Should I take a job in Houston or Salt Lake ? (Howe: home, university)

[jaxtigers]

Hey guys,

I am in a dilemma. I recently got two job offers, one from Salt Lake City and one in Houston, TX. I am 23 years old and I currently live in Tampa, FL. I have been wanting to move for a while now, and I am not quite sure how to assess where I would be happier. The jobs are both in the same industry and the pay is nearly identical too. I like the outdoors, forests, state parks, and mountains. I have never done skiing or anything like that just because I have never lived in an area with any snow. I know SLC is a pretty good place for outdoor activities.

I am not a huge party person or anything like that, but would like to have a decent social scene around me. I do like to go out on the weekends. One thing that makes me hesitant about SLC is the fact that I am non-LDS. I am actually a minority (Pakistani) and from what I have heard SLC is not too much of a cultural place or that diverse. I think I would love the outdoors aspect of SLC but I am reluctant because of not being LDS or things I have heard about it not being a really lively city. Before Tampa, I lived in a really small town though and it can't be anything like that, haha. Thoughts?

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by jaxtigers

Hey guys,

I am in a dilemma. I recently got two job offers, one from Salt Lake City and one in Houston, TX. I am 23 years old and I currently live in Tampa, FL. I have been wanting to move for a while now, and I am not quite sure how to assess where I would be happier. The jobs are both in the same industry and the pay is nearly identical too. I like the outdoors, forests, state parks, and mountains. I have never done skiing or anything like that just because I have never lived in an area with any snow. I know SLC is a pretty good place for outdoor activities.

I am not a huge party person or anything like that, but would like to have a decent social scene around me. I do like to go out on the weekends. One thing that makes me hesitant about SLC is the fact that I am non-LDS. I am actually a minority (Pakistani) and from what I have heard SLC is not too much of a cultural place or that diverse. I think I would love the outdoors aspect of SLC but I am reluctant because of not being LDS or things I have heard about it not being a really lively city. Before Tampa, I lived in a really small town though and it can't be anything like that, haha. Thoughts?

WOW your first paragraph screams SLC, the second paragraph indicates Houston would be a better fit. Go back and read your OP and decide which paragraph is more important to you...Good luck..

[Texas Ag 93]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

WOW your first paragraph screams SLC, the second paragraph indicates Houston would be a better fit. Go back and read your OP and decide which paragraph is more important to you...Good luck..

I was thinking exactly the same thing. What's more of a priority to you, OP? If it's activities and aesthetics, then definitely SLC. If diversity and cultural fit, then Houston.

You're young and I don't know what field you're in, but career considerations may be at play here as well. I have heard from a few people that if you are a professional in any field that is reliant on referrals, relationship building, or if you are self employed, then the LDS aspect is a significant consideration in Utah. I could be wrong about that, though.

[swopoe]

I agree with the previous posters. What is the industry? If you chose Houston, could you do vacations to the mountains? Do you want a cold climate or a warmer one?

[westsidewolf1989]

SLC is about 70-75% white and is much, much less racially diverse than Houston. From a Mormon perspective, SLC itself has become less Mormon over time and is much more secular than years ago. Currently a slight majority of Salt Lake County is not Mormon, but the rest of the state (rural and smaller cities) is heavily Mormon. However, SLC is also home to the University of Utah, so, as with any large state university, there are bound to be lots of professors/graduate students from other parts of the world.

[houston-nomad]

Originally Posted by jaxtigers

Hey guys,

I am in a dilemma. I recently got two job offers, one from Salt Lake City and one in Houston, TX. I am 23 years old and I currently live in Tampa, FL. I have been wanting to move for a while now, and I am not quite sure how to assess where I would be happier. The jobs are both in the same industry and the pay is nearly identical too. I like the outdoors, forests, state parks, and mountains. I have never done skiing or anything like that just because I have never lived in an area with any snow. I know SLC is a pretty good place for outdoor activities.

I am not a huge party person or anything like that, but would like to have a decent social scene around me. I do like to go out on the weekends. One thing that makes me hesitant about SLC is the fact that I am non-LDS. I am actually a minority (Pakistani) and from what I have heard SLC is not too much of a cultural place or that diverse. I think I would love the outdoors aspect of SLC but I am reluctant because of not being LDS or things I have heard about it not being a really lively city. Before Tampa, I lived in a really small town though and it can't be anything like that, haha. Thoughts?

If you enjoy the outdoors, SLC is a much better choice than Houston. I like living in Houston, and yes we have pretty good weather year round, but you have to drive freaking forever to get to nature, because the city is so big. There is no hiking, because we have no hills. Plus from SLC you can get to so many amazing national parks in a day.

[Dopo]

Must be nice to having skiing resorts close by,
but my understanding is that there's nothing else close to SLC

[AmericaWestCMH]

Originally Posted by Dopo

Must be nice to having skiing resorts close by,
but my understanding is that there's nothing else close to SLC

Denver? Vegas, too. Can go from the Strip to the slopes (Mt Charleston) in under an hour, or just go to Brian Head or Mammoth like everyone else. Both cities are outdoor paradises.

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by houston-nomad

There is no hiking, because we have no hills. Plus from SLC you can get to so many amazing national parks in a day.

Not true: there are lots of hikes every weekend in and around Houston and even during the week. There are several outdoor groups in Houston.
True: yes it's flat. But you still can hike

[jaxtigers]

Originally Posted by swopoe

I agree with the previous posters. What is the industry? If you chose Houston, could you do vacations to the mountains? Do you want a cold climate or a warmer one?

It's engineering. I could take vacations. I've honestly never lived in a cold climate so I don't know what it's like to have snow.