Utah Valley - Can we be allowed to share our experiences? (Salt Lake City: rent, mortgage) - (UT) - Page 8 - City-Data Forum

kaytidid · 02-04-2009, 11:18 AM

There are several fine dining restaurants up the Ogden way..try the ski resorts even. There are two off the top of my head, the Timber Mine and the Prairie Schooner restaurants.

Ogden Guide to Events, Dining, Hotels, and Area Information
That website might help a little.

Good luck!

osugirl2 · 02-04-2009, 11:21 AM

thank you!

Cycle · 02-04-2009, 11:52 AM

osugirl2
I moved here from Kansas eight months ago, the culture shock was tremendous, it is nothing like living in the midwest but that is not a bad thing, just different. My husband is ANG and even though we live in Utah County I drive to Hill once a month and go to the Commissary. It is an hour and a half drive to and from, but well worth it...the cost of living is much higher here than in the midwest groceries are very pricey, driving there is always fun because it is like re-entering civilization (what I am used to anyways). Do you have a sponsor at Hill? If not you should be able to request one through family services they should be able to get you one, and I would call ahead to your unit to get some personal perspective...also when you are looking at neighborhoods you can google churches in that neighborhood and just find one that has some diversity with good representation for different relgions and you should be ok. Utah is absolutely beautiful and there is so much to do here, Hill has a great selection of outdoor equipment at outdoor rec and they get some really good deals through tickets and tours, you will have a wonderful time here just make sure you get into a decent neighborhood, I would definately check out Layton. Have you checked to see if Hill has a decent Child Care Center?
Cycle

kaytidid · 02-04-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osugirl2

and thank you for the welcome! I have to say I"m a bit nervous. I was born and raised in Oklahoma, and I've never lived anywhere but here. Being my first move, I have no idea what to expect, plus SO and I will be consolidating households for the first time as well, so it should prove to be interesting....lol That said, I'm really excited at the same time, and I'm looking forward to becoming a good enough skier to not slide down the mountain (that's what happened the first and only time I went skiing as a teenager)

I was an Air Force brat, so relocating often growing up was commonplace! Utah has tons of great things to do and see. I am not a skier though. 14 years here and never once set foot on the slopes. Moving to Utah can be an experience. There is culture shock, no doubt about it. Keep an open mind and you will be fine. As Cycle has documented above, finding the right neighborhood can be crucial for some. Have you thought about renting for a bit or are you looking to buy?

Chickrae · 02-04-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaytidid

I would say Layton would be a good idea, but I have heard that the further east you go in Layton, it can be a bit cliquey. I don't know though. My brother lived in Layton for a few years and he didn't experience that and loved living there. He did live in West Layton though. Clearfield is also a thought. Anyplace right around the base has a bit more diversity. I wouldn't worry about your son being an outcast. Military kids are usually very open and accepting, and if he is, others will be too.
Could I ask what your SO does?

Welcome to Utah!

Totally agree with you kaytidid. I lived in East Layton for 14 years and then Layton by HAFB for 2 years. I saw the "clicky" thing somewhat in east Layton. I honestly think it has to do with East Layton maybe being a little more affluent.
I also lived in Clearfield for 11 years and loved it there.

Chickrae · 02-04-2009, 12:07 PM

If Ogden is your choice....go to South Ogden or very North Ogden. I really didn't care for the central part of Ogden. Just my opinion of course. There is something to be said about Location, location, location. Layton is a nice bedroom community with everything that you need close by.

osugirl2 · 02-04-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaytidid

I was an Air Force brat, so relocating often growing up was commonplace! Utah has tons of great things to do and see. I am not a skier though. 14 years here and never once set foot on the slopes. Moving to Utah can be an experience. There is culture shock, no doubt about it. Keep an open mind and you will be fine. As Cycle has documented above, finding the right neighborhood can be crucial for some. Have you thought about renting for a bit or are you looking to buy?

I'm not quite sure what we're going to do yet. I own a house here in Oklahoma which I will probably keep and rent out. I'm a civilian employee so I'll be making decent money, but unless my SO has a job before we get there we would probably only be able to use my income to qualify for a mortgage which could make it tricky. I hold a real estate license here in OKC, so I'm all about the benefits of home ownership, but since I have no clue what I'm getting into and since it seems that the right area is key there, I'm leaning towards renting for awhile before I buy. I did look at Real Estate in Layton and noticed it was very reasonably priced and that the price per square foot was similar to where I'm from.

osugirl2 · 02-04-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickrae

Totally agree with you kaytidid. I lived in East Layton for 14 years and then Layton by HAFB for 2 years. I saw the "clicky" thing somewhat in east Layton. I honestly think it has to do with East Layton maybe being a little more affluent.
I also lived in Clearfield for 11 years and loved it there.

I haven't made it far enough to check out Clearfield yet, but that is something I will do tonight!

osugirl2 · 02-04-2009, 12:55 PM

Also,

what is the growing season like around there? Are there enough warm months to grow a garden of any kind? I'm kind of a foodie, so I like to grow some of my herbs and veggies that I cook with frequently :

osugirl2 · 02-04-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cycle

osugirl2
I moved here from Kansas eight months ago, the culture shock was tremendous, it is nothing like living in the midwest but that is not a bad thing, just different. My husband is ANG and even though we live in Utah County I drive to Hill once a month and go to the Commissary. It is an hour and a half drive to and from, but well worth it...the cost of living is much higher here than in the midwest groceries are very pricey, driving there is always fun because it is like re-entering civilization (what I am used to anyways). Do you have a sponsor at Hill? If not you should be able to request one through family services they should be able to get you one, and I would call ahead to your unit to get some personal perspective...also when you are looking at neighborhoods you can google churches in that neighborhood and just find one that has some diversity with good representation for different relgions and you should be ok. Utah is absolutely beautiful and there is so much to do here, Hill has a great selection of outdoor equipment at outdoor rec and they get some really good deals through tickets and tours, you will have a wonderful time here just make sure you get into a decent neighborhood, I would definately check out Layton. Have you checked to see if Hill has a decent Child Care Center?
Cycle

I haven't checked out child care yet, although most bases do have a child care center (big waiting list here in OKC). My new office chief is trying to get me info on the base right now. Do you happen to know what daycare rates run around Ogden?