Utah here I come. Update: I have arrived.

HallowedFaith

I am moving to Utah. Long story short, I got some GI Bills and Utah is the place. Plus it isn't as expensive as Portland and has a tram/train that goes down to South/West Jordan, etc. Also. GORGEOUS. My wife and I will both be going. Driving from Oklahoma.

Couple things specifically, but more or less anything anyone from that area (sans Mormon jokes*) like Salt Lake City and around.

1) Logistics: I am driving up from Oklahoma in August to house hunt. (Renting) - Gonna spend a few days finding a place and then get the key. South Jordan looks great, I just need to rent a cheap house for a few years until I buy one. SUGGESTIONS?
2) Logistics: I'm selling my second car before I move because I assume the Train runs fine, and my wife will be going to the college. Am I going to regret this?
3) Job/Logistics: I am a Veteran with a strong skill set in "IT" (Computers, Web (front/back)) and I love managment. Seems to be decent pickings, I am hoping that I should be able to find work right away. I have a strong resume I think. Suggestions?
4) Entertainment: I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY, I have not have much time to do it, so I am looking forward to being in Utah, it looks gorgeous. Anything that I should know about that general Googling has not shown me?

I am nervous as hell for the move, mainly because of a tight budget and a very small window, but I think it's for the best. I would love to link up with some PA people as well - I have not done any tabletop gaming in forever.

Basically in short what I really want to know is the shit that can't be found on the Utah website or what the college isn't telling my Wife and I. I'm coming to settle down and make some money, am I making a bad call?

flowerhoney

I'm not super familiar with south jordan, but the trax (in my opinion) works best if you're traveling to certain parts of salt lake like to the university or downtown. They've expanded it over the years, but I'm not sure how many stops they have in south jordan. I guess it all depends on where you're going and if the two of you can carpool most of the time.
If you're like me and hate snow/the cold with every fiber of your being than I suggest you try to live as close to trax as you can because it gets COLD and it snows a lot in the winter!!

Since you seem like nature (and nature photography?) then utah is a great place, especially with the mountains so close and many canyons to choose from. We've also like 5 national parks so knock yourself out with those!
Don't go to the great salt lake though, you don't need to torture yourself...

Is your wife going to the University of Utah or a different college? If you're selling your second car and can afford it I would try to live in the city so the commute isn't so long. (Also, this is just my opinion, salt lake is really the best part of utah to live in)

You should take this with a grain of salt as someone grew up in SLC but doesn't really live there as much anymore. I think there's a few other formers who live here, but I can only think of Wakkawa right now

HallowedFaith

She's looking at the university of utah, I am just looking for some classes in creative arts to expand on what I know. We both have GI Bills so as long as I have some education under my belt, I won't care.

South Jordan just looked nice, i'm really looking to get anywhere that is affordable. My wife and I plus 1 dog. Were nothing looking for anything huge and crazy (Cheap is good!) until we figure out what the fuck were gonna do. School is just a good thing to be doing while we figure it out. When I drive up in August I basically plan on trying to get as close to SLC as possible. I am not a winter fan, will be using the train. Commutes won't bother me. We're both Military so *everything* seems nice compared to our last place.

Crime rate seems really low as well, big plus.

Homeless

South Jordan is about 30 minutes to an hour away from the University if you drive, depending on traffic. TRAX can take about 30 minutes to get up there. The light rail service is pretty great, but bus service is a different story from what I remember.

If you're looking at Portland as your other place to live, you may want to try to get closer to downtown, as South Jordan and most of the suburbs are VERY Mormon and conservative. Personally, I hate it out there, and try to stay north of Murray at all times (Disclaimer: I am a dirty longhair). It is very cheap though.

HallowedFaith

Portland is a no go do the cost of living. Utah offered more than a lot of places. There is quite a lot of expansion. The hive-mind of the urban areas don't bother me. We're very quiet and keep to ourselves, will probably spend most of the time at parks and up in trails with the dog. I'm gonna try and find places closest to the rail system. The closer the better.

Most the communities are gated and probably have stricter renting policies in South Jordan. It's an IDEA but i'm not sold. I'll live just outside the city if I can find a place cheap enough. Just need a backyard for the dog.

