We Love Utah (St. George, Moab, Kanab: ski resorts, motels, DMV)

[JimfromPa]

My wife and I are both retired and have traveled in Utah the last three summers. We would like to relocate from Pennsylvania to Southern Utah and have contacted a realtor to sell our home. We're interested in the Monticello area but we're flexible. This would be our first move in 35 years so we're very apprehensive. Some questions, What are Utah's taxes like for senior citizens, How do you change from Pa to Ut driver's license, What are the winters like in southern Utah. These are just some of our questions. This is very scary for us but we are determined to try it. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks, Jim

[Calibelle]

Below is a link which gives a climate average for Monticello, Ut.

http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?utmont

As far as getting a Utah drivers license, when I went 3 years back to change from my CA license to Utah, I just had to take a written, open book test at my local Department of Vehicles and Motors (DVM).

I don't know about taxes for Senior citizens though, sorry.

Hope this helps.

[sofam]

JimfromPA, Just being nosy I guess. How did you happen to pick Monticello? I spent a year there one week! Spent a year one week in Blanding too. Actually I like little towns like those to living in Salt Lake but I still have to make a living. Even thought Monticello is in southern Utah, they still experience winter weather. A lot higher there than Kanab, St. George, etc. There are several motels, a couple of gas stations and a few other businesses, but if I remember correctly, not much for groceries. Either Blanding for limited selection or Moab an hour north. There is the usual outdoor recreation but no ski resorts reasonably close. I'd have no problem living there.

[coolcats]

I've never been to that corner of the state, so can't help you much there. Changing drivers licenses is pretty easy. You go into the DMV. In Utah, you do have to take the written test, but it is open book, so not too bad.

[snomom2000]

We usually stay in Monticello when we travel back to NM. We love it there. But have you noticed there is no hospital there? Since you are retired, I assume medical would be an issue for you guys. Also, it is so small and any grocery shopping and such would be so far away, through a rural area. That area of the state does have snow and ice. There is no interstate access and the road is just a local highway. Just a few thoughts.

[JimfromPa]

On the Monticello WEB page, it lists San Juan Hospital. Is that just a clinic? If there is no hospital in the area, that would eliminate Monticello. Is there a hospital in Blanding?

[sofam]

Yes, there is a hospital in Monticello but services are primarily family practice, obstetrics and pediatrics. It serves as the hospital for the area but it is not like a hospital that you would picture in an urban area. There is also a clinic in Blanding.