[SKPhoto816]

So this is a bit off topic but I'm not sure where else to turn. Last weekend I had an interview in Midvale for a pretty good company that just moved there. I spent the weekend snowboarding at Snowbird and exploring Salt Lake. The town seems kinda nice but I'm a little worried about the social scene. Not trying to hate at all - I grew up in Colorado Springs, went to school in Denver and currently live in Ann Arbor, MI. I'm used to strong local economies and the accompanying local grocers and butchers. Any advice about the social scene would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[CeeJay]

There are detractors of Salt Lake out there, and it probably isn't for everyone, but in reality it is a fairly large city and I think you can probably find a niche that fits you. If you get serious about the job you may want to think about Sugarhouse as a neighborhood that might be the vibe you are looking for. A nice community feel, strong local business presence all that. Addidionally, it would be a quick commute to work either driving or on the train.

However, it is too packed here anyway with transplants, so in the spirit of that I will say Salt Lake sucks, it is totalitarian, and everyone here is weird.

 

[steadyflow]

Overall it sucks...access to the mountains is great. For reference I lived there for 10 years and have been in Colorado for almost 6 years now. Can't even compare Denver to SLC....I would never consider living in SLC over the Front Range now. Plus the inversion there is horrible in the winter. Only thing I miss is the skiing. But I would live there over Michigan.....you will be in shock moving from liberal Ann Arbor to SLC.....it is a strange place.

 

[mojojojoaf]

HAHA yeah I am living here my third time as work and jobs have pulled me between Cali and Utah 3 times. It can be weird and it is not for everyone- this time out its been the best mostly because there is better diversity.

But when I found out I was moving back I was excited because the mountain access is so good. I don't ski but I ride and have ridden Utah for years. Love it. Just be sure to stock up on your food storage. HAHAH>

 

[neongreen]

So this is a bit off topic but I'm not sure where else to turn. Last weekend I had an interview in Midvale for a pretty good company that just moved there. I spent the weekend snowboarding at Snowbird and exploring Salt Lake. The town seems kinda nice but I'm a little worried about the social scene. Not trying to hate at all - I grew up in Colorado Springs, went to school in Denver and currently live in Ann Arbor, MI. I'm used to strong local economies and the accompanying local grocers and butchers. Any advice about the social scene would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I grew up in small town Utah and am now a student in Provo. I just spent a few months living in Ann Arbor, and so I might have some insight for you. I haven't actually lived in SLC but it's different for sure. Utah is a lot more outdoors oriented. You'll actually run into a lot of people who bike/hike/camp/rock climb a lot on a regular basis. There is a huge variety of geography here which is really nice. During the winter, you can bike/board, and then the next week, drive 4-5 hours to St. George and ride in 65 degree weather.

Utah has a really weird culture.There is obviously the strong Mormon influence, which I'll be honest (and I'm Mormon), can be irritating at times. There will always be people who are over-zealous, uptight and weird. Then on the other hand, there are a lot of people who are over-zealous about being not Mormon, which is just as annoying. I felt that in Ann Arbor, people just were, and didn't define themselves on who they weren't. Advice on the social scene, do your best to understand the Mormon culture since it's the way of life for over 50% of the population. You don't have to life that way, just understand it.

You can still find a lot of small, independent restaurants, etc. You may have to look a bit harder for some of this stuff than in AA, but it can be found. There are a fair number of small concert venues, if you are into that sort of thing.

 

[Summit]

It's definitely gay here, and the Mormons make life miserable.

 

[SKPhoto816]

I grew up in small town Utah and am now a student in Provo. I just spent a few months living in Ann Arbor, and so I might have some insight for you. I haven't actually lived in SLC but it's different for sure. Utah is a lot more outdoors oriented. You'll actually run into a lot of people who bike/hike/camp/rock climb a lot on a regular basis. There is a huge variety of geography here which is really nice. During the winter, you can bike/board, and then the next week, drive 4-5 hours to St. George and ride in 65 degree weather.

Utah has a really weird culture.There is obviously the strong Mormon influence, which I'll be honest (and I'm Mormon), can be irritating at times. There will always be people who are over-zealous, uptight and weird. Then on the other hand, there are a lot of people who are over-zealous about being not Mormon, which is just as annoying. I felt that in Ann Arbor, people just were, and didn't define themselves on who they weren't. Advice on the social scene, do your best to understand the Mormon culture since it's the way of life for over 50% of the population. You don't have to life that way, just understand it.

You can still find a lot of small, independent restaurants, etc. You may have to look a bit harder for some of this stuff than in AA, but it can be found. There are a fair number of small concert venues, if you are into that sort of thing.

That helps a lot. I really appreciate everybody's perspective on this. It's a tough choice but I've also considered going back to school in Golden, CO to get a second degree. Guess I'll wait to see if an offer comes through and what it is. Thanks for everybody's help on this.

 

[chuky]

We have too many people here, and I am sick of all the hipsters.

 

[slcrockymountainrider]

and am now a student in Provo.

