I May Be Moving to SLC - Need Info, Opinions

[stopbush]

I'm in negotiations for a very well-paying position in Salt Lake City (6-figure salary). This looks like it's going to happen with a start date of June 1. I've been unemployed for 3 years and I pretty much need to take this position if it's offered.

That said, I'm looking for opinions of how my family would fare in Utah. First off, we're very liberal and atheists at that. I have two young kids - 7 & 10. Our big concern would be finding schools for them that were 1) good and 2) not religious in nature. Do the public schools there stress religion? Do they have *prayer time* and any such BS?

I'll admit, the Mormon/religious thing kinda spooks me. My wife has vacationed up there and says the area is beautiful, so she's in, regardless. Is there a liberal/artistic community there?

Secondary concerns would be cultural - we like the more-classical bent in the arts: music, opera, museums, galleries, etc. What's that like in SLC?

How's the food?

I appreciate any opinions you can throw my way.

[TeeYiYi]

1. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised . . .

Salt Lake City is a very clean city nestled at the base of the beautiful Wasatch mountains. Park City and Deer Valley are a hop, skip . . . etc. You'll love the mountains in summer for arts festivals and concerts as well as in winter if you like to ski. Culturally, there is more than enough to keep you satisfied. There are concerts both indoors and outdoors. Red Butte Gardens http://www.redbuttegarden.org has a concert series not to be missed. There are plenty of nightclubs and restaurants (too many to list) with an assortment of excellent styles of food to choose from. There is a part-and-jet system in downtown Salt Lake where you can eat at certain restaurants and then take a bus to the Delta Center for the Utah Jazz and other main events. http://www.visitsaltlake.com/home.shtml For a list of restaurants as well as just about every other thing going on in Salt Lake, check out Salt Lake City Weekly which is a weekly non-mormon newspaper with a website. http://www.slweekly.com/

Salt Lake City has a thriving performing arts community including the Utah Opera Company at the Capitol Theatre with consistently sold-our shows, multi-million dollar budgets and an educated audience. http://www.utahopera.org

The Utah Symphony has worldwide recognition with director Keith Lockhart at Abravanel Hall. http://www.utahsymphony.org/personel_detail.cfm?id=171

You'll enjoy Utah's cutting edge modern dance scene at the Rose Wagner Center with the Ririe Woodbury Dance Company, University of Utah Modern Dance Department as well as the Repertory Dance Theater. If ballet is your thing, be sure to catch Ballet West at the Capitol Theatre. http://www.slco.org/fi/facilities/capitol/capitol.html

The theatre scene is happening in Salt Lake with the Pioneer Theatre Company http://www.pioneertheatre.org , Salt Lake Acting Company (SLAC) http://www.saltlakeactingcompany.org , Sundance Theatre Program, Babcock Theatreand the Deseret Star Playhouse; and in Southern Utah with the Utah Shakespearean Festival; and in Park City with the Egyptian Theatre. The Capitol Theatre gets several Broadway plays each year. http://institute.sundance.org/jsps/site.jsp?resource=pag_ex_home

There are lots of artists and galleries to go to. I think they have a gallery stroll every third Friday. There are two huge arts festivals each summer — The Salt Lake Arts Festival in downtown Salt Lake http://arts.utah.gov and the Park City Arts Festival on Main Street in Park City. http://www.kimball-art.org/artfestival.htm

As far as museums, there's the Utah Museum of Fine Arts http://www.umfa.utah.edu , the Utah Museum of Natural History http://www.umnh.utah.edu , and the North American Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point. http://www.thanksgivingpoint.com/museum/index.html You'll want to check out Thanksgiving Point for other stuff as well. I know they have beautiful gardens and a summer concert series.

Some schools are better than others. I would suggest that you live east of 7th East anyway. Although your kids can get involved in the Mormon Church through the schools if they want to, they aren't required to. I would say that Salt Lake is at least 60% non-mormon with a very liberal base. Rocky Anderson is the mayor Salt Lake which has been a thorn in the side of resident mormons for years. Utah is obviously a red state but the liberal lifestyle in Salt Lake makes it tolerable to live here. I actually find Salt Lake to be quite enjoyable and somewhat of a cultural mecca for Utah.

I've probably missed something (I'm sure I have) but basically—just get your butts out here. You're going to love it. :)

TYY

[stopbush]

3. Thanks so much!

Sounds GREAT - eye of the storm, and all that.

I hope it works out. I'll let you know.

