Should I move to utah as a 19 year old (Salt Lake City: apartment, rent)

[Forum_user31]

I current live in massachusetts and am looking to move. I don't like it here in new england and want to move out west. I enjoy the heat and desert scenery. I've lived in a rural area my whole life and I'm not to sure how I'd take to the city. I don't wanna live house to house, I'd like to have some yard. I currently work as a cnc machinist and would like to keep that job. I don't know much about Utah, just wanted to get some opinions on whether it's a good place to live or not. Anything would be appreciated!

[forsheamountain]

I would advise you to research opportunities in your occupational field. Most of the state's economy and population are along the wasatch front.

[kletter1mann]

As an out-of-state transplant it's good if you like:

• amazing outdoor recreation (skiing, cycling of every kind, hiking, etc)
• suburban sprawl to the max. Not "city," just endless suburbs and strip malls for ever and ever and ever. Understand that unless you're in Salt Lake City area you're not likely to find work as CNC machinist. Except, maybe, in the oil field areas. But as a 19 YO guy that would probably be pretty awful.

As for desert and heat, in midsummer the desert is useless except from the inside of an air conditioned car. It's just too hot. I don't mean uncomfortable, I mean life threatening. The desert is really only useful in spring and fall. In summer you'll be trying to get to the mountains. On the plus side, compared to Mass the winters in Salt Lake are a joke.

[irman]

https://www.indeed.com/q-CNC-Machini...,-UT-jobs.html

Looks like some openings available so try it...

I would not move, without a job opportunity!

[parentologist]

Cost of housing has skyrocketed in SLC. Figure $600/month for a room in a house shared with other young people. Figure at least a thousand a month for a one bedroom or studio apartment. Figure on never being able to buy your own home - prices go up faster than you can save or earn.

Other than that, the outdoor recreation opportunities (skiing, hiking, river-rafting, camping) are incredible, and some of them are quite close to the city. You want to live in or near SLC - there's a vibrant young scene in SLC. The rest of the state, NO. Mostly centered around families and church.

Very bad air quality in Greater SLC area because of the bowl-like topography, surrounding mountains. If you have asthma, not a good choice.

Otherwise, I think that SLC is a fantastic place to be young, if you're into outdoor recreation. Amazing skiing and hiking so close to the city.

[Listener2307]

Yes!
As a 19 year old you should set out to make your life. I am an old retired guy now, but one of the very best things I did in my life was to leave my home area and blaze paths for myself.
It was a wonderful choice for me in 1963, and it will be a wonderful choice for you....

I have been to 49 states and 20 foreign countries. I hope you get to see and do everything I did (almost).

[SanJuanStar]

Originally Posted by parentologist

Cost of housing has skyrocketed in SLC. Figure $600/month for a room in a house shared with other young people. Figure at least a thousand a month for a one bedroom or studio apartment. Figure on never being able to buy your own home - prices go up faster than you can save or earn..

Compared to Mass? Utah rent prices are cheap. Like 50% cheaper. Restaurants are cheaper also.

[forsheamountain]

When my great-great-great grandfather arrived in Utah he built a two story house. He dug a pit and rolled the wagon over it, lmfao! You'll be fine Forum user 31. Work hard, avoid addiction, avoid caustic romances and debt, manage your money and you'll be fine.

[parentologist]

Originally Posted by SanJuanStar

Compared to Mass? Utah rent prices are cheap. Like 50% cheaper. Restaurants are cheaper also.

Certainly, if the OP is living in Boston, yes, SLC is cheaper. But I doubt he is paying market rent in Boston; in fact, I doubt that at 19 he is paying ANY rent - he's probably living rent-free with family. He doesn't have relatives to move in with, in SLC.

He would need to be earning about 30K/yr to live in a bedroom in a shared house with other young people in SLC, the cheapest and most common way for young people to live. I don't know if he can swing that, in his line of work, in SLC. But if he can, it certainly is a fun place to be in your early 20s, if you like outdoor recreation.

[parentologist]

https://www.google.com/search?q=cnc+...:1606656465307

$17-18/hr for CNC machinist SLC entry or 1-2 yrs experience. OP, go for it! It will be an adventure.