Explore Salt Lake City

What Is It Like to Live in Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City and its surrounding areas has many personalities. To visitors, it's a place of religion with majestic mountains as a scenic backdrop. For residents, it's a place to work, play, shop and enjoy.

Benefits to living in Salt Lake City

In Salt Lake City, you can find whatever you're looking for. If you want to find religion, the Salt Lake Temple is the place to visit; however, even though the Mormon church is very conservative in their political and social views, downtown Salt Lake City is actually fairly liberal. In fact, even though the state's elected officials are primarily conservative Republicans, the Salt Lake Mayor has been a member of the Democratic party since 1976. Besides religion, there are plenty of other reasons to visit Utah's capital. If you want traditional and conservative, you can find it. If you want wild, exciting or even weird and kinky, you can find it. Salt Lake City is a place to find anything.

Exceptional entertainment options such as events at the Energy Solutions Arena or Kingsbury Hall
Scenic Mountains
Dry climate is good for many days of sunshine
Good technology industry - companies such as Novell, Intel, and Ebay have offices in Salt Lake and Utah counties.
Streets are based on a grid system for easy navigation.
There is a steady job base - the demand for specific careers changes over time, but there is always the need for good people.
Generally low crime rates - its one of the few major cities where people aren't afraid to walk downtown.

Things to Do

There are plenty of things to do in the valley. Whether it's hitting a hot destination for fun, hiking in the mountains, or going fishing, there are a great many options available.

Hike or bike Big or Little Cottonwood Canyons
Ski or Snowboard at Brighton, Snowbird, Solitude or in nearby Park City
Visit Temple Square
See the Kennecott Copper Mine - one of only two man-made objects that can be seen from space without a telescope. The other is the Great Wall of China.
Ride the rollercoasters at Lagoon
Watch a play at the Capitol Theater
Learn about the universe at the Clarke Planetarium
Shop at the Gateway Plaza
Watch a Jazz or Bees game
Go to school at the University of Utah
Golf at the Jeremy Ranch, Mulligans, Meadowbrook, Mountain Dell, South Mountain, etc
Meet with a group or club
Play Laser Tag or Paintball
Visit the Great Salt Lake. Be warned about this one, the lake is so salty that it creates a pungent odor. There are also many mosquitoes in the area, so bring bug spray. However, there are a few great bird watching areas where fresh water dumps into the lake such as near Farmington Bay.
Go fishing or boating at East Canyon or nearby Jordanelle
Photograph the scenery

Places to Go

There are many places to explore and visit.

City Creek Canyon
Temple Square
Utah Symphony
Cathedral of the Madeleine
Gardner Village
Hogle Zoo
Gallivan Center
Red Butte Gardens

Culture

Salt Lake City tends to have friendly people. Depending on the area, most people don't know their neighbors well unless they meet at church; however, if you approach someone they are willing to help and often start up conversation. 20 years ago, most people that lived in the valley were the descendents of the original pioneers who established the town. Since then, many people have moved here from places like California because real estate in the city and suburbs has been much cheaper, taxes are reasonable, and the job market has been good.

Arches National Park, one of Southern Utah's Highlights

One of Utah's five national parks, Arches National Park is perhaps the most widely known. Located near Moab in Southeastern Utah, Arches National Park is 73,000 acres of red and orange strange, yet beautiful blending of sandstone arches, spires, balancing rocks and pinnacles. Many of the most popular and accessible features have been named, some as straightforward as "Balancing Rock" and some a little more creative, like "The Three Gossips". Scenic route maps are available at the visitor centers and a varied selection of formations can be seen from the car. From a short walk, long hike or a bike ride, every level of activity will be rewarded with spectacular views.

One of the most famous attractions in the park is "Delicate Arch". Photographs don't do this arch justice. Rounding the last corner of the trail to the vantage point, the actual dimensions of the arch are impressive; a 6-foot-tall man standing at the base looks like little more than an ant. Below the arch is a great, concave bowl so deep people bravely skirt the edges of the slick rock to see the arch up-close. As if planned, a short "hedge" of rocks surrounding the bowl offers a place to sit, rest and admire the view.

All around the park, the various reds, oranges and yellows of the rock contrasts beautifully to the blue sky. The textures of the landscape are as diverse as the rock shapes; smooth, jagged, scrub-brushed and pockmarked. Even travelers who are not fans of the desert will appreciate the unique sculptures of the landscape.

Below are directions to drive to the Arches National Park from Salt Lake City, Utah. The driving distance is approximately 235 miles and is estimated to take 4 hours.

