SLC Mommas...Newbie needs advice! - Page 2

[Mama2ME]

I had never considered communal life...but I have to admit, it's interesting!

Just the fact that such a prospect exists in your area tells me that I'm headed the right direction. We actually don't even have year-round farmer's markets...they run through the winter season to accommodate tourists. I guess locals don't count, plus it's just too hot.

Thanks for the link...I like the idea of Spanish Fork. Who knows, maybe this might be an option for us. I'm guessing the homes might be affordable?!?!

Hey, if you don't mind sharing...how are your property taxes and insurance on the average? They comprise a huge portion of our monthly costs here...about $800 for just the taxes and insurance (for an avg 3/2 on <1/4 acre). I'm really ready to stop living beyond our means.

Kellie

[sdejje]

We live in Spanish Fork, and we LOVE it! It's true that there are parades and festivals for everything under the sun. We even have a yearly kite festival to celebrate our windmill farm (along with other green technologies).

As far as property taxes go - while I don't have an exact number (too lazy to look it up right now), we are in a 3 yr old 5bd/3 bth 3500+ sq ft home and our taxes are nowhere near $800 a month. Yikes! We would starve if we had to pay that!

There are lots of crunchy moms (although there could be more), and I do know a few vegetarian families - I love borrowing their recipes!

And about the LDS worries - yes, I am LDS and the community is predominantly LDS, but I have had many dear friends who are not LDS and they fit in just fine. My 16 yo daughter's best friend isn't LDS, and we love her to death! I think that whether or not you will fit in depends on your attitude. We currently have several non-LDS families living on our street and I swear they are afraid of us (by us I mean all of their LDS neighbors). They never leave their homes or come out to visit in their front yards in the summertime. We make sure to invite them to all of our neighborhood get-togethers, but they never come. Seriously, if they would just come out to meet us they would see there's nothing to be afraid of - we don't want to convert them, we just like visiting and eating good food.

[Mama2ME]

Thanks all!

Sdejje and all, thanks for the info! I apologize for asking personal stuff (taxes and insurance) but after living in FL, I fear and dread those costs elsewhere (as Sdejje considered...we barely have enough $ for food).

I appreciate hearing about your LDS family and neighbors...we are open and accepting of everyone's beliefs. We too just want some peace and good neighbors (not to mention the good food too!)

It looks like we will be out west in the middle of 2010 now. We may have to spend one year in NE for my DH to receive some training first. I hope you are all around when we finally make it out to Utah...we can't wait!!!

[Ameliasisco]

I would definitely look into Springville. I grew up in Maine and attended BYU (I'm LDS) and it was quite the culture shock for me. I liked to go out to Springville to visit the art museum; the town just had a less cookie-cutter vibe to it. After living in UT for awhile I realized that I had been a bit prejudiced about how I assumed "Utah Mormons" were. Turns out some of my crunchiest LDS friends grew up in the valley! You can definitely find people who are into more alternative things in terms of health and raising children. Tons of my husband's cousins around here home school and the raw food movement is really spreading throughout the LDS community. I found that if you make an effort to seek out like-minded people they are definitely there even though they may not be part of the dominant culture. Peruse the bulletin boards at the health food stores and libraries, go to local music events, go hiking; you will definitely come across kindrid spirits. I think you'll like it here