Esh

HallowedFaith wrote: »

Portland is a no go do the cost of living. Utah offered more than a lot of places. There is quite a lot of expansion. The hive-mind of the urban areas don't bother me. We're very quiet and keep to ourselves, will probably spend most of the time at parks and up in trails with the dog. I'm gonna try and find places closest to the rail system. The closer the better.

Most the communities are gated and probably have stricter renting policies in South Jordan. It's an IDEA but i'm not sold. I'll live just outside the city if I can find a place cheap enough. Just need a backyard for the dog.

Is it because you want to buy a house? Because Portland is REALLY inexpensive to live in.

Sacrilicious

HallowedFaith wrote: »

She's looking at the university of utah, I am just looking for some classes in creative arts to expand on what I know. We both have GI Bills so as long as I have some education under my belt, I won't care.

South Jordan just looked nice, i'm really looking to get anywhere that is affordable. My wife and I plus 1 dog. Were nothing looking for anything huge and crazy (Cheap is good!) until we figure out what the fuck were gonna do. School is just a good thing to be doing while we figure it out. When I drive up in August I basically plan on trying to get as close to SLC as possible. I am not a winter fan, will be using the train. Commutes won't bother me. We're both Military so *everything* seems nice compared to our last place.

Crime rate seems really low as well, big plus.

First of all, if you guys go to the University of Utah you get a free bus/train pass. The train goes straight to the university as well. If you have bikes, you can put them on either and you're set! And really, it doesn't snow much in the valley at all in the winter, least not in the last few years I've been here.

I wouldn't sweat the whole Mormon thing either, it's not that big of a deal. Also, I think in Utah/Mormon culture there's a lot respect for people who've served in the military.

HallowedFaith

Yeah, I have no problems with the "Mormon" stigma that Utah gets. Everyone I know that lives there, loves it. Good jobs, good economy, low crime, decent night life in the city, and fairly good public transport? It would take a pretty big reason to outweigh all those things. I'm ready to settle down now.

Portland is great but I would like my wife to be a bit safer while traveling by herself, and I don't really care for the hippie population much anymore. (Don't get me wrong, love the hippies, hippie at heart) but i'm older now and a lot of it is just whining about how life isn't fair and I've got little time for that kind of thing. I'm trying to build a life here lol. Utah seems to have a nice peaceful, calm atmosphere. Housing is cheaper in Portland no doubt, but Utah isn't expensive, or anymore so than Portland. Lack of Tornado's (fuck Oklahoma) in the valley as well. I like the protection and the mountains. It calls to me.

schuss

If you like the mountains, live in Sandy, as it's right by the Cottonwoods. Ogden is also up and coming.

flowerhoney

If it doesn't bother you (I'm impressed) then yeah you can pretty much live anywhere in the valley. Have fun scoping out the different areas while you're here! Again I personally would suggest you try and find a house in the city, but I don't know anything about housing prices in like sugarhouse or near the public library.
I would advise against Ogden as its REALLY far away from the U of U. I have a friend who lives in rose park and she commutes to weber during the school year, its a loooong ride.

I hope you like it here! Be prepared for cold winters and crazy hot summers with a mild and gorgeous fall/spring. Its bone dry here though, so it makes the seasonal extremes easy to bear. I prefer utah winters to portland, since the cold doesn't get into the very fiber of your soul with all the wetness! Also the sun shines. Although smog does tend to get trapped in the valley, which is a bummer

Gafoto

Chances are you'll want a car. The public transportation is 'meh' at best in Salt Lake City.

LineNoiz

I rode all through this valley for a good 5 years on public transportation. It can be done, but boy-howdy is it slow (and on days of inclement weather, down right horrible). I'd recommend you keep the car, personally. Unless you end up living within walking distance of a train stop, a trip from South Jordan to the U is going to take around 1-2 hours. The train doesn't go anywhere near West Jordan, so you'll be busing to/from the train stop, putting you closer to the 2-hour mark. I'd recommend living closer to where you'll be spending most of your time. The farther away from SLC you get, the worse public transportation gets. Also, during rush hours, the trains are packed. Standing room only, nut-to-butt packed. So keep that in mind.

