Big cities near big mountains

Man, lot of people hating on SLC, when it seems like you just visited once or twice, and don't have any real info on it.

Hating on the interstate system? really? Sorry that it's easy to get around. The grid system? Confusing for a week, then you realize it makes it SUPER simple to find an address. Seems like they're constantly improving the roads, and the public transit is awesome (where else can you jump a city bus straight to the resort parking lot)

Nightlife? I don't find it a whole lot different than any other place that I lived. Bars are open til 1 instead of 2. That's about it. Some of the bars downtown are a lot of fun. And I've had a blast at the Hog's Wallow and Canyon Inn (Cougar Heaven). 3.2 beer is a bit lame. So drink 2 more and you're even. If you base your relocation on the alcohol content of beer, let me redirect you to a new website (http://www.aa.org)

People? Yep, there's Mormons here. I bet there's Mormons in your city too. And Jews and JDub's. You really don't notice them at all. MAYBE on sundays at the store, because they're dressed super nice. It's not like they're standing on the street corners preaching to you. Besides, the morman chicks out here are INCREDIBLY hot. If you're into that. Otherwise, there's plenty of other super hot chicks out here. Think....rock climbing chicks, ski bumming chicks, mountain biking chicks. Yep. Besides, OP...you're coming from NYC. I've never been there, but I'm 99% sure there's WAY more weridos there than there are here.

And finally, no where else can you get the quality of skiing/snowboarding as close as SLC.

Seattle for sure. You have great park at both stevens and snoqualmie within about an hour. You can get some great steeps at alpental in about an hour. And the powder skiing at alpy, stevens, crystal and of course baker is soo prime.

yes

215 and I-15 were easy enough to get around. State street also takes you anywhere in the city it seems as well since it runs parallel.

Okay heres my gripe about your traffic.

No michigan u-turn's. What does this mean? Well for instance I took off down 10600....had to turn around. I was about .25 mile from my hotel when I realized this.

After driving down to state street, driving through the fucking mall, and getting back on 10600....I had to go all the way down to the light where you can do a u-turn....then I do a u-turn. Took us like 15 minutes to go back to our hotel.

Never have I seen so many medians and roads that only permitted left or right hand turns.

Your night life is weak sauce. No alcohol purchases at state liquor store past 10pm. No sunday purchases. 3.2% beer everywhere. Sure you have hot girls to make up for it. The bars were pretty weak, and if you compare SLC to other major cities....that allow you to drink until 4:45 A.M in the club, and the clubs get out at 5 A.M. SLC is nothing compared to them.

Restaurants....they might serve beer....if they do...thats the first challenge. Now I want some liquor, or my girlfriend wants some fruity drink. Well tough shit.......most restaurants I seen didn't have liquor.

The mormon culture in SLC is definitely present. On top of that I ran in to a few bitch ass people who had no valid reason to be such a debbie downer. I went to Wal-Mart, bought two 2 liters. I crumble the receipt and toss it in the garbage. The bitch is like hi sir did you purchase that, and Im like yeah the receipts in the trash.

So she fucking makes me find it. She could have simply looked at her POS system (point of sale system) and looked at the last transaction and seen I bought a 2 liter of dr fucking pepper.

Im Lutheran, I don't go to church for 3 hours a day on Sunday.

Hands down. Mormon girls are hot as fuck and blonde and blue eyed. I dated a mormon chick for 2 years in high school. Probably my best girlfriend ever.  There is tons of pussy on those streets.

Utah drivers suck ass at driving.

Oh here is my theory on why mormons are blonde hair and blue eyes. If I recall the official skin color for the mormon church was white until just recently. Anyways I suspect that generations of "in-breeding", or breeding with people of the same culture / faith has made blonde hair genetics very common in the SLC area. So the area basically promoted "we like white people to join our church" for quite some time if I recall, and they have for generations been breeding in SLC. Creating a very white town.

Im not saying its in-breeding, cause I don't think people are incest or any of that, but I definitely think the same genetics that settlers in the SLC valley had, are still running strong today.

SLC just a very republican state. They want to keep crime low. Not going to paint with a broad stroke here, but minorities seem to be moving in to the area from statistics I read, and crime has increased with that.


It's not like its impossible to get drunk in Utah or some shit. But I suggest you go to SLC for 2 weeks, rent a car. Go to Ogdan....go to Provo...go to SLC. Get a feeling for the vibe going on.  I didn't go to Ogdan but 3 locals on a lift said that the cops are even worse in Ogdan.

