Relocating to Vernal/Roosevelt (Salt Lake City, Richfield: real estate, apartment, renting)

[Utah Bound]

My husband and I are a non-mormon family who may potentially be relocating to the Vernal/Roosevelt area. We do not have any children but do plan on starting a family while in Utah. I have been reading the other discussions in this forum and they all seem to revolve around Salt Lake City and its suburbs. Does anyone have any information about the Vernal/Roosevelt area?

We have visited once over a weekend and it's geologically appealing. However, as has been advised in other discussions, I'd like to do as much research as possible before making a move. It's difficult to get a sense of the area and the social circles from a weekend trip; are there any suggestions on how to get this information without first being immersed in the environment?

What about the housing/apartment situation? What about the job market? Will it be difficult to find a job without the support of the mormon church network?

We have lived in a neighborhood previously with a high mormon population. We found our neighbors to be polite and friendly. Granted, we weren't best friends but it was a pleasant neighborhood. Since we didn't have kids and had plenty of other non-mormon people to socialize with, it wasn't an issue. Will this be an issue in Vernal/Roosevelt?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[outnabout]

Just curious, why? The job market doesn't seem very strong there. What type of work are you going into? Don't get me wrong, it would be a nice area to live in if you are outdoors orientated and semi-retired. I think you are right in going there to assess the situation firsthand.
Vernal was the first town in Utah I passed through 'bout 35 yrs ago. A dog ran out from the gas station and tried to bite my tire!! Guess that has stuck in my head. Got good tires?!?!?!

[BryanN]

Vernal/Roosevelt area is booming right noe because of the oil fields opening up. There is work available, but housing is very expensive and very difficult to come by.. check carefully first

[FIRSTBORN]

Vernal does have lots going on, but I hate it because its got such winding roads in and out of there and in the winter I dont even like driving there. I live in Richfield Utah, which has work depending on what your looking for, Richfield is the biggest city and its not real big, but cedar city to the south of us, is lots bigger as is provo which is to the north of us. Cedar city an hour and half drive, prove about two. Our town has walmart,kamrat, several pizza places, bowling, chinese food, mc donalds, burger king,arbys, taco bell, kentucky fried chicken, taco time, of course the hospital, lots of clinics, well just about anything we need so we dont have to go to the other places for what we need plus we have construction places here, two gypsum plants and other place to work. Mormons really dont give one any trouble any more, its not like twenty or so years ago, when if you were not mormon, you did not exsist. Beleive me I grew up in this state. I"m not Mormon. Housing isn't too bad around here. My ex husbands son is renting a four bedroom house for only 550. And lots are even cheaper then that. Hope you find what your looking for.

[Utah Bound]

The reason for the relocation is my husband's job. He's a federal employee hoping to get a job there. We are a young couple (early 30s to early 40s)...is the Vernal/Roosevelt area predominately a retired community? We do have good tires though...thanks for the heads up!

Thanks First Born, we currently live in Colorado so the winter driving shouldn't be much of an adjustment for us.

I am an accountant so I'd like to find work in that field. I'm hoping that the oil industries there will provide some opportunity for me...

There aren't many websites to research housing on...are there any suggestions?

[coolcats]

What agency and what function does your husband do? I'm a Federal employee on LWOP while I go to grad school here in Salt Lake. I'd like to stay in Utah when done, but federal jobs are not as plentiful in Utah as even in Colorado.

[Lesa58]

Hi
I live in Verna and I love it here. When we first came here 30 some years ago, not being LDS was an issue, I do no think it is anymore. Vernal is growing by leaps and bounds, everywhere you look there are new housing developments. There are several accounting firms, unfortunately the only one I can think of is Edward Jones. Your best bet for housing is to look through the MLS for Vernal, try Ashley Valley Real Estate, they have a web site.
Good Luck and Welcome to the area.

[cdickinson4]

I am also going to be moving to vernal and was wonder if there is a lot of snow in winter and of it gets very cold there. Also is vernal in the mountains or is it like the plains. Thanks

[patron]

Originally Posted by Utah Bound

My husband and I are a non-mormon family who may potentially be relocating to the Vernal/Roosevelt area. We do not have any children but do plan on starting a family while in Utah. I have been reading the other discussions in this forum and they all seem to revolve around Salt Lake City and its suburbs. Does anyone have any information about the Vernal/Roosevelt area?

We have visited once over a weekend and it's geologically appealing. However, as has been advised in other discussions, I'd like to do as much research as possible before making a move. It's difficult to get a sense of the area and the social circles from a weekend trip; are there any suggestions on how to get this information without first being immersed in the environment?

What about the housing/apartment situation? What about the job market? Will it be difficult to find a job without the support of the mormon church network?

We have lived in a neighborhood previously with a high mormon population. We found our neighbors to be polite and friendly. Granted, we weren't best friends but it was a pleasant neighborhood. Since we didn't have kids and had plenty of other non-mormon people to socialize with, it wasn't an issue. Will this be an issue in Vernal/Roosevelt?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

i think you would love roosevelt i lived there in the 60s and 70s when the oil boom was going . my children was happy there and hated when we had to move.i have went and visit that place 9 times and i plan on again this fall.i was non mormon but had a monon land lord that was a very nice man and his whole family was very good to my children also. his last name was" snow". i did live in vernal before roosevelt and i liked roosevelt better. good luck

[brucep]

I've lived in Vernal for the past 5 years. I've had some "unpleasantness" from not being LDS but anymore I just shrug it off as their problem, not mine. The area is becoming a bit more diversified regarding LDS/non LDS. Vernal is in a crazy oil boom right now, housing is expensive. Oil booms bring in a lot of outside people, many appear to be rough and rowdy. Huge trucks and equipment roll by on a constant parade through town and the area. You won't need LDS support for finding work. EVERYONE is in need of help because of the boom, from restaurants to Walmart. There is big money to made in the oil field. Wages have gone up some in other areas but so has cost of living. Elevation in Vernal is about 5300 feet. Winters are okay, not much snow. The first winter I was here we had about 6 weeks of inversion (very overcast) which was depressing but haven't seen much of that since. Summers can get hot but low humidity helps. If you're an outdoors person it's a great area--Ouray NWR refuge is 30 minutes away, Dinosaur Nat'l Mon. is also close , Flaming Gorge area about 45 minutes away and higher elevation, cooler get away in summer (8,000 feet). When I first moved here I was struck by the lack of aesthetics in the town and lack of culture (one rock shop/jewelry store that is the closest thing you'll find to a gallery). The major summer events revolve around mud, huge trucks, livestock, and cars running into each other. If it weren't for the outdoors here I would be very unhappy. Not much going on socially outside of church, it seems to me. Meth seems to be a problem here but where isn't it? Good luck.