Relocation to Salt Lake - variable location? (Provo, Orem: sale, real estate)

[Jay1981]

Hello All - Good morning.

It looks like my company will be relocating me to the SLC area in the next few months - from Northern NJ. I manage territories for a telecommunications company, so I would be traveling throughout the Provo/Orem/SLC/Ogden corridor on a weekly basis. I work primarily from home and retail and sometimes job sites, so "commute times" are something I'm used to. I would also need relatively easy access to SLC airport for travel.

Anywhere we should start looking? Freeway and airport access is a must, but we're younger professionals, no kids, so schools aren't a huge concern, but a more upbeat, but not crazy/loud area would be nice. Our current house was a "project", and I don't think we want to start another - so newer construction would be nice.... a kick in the right direction would be great, guys .... I've been to the area on business but know very little about residential areas. Thanks in advance!!

edit - budget wise, we're coming out of a (likely) 400-450k home currently, but looking at prices in the area, we'd like to bank some of our equity. 250-300k seems like it'll buy a nice setup in the area, but we're open to more if it makes sense.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Personally, I prefer city neighborhoods. You match the demographic of Sugar House. All the newer areas are very heavily families. Much of Sugar House is gutted/rebuilt/modernized on the interior while keeping the character of the houses. You are 15-20 min from the airport and close to cultural activities.

[MisfitBanana]

I think the city would be great. You'd be going against traffic if you were to go up to Ogden in the morning, and I think also going against traffic to go south as well, since most people commute into SLC for work.

The sugarhouse area would be a great place. There's also the country club area at the top of Parley's Way near 80 and 215 - the country club side may be more expensive, but there are really great pockets of neighborhoods with affordable houses ($250-$300 range) right across Parley's from the country club. It's close to the freeways and close to Sugarhouse, so you're within an easy distance to almost everything.

Also, if you want to be within a close distance to downtown, the Avenues is a good area. I think the houses are more expensive there, though. But it does have some cute little restaurants and shops, and like I said, is near downtown.

If you want to live outside of SLC, I'd try East Millcreek or maybe Midvale. But for a young couple without kids (or even with kids), I think the area across Parley's from the country club, or Sugarhouse, would be best.

[Katzpur]

I'll ditto the rest of these suggestions and add 15th and 15th to the list.

[MisfitBanana]

Oh, and when you come, please note that 15th and 15th is 1500 South and 1500 East. If someone says 21st South, they mean 2100 South. (This is something that initially confused people I know right after they moved here.)

It's actually really, really easy to navigate around the city. Everything radiates out from the temple in downtown SLC. You know where someone lives as soon as they tell you what North/South and East/West they are.

[Jay1981]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Parley's seems dramatically more expensive than the rest of the area - cool though.

Originally Posted by MisfitBanana

Oh, and when you come, please note that 15th and 15th is 1500 South and 1500 East. If someone says 21st South, they mean 2100 South. (This is something that initially confused people I know right after they moved here.)

It's actually really, really easy to navigate around the city. Everything radiates out from the temple in downtown SLC. You know where someone lives as soon as they tell you what North/South and East/West they are.

great advice, thanks!

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Jay1981

Thanks for all the suggestions! Parley's seems dramatically more expensive than the rest of the area - cool though.

The homes on the north side of the Salt Lake Country Club can be unbelievably pricey for what you get. This isn't the case with the homes on the south side of the Country Club.

[Jay1981]

Hey All, thanks again for the advice. If we decided to buy new construction, where would you point us? The houses in the areas of slc you've mentioned are very nice looking, but similar in age to what were coming out of. We may be leaning towards wanting something brand new, even if we sacrifice some culture. Not ruling out the above areas, but we will likely look at both.

Thanks again, this is a cool site!

[h_scott]

You have already noticed that home prices are much less than NJ but you will also like the even more substantial reduction in real estate taxes! The suggestions to focus in / around SLC seem appropriate. There are many nice / varied neighborhoods to choose from. I would suggest contacting a professional realtor and have them take you around to many different areas. You should get one (or more) company paid house hunting trips for just this purpose. Get details of your company's relocation package - including how they will handle sale of your current home.