Moving to Utah?

[KMKeller]

Folks,

It appears that I may be transferring to Salt Lake City, Utah for work in the near future. I know that there are a lot of THR folks from Utah and was wondering if you could give me the low down on the best places to look for housing, where the best shooting ranges and gunshops are, etc.

Kirk

 

[George Hill]

Squatters Pup is rated very high by social drinkers from all over the place. You'll have no problems finding a nice place to drink if you want one.
The whole Mormons control the state thing... no. We dont. If we did Rocky Anderson wouldn't be the Mayor of SLC. So give that noise a rest.

Utah is great for shooting and for any outdoor activity. In SLC, a good gun store? There are a few, but my favorite is Rangemasters down in Springville.

When looking for a place to live, avoid "West Valley" and "Kearns". The "East Side" is nice. I loved the "Sugar House" area. Theatre, places to eat, Barns&Nibbles book store all within a short walk. Great area to live.

In Utah and especially in the SLC area you will find the traffic situation to be horrible. People really don't know how to drive in SLC. "If you don't make eye contact, you have the right of way." I suggest upgrading your car's stereo for better entertainment while stuck in a twice daily traffic jam. Utah has like a 3 million people population or something like that and 2/3 of them live in SLC. Okay... SLC kinda sucks. There is only 1 North-South freeway through Utah and it's jammed up all the time. So life will be easier if you live East or West from your work.

CCWs are issued easily, and if you have your CCW card you can skip the background check when you buy a gun. So that is kinda nice.

There will be people telling you to go to "The Mayan" but don't listen to them. The food there is utterly revolting. Next to the Mayan is a "Joe's Crab Shack" and the food there is great. (They even have sssshhhh... BEER!)

 

[12 Volt Man]

I live in Davis County, just North 10 minutes of Salt Lake in a town called Bountiful now. I am currently building a house 10 minutes further North in a town called Farmington. Utah is a gun friendly state compared to what I read about a few other states. It is not too much trouble to get your CCW permit here. Quite a few ranges around. My favorite is Wahsatch Shooters Association They have alot of IDPA matches there on Saturdays. Several different pistol stations. Rifle range out to 100 yards. You can get a year long family membership for only $35.00. Everyone there is layed back all kinds of weapons welcome. I even have seen a woman who owns a Full Auto Uzi shoot there a few times.
Also in Bountiful, up on the hill there is a Lions Club range which you pay $5.00 each time. I shoot there every now and then.
Good places to shoot out in the West Desert. If you just head a little ways west of Tooele. I also like to shoot out west of Lehi in Utah county. Pretty much a 45 minute to an hour drive will take you to many places you can shoot on your own.
As far as gunshops go. The best selection is at Impact Guns in Ogden. I have bought several guns there. They tend to have poor customer service and don't live up to their website advertising. Read about an experience I had with them here. I was really mad when I made that post and have since bought another gun from them but it gives you an idea anyway. They also have a pretty nice indoor range.
The next best indoor IMHO is at Totally Awesome Guns in West Valley City. They also have a decent selection but tend to be overpriced. Try to avoid dealing with the big Muscle Dude there. He is one of those guys who thinks he knows everything already, but really could use to spend some time here . Other gun shops I frequent are Gallensen's in downtown Salt Lake and Patriot Arms on about 7800 south and Redwood Road.
Another thing that will be useful to you is approx every other month there is the Crossroads of the West Gunshow out in Sandy. It goes Saturday and Sunday. I usually pick up some ammo there and go just to walk around and look. Not many deals there anymore. And by the time you pay the entance fee, you don't save much even on ammo.
I like to shoot my AR and AKs as well as my CZ pistols and other pistols. Lately we have been doing a lot of bowling pin shoots. I also like to take the old 10/22 out and help control the rabbit population every now and then. Let us know when you get here. You are welcome to come along on a shooting adventure.

 

[BerettaNut92]

George, et al, how is the Chinese food?

 

[Correia]

Well groovy.

I love it here. Utah is a goregous state. The vast majority of the people are pretty friendly, and compared to most everywhere else this is a very conservative gun friendly state. The further you get from downtown SLC the gun friendlier it gets. (unless you are trapped in George's crappy town! )

As far as where to live, I might be able to help. I just bought a house so I think I've got a pretty good look at what is available. If you want to PM me with where exactly your job is, and what price range you are looking for I might be able to give you some ideas.

I live in West Jordan myself. Good place. West Valley City gets a bad rap because the single worst part of the Salt Lake Valley is there. However keep in mind that WVC is also the single biggest part of the valley. It is really broken into two pieces. Granger and Hunter. If you live in Hunter it is fine. Avoid Granger like the plauge.

Personally I think the east side is over priced. The same house will run you 50%-100% more on the east side. No offense to Sandy or Draper, but my house in WJ is the same distance from the freeway, bigger, same age, and cost half as much! Murray and Midvale also have many nice neighborhoods and are near the freeway.

Where to live really depends on where your job is located. I have about a 20-30 minute commute.