[TeeYiYi]

2. One more thing . . .

I totally forgot to hook you up with KRCL — Radio Free Utah in downtown Salt Lake City, one of the best things about living in Utah. Be sure to check out their website and catch their stream if you get a chance. http://www.krcl.org/

TYY :thumbsup:

[Sean Reynolds]

4. Well do you plan on actually moving to the city, or the suburbs?

Because if you actually DO move to the city, you'll find that we've got a pretty liberal ideology and that the religous nature is VERY played down. Though it still will be a factor being the government of Utah is dominated by LDS Republicans.

If you plan on living in the suburbs, you'll live in an area that is VERY LDS, VERY Republican and an area that holds little culture.

But Salt Lake City, as stated above, offers A LOT in the culture department. It's got an amazing arts scene and offers a lot for a town its size.

IMO you should move into either SugarHouse, the Avenues, or Central City.

Three very liberal neighborhoods.

[Momgonepostal]

5. Could you throw some zip codes at me?

I tried to look up some of these areas on MLS to get an idea of real estate prices. What zips cover the avenues and central city?

I know SugarHouse is sorta kinda in the Holladay area.

We're in CA but I'd love to talk my husband into moving to Utah. The job market here stinks and housing prices are insane.

[LDS Jock]

6. zip codes

Avenues area is in 84102 and 84103, downtown 84101 and 84111, Sugarhouse 84106 and 84105 according to my map, which is a couple years old. Could be some new zips by now but this might help. I lived in the Avenues area and cannot recommend it highly enough. I think you will love it there. It is close to downtown, full of older but still beautiful houses, and is the most liberal part of the city.

[Momgonepostal]

7. I had a friend who grew up on third ave

and loved the neighborhood. I'm not sure we could afford it though.

It's probably all moot because my husband is not interested in moving there, even though in my opinion is would be a good financial move for us.

Interesting dilemma about neighborhoods, though. In some of those outlying, more conservative areas, the housing is a lot cheaper. I love older homes, they have so much more character, but I'm not sure how much more I'd pay for that. When you have kids, bigger, cheaper, and with a larger yard is certainly appealing, too.

Edited to say THANK YOU for posting the zips!

[LDS Jock]

10. You're welcome for the zips

Good luck whichever way you decide. The housing will be bigger and cheaper with bigger yards in the south. You might look on the west side too, such as West Jordan and South Jordan. The homes on the west tend to have bigger yards since the price for lots is higher in the east. You will find many (mostly east-siders) have an attitude of superiority over those who live on the west side. For the most part, this is silly. There are parts on the west side which aren't so hot, like parts of West Valley City, and Magna, but West Jordan (84084, 84088) and South Jordan (84065)are both fine. In fact, South Jordan is fairly upscale. Might check out Sandy too (84093,84094,84092) You can use this site

http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_sse=on

to check on places by county, city or zip codes for more detailed info.

Good luck.

[medeak]

8. oh dear....

live just across the border. Have many friends who moved from SLC. It's hardest on the kids. Know many who were tramautized from experience. (One is top aide to dem sen in DC!)

"they" know immediately if you aren't LDS. Was screamed at in hotel parking lot that I was a whore...good luck.."they" come on VERY friendly...want to be your best friend..hoping to recruit you...then after awhile your kids will be ostracised.

Park City is ok...would live there if I were you and commute..no kidding.

[LDS Jock]

9. welcome to DU.. you have some great points

It will be hardest on the kids, especially in the southern parts of SL valley. The further south you go, the more Mormon is becomes. Mormons tend to be somewhat cliquish, although I think its unintentional. They will be nice to you, not just to convert, but that will seemingly always be in the bad of everyone's mind. The mindset to share and/or convert is very strong. Non-LDS kids in heavy LDS areas tend to be outcasts. The LDS kids only want to date other LDS kids and they all hang out together, since they know each other from church and stuff. It will be very hard to integrate successfully but it doesn't mean it can't be done. Just something to be aware of before you go.

[69KV]

11. I think it depends on the neighborhood

Some parts of SLC are not strongly LDS anymore. The general rule is the further out from downtown, the more strongly LDS it gets. I lived in the Avenues which are near the University and a good liberal neighborhood as far as I could tell. But even there I had one incident with neighbors that bothered me, but then those neighbors seemed to be the *only* strong Repukes on the block and weren't nice to anyone.

Park City's nice, but not affordable for most.

I've heard good things about a few small towns in the southern half of the state: Moab, Price, Helper City, Rockville. But they're outside commuting distance from SLC, and I don't know if they're really *liberal* towns, or just towns that are just relative breaths of fresh air compared to the ultraconservative towns that pepper the rest of the state. I've driven through all four and stopped, and get the impression it's the latter.

One place for liberals to avoid, because you'll suffocate from stuffiness or go lonely from ostracism, is Utah County, i.e. Provo and Orem. Home of BYU and about 90% LDS.