Ha! Sucker.

 

[slcrockymountainrider]

It's definitely gay here, and the Mormons make life miserable.

There you go again! Always with the rambling political diatribe! Sheez!

It is true though. So really, thanks for saying it.

 

[slcrockymountainrider]

We have too many people here, and I am sick of all the hipsters.

I'm quite ok with the hipsters so long as they are courtious when salmoning their bikes down a busy street.
Don't dress in ill fitting pants.
Have non-gauged ear rings.
Don't point their toes inwards when sitting on a bench and eating a vegan sandwich.
Expose their bare ankles.
Weigh more than 90lbs (the men, excuse me-boys).

And can carry a standard size plastic grocery bag containing a roll of paper towels, a box of Clairol 'Nice 'N Easy' black hair dye and a two-pack of Hostess Pink Snowballs with one hand.

 

[slcrockymountainrider]

Man, I can't even spell or write so good no more. Stupid Engrish As A Second Language courses.

Courteous

...so long as they are courteous when salmoning....

 

[neongreen]

I'm quite ok with the hipsters so long as they are courtious when salmoning their bikes down a busy street.
Don't dress in ill fitting pants.
Have non-gauged ear rings.
Don't point their toes inwards when sitting on a bench and eating a vegan sandwich.
Expose their bare ankles.
Weigh more than 90lbs (the men, excuse me-boys).

And can carry a standard size plastic grocery bag containing a roll of paper towels, a box of Clairol 'Nice 'N Easy' black hair dye and a two-pack of Hostess Pink Snowballs with one hand.

"I don't understand a single word you just said."

 

[SporkfromKFC]

Are you looking for advice about local grocers and butchers or the social scene? I mean, I'm not trying to imply that you don't have an Alice and Sam the Butcher relationship with your meat guy, but that's not the definition of a social scene.

Park City is awesome and fun most nights. There are some decent bars and restaurants in Salt Lake. From Sandy South there isn't shitall to do, it's suburbia. Utah County is among the worst places on Earth (some okay bike trails though).

 

[ilovemtnbiking]

it's great

It's definitely gay here, and the Mormons make life miserable.

I've lived here for 9 years. It's great. The Mormons are very nice people. The biggest brainwash that you need to avoid is that "mormons make life miserable" You'll never hear Mormons complaining about non mormons but you'll always hear people like Summit bagging on the mormons and blaming them for their lifes inadequacies. There's a lot of people here that have never lived anywhere else and have the idea that people who live outside of Utah walk freely naked and drunk in the streets. Because of this this they constantly whine about how Utah is so "restrictive" and "repressed". In reality these people have just watched a bit too much television and have not made the jump to live in another state. Maybe they're too afraid to leave "home"

 

[Silentfoe]

Utah is a great place to live and work. There is plenty here to do and you more than likely will be able to find your niche. People are the same every where you go, there are always nuts and oddballs and zealots. You'll fit in.

 

[SprungShoulders]

Air quality (generally): sucks. Drivers: suck. Political and ethnic diversity: none. Morons (and Mormons) in legislature: plenty. Local Forest Service view of mountain bikers: scourge of the planet; if they had their way we wouldn't be allowed on anything but the Jordan River Pkwy. Alcohol: Overpriced, but you can usually get what you want as long as a DABC carries it; no online orders though. Social life: you can find a niche, but it takes a little time/effort. Access to a variety of outdoor activities: fantastic. Job market: it depends on your field of expertise, but overall...meh. Housing prices: on the high side. Taxes: not too bad...except for the recent trend in a la carte "non-tax" taxes. "Da Mormon thing": don't worry about it; just tell the missionaries/stake rep's to sod off, and go about your business.

If you've never lived here, give it a go. After fifteen years, I'm ready to try something else. Some aspects of SLC I really like, others not so much. Time has begun to tip the balance towards the latter... YMMV.

 

[SKPhoto816]

Are you looking for advice about local grocers and butchers or the social scene? I mean, I'm not trying to imply that you don't have an Alice and Sam the Butcher relationship with your meat guy, but that's not the definition of a social scene.

Park City is awesome and fun most nights. There are some decent bars and restaurants in Salt Lake. From Sandy South there isn't shitall to do, it's suburbia. Utah County is among the worst places on Earth (some okay bike trails though).

I've grown pretty fond of the CSA's and local ranchers and butchers in Ann Arbor. Kinda nice to walk in a shop and they know you're throwing a party and have your cut ready for you.

Got the offer today. Thanks to everyone for their views, I've got a lot of thinking to do.

 

[chuky]

http://www.csautah.org/
http://www.epicbrewing.com/
http://pagoslc.com/
http://livewithcommitment.blogspot.com/2010/10/dig-eat-ride.html

Haters gonna hate.

 

[slcrockymountainrider]

http://www.utahbrideandgroom.com/
http://utahbrideguide.com/
http://whiteelegance.com/
http://www.utahbrideblog.com/

Haters already be hatin'.