Heber City or Roosevelt (Vernal, Maeser: apartment, renting, income)

[traglia_24]

We're looking to relocate our family to Utah so we can be closer to my husband who's working in the oil fields. I was looking at Roosevelt/Vernal so he wouldn't have much of a drive, but we're really liking the looks of Heber City. How's the drive from Roosevelt/Dechesne to Heber City in the winter? Which area do you think is best for young families? Do you have any other towns to suggest? We really like the foothills as it's more green and reminds us a little more of Oregon.

[Geo-Aggie]

Originally Posted by traglia_24

We're looking to relocate our family to Utah so we can be closer to my husband who's working in the oil fields. I was looking at Roosevelt/Vernal so he wouldn't have much of a drive, but we're really liking the looks of Heber City. How's the drive from Roosevelt/Dechesne to Heber City in the winter? Which area do you think is best for young families? Do you have any other towns to suggest? We really like the foothills as it's more green and reminds us a little more of Oregon.

I've made that drive in some pretty hairy weather before, for work (I also work in resources), it's not one I wish to make again. Heber is just too far from the oil fields to reasonably commute. Your husband would eventually be renting an apartment in the Basin. Duschene is a horrible little town with nothing to do where everyone is related. I'd suggest Roosevelt, Maeser or Vernal and of the three I prefer Vernal. It's the most developed.

[ChrisC]

You seriously DO NOT want to drive Daniels Canyon or over the Strawberry summit area on a regular basis in the winter. Besides heber being too far away, the driving conditions can be horrible during the winter over those passes and canyons. I used to have to drive that highway semi-regularly. It's a beautiful drive when conditions are okay, but I cringe even thinking about the winter conditions I actually lived through driving (miraculously). I can't count the number of serious crashes I either witnessed or saw after the fact.

Not an advisable daily drive if you can avoid.


Duchesne is about as far away as I would want to be. And it is at least on the east side of the really high mountain passes and terrain. I've been through there many, many times. It's sort of a sleepy small town. If you don't need much in the way of outside entertainment and you don't need people around you to pamper you, you'd be okay there. I wouldn't mind living there if I had an income. People mind their own business there, for the most part.

Of all the options, I'd say Roosevelt (or one of the surrounding hamlets) would be the best. Decent small town. Has everything you'd ever need if you are not high-maintenance. Again, people in small towns tend to mind their own business, so if you do not need to be wooed, you should be fine. But if you expect people to flock around you or "embrace you," you won't get that.

Vernal is another option. It has grown a lot over the past 20 years. This wouldn't be too bad of a choice, but personally, I'd prefer Roosevelt. Vernal has gotten a bit "rough-and-tumble" for my tastes--although I haven't been there regularly for about 4 or 5 years, so maybe it's changed.

[GeographySleuth]

Agreed go with Roosevelt. A few years ago Duchesne had a bog meth problem going on, not sure if it's still there.