Moving to SLC need advice for non-LDS family (Layton, Roy: best neighborhood, rentals)

[ahkeeley]

We are planning a move to Salt Lake from Florida within the year and could use some advice on finding the best neighborhood and elementary school for our kids. We would like to be in a somewhat walkable neighborhood with good schools that have some religious and ethnic diversity. From my research I have identified Sugarhouse, Greater Avenues, and possibly North Salt Lake. Does anyone have any helpful information to share on these areas and other potential neighborhoods/schools? Also, we will be renting a house for a while before buying and I'd love to find a realtor that could assist us in finding a house rental. Any help with that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[SaraBella]

Ethnic diversity is a bit hard to find in Utah (unfortunately). I would shy away from North Salt Lake, as it is a very industrial area and the residents in the area deal with unusual odors due to the refineries, the factories and the ponds. Millcreek and Sugarhouse would provide the walkable community you desire as well as good schools and some refreshing diversity. Daybreak (which is in the southwest corner of the valley) is an up and coming community that is walkable as well.

The schools in the Salt Lake Valley tend to increase in quality (test scores, classroom sizes, etc.) the farther east you go. A good resource for the lowdown on the local schools visit [url=http://www.greatschools.org/]GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent
Moderator cut: not t allowed

Hope this helps you!

[Stasia Ann]

Where in Fl? We came from there 1 1/2 yrs ago from Brandon near Tampa.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by ahkeeley

From my research I have identified Sugarhouse, Greater Avenues, and possibly North Salt Lake.

I'd second the suggestion to stay away from North Salt Lake. Sugarhouse and the Avenues are both nice (older homes, though, if that's okay with you). You might also consider East Millcreek.

[1fastrx7]

Are there smells in the Hill Air force area, Like Layton, Clearfield, West haven, Roy, West point.

[berger123]

Nope no smells in the Layton area besides the occasional lake smell but it's not to bad.

[didi768]

We might too be coming from Tampa area to Utah. Non-mormon and looking for like areas if anyone knows of any with decent home rentals.
Thanks

[BuckeyezRule]

I'm a transplant. I am 'way out west' in the SL valley, and LOVE the west side. Just me. Hubby and I love the newness of the west side, and, for US, the east side is all we dislike in Ohio, old, and crowded. Just us. Most seem to adore the east. All we see are old, bad drivers there. Lol and I suck at driving.

[Prs347]

I'm not LDS and I've lived here for a very long time. I grew up in the suburbs of Salt lake and personally I don't even like to visit family out there. Others will disagree I'm sure, but outside of the Salt Lake bubble it's pretty uncomfortable, at least for me it is.

With that said, Salt Lake, Sugarhouse and The Avenues are great. In my Sugarhouse neighborhood there are only a couple families that I know are LDS and they're a lot more down-to-earth than the suburban Mormons I grew up with. Lots of people who used to be Mormon, and the LDS church probably still counts them as members but there are more Hindus in my neighborhood than Mormons as far as I can tell.

But as much as I feel at home in my Salt Lake bubble, It's impossible to ignore the fact that the LDS church runs the state so as a non-Mormon in Utah I find it impossible to ever feel like I can call this place 'home' and I'm a 5th generation Utahn. That's Why I'm on this site from time to time.

[TCAS007]

Originally Posted by SaraBella

Ethnic diversity is a bit hard to find in Utah (unfortunately). I would shy away from North Salt Lake, as it is a very industrial area and the residents in the area deal with unusual odors ...!

Are you serious? What school does your child go to?