[medeak]

12. thanks guys

am seriously thinking of buying second home in St. George but wary of the Mormon factor. Have made one trip there and two ladies in mall parking lot came up to me asking how I could spend so much money on a dog (was letting puppy out of car for a break)

Working with a realtor who tells me it's not that bad but sends me prayers every day on email.

Anyone know anything about St. George?

[69KV]

13. hot

It's hot, like living in Las Vegas or Phoenix. It's maybe an hour or two from vegas. Growing very fast with lots of retirees moving there, and seems pretty conservative.

[Momgonepostal]

14. I think that's more of a little old lady issue...

...than a Mormon issue, to walk up to a stranger and criticize their dog and or their buying habits!

I've never been to St. George, but my inlaws went to some Shakespearean festival there and liked the town. I'm under the impression it's kind of becoming a retirement community, more homes and complexes catering to empty nesters.

[reeree]

19. St. George is way Conservative

I've been canvassing for the DCCC this weekend to support Jim Matheson and we didn't even bother with St. George. Democratic strongholds in Utah: Moab (which is GORGEOUS), Price (which is cold), and SLC.

[BeeBee]

20. St George

If you're not sure about St George, take a look at Mesquite, NV. Only a half hour away and less traffic and lower taxes.

[Sean Reynolds]

16. I've found that within the city limits Salt Lake City is a nice place.

It totally changes from neighborhood to neighborhood. Where I live (SugarHouse) you've got more colleged age kids that are the coffee shop liberals. However central city and the west side you've got the minority, working class liberals. In the Aves you've got the 30 something liberals. The only real conservative area is the eastern bench, and even they tend to be more moderate than typical Republicans in Utah.

[tiedye]

15. The food is terrible

We are similar. Only we are half Presbyterian. Yes the schools although they are public, only hire teachers from BYU. Hopefully the anti-bully campaign will help. They tell my kids they won't go to heaven. I tell my kids to ask them how they know this and that God told my kids that all mormons don't go to heaven and Gandhi wasn't mormon and he went to heaven. It gets to the point of being rediculous. Basically its a white morman male supremacy gig, but the only way to stop it is to dilute them. There is a strong underground of blowback. KRCL 90.9 radio will get you all hooked up. KRCL.org.

Salt Lake is liberal, Utah county is less diverse, more repressive.

On the bright side. Most beautiful environment ever. Its just like on the Donny and Marie show only better. Everyone plays an instrument, presumedly to ward off masterbation.
The states rights issue can be used to foment some good anti-administration attitudes, but basically, they are fox viewers, in the dark. They also are really sweet about philanthropy. Oh, and they bring you food when you move in.

These missionaries came and visited me and they asked if I needed anything. I said no thanks, they offered to sing a hymn. I don't know, I thought that was sweet.

Have you ever lived in an all jewish neighborhood? Same thing, no one wants their kids to marry you, but otherwise they are an interesting culture with some important lessons to tach. Great socialists.

Im not opposed to Liquer stores being closed on Sundays, but I don't want the state profiting off of the liquer sales.

Come, get involved in politics.

[cheesesnackidea]

17. Take it from another liberal atheist who happily resides in Utah. . .

I grew up here and have lived here my whole life except for the college years.

SLC is great.

The public education here is not religiously fueled, but it is substandard and inadequate. You may want to look into one of the private schools. The only private school that is NOT religiously affiliated is Waterford http://www.waterfordschool.org.
Culturally, you find what you look for. The symphony is great, Ballet West is great, the monthly gallery stroll is great, the live music scene is great, great rare book shops, great antique shops - etc.
As far as neighborhoods, if you're looking to live in like-minded areas, I would stress Sugar House, the avenues, University area or downtown.

The Mormon thing is nutty, but if you live in the right area it's almost (and I stress almost) not a factor. Stick to urban Salt Lake and you'll be fine.

Food is good, I noticed some one previously posted that it is shitty. It's a matter of opinion, I guess, but I've always been able to find nice restaurants.
Hope this helps. Check out my website, I usually try to post about cultural SLC happenings.
E-mail me if you have more ?'s (we need more atheists here).

[deadeye]

18. you will be fine in downtown SLC as others have mentioned

The restaurant selection is awesome, I dont know what the other person is thinking, especially if you like sushi.

The schools are the biggest problem, we ended up putting our kids in catholic school even though we are not particularly catholic.

We moved here 7 years ago after the cost of living in CA drove us out. At first we thought it would be temp, we now have no plans to leave.

[number6]

21. SLC is the most Liberal part of the state

they have culture ....:hi:

..have concerts at Park City and Snowbird