Possible Move to Logan, UT (Advice Please!) (Salt Lake City, Cache: low crime, house)

[Pallas_Athene]

My family and I may be moving to Logan in the relatively near future, and I was interested in getting any information and/or advice on the area. My husband and I both have visited Utah, but never the Logan area. We're going to visit soon, to try to decide if we want to move there, but I was hoping for of a bit of a heads up on things people keep warning us about.

First, we have a daughter (age 6) and we have been told that she will be ostracized for not being a member of the LDS church, let alone for not being part of a religious family (we have been told this by some who used to live in other parts of Utah and experienced simply that while they were growing up, as well as from some who are ex-members of the LDS church, and others who I have no idea where they got their info).

Additionally, we've been told that the church controls all of the political structure and the schools. We have also been told that if it is discovered that we are not members of the LDS church that people will try to convert us constantly.

Finally, we have been told that it is an extremely conservative area and that my husband and I will be miserable there. We are both from a large metroplitan area on the West Coast, and both are liberal. We're both outdoor enthusists, but we also appreciate the big city and realize that's something we'll need to do without (for the most part) if we choose to move there. The idea of being in an environment where most peoploe believe something different does not inherently bother us. We just don't want to live somewhere where we think people are going to try to get us to change our social and polical ideals.

Thank you very much for your assistance!

[Lmejh]

No. Your child will not be made an outcast for not being LDS. No, no one is going to force you to convert religions. The church doesn't control the schools, but some may argue they do control politics (give or take 80% of the state legislature is LDS). And although Utah is one of the reddest states in the nation, no one is going to force you to accept conservative ideals. Perhaps all of this was the case forty years ago, but no, not anymore.

Considering your circumstances, have you considered moving to Salt Lake City? It's much more liberal in nature and has all the big-city amenities because, well, it's a big city.

[Pallas_Athene]

Thank you very much for the response! I assumed much of people's claims were hyperbole. I had some friends in college who were from Utah, but not members of the LDS church and they never seemed to have an issue (though they were not from Logan). All of the people I know who used to live in Utah and had problems all lived there decades ago.

Given the large number of LDS members that live in the state, statistically it would be expected that there were a lot of LDS members in political positions. So, we mostly expected it to be fairly conservative and whatnot. Presently, we're in the Bible Belt though, so really, I don't see it being much different from where we are now, which is a pretty extreme culture shock from growing up on the West Coast.

Personally, my perspective is that it doesn't really bother me to have a majority of the people around me think differently and believe in different things than I do. I come from a very tolerant and diverse environment that encourged people to embrace diversity, so I have little to no issue with what someone chooses to believe. The part that concerns us was mostly whether or not the same sentiments were reciprocated, since neither my husband or I know how well we would handle anyone trying to go out of their way to convert us or change our opinions on anything. Anyway, it's a relief to know that that's not much of an issue.

Unfortunately, SLC is not much of an option. The reason we would be moving is specifically because of the Utah State University. I am in academia, and it would essentially be a position for me prompting the move. I do like SLC though, though it is a very different sort of city than I am accustomed.

Thanks for your speedy reply!

Also, if anyone has any recommendations on good elementary schools, I'd appreciate it. My daughter will be in the 1st grade next year. Are there any elementary aged Montessori programs out there? She has been doing Montessori for 4 years now, so if we could keep her in that, it'd be perfect.

Thanks again!

[kaytidid]

There are several Montessori programs in Utah, but I do believe most of the are located in the greater Salt Lake area.

I did find one located in Logan however..
Valley Montessori School
197 W 500 S, Logan, UT 84321 (435) 752-5604

Best of luck with your move. I have been here for 14 years and never had any sort of issues that some people speak of. I never once have tried to be converted or what have you. My daughters have lots of friends despite us being non LDS.

Hope you enjoy it here!

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by Pallas_Athene

Thank you very much for the response! I assumed much of people's claims were hyperbole. I had some friends in college who were from Utah, but not members of the LDS church and they never seemed to have an issue (though they were not from Logan). All of the people I know who used to live in Utah and had problems all lived there decades ago.

Given the large number of LDS members that live in the state, statistically it would be expected that there were a lot of LDS members in political positions. So, we mostly expected it to be fairly conservative and whatnot. Presently, we're in the Bible Belt though, so really, I don't see it being much different from where we are now, which is a pretty extreme culture shock from growing up on the West Coast.