We can talk shit about every state though.

And in the end I want to say I had a great time in Utah. I just think it was a bit of culture shock to be in an area even more conservative, white, religious, than where I came from.

Oh yeah you guys fucking suck at driving once again. 23 accidents in one night? Give me a fucking break you have no snow on the ground in the valley. Michigan gets hit with more snow on the ground then SLC does in the valley and we have very few crashes.

My comments on SLC:

i've seen some tig ol' bitties around the amazon cloud forest, which borders the andes range. they free em for you to see em, because they're indigenous and they don't believe in shirts. but theres some mountains near rio de janeiro, you should see the knockers in that city. if you're looking for bee-stings, then you can go anywhere, but if you haven't at least once in your lifetime visited mount kilamanjaro, there are some nearby jugs at kawangware. anyways good luck on your quest of finding big titties near big mountains, my brahski.

haha.  That's such a ridiculous post for so many reasons.

I knew there was a reason I had your karma so low.

You vacationed in Utah for a couple weeks, and you seem to make a whole lot of generalizations about the place.

The no U-turn law is all over the place, not just Utah. Yeah, you're from Michigan. Of course you can do U-turns, you probably won't hit one of the other 6 cars on the road. But this is an area of over a Million people. You can't have cars just flipping around in the middle of the road all day. Pay attention when you're driving, and you won't have to turn around. Otherwise, prepare to drive a bit more.

And yeah, there's medians in the roads. Did you also notice that almost every road is at least 2 lanes in every direction? Yes, the roads are wide, and easy to get around on. The grid system helps you know where you're at and how far you have to go. It's quite nice actually.

Your thoughts on the liquor laws are quite immature. No liquor purchases after 10? Who gives a shit? But your liquor before 10. Plan ahead for 10 seconds, and it's not a problem. 3.2 beer is here. If you don't like it, go to the liquor store and buy regular beer. Or drink 2 extra and be fine. If you go to a bar, the tap beer and bottle beer is regular. Only the can beer is 3.2. Sorry you can't get tequila at McDonalds here. But any restaurant like Chili's, Applebees, or TGIFridays server the exact same drinks they serve in any other state. Including liquor. Again though, if you want to base your entire review of a city on the bar closing time....your priorities are wrong.

Your Wal-Mart argument is retarded. I've gotten asked all over the place for a receipt as I walked out. Again, that's not a Utah thing or a Mormon thing like you're trying to insinuate.

Guess what, I'm catholic, I also don't go to church for 3 hours on Sunday. But what does that have to do with anything? Is that some sort of shot at Mormons? Did the fact that they were at church while you weren't affect your stay here?

Your theory on Mormons is straight retarded...and has nothing to do with anything. It just made you look extremely ignorant. And your comment about minorities moving to Utah....what? Stay in your white dominated home town. You appear scared of minorities. I suggest staying away from Detroit...I heard it's REALLY scarry. SLC isn't nearly as conservative as you think. There's a pretty large GLBT scene here. And the laws are changing extremely fast.

Sorry there's cops here. Safe city's really suck. Sorry you didn't get robbed, mugged, carjacked, or shot. Fucking cops going around doing their jobs protecting people.

Again, there's a million people and there was 23 car accidents. I'd say that was a pretty good rate. I'm willing to bet that when Detroit gets hit with a snowstorm, there's a hell of a lot more accidents than 23. And Detroit doesn't have 2 MAJOR interstates running through the middle of it.

You vacationed here for a couple weeks. You hardly have a voice when commenting on SLC.

The number of misconceptions in this thread is astounding.

Anyway, I recommend Seattle. According to the latest data available, Seattle is the 25th largest city in the country. Think Salt Lake City is larger or even close? Think again. Salt Lake City is number 126--below such cities as Spokane, WA (#104), Des Moines, IA (#112), Boise, ID (#100), and even Anchorage, AK (#67). If you're looking for a large city near good skiing, Seattle is the best choice.

You've got one of the wettest mountain ranges in North America. You've got a fairly consistent, favorable Pacific jet that typically brings storm after storm in during the winter. You've got, in many cases, decent access to cold air, which comes down through the Canadian Rockies. Naturally, when the cold, dry air meets the wet jet stream, snow ensues. The meteorology and climatology of the place is fascinating in general.

