Thoughts on Utah

Well first off - let me just say this is not something that's immediate.  But after the joys (lol) of an impromptu move to the UK - I want to be more prepared for the possible eventual move to the States.

David's found a place (that he thinks) he likes.  Not set in stone - we've not even been there in person yet.  And he certainly wants to visit and get a feel for the place first.  But he's thinking Salt Lake City.  I knew this snowboarding thing would get me in trouble. 

So now I'm looking at houses (thank goodness for realtor.com) and trying to figure out what the job / schooling situation is like.  I don't know whether to be excited or terrified.  I suspect the answer should be - both!

Right now this is almost in the realms of fantasy, but it may become reality in the near future. 

Drat...just when I was starting to fit in.   :\\\'(

And yes - I am rather daunted at  being a Heathen in a sea of Mormons.  The Mormons I've met are great people - but I'm going to miss the feeling of community that I've found over here.   

So yeah...this is me...babbling / dithering....

wench

Considering the subtitle under your screen name, sounds like SLC is not the place for you.  Just kidding.  But seriously, SLC is the epicenter of a subculture which is not your own, so get ready to be a bit of an outsider.

I'm also not a member of that church.  But you have to admire them.

Jim

I think that SLC is becoming more diverse.  Provo-Orem, now there's a mecca of Mormondom for you.  (I happen to be Mormon myself, but even I find Provo a bit too LDS at times!) 

Let's see....SLC.....close to some great outdoor recreational activities.  (Skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, etc., during the winter; hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing during the summer.)  Decent airport, although I find fares to where I want to go tend to be cheaper from Las Vegas.  Interstate 15 seems to be ALWAYS under construction, so expect road delays no matter where you want to go!  Decent shopping.  Within a day's drive of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks (yay!), Timpanogos Cave, Golden Spike, etc., etc.  (Gotta' get the National Park Service plug in there!)  University of Utah is a nice school.  Barnes and Nobles and Starbucks abound.  If you like amusement parks, Lagoon is right up the road.  Hogle Zoo is in town if you like zoos.  Some nice restaurants.  (A personal favorite of mine - the Bombay House.)  NBA team in town (Utah Jazz.)  No NFL team, but college football is big.  (BYU v UofU - big rivalry.)  I think wages in Utah in general tend to be lower than the national average.  I believe the cost of living in SLC is a bit lower than average as well.  I'll see if I can remember the website that has that information.  House prices seem to be climbing at a higher rate than salaries, though, so if you want to get into the housing market I'd probably recommend sooner rather than later.  I live in southern Utah and only visit SLC so I'm certainly not an expert on the area....these are only personal observations!

Oooooo, how exciting, Wenchy! 

My dad lives in Utah...but a bit south of SLC.  I was born in Provo (and am LDS as well!) but I don't have any memories of it that will be useful I'm afraid.  We moved away when I was pretty little.  But I do know it's a beautiful area....the landscape is amazing.

But I do know it's a beautiful area....the landscape is amazing.

The mountains are absolutely gorgeous.  I lived along the Wasatch front through elementary school and into my first year of junior high.  Neither Provo nor SLC, but kind of between the two.  The whole area has really boomed.  I was in Provo briefly this weekend....there's actually a Krishna temple near Provo and my kids wanted to go to Holi.  It's kind of cool to see the Krishna temple in the middle of Utah county!  It's actually located across the street from the Jehova's Witnesses church, so not EVERYONE in the area is LDS! 

Closet - David's actually a fan of the krishnas lol.  So he's pleased.     Seriously, thank you (and you wish!) for the encouraging words.   

subculture which is not your own

A valid point -  but considering that I've survived as a yankee in yob central for the last 4 years, I imagine I'll survive.  As my husband says "if they have the internet, it's home."

I don't know whether to be excited or terrified. I suspect the answer should be - both!

Right now this is almost in the realms of fantasy, but it may become reality in the near future.

Drat...just when I was starting to fit in. :\\\'(

Ah, Wench, welcome to my world!    (I don't mean to frighten you!   )


The truth is, sometimes life and circumstances guide us, instead of the other way around.   This is particularly true in international relationships.  

So long as you follow your instincts and you and David have each other, your decision will be the right one.

Best of luck no matter WHAT you decide!

Closet - David's actually a fan of the krishnas lol.  So he's pleased.     Seriously, thank you (and you wish!) for the encouraging words.   

Here's a link to their website... http://www.utahkrishnas.com/

They seem to have a fairly full schedule of festivals and celebrations, but visitors are welcome any day.  It's a pretty interesting place to visit.  They also have a herd (flock?) of llamas....my kids have started bringing carrots with them to feed the llamas when we visit.

Sounds good... i kind of like the krisnas as well (George Harrison fan, here!)... i had a look at their site and it does look like they have a lot of activities.

Good luck on your decision, Wench.

Haven't been to SLC, but as a former climber, spent loads of time around Moab and Zion.  GORGEOUS!  Absolutely gorgeous.  It's a real chance from the UK, being a much more arid climate, but you can't been the outdoor activity options - the mountain biking is some of the best in the country, the climbing is amazingly challenging, hiking, etc.  A very laid-back vibe to the town - lots of places for good food and good vegetarian food in particular.

And yes - I am rather daunted at  being a Heathen in a sea of Mormons.

I wouldn't worry about that. 

I am orginally from Utah and SLC isn't so much a "sea of Mormons" even though there are a lot of them there.  I had pagan roommates in college from SLC.  You will be able to find them.