Personally, my perspective is that it doesn't really bother me to have a majority of the people around me think differently and believe in different things than I do. I come from a very tolerant and diverse environment that encourged people to embrace diversity, so I have little to no issue with what someone chooses to believe. The part that concerns us was mostly whether or not the same sentiments were reciprocated, since neither my husband or I know how well we would handle anyone trying to go out of their way to convert us or change our opinions on anything. Anyway, it's a relief to know that that's not much of an issue.

Unfortunately, SLC is not much of an option. The reason we would be moving is specifically because of the Utah State University. I am in academia, and it would essentially be a position for me prompting the move. I do like SLC though, though it is a very different sort of city than I am accustomed.

Thanks for your speedy reply!

Also, if anyone has any recommendations on good elementary schools, I'd appreciate it. My daughter will be in the 1st grade next year. Are there any elementary aged Montessori programs out there? She has been doing Montessori for 4 years now, so if we could keep her in that, it'd be perfect.

Thanks again!

Pallas_Athene,

I believe the fact you would be moving due to an academic position at USU would put you in a more liberal crowd. Of course, I don't know which department you would be in. As an undergrad at USU, I struggle to remember which Profs I had that were LDS. Maybe 3-4. Again, it may be very Department Specific.

There are some very exciting programs and new grants at USU. Feel free to send me a PM, if you have other questions that I may have answers to, but won't write in the open format.

I never experienced some of the things you've asked about while I lived in Cache Valley. Lots of married college students with babies, typical college town in that aspect. Also, a fair amount of international students, depending on the Department.

If you've been successful in the Bible Belt, I honestly believe you won't find Logan as difficult, IMHO. Not trying to slam the Bible Belt, but do know some of those views.

One thing that would be different is often in the Bible Belt the attitude of "Whatever goes," Monday - Sat p.m. Then the attitude shifts to an appropriate "Sunday repentence, being saved" type of mentality. I hope that makes sense and maybe that is my limited experience with certain Bible Belt states. I'm not saying all people living in the Bible Belt are like that, but I was surprised at the behavior of some who professed to be X, but never practiced those views except on Sunday.

In Logan/Cache Valley, you'll find more people who if they are LDS they live their religion throughout the week, not just on Sundays. There are always exceptions and it is not wise to generalize. You may get asked, as a courtesy, if you'd like to attend church. A polite no thanks is usually well received. Sometimes taking the first step to meet your neighbors and find common ground other than religion can help.

I hope some of my thoughts help you and your family. Good luck making your decision.

[bob rulz]

It sounds like you're willing to accept the different beliefs with an open mind and have no problem with it. In my experience living here, most of the people who have a problem with Mormons are ones who have a problem with their beliefs. They tend to exaggerate their experiences and engage in hyperbole. I think much of the resentment tends to stem from the fact that Utah is so dominantly of a single religion compared to other areas of the country.

Now it is possible that you will have some experiences that are not too great. There are people in every religion who will try to exclude people who don't believe in their views, but it's as common in Mormonism as it is any other religion. However, I do notice that any Mormon who does do this tends to keep it much more behind-the-back; I don't think you'll ever meet a Mormon who does it overtly.

However, most of the Mormons you meet will be accepting of your beliefs, very friendly, very kind, etc. Utah has a high reputation for things like community service and donations to charity because that's just what the Mormon religion teaches, and like someone else above said, Mormons tend to practice their religion 24/7 instead of just on Sundays.

I live in Salt Lake City, which is obviously much more liberal than Logan, but one thing I've noticed is that the fairly strong Mormon/non-Mormon divide has a tendency to enhance certain types of subcultures and lifestyles to the point to where there's more people of a certain type than there would be in other similar-sized areas, and maybe slightly less of a "middle ground". If what I'm saying makes any sense at all.

I spend quite a bit of time in Logan since I have family up there and it is a very nice town. My only real problem with it is that, despite the fact that they're growing, a lot of the people want to believe that they still live in a small farming town and so the city's development hasn't been managed very well at all. I wouldn't live there because it's much too small for me, but I don't think you should have any problems with it. Another thing about Utah in general is that people tend to associate where they live with "stakes" and "wards" (you know, the divisions within the LDS Church). It's to that point to where even non-religious people will likely catch on to the local "lingo" relating to this, so to speak.

In general you shouldn't have any problems, and if you do, just know that it is NOT normal. The mentality of the Utah culture may seem a little backwards at times but generally the only people that really complain about it are closed-minded.

[Lmejh]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

Another thing about Utah in general is that people tend to associate where they live with "stakes" and "wards" (you know, the divisions within the LDS Church). It's to that point to where even non-religious people will likely catch on to the local "lingo" relating to this, so to speak.

Ah yes, very very true.

