Moving to Orem from New Mexico (Salt Lake City, Provo: rentals, crime rate, job market)

[mamamc]

Hi, My husband and I are looking to relocate to Orem/Provo from Albuquerque, New Mexico. We are curious on how the area is. From what we have read it is a safer city then Albuquerque. We are looking for somewhere smaller and more family oriented.
We have never moved before, we are both natives to Albuquerque but look forward to some change. We were curious about the job market in Orem and Provo. It looks like there is a lot to offer up there. We having started apply to jobs but are nervous about the process. How do most companies handle interviews and such.
We also have a 1 year old daughter and have never used child care before and want to know how Orem's child care is. We are excited for the move and are going up to visit in April.
For those that have relocated before what is the best way to approach this?

[michelleleigh]

hey we can use more New Mexicans out here.The Orem area is very nice, we live in Pleasant Grove, its about 5 mins. away from Orem. I have left toys outside and they are there the next day,left my wallet at wallmart, and when I went to retrive it everything including cash was still there. I have no idea how the interview proccess goes out here, as my husband was transfered. Visting for a bit is a very good idea, you will get a better feel for the place, april is a nice time, there should ne no inversion(Llike the Brown cloud in Albuquerque) Oh and you can get frozen green hatch chile and el pinto products out here. Child care, evan though I have a 9 month old and a 5yrold, I have no clue. I can ask around for you if you would like my son is in pre school and I can ask the other moms . If you have any other questions just ask. Blessings, michelle (sorry about the terrible spelling and grammer, the baby is teething)

[nlmott]

Good luck on the move. My husband and I are Orem folk relocating to New Mexico.

Overall I really like Orem. The people are friendly and the crime rate is less then Albuquerque. In Orem you experience the four seasons. There is a definite dissection between all of them.

As far as a job that is why we are leaving Utah. There are a lot of opportunities if you are willing to be paid less. The overall wage compensation is lower due to a VERY high volume of educated people. With in orem/provo there are two large universities that really pump out the students. (My husband has a masters and has seen ample opportunity in the area but by moving out of the state is able to make 20k more.)

The other downer is that I feel housing is a little high. You can find rentals and decent ones but you will be looking upwards of 1000 a month. If you find a job and a place to rent it may be worth it.

Good luck!

[mamamc]

Thanks so much! That is crazy that you have left stuff out. I don't think I ever have. You get the occasional good neighbor... Its always good to know where green chile can be found. That is a must have! We would like a change in the seasons. We are both a tad board with the desert. Where did you guys live before? Were you here in New Mexico?

[mamamc]

Thank you so much for your responses! Sounds like you are both pretty familiar with New Mexico. There is nothing better then finding out that green chile is available! I can't believe you(michelleleigh) left toys out!! I would never, not in any of the areas I have lived here. Its sounds like a good area and my husband and I are ready for the change. We are still going threw college, so Orem/Provo sounds like it would be a good area for us. We want the seasons and green grass.
We are both members of the LDS church, and want to be around other members for a change. We are ready to not have to always be defending the church. We also saw there is a lot of activities and recreation in Orem.

I don't mean to make Albuquerque sound bad for you nlmott! Its not an awful place. It has its own unique beauty and there are some great areas here.I guess it depends on what you do for jobs. I work as a pharmacy technician and Utah pays 3-5 dollars more for their entry level technicians. I noticed the pharmacy laws are much stricter there then here. We both have lived here too long and have personal issues that are preventing us from becoming who we want as a family.
It will be a great experience for you guys as a family! We may be passing each other on the way!!

Thanks so much for your help! we look forward to visiting in April to start getting stuff ready.

[Lmejh]

Originally Posted by mamamc

Thank you so much for your responses! Sounds like you are both pretty familiar with New Mexico. There is nothing better then finding out that green chile is available! I can't believe you(michelleleigh) left toys out!! I would never, not in any of the areas I have lived here. Its sounds like a good area and my husband and I are ready for the change. We are still going threw college, so Orem/Provo sounds like it would be a good area for us. We want the seasons and green grass.
We are both members of the LDS church, and want to be around other members for a change. We are ready to not have to always be defending the church. We also saw there is a lot of activities and recreation in Orem.

I don't mean to make Albuquerque sound bad for you nlmott! Its not an awful place. It has its own unique beauty and there are some great areas here.I guess it depends on what you do for jobs. I work as a pharmacy technician and Utah pays 3-5 dollars more for their entry level technicians. I noticed the pharmacy laws are much stricter there then here. We both have lived here too long and have personal issues that are preventing us from becoming who we want as a family.
It will be a great experience for you guys as a family! We may be passing each other on the way!!

Thanks so much for your help! we look forward to visiting in April to start getting stuff ready.

I was going to say you should try the Salt Lake City area rather than Provo and vicinity but since you are LDS you shouldn't have any neighbor issues that seem to plague the latter

[mamamc]

Originally Posted by Lmejh

I was going to say you should try the Salt Lake City area rather than Provo and vicinity but since you are LDS you shouldn't have any neighbor issues that seem to plague the latter

Oh thank you, and I am sorry you have had trouble with your neighbors!! that is awful.
We are actually a little nervous about SLC. We don't really want to live in a big city, but want a smaller city. Thank you though!
We looked at Logan, but that is a little too small and we need somewhere that will be a little more accepting of some things. Which I hope people in the Orem area would be understanding of young mistakes or art, depends on how you look at it.

[Lmejh]

Originally Posted by mamamc

Oh thank you, and I am sorry you have had trouble with your neighbors!! that is awful.
We are actually a little nervous about SLC. We don't really want to live in a big city, but want a smaller city. Thank you though!
We looked at Logan, but that is a little too small and we need somewhere that will be a little more accepting of some things. Which I hope people in the Orem area would be understanding of young mistakes or art, depends on how you look at it.

Oh, I personally haven't had any problems with Utah County but the experiences of other people who happened to be "outsiders" who moved into Utah County are certainly awful (although I'm sure every neighbor is different, it's just general consensus that Utah County is not the best place for a non-Mormon most of the time... but I digress). However, don't let this put you off. I'm sure you'll find an actual wonderful experience there...welcome to Utah!

[mamamc]

Originally Posted by Lmejh

Oh, I personally haven't had any problems with Utah County but the experiences of other people who happened to be "outsiders" who moved into Utah County are certainly awful (although I'm sure every neighbor is different, it's just general consensus that Utah County is not the best place for a non-Mormon most of the time... but I digress). However, don't let this put you off. I'm sure you'll find an actual wonderful experience there...welcome to Utah!

Thank you! That is good to know. We were hesitant of certain areas. The more we read on here, we get confused.
Thank you though for your help!

[michelleleigh]

Born and raised in, Albuquerque, I knowcan be a bit trying. Utah,is dry like New Mexico, however so far no real crazy fire seasons. Job wise you should do really well since you are a pharmcy tech. The areas around the collages, I have driven around the one in Orem and Porvo(got lost) look much safer than the area around UNM(miss the frontier). No in Albuquerque you do not leave things out. Well good luck with the move, Blessings Michelle