Whether you’re relocating for a new job, a relationship, or simply for the stunning mountain views, Utah is a fantastic place to live. Full of beautiful landscapes and the epic Salt Lake City, there are plenty of places to love living in. However, it may be a little unlike what you’re used to so we’ve put together our top things to know about moving to the West Mountain state.
Where You Live Is Important
The cost of housing is surprisingly cheap in comparison to other states, but where you live will have an impact on how you live your day-to-day. If you’re looking for the hustle and bustle of city living, there are tons of new homes for sale in Utah, predominantly around its capital Salt Lake City. The Greater Avenues suburb offers high-end living for a fraction of what you’d pay for the same lifestyle in other states.
If you’d prefer somewhere a little more remote than rural towns such as Kamas to enjoy their outdoorsy lifestyle focusing on hiking and fishing, or Castle Dale for quaint, historic buildings and a peaceful community.
Utah home prices are on the rise so relocating and purchasing your own home is a smart investment for your and your family’s future.
You’ll Need To Get To Grips With The Climate
In Utah, the summers are achingly hot and in the wintertime, you can expect snow so pack accordingly! The later months are still a relatively balmy 20 degrees despite snowfall, thanks to the tall protective mountains. Just expect to need air conditioning in the dry desert heat during May to October.
Get Ready To Experience The Great Outdoors
Outdoor sports are hugely popular in Utah and for good reason. With snow sports being super accessible during winter with vast mountain ranges aplenty, brushing up on your skiing or snowboarding skills is a must. In the warmer climes, hiking and camping is a fun and wholesome pastime that can be enjoyed with family and friends. There are lots of fantastic fishing lakes and hunting opportunities too if you want to get in touch with your caveman side.
If you’re truly looking to get back into nature, why not visit one of the state’s five national parks? You can get it all on the ‘Gram to show off to your old friends from your previous home.
The Tax System Is Decent
Utah’s flat income tax rate of 5% is balanced with no estate tax and low property tax. This is relatively citizen-favored in comparison to other states like California and New Jersey.
Your Kids Will Get A Great Education
The school system in Utah is one of the best out there. The higher education offering leads students to flock to the area to attend greats such as Brigham Young University, Southern Utah University, and Dixie State University.
The Salt Lake Community College is known to be the second-best in the country so if you’re after an amazing education on a budget then Utah will be your saving grace. Such great collegiate opportunities mean the public high school system isn’t too bad either so your kids should be in good stead for their later years.
Get Ready To Party!
Whilst Utah is known for its large Mormon community, Salt Lake City is known for its rocking nightlife. If you’re a fan of cool bars, must-try restaurants, and a strong music scene then you’ll want to plan plenty of nights on the town. Craft beers are a specialty so if you’re a drinker you’ll feel right at home.
If you’re not a night owl there is some stunning architecture around Temple Square where you can explore the Mormon culture and religion, or you can soak up some knowledge at Utah’s Natural History Museum.
Plus, if you’re a film buff you’ll get to soak up the buzz around The Sundance Film Festival which is held there annually. Who knows, you might even spot a celebrity or two!
Getting Around Is Easy
Waiting for hours on the highway in traffic will (almost!) be a thing of the past. Utah has a great highway infrastructure that will get you from A to B in no time, with connections all over the state. At 219,887 km² you can get from top to bottom in less than five hours and enjoy a spectacular road trip. If you don’t drive fear not, Utah has some fantastic transportation options including a light rail service in the capital.
You’ll Feel Safe At Night
Night and day that is! Utah has a strong sense of community thanks to its Mormon background and the crime rate is lower than the national average. Plus the residents are generally super friendly so it’s easy to build up a good network of friends and neighbors that will have your back. Utah also has a high population of the LGBTQ+ community with its own pride celebrations every year, meaning a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. It’s not known as the Beehive State for nothing!
The Job Market Is Thriving
If you’re relocating without a job in place, chances are you stand pretty good odds to get a new job without too much trouble. With an unemployment rate of 2.9% and 2014’s best-performing state for growth in economics, it’s safe to say Utah is full of prospects!
Utah was recently voted as one of the best cities for creatives, so if you’re into the arts it’s an awesome place to be! There are a ton of growing industries including agriculture, finance, and petroleum so there’s lots of variety to cater to whatever your specialty field may be.
You’ll Have Your Tastebuds Tingled
Every state has its go-to foods, unique to the area and Utah is no different. Plough into some Funeral Potatoes (they’re better than they sound!) made up of melty cheese, crisp hash browns, and topped crunchy cornflakes if you’re not watching your waistline! If you’d prefer a healthier approach, the locally grown raspberries, tomatoes, and watermelon are like little bites of heaven.
Have you recently relocated to Utah? Hit the comments to share your top tips for the local area to help other new Utahans.
