When I travel, and I go as a retired airline employee, I am often met with skepticism and questions on my sanity.
May I totally dispel any concerns here.
1. Utah is diverse! Our daughter was adopted from China 15 years ago and has never been treated any way other than as the person she is. My neighbors and her schools have always been supportive.
2. The weather is horrible! NO WAY! I am a transplanted Southerner, lived in Orlando the prior 18 years and almost 20 here. There are four true seasons, each is distinctive and never harsh. It does snow BUT in the winter it is usually snowing or sunny. Rarely do we have those long gray days. In the winter we wear a coat only when it is either snowing or at night. Polyfleece works just fine for the days.
3. Desert! Yup, we have them, in fact Salt Lake is considered high desert BUT that is only because of the lack of humidity. One can leave a loaf of bread open over night and the bugs won't carry it off nor will the bread become soggy.
4. Recreation. There are more parks per square mile than any city I am aware of. I take my dog to Tanner Park for off leash recreation and walk every day in Dimple Dell which is an equestrian park. There are 7 world class ski resorts within 45 minutes of the airport and another 3 more an hour or so away. Go to www.skiutah.com for more information.
Folks in Utah get outdoors! The cities are almost empty during long holiday weekends because the mountains and red rock canyons are so close.
What you won't find in Utah:
1. Cigarette or cigar smoke! I have lived here for over 19 years and rarely do I encounter someone smoking. When I do, it smells terrible and I cannot help but wonder 'Why?'
2. Drunk drivers. Yes, unfortunately some still do but people here are extremely conscious of drinking and driving and it is not a part of the local culture.
3. Dirty streets. Well, I have to qualify this as the wind does blow on occasion but downtown is extremely clean and so are most of the suburbs.
4. Drop bears. Said to be the most dangerous animal living in Australia, they have not been introduced here. But if in the Outback, look up!
What you will find in Utah:
1. The 'Greatest Snow on Earth!' With water content about an inch per 10 or more inches of snow, the skiing is absolutely incredible.
2. Sorry Denver but when one who has never been out West thinks of Denver, they are really thinking of Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front. Ever drive I-70 to or from Summit County Colorado on a weekend during ski season? Nightmare! Plus their mountains are 'where?' I can be at Snowbird or Solitude from any place in the valley in less than 45 minutes and usually less than 30. And don't forget these are all year around resorts. Hiking in the summer and fall, Frisbee golf, wild flower photography or mountain biking, all is available.
Cheap golf! This is a huge secret so don't tell anyone! I have played golf in Utah in every month of the year. Wingpointe at the Salt Lake International Airport is like a Scottish course. And there is not always snow on the ground, even in January.
3. St. George. Utah's 'Dixie' is only 4 hours away and definitely golf and tennis year around. Only 2 hours more and you are in Las Vegas. Enjoy it but you don't have to live there.
4. National parks. With 5 parks totally in Utah; Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion and 2 just across our borders, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Great Basin, the possibilities are endless. Be prepared to buy an annual pass, 10 bucks lifetime for over 62 and 80 for everyone else for a year. The state parks are incredible too.
5. Boating. Utah is consistantly in the top 10 in boat registrations and yet we are the 2nd driest state! Why is that? Our water comes in the winter in the form of snow and in the summer we enjoy mostly cloudless days and low humidity. We have lots of reservoirs available for wake boarding, skiing, fishing and of course just lazing around. Not to mention perhaps the most beautiful of all, Lake Powell!
6. The Arts. with Ballet West, the Opera and Symphony, and so much theatre that I am remiss in not mentioning because I do not want to miss anyone.
7. Touring Broadway shows.
8. Of course the Jazz and Real Salt Lake along
with the Bees.
9. Pianos! Utah has the highest per capita ownership of pianos in the U.S. Need a piano teacher? Let me recommend an incredible lady who taught my daughter from age 6.
10. SKIES! Dear friends from Connecticut visit and comment about the 'skies' With absolutely incredible sunsets to vistas stretching over 100 miles to the west, across the Great Salt Lake and to Nevada, one is in awe every day with the beauty of the sky.
11. TREES! Smiling here because our mountains are so high, stretching up past 11,000 feet from a valley floor of only 4300 feet, our trees look small from the distance but I promise they are plenty big enough. In the fall, the Aspens change to a golden hue and shimmer in the breeze. Breath taking is the best term to describe them.
12. Beer! With some of the finest microbreweries in the U.S. our beer is outstanding. And the local laws are not byzantine.
To sum up, it is impossible to be bored here unless one just does not want to venture out. Please let me know if you want more!
I am happy to send any information that you need to help in relocating.
One last thing. My clients all turn out to be dear friends. I never want to be in a mall and ducking someone because of a past deal gone sour.
Thanks!
Bob
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