Quote:
Originally Posted by ccasanova
so would these areas be worse then Los Angeles?
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Not a chance. While I would agree that Tooele is not the best in air quality, it is far better than LA! For that matter, it is better than CA's Central Valley, or Sacramento even - or at least it sure seems like we have fewer inversion days anyhow.
I didn't read all the posts on the other thread you started, but I did read your last post. There has been a history of nuclear waste, etc. in Dugway (not too far from Tooele). Not sure what the impact of it has been. UT does tend to get 'dumped' on because the Republicans can get away with it, and still get the state's electoral votes (IMHO). Our state continues to fight to keep it out of UT.
Personally, I love UT, and will never, ever, live anywhere else. We live on the East Bench, at about 2100 S and 2100 E (look on a map if you're curious). It is not cheap at all by UT standards, but certainly cheaper than LA, and it is a fabulous neighborhood. Our house is a nice, older, brick rambler on a .15 acre, about 2800sf, and would likely sell for betw $300-350K. It is in the city limits which is only 35% LDS (we are not obviously), vs. the entire state at about 60-65%. That means that many surrounding areas are 80-95% LDS. Certain counties like Summit (Park City), Moab's county (can't remember the name), and a few others tend to vote Democrat as well (i.e. not majority LDS). You can get more home for your money in areas like W. Valley, W Jordan, S Jordan, Sandy, Draper, Riverton, Taylorsville, Murray or north of SL in Davis County. You will likely also find more families with children, as that is where families live these days - in the 'subs'. Personally, I like the city, but to each their own.
The schools in our neighborhood are excellent, but not all schools in our district are this good. You should really check out the statistics on each individual school before buying a home. You can however elect to send you child to a different school within the district as long as there are openings, and you are willing to drive them there. Some websites to consider:
http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/moving/
http://www.graniteschools.org/default.aspx
http://www.utahrealestate.com/
The Wasatch mountains are extraordinarily beautiful. I often gaze at them with my mouth open - even after 3 years. The hiking, biking, skiing, camping and general outdoor recreation is top notch (far above CA). December and January are the coldest months (dips below freezing every night, and often stays there during the day), July is the hottest, reaching 100 on average 5 days each summer, but generally staying in the 80's and 90's the rest of the time. Summer really only lasts from about mid June to Mid Aug, and we actually do have a real spring and fall. It's hard to imagine it until you experience it. When we first moved here from CA in 2003 we experienced the hottest July ever on record (some 15 days over 100), and Jan '04 was the coldest Jan ever (26 + or _ days straight we never broke above freezing). Since then, the weather has been more average, and generally fabulous. It snows more on the benches than in the valley. We bought a snow blower after Jan '04, but have only used it a couple times since (generally a shovel is sufficient).
Anyway, if you have more questions, feel free to e-mail me. Good luck with your decision. The pace of life here is much more laid back than CA, and the job market here is one of the hottest in the US, so it's a good time to make the move.
