Relocators! How do you like Utah so far? (income, jobs)

[SergeantL]

If you want everyone taxed and nothing exempt, then you need to vote for me. I have decided to run for warlord of half the know universe. My platform is simple. All current taxes will be abolished. There will be a national sales tax of 25% on all items. The feds will give a cut of the taxes to the individual states.

If you are poor and don't buy much, you won't pay much in taxes. If you are filthy rich and make lots of purchases you will pay lots of taxes.

Europe uses the VAT system, which is very close to a consumption tax.

I like consumption taxes, because they get Uncle Sam out of my personal life. The government should have no right to know what I make for a living.

[lolagranola]

we knew it was heavily mormon. What we didn't know is the treatment we 'heathens' would receive from our neighbors and others we deal with. No one tells you that Utah is it's own little bubble and if you are not LDS you aren't going to fit in that bubble. It has been a huge adjustment, coming from places where we were not discriminated against. I still don't get it, don't understand it, probably will never understand it, and lately, I just dont give a flying ...whatever. You insert a word. We are trying to get along with everyone and thankfully meeting others like ourselves who have also been shocked at the treatment.

I was not prepared for the LDS thing either. But no big deal here!! It did challenge my comfort level as far as discussing my beliefs, which I've always held private. Initially it wasn't easy for me to talk church with "them", and freely include spirituality/religion in general conversation, but I've grown in that I can talk and disagree and still have an enjoyable conversation. Before Utah I would never have discussed praying! I still feel these are private matters, but I can talk about these things.

I think the mormons are a great bunch. They know how a community should work. They genuinely care for and about their neighbors, and anyone who they happen to know can use some help or encouragement. If I had read CD discussion boards before moving out here, I may have reconsidered. Thank God I didn't! I love Utah, love the people here, LOVE LOVE LOVE my neighbors! I find them totally accepting of us. They may be "sheltered", believing that outside of Utah you would find the same communities and service-minded people, and they seem more shocked by alternative lifestyles/choices, but mostly respectful and interested in people. I've been here for six years, so I'm not in the "honeymoon phase".

This place is great. I can't believe easterners keep moving to NC and FL when they could come here!!

[NearlyNative]

The church street in Page AZ came about as Glen Canyon Dam was being built. Excess cement from the end of each day was donated to local churches. The requirement was that the foundations had to be completely formed up and in a row, on the same street. The unused cement would be taken to the street and all the excess poured into the forms until one foundation was done, they they moved on until all the foundations were done. We love Lake Powell and have taken the tour inside the dam. Before 9/11, they actually took you inside the dam to see the turbines generating power. Very cool stuff.

Washington City said the power department put a notice in the power bill/newsletter about a rate increase a few months ago. Like everyone else, I paid no attantion to it. To my best recollection/information, before the Enron scandal, power rates were pretty stable. After the scandal, power contracts with cities are secured for years in advance to prevent power generating companies from jacking up the prices at will. St. George city installed 3 gas turbine generators at the power station on Skyline drive to be used during peak summer hours. I think they also have one in Bloomington by the reuse center. One of the highest power costs to cities comes during the summer when extra power has to be purchased on the 'spot market'. I would suspect all power companies will have to renegotiate power costs eventually. Power is generated at only a few cites; IPP in Delta, Glen Canyon hydroelectric/coal plant. City power companies only manage power that comes to their cities, they don't generate all their own power. I know this doesn't make a 30% jump any easier to take, but at least you have an idea why.

[snowstorm]

I moved from Maine about 8 years ago. For the first 4 years out west I lived in other states and other countries in the summer and I lived in Park City, now I live in SLC. I think if your really into the snow and rock climbing or mountain biking you'll for the most part love Utah. The only thing that is a bummer if you love the outdoors is you'll notice the pollution and the states lack of caring for their enviornment. It would be really nice if our government would take a stand on that, theres alot of aspects that need to be addressed in that area considering this is such an amazing landscape!!! Alot of people only see the buildings around them. I do miss the ocean and I love being home, but the east and west life styles are way different and I like it here. As far as religion I really don't know why people dwell on it sssooo much, I think thats the only reason people even notice it, it's just something to do if your bored (dwelling). I've never had a problem with it. As far as I can tell theres alot of jobs to be had here, although I am in the outdoor industry and try to work as little as possible so that I can take advantage of the amazing snow and climbing here. Theft, its a city and unfortunetly not everyone is honest in this world, it'd be real nice if they were, but just be smart. I haven't had a problem yet I try to be aware of my surroundings though (which you need to be on the roads here!!!). Good luck , it's mostly what you make of it.

[AnnasDad]

I like it here, but it is DRY DRY, worse than any place I have lived. Sinus stuffs because of air quality is a problem.

Drivers- OMG they are the rudest I have ever seen. I forgot about that- I know I know! How could I! haha I have lived in 23 states- no one is as rude as Utahs drivers. THey dont know how to drive on a rotary, and then flip you off when they do it wrong! It takes getting used to.

baramoter shows - it is totally way too dry here. Skin suffers, allergies are a problem (Sage trees, eck! lol)

Still, lots of positives here, thats for sure.

[catrinac]

I have decided after three years of living here that I am leaving this spring. The winter darkness is too much for me; I can't take it anymore. I'm suprised more people don't mention this. Utah has truly dismal winter weather. That I have tolerated it this long is bizarre. I just got back today from a sunshine filled vacation in New Mexico. I actually had energy to get up, do things, and be productive. Utah has the highest per capita use of Prozac in the nation; I'm pretty sure that is still a current statistic. People say it's cause the Mormons are perfectionists or something. That is not the reason. It's the weather.

[Blondie-Rabbit]

Originally Posted by catrinac

I have decided after three years of living here that I am leaving this spring. The winter darkness is too much for me; I can't take it anymore. I'm suprised more people don't mention this. Utah has truly dismal winter weather. That I have tolerated it this long is bizarre. I just got back today from a sunshine filled vacation in New Mexico. I actually had energy to get up, do things, and be productive. Utah has the highest per capita use of Prozac in the nation; I'm pretty sure that is still a current statistic. People say it's cause the Mormons are perfectionists or something. That is not the reason. It's the weather.

You're in SLC where you have the inversion layer all winter long. Most other places in Utah are not dismal in the winter. Ever hear of the fallacy of (I can't spell it, its a french word) tue que qua? Your statement about prozac falls definately into that catagory of fallacy. I don't dispute the stat, but your reason behind it.

[DessertRat]

Originally Posted by catrinac

I have decided after three years of living here that I am leaving this spring. The winter darkness is too much for me; I can't take it anymore. I'm suprised more people don't mention this. Utah has truly dismal winter weather. That I have tolerated it this long is bizarre. I just got back today from a sunshine filled vacation in New Mexico. I actually had energy to get up, do things, and be productive. Utah has the highest per capita use of Prozac in the nation; I'm pretty sure that is still a current statistic. People say it's cause the Mormons are perfectionists or something. That is not the reason. It's the weather.

Remember that not everyone likes the same weather. I like cool/cold, overcast and "dreary" weather a lot.

[redwhiteblue]

How about those of you that have recently moved to St. George, do you like it?
How is the traffic? Would you make the move all over again?

[lolagranola]

I do agree that January in Utah is DREARY!! Like not seeing the sky (I didn't know such a thing was possible), old slushy dirty snow, and hard dry air. But generally it is so beautiful...today was a cold day, but the sky was blue and it was gorgeous.