Favorite gunstores? Tight Group in West Jordan, and Get Some in Midvale. Dougs in West Valley sucks. Totally Awesome is staffed by tactical wannabes.

If you want to come shoot IDPA come and see us at www.udpl.net on the south end, or www.nudpa.com on the north end. For 3 gun matches, just give me a call.

Hey we need to have another Utah get together, we haven't done that since TFL!

 

[12 Volt Man]

Hey we need to have another Utah get together, we haven't done that since TFL!

I hadn't found TFL when the Last Utah Shoots were going on. PRCCW has been trying to get some interest in a "CZ" Utah shoot over on the CZ forum. I am in no matter what happens. It would be great to meet some of the forum members, shoot, and have a good time.

 

[Correia]

Skunk, I have yet to find really good authentic Chinese food in this state. I've found some pretty good Americanized ones, and one local place has some super good mapo tofu.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Totally Awesome is staffed by tactical wannabes.

Correia, should I fax them my resume?

 

[George Hill]

There are Chinese buffets and eateries all over the place.
Some are better than others. Best one is a tiny hole in the wall in Orem just around the corner from CompUSA by the mall. 5 bucks, all you can eat. Staff speaks little english. Good grub.

Totally Awesome Guns.
I don't have time.

 

[George Hill]

Another Gathering?

That would be cool.

 

[KMKeller]

Totally Awesome Guns... Isn't that the place owned by the Pro 2A loon over at Totally Awesome Computers?

 

[mephisto]

I loved living in Utah. But I was a kid when I lived there. I remember going pheasant hunting in South Jordan on my gramps farm. Now Montana there is a great place. Alas I live in Arizona, nice place but getting to damn crowded. Utah has grown (SLC) way to big for my memories, and me. I love St. George.

 

[Correia]

Skunk, I'm afraid you aren't surly and ignorant enough to work there.

We should plan a Utah get together. Nightcrawler is even going to move out here.

 

[12 Volt Man]

We should plan a Utah get together.

Allright, lets have one of the "Utah" Mods start a thread and get it going. Corriea or George?

 

[MagBas]

I have to agree with Correia about housing prices. The further south and west you go, the less expensive the housing. But it's a trade-off since the neighborhoods are generally nicer on the east side. If your haircut of choice is the mullet, and you find the image of Calvin urinating on a Chevy or Ford logo funny, you will feel right at home in West Valley. (Apologies to members with mullet haircuts and/or Calvin stickers on their vehicles.)

 

[BerettaNut92]

I want a Calvin peeing on a Glock

 

[Archer]

Warning: Mild hyperbole switch ENGAGED.

The whole Mormons control the state thing... no. We dont. If we did Rocky Anderson wouldn't be the Mayor of SLC. So give that noise a rest.

Oh, yes you do

Trust me, if you aren't a member of the local Theocracy you WILL feel like an outsider. Mormons, who constitute about 70% of the state population, are decent and nice folk as a group, but if you aren't one you will soon learn that you are socially shunned for the most part. I would imagine being self-employed in a service industry here would be a real bitch for a non member. 'Nuff said.

On the other hand, having moved to SLC from Los Angeles (job transfer) I'm simply amazed to see all the "noisy liberal crowded polluted traffic-infested left leaning" comments about sleepy little Salt Lake City. I live 20 miles from where I work, it takes me about 16 minutes to get to said work place. Houses are 1/4th the price of what I am used to. Everything's cheaper, food, gas, everything. On the other hand, local fashions are about 7 years behind the curve...and oddly enough the place is full of crystal meth addicts. It's apparently one of the nation's top Meth Lab locations. There's a bit of gang activity in West Valley but nothing that would ever make the news in a larger city.

It's true, local drivers absolutely suck. I think the "fog a mirror" test must be used by the local DMV. I have also found that in general the local schools turn out semi-literate individuals far too often. Finding really good workers can be a challenge.

As for culture and cuisine: alas, the local idea of Italian (often pronounced locally as "eye-talian") and Chinese food runs to Olive Garden and PF Chang's, respectively, and this is STILL the only place where I have heard a person in a business meeting refer to black people as "darkies" and MEAN IT, but if you look hard enough you can find enough to keep you occupied, and flights to civilization are cheap, as it's a Delta and JetBlue hub.

Skiing and hiking are world class.

SLC and the environs are a great place to exercise your Second Amendment rights. The immediate area offers an IDPA or USPSA match every single weekend for the most part, with other competition opportunities to be found mid week evenings in the Provo ("Happy Valley") area. Better yet these matches are full of friendly fellow shooters who will make you feel welcome, especially in the IDPA matches.

State CCW laws are the least restrictive I have personally experienced, better than in Arizona. Gun and accessory selection isn't wonderful in the local shops, but prices are OK and some comments above will lead you to some of the brighter spots to shop. In SLC proper are two outdoor ranges, an excellent one called the Lee Kay center which is run by the state DNR, and a club at Holliday which costs only fifty bucks a year to join. Yes there is the odd yahoo in places such as Totally Awesome (to be avoided like SARS, IMHO) but places such as Rangemasters more than make up for it.

