LDS Freedom Forum

I am originally from Michigan, but have lived the last 42 years in Los Angeles.
I'm 65
I have been visiting Utah twice a year or more for some years now and want to relocate to southern Utah.
I don't much fit in in Los Angeles and believe, and have been told that I will fit in in Utah.
I am also very interested in getting out of the city.
I do believe I will be a lot happier in Utah, even with the colder weather.
I have been thinking of this for years now, and realize the only way to do it is just that, pack up and move.
I know people who have moved to Utah, and others who moved out, as they didn't like it.
What are the thoughts of those that live, or have lived in Utah?
I am looking for advice. For the pros and the cons.
Thank you
dc

My husband and I had been living in Florida....19 years....when my parents who lived right next door both passed away within a year of each other. Three of my five children were living in Utah. My husband simply asked me "What are we doing here?"...it's time to be closer to grandchildren. So, we put our home on the market (the first part of November 2003) and it sold within TEN DAYS!!!! Needless to say we suddenly realized the urgency ahead of us. There were a few people in our Ward who said we would not like it out here...one older couple had lived out here for awhile and said where they lived the people were "clickish". We arrived here on Thanksgiving day 2003. We have loved every minute being here. I love the fact that there is a choice of temples within very close proximity to me for the first time in my life. My ward is wonderful...very friendly and caring people. I love the fact that there is a ton of unbelievable talent out here. That is probably the only "negative" feeling that I have had....simply because I have almost no talents to share with others! Music, art, drama, dance, etc...it has been wonderful. Having said all this, I do need to tell you that my father was in the Air Force and we lived several places over my life-time....including Anchorage, Alaska where we lived during my last three years in high school...and where I met some wonderful LDS friends that eventually ended in my joining the Church. I am, therefore, use to moving and resettling....so perhaps I am the wrong person to ask. Every place I have lived I have loved. There are those that will complain about a "culture" existing here and my response to that is, every place I have lived in this country...north, northeast, south, far northwest, midwest....have all had a "culture" and I have enjoyed learning about each one r and what makes them tick. Perhaps I am an exception to the rule...I don't know...but I am happy wherever I am "planted". Maybe it's because I have had the experience of living so many places. Utah is a beautiful place to live and I have loved every minute of it. If you want friends, then BE ONE. Unemployment is very low here and most areas are growing. I have been told by others that southern Utah is growing rapidly. So, if it's something you feel you need to do...GO FOR IT! Best wishes.

I'm in St. George. We love it, but it's not the nice LDS community it was 20 years ago. There are many LDS retirees here, and a wonderful community in general. It's not colder than LA most of the time--most here have palm trees in their yard. The red rocks and many opportunities for outdoor activity add to the fun. And we love not dealing with smog, traffic jams, and high crime rates. Besides that, almost anywhere in town is 5 minutes from the temple.

I grew up in West Valley, I'm in Northern Utah now, and I visit my sister in Southern Utah all the time.

West Valley pretty much sucks. I have memories of being spit on and punched in the face for no reason while walking home from grade school. My neighbor was car-jacked, my older siblings and dad were almost hit by stray bullets on multiple occasions, police pinned a criminal in my neighbors back yard, and I remember running away from a fat naked guy that pulled his car up next to me. Fun stuff. The stores were close though! (Although it takes you forever to get to them because of traffic.) The air feels oily too. Something good...something good...let's see? Oh! Excellent dirt! You can grow anything there. Oh! how I miss that beautiful West Valley dirt!

Extreme Northern Utah is so calm compared to WV. It smells like either cow poop or pine needles depending on the day. The pollution makes the most beautiful sunsets ever! The people can get pretty clicky at times (Basically, if you are not into high school sports and Mormon than nobody cares to learn your name, and I hear it's pretty hard for non-member kids to make friends.) Northern Utah is chuck full of bad drivers. REALLY bad drivers! You gotta be careful out there. It seems fairly windy here too. The long drives can be pretty scary when it's icy out.

Southern Utah drivers are rude, but at least they pay attention to what's going on. Southern Utah people are very friendly (When they aren't driving.) and they have some awesome parks and splash pads! They keep the place really clean. It's almost impossible to find litter. Almost every car dealership will try to con you somehow. Lots of fun touristy stuff around there but it's a little too busy and hot for my taste...and scorpions freak me out.

My advice- avoid living in Ogden and West Valley and you'll be fine. No offense to anybody that lives there! You have my condolences! :p

I've lived in many parts of the U.S. in my life-time and believe that if you are active LDS, it doesn't get much better than living in Utah. I'm over 60 also, and the nearness of the churches and the temples is such a blessing. I can walk to my church and to the Stake center. The nearest temple is about a 25 minute drive away. There are a lot of like-minded people living around me who are into food storage and emergency prepping and are willing to give selfless service to their neighbors.

If you can afford it, I would recommend heading toward Southern Utah for your retirement years. It's beautiful down there, and there are a lot of retirees living there. You'll probably be happier if you stay away from the big cities.

Pros:
Beautiful land
Loads to do outdoors
Good gun laws
Top 20ish% in nation for personal freedoms (would probably seem almost anarchical compared to CA)

Cons:
Too many Mormons
Winter sucks
Deadly air (not so much a problem in So Utah)
Ever decreasing individual freedoms

My condolences..............

Grew up in Ogden, living in downtown SLC. To be honest, I'm not a fan of the city. So I'm moving out to the country. The air here can get pretty bad during the inversion. I do like the people here and there is plenty of recreation, but I wouldn't live in a major city.

Muerte Rosa wrote:

Steve Clark wrote:Pros:
Beautiful land
Loads to do outdoors
Good gun laws
Top 20ish% in nation for personal freedoms (would probably seem almost anarchical compared to CA)

Cons:
Too many snobby Mormons
Winter sucks
Deadly air (not so much a problem in So Utah)
Ever decreasing individual freedoms

Distinction without a difference...

I thought it was funny.

idahommie wrote:My condolences..............

Amen.

However, go where God wants you. Peace.

You may want stay clear of southern Utah because of its proximity to the Nevada Test Site (NTS). I heard the prevailing winds carried fallout that way.

Well, I'm not worried about radiation.
I do not want to get into a large city. Thanks for mentioning air quality in SLC, I was unaware of that.
I only intend to make one visit into Odgen at some time.
I will be able to visit Idaho a lot more from Utah. But I don't want to live too far north.
Steve
Your list has been in my head for some time.
I have traveled into most of the small towns in So Utah for some years now. I like the idea of just about any of them.
The question is if I am being called there. To which town. For what purpose.
I think Torrey is my favorite. But I may well end up in Lyman, or Loa, or Bicknell. It feels like I could be happy there.
Thanks for the responses.
And thanks for any more responses that may be posted.
David

Hey, WVC isn't that bad! I walked to church, ate out, drove around, hung out at the library, etc.--it was ok!