You've got some of the North America's most underrated resorts within easy reach. Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass, Mt. Baker are a few. Alpental, Mission Ridge, White Pass are several notable others. There are also key areas available if you want to go somewhere new. Whistler is across the border and up the Sea-to-Sky. Several hours, but nearby compared to SLC and most other population centers. Mt. Hood is also nearby--to the south in Oregon. Summer skiing? No problem. Finally, you've got several resorts to the east in north Idaho and western Montana that aren't necessarily closeby, but by all means worth the trip (Schweitzer, ID; Whitefish, MT, etc.). Given our variable climate, there is occasional rain in the mountains. But it isn't nearly as bad as we make it seem. Cascades, probably 5-7 events per year. Most are minor. North Idaho/Western Montana? 1-2 events per year. That's on average.

Culture is every bit as sophisticated and variable as any other major city. There are great restaurants, bars and clubs. There is world-class recreation in-town in and around Seattle.

Perhaps the most important bit to consider here is the overall attitude and friendliness of the people here. I am speaking overall--in any group there are going to be people who don't fit this overall view. In my opinion, the Northwest is one of the friendliest areas in the United States. That's my opinion; others refute if you want, but know you're not going to change my mind. Yes we have crime and yes we have corruption in politics. But those are things that just come from being a major city. No, I'm talking about the fact that everyone here is so laid-back. They are appreciative of and active participators in recreation. They are just friendly. It is difficult to explain until you have lived here for several years--but there is just some form of cohesiveness between the community. Again, there are standouts, but overall, the Northwest has become a "lifestyle" of sorts.

Don't know if that summed the Northwest up well. Seattle would be a great option. Suspend your disbelief, if you have any, and actively consider this choice.

I live in OC, Cali, about 35-45 minutes from LA and an hour and a half from Bear Mt. Ride Bear probably 3-5 days a week. Yeah, it's just a big park, with a ton of gapers, but it's pretty nice, and its ALWAYS sunny.

I could give about a shit and a half about the karma system here k?

Your states grid system with no u-turn system was extremely annoying. An the population of the town exceeds the road way capacity in certain areas.

For instance a few times I seen vehicles at the light at s. jordan parkway's and 10600's left turn lane / u-turn lane backed up over...the bridge on the interstate. And were talking it takes 3-4 cycles to get even in the indent in the road. I though that was just ridiculous.

That is cool that your city has 2 lane roads everywhere, but its not fixing the initial concern of the difficulty surrounding a u-turn. Some roads were cake, but a lot of times I was finding myself frustrated with the grid system

My liquor law thoughts could just be immature because I am using to being able to go to well any store here in Michigan up until 1:59 A.M and buy anything. And any restaurant serving beer can also whip up some fruit ass drink for my girlfriend. It's not immature, its just convenience. If you work 2nd shift...2pm till 10pm. You have to think ahead in Utah. Now I was on vacation so it didn't matter, but back in my home state........hell I htink most runs to the liquor store are between the hours of 9pm and midnight. Parties at aren't even getting goin until 10pm usually. Plus say your party's keg runs out, and you need another. In utah, its tough shit. In Michigan its game time till 2 A.M. I hope like you say your laws are changing.

Utah's not alone here, in fact the county I lived in...had some ridiculous no buying / selling alcohol on Sundays rule. But it was overturned, with even support from some police officers oddly enough. There are tons of dry counties on Sunday, and other counties with weird liquor laws. But I think they are living in the 19th century, and need to get up to par.

Yeah I am not interested in your LGBT scene, but thats cool you have one I guess.

My Wal-Mart argument. She was a bitch, she could have just looked at the last transaction on the POS system. People in Utah were totally 50/50. Some people were awesome as hell in terms of attitude. Some were total asswads. In comparison to where I am from......no one is really an asswad for no reason. Your guess is as good as mine as to why they were a little bitchy. Can't say that its because of people being mormon.

I could give 2 shits about minorities, or the make-up of the towns population. But from what I gathered it seemed like SLC Police are aggressively policing the streets in an attempt to stop any crime that minorities tend to bring.

Safe cities rule, but for fucks sake can the police at least disperse to other places? Do they have no crime there? And all they do is sit and do laps on LCC / BCC road, and every other road for that matter really. Can a brother just light a spliff on i-15 and not worry about crown vics, impalas, chargers, and the assortment of police vehicles in use in the greater SLC area.


You don't know shit about Detroit, I bet you never been there. Leading in to detroit you have i-96, i-696, and i-75. 4 major interstate systems.