Uinta Mountains are a favorite destination in Utah

The Uinta Mountains are about 100 miles east of Salt Lake City, Utah and span northeastern Utah and northwestern Colorado. They're the highest mountain range that runs east to west in the United States. The highest peak is called Kings Peak, which is also the highest point in Utah. Its elevation is 13,528 ft. above sea level. Most of the peaks range from 11,000-13,500 ft.

Named for the Uintaat Indians, early relatives of the modern Ute Tribe, the mountains are a favorite destination for people in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. There's more than 400 miles of streams, over 1,000 small lakes and ponds, and 545 miles of trails. Many of the mountains are above the tree line, and one of the most popular hikes is to the top of Bald Mountain, aptly named because of its lack of trees.

The Uinta Mountains are home to black bear, bighorn sheep, cougar, coyote, elk, moose, mountain goat, mule deer, pine marten, ptarmigan, river otter and 3/4 of Utah's bird species.

Fishing, hiking, backpacking, four-wheeling, climbing, camping, and pretty much anything else related to the outdoors can be done here.

Since the lakes are small, most of the fish are under a pound in size, but they're still fun to catch. Mirror Lake, Trial Lake, Washington Lake, and Lost Lake are some of the more popular fishing destinations; however, a lot of the more remote lakes are stocked from the nearby hatchery in Kamas via helicopter, where they literally dump thousands of fish into the lakes. Most of the fish in the Uintas are brook trout and cutthroat, a few lakes have rainbow trout, and 15-20 lakes have grayline. There are even a few albino trout raised in the hatchery and stocked in various lakes in the Uintas.

Below is a map showing how to get to the Uintas from Salt Lake City, Utah.

View Larger Map

Sources:

Wikipedia Entry on the Uintas
Fishing the Uintas
Photo Credit: Brian Broderick - 2002

Salt Lake City Dining Options

Salt Lake City has outstanding dining venues. Restaurants with rich, delicious food, classic on-the-go food chains, and nearly any ethinic cuisine one could want are available nearby.

Ethinic Foods

Salt Lake City is a great location for tasty ethnic restaurants and venues. Diners can find great mexican, italian, asian, indian, european, jewish, and other great foods. Restauranteurs have developed great options for a quality, authentic environment and great food.

Whether you are looking for lunch specials, dinner dates, or other outings, you can find great options to fit any budget or style. Some are well established high-end restaurants and some are of the mom and pop style with a warm atmosphere.

Fine Dining

Salt Lake City offers a number of fine dining options. Fine restaurants treat their guests to one-of-a-kind experiences. Some locations are in such demand that reservations must be set out in advance.

You can find venues for groups or secluded private dining. High end wines and other beverages are common features. Prime cuts of meat and great breads, pastas, salads, and other great food are right at your finger tips.

Award winning chefs and restaurants are anxious to create a memorable dining experience.

Lot of Eating Options

Whether it be ritzy, signature dining, mid range casual restaurants, or inexpensive fast food chains you can find an option to suit your taste. Salt Lake City is known for great experiences and amazing food.

Look forward to satisfying your appetite!

Salt Lake City Parks

Salt Lake City features some great parks. Families, exercise buffs, and others looking to escape city life and engage in wholesome recreational activities can find all sorts of park styles. Some are near water features, some have playgrounds. Some have running areas and others have large fields.

The parks are an important aspect of community life. For that reason, they are maintained regularly.

Salt Lake City Park Activities

Playgrounds - Children can enjoy engaging equipment built for safety first.
Skate Parks - Some parks have features built for skaters, bladers, and bikers.
Jogging/Running Paths - Runners can take advantage of meandering pathways designed as a runner's haven.
Water Features - Water features add great fun when the weather is hot.
Amateur Sports - Sports like football, disc golf, soccer, among others are a blast in an open field.

Salt Lake City Night Life

The Salt Lake City night life is exciting! People from every walk of life find their niche and have a ton of great options to choose from. Some venues attract celebrities and other notable guests. Great food, great atmospheres, great music and great people make for an exciting night on the town.

Social Scene

Many Salt Lake City residents and visitors love to play, party, and mingle. There are venues for nearly any style and taste. People of all ages can find activities to engage and interest the soul.

There are many lifestyles, cultures, and personalities. People can find others like them or explore groups who are different.

People can get find anything they want. Some want solidarity; some want interaction; some want excitement; some want serenity. One can get lost in the crowd or find friendship and more. Salt Lake City is a great place to take advantage of a great social environment.

Venues

Whether you look for a dance floor, a place to mingle, or somewhere to play games and interact, Salt Lake City venues have a lot of options. Entertainment businesses make it their passion to create great attractions and features.

Salt Lake City restaurants, clubs, gyms, and other spots offer a great experience. Concerts, sporting events, and other large events bring huge excitement and energy.

