In the Spring of 2000 I moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. I was freshly graduated from college and ready for my first adult job. I took the job in Utah without ever having stepped foot in the state. I had never been to Salt Lake City, or any other city in Utah. I took a giant leap of faith driving across the country from Ohio to Utah to start a job in a city where I literally only “knew” the man who interviewed me over the phone. Facetime didn’t exist back then and we had only had about two or three conversations prior to my move. It took me four days to make the drive in my little Dodge Spirit that was packed with every belonging I owned.
Fast-forward and I’ve lived in and out of Salt Lake City for nearly 20 years! There were a few stops more recently outside of the state – in Atlanta, and then back West to Boise, Idaho. There is a reason I moved back to Salt Lake City, but back in 2000 there was a lot that I did not know. Salt Lake City and the surrounding area has changed dramatically in those years. Like anything, some changes have been good and others less desired.
Salt Lake City Is Much More Progressive Than You Would Have Guessed
Utah is clearly a conservative state, but what I wasn’t ready for is how progressive it is in Salt Lake City. Things have certainly changed since I moved here years ago. The bars and clubs were called “a private club for members”, and you had to have a membership to enter a drinking establishment. There were two ways of going about this: 1. You purchase a yearly membership to just that 1 club/bar or 2. Someone who is a member, and inside the bar/club, would sponsor you. Ultimately, think of it like a cover charge to enter a drinking establishment. Those days are long gone now and you can thank the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
In fact, the Downtown Alliance has now created an entertainment district along the Main Street corridor in downtown Salt Lake City. In the summer months the streets are closed to allow more patrons along this stretch of Main Street in downtown Salt Lake. There is an abundance of coffee shops, restaurants, theaters, and more bringing culture and experiences to Utah.
Know When The Liquor Stores Are Closed
As any good Utahn knows, you have to stock up on your alcohol during holidays. You can find beer and hard cider inside grocery stores, but if you’re looking for hard liquor, wine, and sake then you’re making a trip to the state liquor store. The first thing to know is you will be asked to show your ID, even if you look well over the age of 21. Most of this is to make sure your ID is valid and not expired, but be nice to the employees. They are usually very friendly and are required to ask, so don’t be put off by having to show your ID. It only takes a second and it’s a minor inconvenience.
However, the liquor stores are closed on government holidays so it is wise to get to the liquor store a few days before the Saturday of a long, holiday weekend. Sure, you can go on a Saturday, but plan on standing in line with everyone else that forgot that there is a holiday on Monday. You can also bypass this by stocking up on your favorite items over time. The state liquor stores also allow you to order wine by the case! There are some instances in being able to join wine clubs; however, you’ll need to speak to someone at the liquor store to set those up. You cannot have wine shipped directly to your home from out of state.
Where There Is A Dominate Culture, There Is A Dominate Sub-Culture
Yes, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is headquartered in Salt Lake City. I like to tell people think about what it would be like if you lived in Vatican City. You’re going to hear about the dominate religion in Utah, but of course you will because their world headquarters are here and their pioneers settled the state in the 1800s. However, not everyone you meet is going to be of that religion. I have met Jewish, Catholic, Hindu, and people of various faiths in Salt Lake City.
You’ll see a decent amount of Mormon missionaries when you move to Utah. Most of the time, they won’t be coming to your door unless you have asked for them to stop by. In fact, in all of the years I have lived here I can only recall about two different times when missionaries came to my door. They are nice and respectful, and will take a polite no from you if you’re not interested.
More often then not you’re going to come across people who identify as ex-Mormon and some as non-practicing Mormon. Again, this is going to be pretty common considering the majority of the population in the state practices this faith. In my time here I have created great friendships with those who are devout, and those who have left the church entirely. You’ll also run into those who fall in the in-between.
What the rest of the country thinks about Utah is quite biased. Many paint a broad brush about Salt Lake City and Utah in general thinking that it’s difficult to get an alcoholic drink and that everyone is ruled by a faith. There are definitely multiple cultures in Salt Lake City. There is the culture of the dominate religion that exists, and then there are those who have left the church or moved into the state. These two cultures can clash at times, but for the most part both exist simultaneously in the state without bothering the other.
Outdoor Recreation Is Abundant All Year
I have a lot of friends that are native Utahns, having been born and raised in the state and sometimes I think they can take the mountains for granted. If you grew up in a non-mountainous state, say Missouri for example, then I can assure you that the mountains will never get old! In fact, it’s fun to watch how they can change each day depending on the weather.
You’ll see them covered in snow during the winter (or at least hoping they are covered in snow), and then they turn green with gorgeous snowcaps during the Spring. The greens of Spring and Summer turn to amazing colors of yellow, orange, and red as Fall nears. Then add more snow on the caps of those colorful mountains before they gleam white. One of my favorite things about the mountains is how you can see them so prominently at night!
Of course, there’s so much more to do in these mountains than just look at them! You may have heard Utah has the Greatest Snow On Earth. We even put it on our license plates, and yes it’s true that Utah does have amazing snow. You can thank geography for that as storm clouds gather across the Salt Flats and pick up salt, which helps to create a lighter, fluffier snowflake, before they release over the Wasatch Front. Snowboarding and skiing are major attractions for tourists looking to get in their turns, but there’s also ice climbing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling to keep you active in the colder months. One of my favorite experiences was snowmobiling in the high Uinta mountains! It’s definitely something you should experience if you are coming for a visit, or to live here.
In the Spring and Summer months you can hike the various trails that snake through the mountains. In some canyons you can even bring your dog! Streams are full and run high during the Spring run-off season so it’s smart to be mindful of how fast and cold the water is while hiking. Summer camping in the mountains is a fun past-time for many residents in Salt Lake city with campgrounds being only 30 minutes away in some cases. Remember to be mindful of wildlife when going into the mountains for hiking and camping!
Parasailing and boating are also on the list of activities to consider when moving to Utah. You can often see parasailers coming off the mountain in designated areas when driving around Salt Lake County. And while Utah is known for that big salty lake by the city, it has several fresh water lakes that are a short drive from home. Wakeboarding and waterskiing are great activities when the summer temperatures hit 100 degrees.
Utah has so much to offer including low unemployment, being a great place to raise a family, the ability to enjoy the great outdoors, and having many good communities to find a home. If you’re considering a move to Utah and looking to purchase a home then reach out! I’m happy to provide more information about Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas.
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