You just have to not be from SLC to realize the mormon presence in Utah, and its seen mostly when you go out to visit a restaurant that anywhere else you would assume serves both liquor and alcohol. When all they carry is 3.2% beer. This is something that you can become used to, and learn to get around, just like your liquor stores closing at 10pm.

It's just odd to see a metro city with such antiquated laws. The biggest piece of alcohol legislature passed in 40 years when they made it so you didn't have to be a member, aka pay a cover charge and sign a bunch of shit in Utah.  From the way your newspapers report it....it sounds like that is a big deal.

I was using mormons and their 3 hour church thing as an example of how religious Mormons are, and how much they let it effect their daily life.

Mormons in general though are a great group of people because they tend to not accept hand outs, and are very hard working people. But this is all indoctrinated through the church.

Could you really live in a city that believes that Jesus speaks to the churchs leader?

Aka people back in whenever the fuck SLC was found...were following this dude by the name of brigham young. Hey what do you know a brigham young university in SLC too! Anyways, Brigham supposedly was led by Jesus to the valley of SLC and said "this is the promise land" or some shit like that, and Jesus led the mormons to SLC.

I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. And this is me being close minded. But I think thats fucking retarded (the mormon religion) Jesus doesn't give special treatment to one religious group and talk to the leader of that church on a daily basis on how to best serve the church.

Just go visit SLC for 2 weeks, and rent a car, and you'll see what I mean. Its not like OMG MORMONS, but you pick-up on it.......

If you are from a progressive area, moving to SLC would be a big change in culture. If you love Rush, Beck, Hannity, and so on..105.7 I think it is has them on 24x7.......its a conservative republican town.

now once again jblaski..........i enjoyed SLC's terrain and skiing. I think its fucking awesome. I just tihnk the town next to the mountains needs to progress a little bit, and the state and the church need a little more separation.

The cop thing, eh...yeah they suck ass. But I felt they were needed to combat your shitty driving. I've never had to defensively drive so much. Had I not braked to let crazy people do crazy shit I would have been in a few fender benders.

Remind yourself.........I have no problem driving in downtown Chicago. But I hate the drivers in SLC........ if that gives you an idea of how bad they are at driving.

AND YOU PEOPLE PIMP IT YEAR ROUND. WHAT THE FUCK IS UP WITH THAT? LOW PROFILE TIRES IN THE WINTER TIME? WHAT THE FUCK MAN? Have you guys ever heard of taking your rims off and atleast putting snow tires on? Thats another thing. In Michigan we have summer cars......and we put them away in the winter. Everyone in Utah was riding rims still..........many of them with low-profile tires.

Im talking 300c's with 245 x 45 x 20 rubbers. That is fucking retarded and its no wonder you guys have accidents like mad.

When I was there someone was killed trying to help someone else in an accident on I-80. I think it was 12/29 or 12/30.........but I-80 was a fucking shit show. Moving along doing 35mph with hardly any snow on the road......meanwhile there is an accident every mile.

I can see why Utah has laws for people to not be on their cell phone.

We don't have 23 accidents in a night in Michigan. We just don't. Everyone is used to driving in snow.


If all of this doesn't convince you, how about waking up and not being able to see the mountains because of the smog. Like I've said before, when coming from the canyons or I-80 its like you look in the distance and see what looks like a chinese city. But its really just Utah.

I bet I don't even need to wear UV sun block in the city because of the cloud of smog.

Before considering living in Utah, go visit Seattle and Denver.

Oh yeah, no one in SLC has a lawn, or space in between their houses. General statement, but yeah looking over video from SLC.

Not even million dollar houses have a lawn. I bet no one has a riding lawn mower in SLC. Their lawns aren't big enough to justify it.

there is some retarded grammar in there. But its because im still drunk at 9:50 A.M because I was allowed to purchase liquor at 1:58 A.M last night.

Just kidding. Yes I know how to spell and formulate sentences though, contrary to what the posts above might indicate.

That is hands down one of the most retarded posts I've ever read on here.  You are in absolutely no position to be making such ludicrous claims after visiting Utah for what, 10 days?  Come on. 

I really hope nobody on here takes anything you've said seriously, because you're just rambling and sound like an ignorant asshat.  SLC is the place to be if you want to ski.  Clearly you have other priorities.

I never said skiing in utah didn't suck.

I think its awesome.

But the city is quite different than what you might expect which is the point I wish to drive home.

Utah skiing ruled. And purely speaking in terms of skiing. These people know whats up in regards to skiing.

But big cities near mountains is a broad category.

