500 South, since that's where TRAX runs. Of course there are many buses, and the system is much better than many make it out to be, but the buses aren't as efficient as TRAX.

FYI: one major block in SLC (400 to 500 South, for example, or 800 to 900 East), is generally equal to 1/8 of a mile.