Steer clear of anything directly west of SLC. You've mentioned the low crime rate, which may be true for the valley as a whole, but Rose Park and South Salt Lake are the "scary" parts of town. Sugarhouse is nice, but that's the hippy district. Not quite as hippy as Portland, but it's up there. Still, if you don't mind the Utah Hippies, that would be a good place to look.

Also, we totally had a tornado once... Like ten years ago...

HallowedFaith

LineNoiz wrote: »

I rode all through this valley for a good 5 years on public transportation. It can be done, but boy-howdy is it slow (and on days of inclement weather, down right horrible). I'd recommend you keep the car, personally. Unless you end up living within walking distance of a train stop, a trip from South Jordan to the U is going to take around 1-2 hours. The train doesn't go anywhere near West Jordan, so you'll be busing to/from the train stop, putting you closer to the 2-hour mark. I'd recommend living closer to where you'll be spending most of your time. The farther away from SLC you get, the worse public transportation gets. Also, during rush hours, the trains are packed. Standing room only, nut-to-butt packed. So keep that in mind.

Steer clear of anything directly west of SLC. You've mentioned the low crime rate, which may be true for the valley as a whole, but Rose Park and South Salt Lake are the "scary" parts of town. Sugarhouse is nice, but that's the hippy district. Not quite as hippy as Portland, but it's up there. Still, if you don't mind the Utah Hippies, that would be a good place to look.

Also, we totally had a tornado once... Like ten years ago...

This and all the information given by everyone has been exactly the kind of things I am trying to find, by people in the know. Thank you

NOW, when I go to Utah, 3rd week of August - I plan on securing a place to rent in the few days we will be there. While I will be waiting on application approvals and what not - where should I take the wife? Dinner, movies, gaming? Any suggestions around the city. We will have our car and plenty of time to spare once we find someone who will give me house keys.

LineNoiz

Also, this is a good place to look at apartments/ houses when you come down.

There are a decent number of IT jobs down round here, so I doubt you'll have a problem finding one. This is a good resource for finding them.

TheBlackWind

I lived in Layton for a long time and loved it. Affordable housing (which I hear has gotten even more affordable post-recession), close to the mountains for great hiking, not far from SLC.

It also has the advantage of being really close to Hill AFB which allows for a lot of employment opportunities (my dad worked IT/Logistics for a contractor there after retiring from the Marine Corps)

JohnnyCache

I live in lehi right now. Still haven't picked a permanent spot in the valley. My cousin lives in rose park, which is stereotyped as a "bad" area, but it's still very decent.

You need mass transit or a car with good mileage. Salt lacicans drive a shitload.

The streets in mormon cities are almost always on a planned grid that makes a lot of sense but has odd nomenclature - it's based on position from center, so 800 north is an East-west street 8 blocks north of the city center while 400 west is a north south street 4 blocks west of the city center (which is almost always a temple)

Sacrilicious

schuss wrote: »

If you like the mountains, live in Sandy, as it's right by the Cottonwoods. Ogden is also up and coming.

Honestly it's so gorgeous, live next to the mountains if you can. In Sandy/Cottonwood Heights, you can be really close to the highway and be most places in the city in 10-15 minutes, yet be within walking distance of the mountains. More gas but if you like the outdoors at all you should take a look at places there. Check on craigslist for Sandy or Cottonwood Heights and maybe check out some photos - The higher number east it is the closer to the mountains, so anything higher than 2000 east is going to be pretty close. The view of the city at night from the hillside is SPECTACULAR.

And there's some damn tasty cheap eateries if you're looking for recommendations

And re: crime and sketchy neighborhoods - the more "East" the address the less crime there is and the better the neighborhoods are, generally. Although, dollar signs will increase the further east you are as well. For example - 2200 South 2200 East will have less(prob. zero) crime and will be a nicer place to live than 1700 South 300 West. This applies to general Salt Lake City area I believe.

Could be nice cheap neighborhoods further west but I think as a general rule this is true.