[lisamikefoster]

Logan is a great town...quite possibly the most beautiful in the state. USU is a great institution (I received a graduate degree from USU, so perhaps I'm biased) with great scholars from all over the world.

Your children will not be shunned, or outcast. You will not be the conversion project of your neighborhood, and for the most part, I suspect most people won't care about your religion and or lack of it. As long as you are a good neighbor to others, you'll have kindness returned to you.

Sure there are lots of Mormons there...it is Utah, after all. But keep in mind that less than half of Mormons in the world are not practicing (here's a vocabularly lesson: in Mormon jargon, it's called "less active")...so even though on paper it may look like there's tons of Mormons in any given area, the fact of the matter is that less than half aren't actively practicing their faith.

That being said, communities that have large Mormon populations are great. The communities have family centered activities, and there is a feeling of community that other areas don't have.

USU definately adds a liberal hue to the Cache Valley, and with so many academics there, I'm sure you'll find a social niche that will meet your needs, with friendly neighbors, ridiculously low crime, incredible access to some of the most beautiful outdoor recreational areas in the country, etc...

For me, it'd be a no brainer, Logan is a great town, whether you are LDS or not.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by lisamikefoster

Logan is a great town...quite possibly the most beautiful in the state. USU is a great institution (I received a graduate degree from USU, so perhaps I'm biased) with great scholars from all over the world.

Your children will not be shunned, or outcast. You will not be the conversion project of your neighborhood, and for the most part, I suspect most people won't care about your religion and or lack of it. As long as you are a good neighbor to others, you'll have kindness returned to you.

Sure there are lots of Mormons there...it is Utah, after all. But keep in mind that less than half of Mormons in the world are not practicing (here's a vocabularly lesson: in Mormon jargon, it's called "less active")...so even though on paper it may look like there's tons of Mormons in any given area, the fact of the matter is that less than half aren't actively practicing their faith.

That being said, communities that have large Mormon populations are great. The communities have family centered activities, and there is a feeling of community that other areas don't have.

USU definately adds a liberal hue to the Cache Valley, and with so many academics there, I'm sure you'll find a social niche that will meet your needs, with friendly neighbors, ridiculously low crime, incredible access to some of the most beautiful outdoor recreational areas in the country, etc...

For me, it'd be a no brainer, Logan is a great town, whether you are LDS or not.

lisamikefoster,

Having a degree from USU makes me biased too. It was one of the most well-balanced experiences of my life.

Logan is a little different than most college towns with a university the size of USU. Part of that is by geography, some by religion, more by it being originally named the "Agricultural College," or whatever the official words of those days were.

It has been my experience that more stories most of us would laugh at float around regarding any academic institution. Part of that is the nature of the beast. It depends on how the institution treats faculty, but not many jr. faculty in particular can afford to be that blunt and ask questions that directly, not knowing how their Dept. Chair or others on PRT committees may see things.

Some universities have gotten worse the last 10-20 years, but not USU. Programs continue to strengthen, research $ continue to roll in and the Capital Campaign this year has been impressive! I see USU as a very viable university with great diversity and a lot of opportunities for faculty and students.

If one wants to remain in academia, one wrong move can take years to repair on a CV. I'm separating "The Hill" issues from those in the community. Everyone is entitled to his/her own experience and opinion. I fail to understand many views given facts (not just about Logan).

Did anyone else go fishing at the various dams? That is not something every college town can offer essentially right off of campus and on the "Island."

[r2move]

I agree with the other posts that USU brings some diversity to Logan and if you are working there you may find some other liberal minded people. However, USU is expecting major cutbacks and layoffs this year so be mindful of that.

I disagree with the posts that claim that your daughter will not have problems with the LDS religion here. The reason I am on this website in the first place is because I am looking to get out of here because of the religious influence in this town. My children (both grade school age) have been treated terribly by the LDS kids in our neighborhood. I recently had a parent of one of these kids "show" my child how to get baptized while she was at his house playing with his daughter. Others have told my kids that they are going to hell because they aren't mormon. That, combined with the awful winters here (cold weather-today it's 6 degrees, and inversions that last most of January and February) have made me decide that it is time to go. The inversions by the way, are EXTREMELY bad and put our air quality at one of the worst in the nation. Our local lawmakers don't seem to think that there is a problem with the air and refuse to require emissions testing here because "too many cars woudn't pass". You are going to find very conservative politics here and religion DOES influence that as well.

If you have decided to move here anyway. Look into Edith Bowen school for your daughter. It is a private school that is connected with the University. She should not have a problem getting in because you will be working with the university and many faculty members put there kids in school there so I don't think the religious influence will be as bad.

Good luck.