I'm also a very satisfied Impact tactical customer.

 

[Goet]

It's about time someone mentioned a UT gathering!

For some info on home prices, try http://www.utahrealestate.com/

As "SLC" is a rather nebulous area, pinpointing where your job will be in the city would help us tell you some good areas to buy. I'm currently in Weber County, but have spent several years in SLC and a few more in Utah County.

 

[KMKeller]

Goet,

This is where the SLC branch of my company is located.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&addtohistory=&address=44+North+2200+s&city=Salt+Lake+city&state=UT&zipcode=&homesubmit=Get+Map

And zoomed out a bit...

 

[Kaxter]

Ah, I lived in Utah for 12 years and felt like an outcast since I didnt go to church. The people; however, are VERY nice people and I have more respect for mormons than any other religion out there. They help everyone, they really do. But be prepared for an onslaught of people that want to convert you, it is inevitable. All in all, I have much respect for the mormons, and some of my family are even members.

 

[capt_happypants]

If you're young, single, and have somewhat of more liberal bent, definitely check out Sugarhouse, 9 and 9, and the University of Utah areas of SLC. I lived in Sugarhouse (literally up the street from the Barnes and Noble that George mentioned). When I left in early 2000, there was a big development right around 21st South and about 12th East, and that had a Whole Foods Market, some yuppie-ish restaurants and the like.

SLC has some of the most rancorous city politics I've ever seen, and I can't figure out if it's due to the proximity to the Great Salt Lake, the inversions, or the green jello.

Nightlife still blows. If you are an outdoor person, you will be overwhelmed with all of the opportunities to camp, hike, fish, mountain bike, and ski within 2 hours of SLC.

Utah culture is heavily influenced by the LDS Church. It tends to be family friendly, very conservative, and on occasion, just plain baffling (see: "Real Men Don't Use Porn" billboard on westbound I-80, about 5 miles inside the state line). Utah communities tend be very close-knit, and it can be very difficult for non-LDS members to fit in majority-LDS communities. One of the ACD's at the interactive agency that I used to work at (DSW, which George is probably familiar with) was eventually pressured by his family to move to Colorado, because they felt that they couldn't fit in with the neighbors. It's not a common occurence; I got along just fine with my LDS co-workers and friends, but it can happen.

The overall quality of life in SLC is wonderful. Compared to other cities like Atlanta and St. Louis, SLC's crime rate is near non-existent. The locals gripe about the traffic, but after two years in Atlanta, I was heaven.

I've been in Gallenson's, nice selection. I forget what the name of the gun shop/range on Redwood Road - okay facility, just a mess on the retail floor.

If you decide to fish up there, have a reel that holds a lot of line. Twenty-four inch rainbows tend to run a long way.

 

[12 Volt Man]

From your work location it looks to me like your work would be approx a 15 to 20 minute drive from South Davis County where I live. I am sure it would be about the same from areas like South Jordan or Sandy. Your work location is pretty centrally located. I guess the next question to ask is what type of housing would you be looking for? Renting an apartment or buying a house?

 

[George Hill]

I tried fishing last Saturday. I hadn't really fished since I lived in Seattle. Anyways, loaded my Jeep up with some rods and a couple cans of worms and headed to the lake.
I got there at about 5:00 PM. Had all the boys lined up... poles in hands worms on hooks... everyone with the line in the water...

Got so bored holding the rod out there with line dangling in the water... drove me nuts... Drew my gun and blasted the water 18 times to the utter suprise of my sons.

Threw the rods back into the Jeep, loaded up and went to McDees where the boys played happily in the Play Place and I munched grimly on a McFish sandwitch. Looked at my watch... 5:30.

I hate fishing.

 

[KMKeller]

Initially, we'll probably look for a house and if we can't find something we like, we'll rent an apartment and build.

I'm married (going on 15 years) and have a seven year old son. Neither my wife or I do the night life thing anymore and I don't drink other than an occassional beer or glass of wine. Outdoorsy stuff is VERY much right up my alley. Hunting, fishing, camping, trekking, 4 wheeling, dirt bikin', all the stuff that comes with growing up in the high desert/ mountains of NM.

 

[Nightcrawler]

If you think the night life THERE blows try living in Marquette!

I'm moving out there next year. But I'm going to be attending the University, finishing my undergraduate degree and eventually going to law school, so I'll be around people my own age, and, probably a lot of other transplants like me.

I don't drink anyways, so I'm not bothered by the alcohol laws.

I liked Salt Lake, the two times I was there. Nice, clean city, generally friendly people, nary an unattractive woman to be found....

I have a job hookup in SLC proper, and will be attending university. I'm moving with a friend, so we'll be needing a place to live that's near the city and campus, but he's not going to the school so I can't get campus housing (wouldn't want it anyway. I've done my share of that.)