Moving to St. George (Cedar City, Washington: real estate market, buying, theater)

[alicenevada]

Hi. Not sure if this helps but I might be able to share some insight from personal experience.

I am a Jehovah's Witness and am in the minority no matter where I am. Though occasionally, my children and my family do receive vocal opposition from others and different forms of prejudice, I find that as long as you are a good citizen and make yourself available to help others, all communities are happy to have you. We try our best to contribute as much good to our respective communities as we can and I have never felt 'shut out', though many disagree with our beliefs.

So even though mormons may be a majority in this area, I wouldnt worry about moving my family there. I'd imagine they want their neighbors to be good people, not necessarily mormons.

[hapuna77]

Hello all,

Live in Hawaii and we're thinking about moving back to the mainland. I am a tile setter here, with my own business. Anyone know how the construction industry is going there? I've read alot of the posts here re: low wages, and increased housing costs, but compared to Hawaii the homes there are dirt cheap! Also just an FYI for you all re: wages here. I currently earn no less than $30/hr working for a tilesetter friend of mine when I have no jobs of my own (which is rare). With my own jobs the hourly rate is much higher. Also the starting wage @ McDonald's here in Kailua-Kona is $10/hr, and they are always shortstaffed and hiring. Anyway, just looking into relocation info for St. George area and current tile demand. Thanks in advance, Brian

[carlessbiker]

The construction industry is still booming in the St. George area. Although the housing sector has died down (we are still the fastest growing community in the nation) commercial is exploding. It seems that it is attempting to to catch up with the population. Hotels and restaurants are being built like crazy and new commercial plaza's are popping up all around town. A guy who works for me says that tile setters are in high demand and start around $20/hr. I'm sure you could find work. Good luck adapting to the wider temperature ranges....

[rhondaw]

Originally Posted by LlasaLost

sheaelise---my best advice is to go with an accepting attitude, immediately get involved in things such as the schools PTA (or it's equivalent), the libraries, the museums, the town-beautifucation---the groups that are open to all and nearly always need and welcome willing volunteers; get to know people on that level, and give them the opportunity to know you.
My Second-best advice is to read up on the history of the "Mormons" and their beliefs; I'm not talking here about anti-Mormon skreeds, but authentic history books. If you know what a peoples' background is you'll develop an appreciation of what they've gone through, what's helped to form their group-identity, and such information might even help you understand some of their quirks and oddities!
Thirdly: the old-timers and their off-spring in that area are from hardened stock; their ancestors were from the Deep South, Germany, Denmark, England and Scotland; they had been tried in the ocean-crossings, the persecutions, the Missouri-incident (where there was an official "extermination" order on their heads), and in the handcart companies (again, you'll need to access the history books), and they had a wary-eye out for possible trouble from newcomers!
and, Fourth: you'll usually find what you expect to find, whatever that is!

P.S. I see you're from the Central Coast. Be prepared to lose the cool nights, the humidity, and the mild climate you're used to---none of which exists in the St. Geo area!! But the Winters, Springs and Autumns are very nice, indeed.
Oh--you did ask about schools, and in this mornings SLC paper there was a list of schools in Utah that are on the NCLB problem roster, two of these are in St. Geo. One is the East Elementary (which has been on the list for 2 years), and the other one is the West Elementary (on the list for 1 year). Sounds like they really could use some help from parents and volunteers, perhaps (?)

Too bad this message doesnt resonate through all races and religion, maybe if everyone researched the trials that all people have had to suffer through then maybe there wouldnt be so much predjudice. Lets not limit our sensativities to just the Mormons but all people. excellent philosophy but lets spread it around for all.

[hoody]

I have a good job opportunity paying approx. $35/hr. Will that suffice in this town? My wife also is skepticle of the summer heat, myself don't mind 100+ temp. And what about the elementary schools, what part of town is most desirable. Is Santa Clara a nice residential area to look into? I know these are alot of questions but any local info is invaluable.
Thanks

[Aerorick]

I'm just curious why anyone would want to move from the central coast of California to St. George. I'm a retired aircraft mechanic and my place of residence was somewhat limited to cities with major airports that my airline served. But if a 737 was even to come close to Pismo or Santa Maria I and half the others would have bid it in a heartbeat. Be that as it may, St. George does have a smaller town atmosphere and the slower beat of a more relaxed and touristy area like where your coming from. But like a micro version of Southern California 40 years ago or Vegas 15 years ago it has grown exponentially with tract communities. And if it's anything like the experiance of so many new people at one time, socially everyone will be starting new.

[Aerorick]

Hooty, if you have been offered a job in St. George paying $35/hr get it on paper. Because on the face of it, considering the wage structure of Utah, that sounds right there with making $3,000 at home part-time. Because even the miners don't make near that.

[Blondie-Rabbit]

Originally Posted by carlessbiker

The construction industry is still booming in the St. George area. Although the housing sector has died down (we are still the fastest growing community in the nation) commercial is exploding. It seems that it is attempting to to catch up with the population. Hotels and restaurants are being built like crazy and new commercial plaza's are popping up all around town. A guy who works for me says that tile setters are in high demand and start around $20/hr. I'm sure you could find work. Good luck adapting to the wider temperature ranges....

The commercial end of construction may be booming, but a lot of what is being built is in hopes someone will come like "Field Of Dreams" the movie. There is a lot and I mean a lot of empty commercial property. As to the fastest growing area in the contry, that was a few years ago. It doesn't rank up there in the top 500 anymore. That according to the recent survey in Money Magazine, which started the whole push for St. George.

I agree with aerorick, get that offere on a signed contract. I know too many that were lured here, and found out the job was not what they had been told.

All areas of the town and county for that matter are fine. There are no real bad areas as in crime. There are some areas where there are older homes, and some of those older homes are the modest small side. That is what we call the bad areas around here. They are still tidy, and cared for.

[hoody]

Appreciate the input B-Rabbit
The job offer is with Dixie Reg. Med Center so I'm pretty sure the folks there can back their word on my hiring salary. Does it feel too isolated living out in the southern corner of Utah. I like the smaller community aspect compared to where I'm from (Reno Nv.). Can you tell me about Santa Clara, is there any real difference from St. George itself. Schools ? Westside vs. eastside ?

[Blondie-Rabbit]

St. George Ivans, Washington, Santa Clara, and bloomington all run together. It is still less than 60K for that area. The county has 70K people. You won't feel isolated. If you need a kick like Reno, Vegas is 90 minute drive away. The airport in St. George feeds Vegas and SLC.

Still get a signed contract. The one person I know was a PT who was to work at Dixie med center. Without the contract in hand, he got far less. He has now moved on to another area.