Gezza

Hi,

Could someone please advise on what life is like in Utah? I am considering a work related move to Salt Lake City, but so far the only state I have lived in is Texas. The whole thing about the Mormon church, polygamy or little girls being kidnapped frightens my wife a little. Do ordinary monogamous or Christian people live there too? Besides, is there a problem there with fresh water? cause not many homes appear to have swimming pools.

Any 1st hand experience comments would be most .

Many thanks,


Gezza

Gezza

..be most welcome..

scrubbedexpat097

You know Utah is a beautiful state and there are plenty of non-mormons that live there quite happily.

I'm not sure about where the whole "little girls kidnapped" is coming from, I don't think it is anymore a problem in Utah than anywhere elseGoodness, you've lived in Texas and survived so I imagine Utah will be a walk in the park.

Bob

A few years back I asked about Salt Lake city, here's the thread - http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=524598

I'm sure you can probably find more up to date info, but it's a start.

City-data.com is also a good spot.

I'm glad my opportunity didn't work out because they went puff about 6 months later and so did a couple other companies in the area not long after.

rallybug

If you're moving to SLC itself, you'll probably be fine - stay away from Utah County and southern Salt Lake County as they're pretty much Mormon dominated.

I'm moving there later this year, my fiancee is a born and bred Utahn (currently lives in North Salt Lake, but was born and brought up in Bountiful).

Ask away and I'll get her responses

I assume the "little girls kidnapped" bit is in response to some media coverage of the Elizabeth Smart case? As mentioned, I doubt that Utah is much different to any other area on that front.

Active LDS church membership is on the decline, apparently, assisted by more non-LDS moving into the state.

Gin did say that one benefit is that the bugs are smaller in Utah than Texas

rallybug

Oh, and as for fresh water, Utah is a desert and has been in a virtual state of drought for a couple decades - lots of run-off from the mountain snowpacks though (currently sitting at 200% of the long-term average, I think), so only the rich tend to have pools as using water for one is pretty expensive.

The flip side is, of course, mountains - year-round entertainment, whether you like hiking, mountain bikes, winter sports, things like that, plus all the lakes in the mountains for water sports.

sir_eccles

Just visited some catholic relatives of the wife who live in SLC. We drove up from Phx which was an amazing drive, beautiful scenery.

Sticking to the urban areas of SLC where it is more cosmopolitan is probably for the best as outside them people know nothing but LDS and are very insular.

Consider a private school. The relatives send their kids to a private catholic school. Apparently Mormon kids don't play nice with non-mormon kids in the public schools. Sounded pretty vicious. Be prepared for neighbors to shun you.

Generally speaking if you are accosted by missionaries, if you tell them you aren't interested they generally leave you alone. We were 7-0 walking across temple square.

What is a shame for the LDS is they do a huge amount of good work for charity and disaster relief which is often overshadowed by their proselytizing, evangelizing, baptizing the dead, attitudes to women, gays, etc.

fallingwater

We moved from Texas to Qatar, then back to Texas via a year in Salt Lake City. Don't need to worry about the Mormons if you live close to the city itself, around the University - much more liberal than out in the suburbs. I enjoyed it - particularly after Qatar, the scenery and climate were a gift after that! Rowland Hall is a great private school, West High School if you stay with state education. Nice areas to live are The Avenues, and Sugar House. We lived in a renovated rental on 18th Avenue. Our neighbours were very welcoming from mixed backgrounds, no sign of any Mormon pressure even though we lived next door but one from an LDS church. The views of the Wasatch mountains and the canyons over towards the Great Salt Lake were wonderful (especially after three years looking at a building site in Qatar). A long winter but it was magical with all the powdery snow. Very different to Texas but I like both places. A decent arts scene going on in town, theatre etc, hiking in summer, skiing or snow-shoeing in winter, mountain biking etc and even a few small local breweries - just don't have more than one drink per person on your table at a time! Good luck.

Gezza

...Appreciate a good respnse.

Are there any lake beaches on the lake? Is the Salt Lake the same as any other lake?

fallingwater

No so sure about beaches, the Salt Lake is a bit different, I don't think much lives in it, but it is an interesting area. At certain times the lake emits a smell like rotten eggs, something to do with its bacteria level, but I only ever noticed this around the airport. Google Antelope Island for more information about the area and what to do there. If there's anything else just ask.

Gezza

Thanks again.
How is Sandy/Draper area? Is it family friendly?

fallingwater

We used to go to Sandy for the mall/shopping sometimes. Not sure about living there, a bit too far out of town, a bit bland, probably family friendly though I don't know how Mormon it is. I liked the identity of being close to Salt Lake City itself, it's not that big, very manageable day to day, the suburbs did not appeal to me in the same way. I suppose it depends on where you are working as well.

Gezza

What is proselytising?

nickkellie

whats so bad about mormons ? I have mormons in my family... they are lovely people. Open your mind....

md95065

I don't think that there is anything inherently "bad" about Mormons but, if you happen to be non-religious (or, possibly, even if you are), you may find that some of their views and beliefs can be are anything from slightly strange to deeply disturbing and that might make you feel uncomfortable living in a community where many people subscribe to those beliefs.