Dining

Salt Lake City has outstanding dining options. You can find venues for groups or secluded private dining. High end wines and other beverages are common features. Prime cuts of meat and great breads, pastas, salads, and other great food are right at your finger tips. Whether it be ritzy, signature dining, mid range casual restaurants, or inexpensive fast food chains you can find an option to suit your taste. Salt Lake City is known for its range in prices and breadth of food style.

Enjoy the great, exciting Nightlife Salt Lake City has to offer!

Salt Lake City YMCA Programs

The Young Men's Christian Association (commonly known as "YMCA" or in the USA "the Y") is a worldwide organization with a strong presence in the United States and Salt Lake City.

In 1844 the organization was founded in London, England by Sir George Williams, put Christian principles into practice, achieved by developing "a healthy spirit, mind, and body."

All YMCA programs have a strong importance on the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. These core values were adopted formally by the YMCA of the United States in the early 1990s. They were developed to help teach children right from wrong.

Each of the core values has a color that is connected to it in order to help people remember them. Caring is associated with red, honesty with blue, responsibility with green and respect with yellow.

Youth and parents can get involved in activities that are both academic and athletic as well as religious. It is very common for YMCAs to have swimming pools YMCA Swimming and weightrooms, along with facilities for playing various sports such as basketball, volleyball, racquetball, and futsal. The YMCA also sponsors youth sports teams for swimming, cheerleading, basketball, futsal, and soccer.

Get involved with your local Salt Lake City program.

Salt Lake City Theaters

Salt Lake City has some of the best theaters. Some are huge multiplexes and some are smaller cozy facilities. Theaters include venues for plays and fine arts events.

Salt Lake City Movies

Some nights just call for a trip to the movie theater. Salt Lake City has some great locations. Some are the latest, state-of-the-art facilities with 3D, IMax or other fascinating features. Others are quaint locations for small audiences.

Movie theaters in Salt Lake City carry the latest releases. Some offer matinees so patrons can view the classics on a budget. View greats like Avatar, Harry Potter, Cars, and other great movies.

Salt Lake City Plays and Fine Arts

Experience the culture of Salt Lake City by visiting a fine arts theater to enjoy one of the latest productions. Watch talented actors and singers perform their scenes with precision.

Some theators have been around for many years and others are newer and have state of the art sound and lighting gear. Enjoy a night out by watching some of the performance greats.

Salt Lake City Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the most successful youth organizations in the United States. Salt Lake City has a strong scout movement. Youth in the area can find a great troop and council to attend.

Boy Scouts learn to use the ideals spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. They wear a uniform and work together in patrols of eight to ten boys with an elected patrol leader. Scouts share responsibilities, apply skills learned at meetings and live together in the outdoors. The advancement system provides opportunities for personal growth and self-reliance.

The Boy Scouts was founded in 1907 by British General Robert Baden-Powell with the goal to help young men become responsible and self sufficient. A man, W. D. Boyce, encountered an 'unknown scout' and learned of the scouting movement. Shortly after the movement gained momentum and began to expand.

Salt Lake City scouts can begin in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts or the Venture program depending on their age. Contact the local scout chapter to find your troop and begin.

Some key tenants set the scouts apart from other organizations:

Scout Oath

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country;
To obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Scout Motto

Be Prepared

Scout Slogan

Do a good turn daily

Outdoor Code

As an American, I will do my best, to be clean in my outdoor manners, to be careful with fire, to be considerate in the outdoors, and to be conservation minded

Salt Lake City Golf and Golf Courses

Salt Lake City has some great golf. It has a great season of ideal outdoor weather and climate for trips to the links. Some courses are located near top notch resorts with specials targeting frequent golfers.

The variety of golf courses and terrains that it offers is amazing. The city golf courses with different terrains has plenty in store for people who need to practice and learn golf. There are golf courses that range from 9 holes to 18 holes so that you can choose the one that you like.

Golf Courses

Salt Lake City golf courses cover a wide range of quality, price, and prestige. Some are high end clubs attracting the most elite golfers. Others are much more casual and suit anyone.

Some of these courses serve as training academies for golf aspirants. Golfing enthusiasts will not be disappointed with the standards maintained on these courses. The golf courses are maintained well so that the playing conditions are always optimal. There are some that are full service places with practice facilities, golf equipment and more. There are many that also arrange for training and coaching too.

All you have to do is just make your pick as to which place you will visit, and then you can go and enjoy your all time favorite sport. Golfers of all skill levels will find a course that offers them the challenge they need in a setting that is purely spectacular.

Salt Lake City Urban Living

Some of Salt Lake City's residents thrive in the vibrance of city life. Many choose to reside close to work and other city featues. They find it exciting to connect with others who enjoy the city.