Gafoto

I've never been anywhere in SLC that I would consider dangerous. Generally anything east of I15 is kosher though. I lived a couple blocks from the temple and I was paying almost nothing in rent. You can find cheap apartments anywhere you want if you look hard. Live near Sugarhouse, 9th and 9th, Liberty Park or in the Aves (if you can afford it).

HallowedFaith

My budget will be tight and i'll be mostly working/going to school, so a small house with a backyard for the dog near a rail station. That's my goals right now. I am comparing rentals avail on classified sites and what not to tracks and mapping things out in my iPad and Google maps. I'll do it again as I am coming up and update it, make a map/route and then that's probably gonna be my game plan.

I appreciate all this info, you have no idea.

@Sacrilicious - I love food. Steak, Sushi, Great breakfast food. Those are my favorites. And any place that does a great corned beef/cabbage. Also love coffee. Wife is big on mixed alcoholic drinks, she likes to try all the different styles at places. Loves cheesecake and Mexican.

Gafoto

Just use yelp in SLC for food selection, it's pretty reliable. Red Iguana is THE mexican place in SLC though. There's a guaranteed wait (don't fuck with it on a friday/saturday night) but it's worth it. Order something with mole and you'll be happy.

JohnnyCache

Get the mole over lomo de puerco

JohnnyCache

Gaf ... I'm developing a hobby: i sit in the pie hole downtown drinking unita wyld and making catty comments about the people going into the "nightclub" next to it...

Sacrilicious

Red Iguana - excellent Mexican but, as was mentioned, be prepared for crowds.
Kathmandu - Nepalese cuisine, is like Indian but actually good (insanely fucking delicious). Go for lunch before 2 for buffet.
Chanon Thai - fantastic Thai. I've never smoked crack, but it must be a similar feeling to eating their curry. Closed at like 7:30 i think, and is closed Mondays
Moochie's Meatballs - Reuben sandwich is here. This place is really tasty, best subs I've had since I lived on east coast. Their regular meatball sub + jalapeno sauce is, uh, really good.
Happy Sumo - reliably good sushi, order the sunset roll if you go. It mostly ditches the Japanese aesthetic as far as atmosphere, though, in case you expect that. Your waitress will be blonde.

Coffee - I enjoy Salt Lake Roasting Co. Downtown slc, not far from U, has wifi and is spacious. I'm not an aficionado of coffee however.

Sorry I don't know about breakfast food or steak, but if you're feeling adventurous I'd give these a try Maybe others can recommend good steak/breakfast.

HallowedFaith

No sweat, that is a hearty list in itself. Love a good Reuben, and i'm a fan of spicy food. Big fan.

We're going to be leaving on the 14th, early as piss for the 18 hour drive. Won't get into town until after 6.. maybe 5 with a timezone change, not sure. Then 2 days house hunting, trying to leave no later than sat/sunday if we can. 18 hours back is gonna suck coming back though.

JohnnyCache

Man if you want a burger that will fuck you up go to the lucky 13. They have the spiciest goddamn burger.

schuss

Also, near the mountains is slightly less mormon-y, as there are a lot of people who move to SLC for the outdoor access. Oh, and DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR. SLC meth-heads main hobby seems to be breaking into cars, and the sheriff doesn't really care if you're from out of state.

HallowedFaith

Don't mean to necro...
BUT I AM HERE.

I appreciate all the advice and good information! I am living in Midvale/Sandy right now, nice area. Little expensive but one of the few areas where I could afford a place that would allow me to bring my 70lb dog.

I have access to the train right down the road for easy access to SLC without driving, State Street is literally 200 feet from me so I quick access to all the little things, burger joints, car part places, etc. Very handy. Wonderful view of the mountains everywhere I go! I love it.

Gotta find a job now, but the economy looks stable and there seems to be a fair amount of things available. I'm gonna head off to the VA in SLC and see if they have any jobs for Veterans, I know they have programs they offer. Gotta start enrollment for the University, and having the train right next door is gonna be killer for that.

Thanks again!

Oh and @JohnnyCache I plan on heading to the Lucky 13 sometime this weekend.

