Moving to Kanab (Springdale, Virgin, Torrey: rental, motels, home)

[pjwalters]

What's the transition like for a couple from Carmel, CA, non-mormon, retired, moving to Kanab, Utah?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by pjwalters

What's the transition like for a couple from Carmel, CA, non-mormon, retired, moving to Kanab, Utah?

First question: Why Kanab? Are you looking to volunteer at Best Friends or are you considering Kanab for other reasons?

[pjwalters]

My boyfriend has always dreamed of living there after many visits to the area. Cost of living compared to California, beauty of golden triangle, Lake Powell, Colorado River, etc.

But I have my reservations. Religion? Cultural events? Any suggestions or thoughts?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by pjwalters

My boyfriend has always dreamed of living there after many visits to the area. Cost of living compared to California, beauty of golden triangle, Lake Powell, Colorado River, etc.

But I have my reservations. Religion? Cultural events? Any suggestions or thoughts?

I've only been to Kanab a couple of times, both when visiting Best Friends. I really can't tell you much about what life there would be like. It's a very small town, predominently LDS and, from what I could see, it looked to be a pretty boring place. If you like southern Utah, I would think you could find better places to settle down. You might do a search (on this forum) for "Kanab" to see what posters have said about it in the past.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Not much rental property from what others have posted.

[5599]

Originally Posted by pjwalters

>But I have my reservations. Religion? Cultural events? Any suggestions or thoughts?

it will depend on why you like to do. if you like the outdoors, kanab is great:

grand canyon is about 100 miles south
zion is about 30 min away
bryce canyon is about 1.5 hour

also -
st george is about an hour way
las vegas is maybe 3-4 hours away

[markg91359]

What's the transition like for a couple from Carmel, CA, non-mormon, retired, moving to Kanab, Utah?

Probably a very challenging one.

I'm trying to imagine similarities between Carmel, CA (I have been there) and Kanab, Utah (been there more). Honestly, I can't see much that the two areas have in common.

Kanab is a city (or town) of approximately 3,500 people. It has a small hospital, a couple of physicians, a couple of small grocery stores, some fast food outlets, motels that cater to tourists, and its about sixty miles from Lake Powell if you boat. Winters are milder than northern Utah, but much colder and will include some snow that you won't get in Carmel.

The fact that the area is heavily LDS (Mormon) has been pointed out.

My advice to you is this: If you are seriously considering moving here come out for a visit. I'm not talking about two or three days, but maybe a couple of weeks. Pin down answers to all the important questions:

1. How will we support ourselves? (Jobs are scarce here)

2. Can we get a job and than move?

3. Can we handle living 50 miles away from the nearest Walmart store?

4. Are we comfortable living in a town with scant medical resources which include only a handful of physicians?

5. How important are friends to us? Will we feel comfortable in an area where most of the people know one another, and most social gatherings that occur are family parties or LDS Church functions?

6. How important is alcohol to us? There is one small liquor store in town.

7. Are there other areas besides Kanab we might be happier in?

8. Can we move out easily if things don't work out? (rent as opposed to buy a home)

This is the kind of analysis you need to undertake if you are seriously considering moving. I'm not accusing you of being a "dreamer", but we encounter a surprising number of people on this forum who are.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by markg91359

1. How will we support ourselves? (Jobs are scarce here)

2. Can we get a job and than move?

Most of your questions, Mark, are very legitimate. The OP stated, however, that the couple considering moving was retired, so these two questions are probably not particularly pertinent.

pj, you might want to research Torrey, Utah (population 182) or Springdale, Utah (population 529). Both are located near national parks and are in gorgeous settings. Springdale is a real tourist mecca, particularly in the summer. Torrey not so much. Or, you may want to ask yourselves why you would want to leave a beautiful place like Carmel?

[motormaker]

It seems the me that property in Springdale has gotton very pricey from what I've seen.

But, dang it sure is gorgeous there.

I missed out taking advantage of a home right on the Virgin River some time ago and I still regret it.

[pjwalters]

Believe me, I don't want to leave Carmel. But we're both on a fixed income and tired of paying wild rent. I've asked myself all the questions that were suggested. Friends are more important to me than to my fiancee. I'm nervous about the religious angle and feeling excluded. But I'm also quite a loner. Only need 1 or 2 girlfriends. Are the people fairly sophisticated -- religion aside? I'm a big city-- Chicago and New York -- girl. Don't mind quieting down and playing homemaker, but I'd miss "good conversation" now and again.

I'm also in AA... 21 years. Any thoughts from anyone about that?