Communities

Salt Lake City urban communities are full of life. Some neighborhoods are connected to the city's best features. Some communities offer a great lifestyle and opportunity to connect with others.

Apartment buildings, homes with close proximity to office centers, shopping centers, and other city functions allow residents rapid access to what they want most. Other communities provide more space with the same access.

Home Types

Many Salt Lake City communities are apartment facilities. Some offer pools, exercise centers, private parking, security, and other great options. They share common areas to minimize upkeep and a great social environment.

Some of the urban communities are single family residences. They offer a bit more privacy but still allow access to the city. They provide a real estate option for those who want to own their own space.

Lifestyle

Urban lifestyle tends to be full of social buzz. Salt Lake City residences often fit the profile. Families, couples, and singles can usually find a great home option that fits the bill. Many communities target a certain demographic. Some go after families while others go after singles. Some target highend buyers and others go after starters. Salt Lake City has a community and home type for you.

People

Salt Lake City communities often attract certain types of people. Singles can mingle with other singles. Families can get to know great neighbors. Some enjoy the nightlife and others enjoy social venues and entertaiment options.

Many love Salt Lake City urban living.

Salt Lake City Suburban Living

Many people prefer to escape the noise of the city to reside in suburban life. Salt Lake City offers some great suburban communities.

Communities

Salt Lake City suburban communities are designed with many people in mind. Some neighborhoods are close to city features. Others are a significant distance away, creating distance from the city buzz.

Neighborhood amenities vary. Some communities consist of high density housing, while others are spacious, etc. They also range in age. Some are classic, some are older and more affordable and others are new and modern. There are options to fit nearly any taste, budget and need.

Home Types

Salt Lake City suburban homes range in style, size, age, and features. Home types include single family with yard space, single family without yard space, condos, rentals, luxury, etc.

They range in price and function. A resident can find any type of real estate needed.

Lifestyle

Suburban lifestyle tends to be a retreat compared to urban city life. Salt Lake City suburbs often fit the profile. Families, couples, and singles can usually find a housing option that works. Many communities target a certain demographic. Some go after families while others go after singles. Some target highend buyers and others go after starters. Salt Lake City has a community and home type for you.

People

Salt Lake City suburban living is very attractive to many, especially those who want to escape busy city life.

Salt Lake City Home Types

Salt Lake City has many different neighborhood types to choose from. The types of residences vary as well from neighborhood to neighborhood. Some communities are built for family living while others are built for singles and/or couples. Salt Lake City has a home style for any resident.

Single Family Homes

Many Salt Lake City communities are designed for single family living. Some homes are single-story and built for people who prefer not to climb stairs. Some are built to maximize space and minimize costs and may include multiple levels. There are many home options to choose from and many neighborhoods designed to suit a variety of life style needs.

Condos

Many residents don't want to maintain a lawn or other home improvements and prefer to share common interests with other residents. Salt Lake City has a number of condo style complexes to choose from. While condominiums tend to be lower maintenance than single family, they still allow for homeownership.

Luxury

Salt Lake City has a number of high end communities intended for the wealthy. Homes ranging in the millions of dollars are common in resident areas like these. Luxury homes and condos may be very large or may contain amenities and features other homes don't offer. The quality of living may range considerably from community to community.

Rentals

Some residents don't want to own a property or are unable to. Salt Lake City offers a large variety of homes for rent. Some are maintained by management companies and some are maintained by the landlord. Apartments, condos, single family, and other types of housing is available.

Salt Lake City offers a large variety of living opportunities. You can find the type of home that fits your situation.

Salt Lake City Little League Baseball

Little League baseball is a non-profit youth sports organization. While it is headquartered in South Williamsport, PA, it organizes baseball leagues and teams across the United States. Players from all across the country play locally and vie for a national title.

The Little League was founded by Carl Stotz in 1939. Today, millions enjoy baseball. Youth can participate in the program and adults can take part as well as coaches, umpires, assistants, chearleaders, etc.

The Salt Lake City Little League Baseball program is usually well organized a great opportunity for Salt Lake City youth. Players can earn awards for good sportsmanship and teams can win for performance, including league tournaments, etc.

Prospective players can engage with a team by contacting the local Salt Lake City league office. Fees are usually manageable and rules and guidelines can be found online.

Equipment typically consists of a uniform, cleats, a bat, ball, and glove. Players can begin at an early age and play through their teens.

Contact your Salt Lake City Little League office to get involved.

Salt Lake City Community Guide Introduction

Welcome to the Salt Lake City community guide!

Explore Salt Lake City and all it has to offer. Find information on lifestyle, entertainment, communities, people, vacation spots, hotels, travel, organizations, and more.