@Sacrilicious That list is killer, I will start making my rounds soon.

WildEEP

To follow up on the job front - if you want a serious IT job out in Utah, I have advice:

Join the Mormon Church.

You don't gotta believe, but everything is so wrapped around the Church out there, that all social and inter-personal networking (read: Job Referrals and Headhunting) occurs through the church as either the venue or sponsor.

I spent almost 10 years there - that seemed to be the difference between treading water and success.

There will be a local ward within 4 - 6 blocks. Drop in and say Hello.

HallowedFaith

You aren't the first person to suggest this actually. I just can't see myself abusing that system of faith just for a job.... although I can see why the suggestion is made.
I'm gonna be hitting up the VA here, they have job placement programs and I have a GI Bill I can use to attend school - my ultimate goal is to open up a gaming/arcade cafe so I am trying to word towards that.

I still might swing by the church and let them talk to me, hear what they have to say but I don't think that is my cup of tea.

MrDelish

Each ward has an employment specialist that should help you, regardless of if you're a member or not. If you're interested in trying this route, I'd say you should go during the meetings on Sunday and ask to speak with the bishop and explain your situation.

Or you could just look for jobs like you would anywhere else. I haven't worked anywhere here where the employer was "against" non-LDS employees.

HallowedFaith

Appreciate that info. There is a big place of worship like 3 blocks from me.

Anyone know what the LDS stance is on Veterans/Soldiers? I know some groups of faith are kinda anti-military.

MrDelish

Very conservative-leaning and respectful towards veterans.

schuss

Yeah, you'll need to be Mormon for any locally owned business to promote you (not necessarily hire). It's changing, albeit slowly. If you don't have it already, buy a ski pass for Snowbird and learn to ski/board. Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton and Alta are 4 of the best areas in the country (if not the world), and they're at most 20 minutes from you in Sandy.

Oh, and eat at Lone Star.

HallowedFaith

Yeah my wife and I are gonna be snowboarding for sure.

I can't wait to break my ass a ton.

Kolosus

My current company has a bunch of people of mixed faiths, and there is no distinction between them when it comes to promotions.

Welcome to Utah, I love it here. Hit up all of the National Parks/Forests, they are fantastic.

HallowedFaith wrote: »

Appreciate that info. There is a big place of worship like 3 blocks from me.

Anyone know what the LDS stance is on Veterans/Soldiers? I know some groups of faith are kinda anti-military.

Most everyone that is LDS is appreciative of Soliders and is grateful for their sacrifices.

Kolosus

Double post

schuss

Kolosus,

I only say that due to some friends I had through skiing stating they had to pretend to be mormon to reach the upper ranks of their local company. Could be a one-off, but it's definitely a factor for some people in the SLC area.

WildEEP

I won't go as far to say that someone will blatantly say, "Sorry, you aren't Promoted/Hired/Put on Cool project" because you aren't LDS, but there is a very strong BIAS.
In either case, OP is looking for work - some place don't even post publicly until after they've checked at the church circles first.

HallowedFaith

Well, all else fails I will just have to win the lotto.... oh... wait.. yeah.

Homeless

Check out Atomic Arcade on Highland Drive. More games than Ground Kontrol in Portland (less pinball unfortunately), and everything but the pinball is 25 cents per play. Plus it's across the street from an awesome frozen custard joint. Utah Mormons really know their sweets. If you want to grab a beer and/or burger sometime, PM me. I am a Lucky 13 fiend.

HallowedFaith

Excellent info.
Wife and I are going on a hike this weekend with the dog, nothing crazy just some trails licking at the side of Twin Peaks. Let him get outdoors and kinda feel the area out slowly.

I really want to go out to some pubs with the wife but the dog still needs some training so that he isn't barking and wigging out when we leave, although he is getting much better. Just new area and all that.

I'm actually in the process of submitting my request for an SBA loan to open a gaming cafe/bar here in Sandy. The Veteran loan program is pretty hot right now and the market around the area is a great place, not to mention the traffic and all the college kids. If I had to project the next 20+ years, I am hoping to buy a house in Daybreak and run my cafe here. Simple dreams.