I would have to say that SLC would win in almost every category. But I think consideration must be given to other cities obviously.

ya definitly salt lake

Factory, you're looking very ignorant right now. Your opinion is based on your short trip to SLC, in which you stayed in Sandy/southern slc valley, which in comparison to the actually SLC part of the valley, is going to feel more mormon and more republican, etc. The more south you go in the valley, the more mormons because the valley extends that way and when more mormons wanna move to the motherland they have to move south, shit happens. I've been living in SLC for 2 1/2 years in the downtown/college area and everything your described doesn't happen where i live. You're gonna get a mormon feeling if you stay in the mormon areas.

As for the bar and drinking stuff, you sound like such a stuck up fuck. You make it sound like not buying liquor after 10 is the end of the world. You can buy beer til 1am and OMG 3.2% dude you talked about 3.2 beer way too much. First, its actually 4% (3.2 by weight = 4% by volume) and most cheap beers you buy are no more than 5% (unless its an ice beer) and keystone light bud light and any other light is no more than 4.5% so there is literally a one or two beer difference so you can get just as drunk on utah beer, believe me im a big guy and need alot of alcohol to get drunk and i get shit faced on utah beer.

As for nightlife, i havent done the downtown scene much but ive heard the bars are ok but not as good as most. But you probably didnt go to any house parties or special events, which is where its at in utah. All the bars ive been to have been real fun so far and there are always fun parties every weekend here.

Driving part, i dunno where you couldnt uturn but most roads yuo can just send it in the area i live. Sure there is bad traffic, but being a tourist you took all of the main roads, side roads are key in slc and knowing which roads to take, then you can avoid most annoying traffic.

I probably have more to say but i cant remember what else you posted so fuck it. I guess i could care less what you say to kids on NS about slc, it will hopefully just keep some more of them away. I just got a very ignorant and snobby feeling from all of your posts and you honestly think you can judge utah but you cant, at all.

In Washington State most liquor stores close at 5 or 6. All are closed by 9 and only a select few are open on Sundays. Just saying.

This and revelstoke ski sick

Its a tourists perspective.

Downtown was a lot more interesting. Eve was something to do. And downtown was definitely different than the rest of the city.

It's just a transition.

But seriously you have way too many cops. The smog is ridiculous, but its because of its location. So there is little SLC can do about it.

It was just a bit of a like "well thats different"......and annoying in some cases (the driving, being ushered out of a liquor store because I showed up at 9:47 at night). Although if you live in SLC you guys all know this stuff so you have learned to get around it.

But yeah it was interesting like we went to some sit-down restaurants that served just beer. No liquor.

Then the Chipotles have beer there. Which they don't in Michigan haha.

Its just different states and their laws. I was told if I thought Sandy was bad, don't even head up to Provo / Ogdan as the cops were even worse up there.

If you are looking to live in an area, and make such a life changing choice though. Utah has unique situations. Like I said, smog, small yards.

Again; In Washington State most liquor stores close at 5 or 6, with all of them closed by 9 and only a select few open on Sundays. SLC suddenly doesn't sound that bad, does it?

I would live in SLC still.

I would just have to adjust.

Another nice Oregon feature- no sales tax.

Utah has wicked low tax rates.

The smog is only around when there is an inversion, which happens a decent amount in the winter but spring/summer/fall there is rarely smog.

Im just jealous I can ski utah all year like you guys.

Vancouver is fucking sick, i'd love to live there

err cant ski in utah like you guys can for months on end.

traffic in utah? ive been on the roads at all different times, on all different days. and if people are bitching about the SLC traffic and road system then you need to come live in MN. this very afternoon (sat) i was in stop and go traffic on a major interstate here in MN. (the concept of a multitude of lanes escapes MN road builders)

I love the grid system. once you have it figured out, you can literally find ANYTHING without a map.

granted ive only been to SLC about 9 times in the last year. (and spent about 3 weeks in total time) but that has had me on the roads every day of the week and varying times aswell.

after having just spent a week in Utah, and then coming back and setting in traffic on our belt route at fucking 430 on a sat. I honestly went "the fuck is this bullshit?" haha

Vancouver ftw, Grouse, Seymour, Cypress within 20 mins of each other and then Whistler is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours away. Also Grouse is super easy to transit to, which is awesome for skiing after school, even if you don`t live right in Vancouver or North Van, as long as you`re in the Lower Mainland.

dudes,

like i said the powder snow in utah has all of you confused. salt lake isnt worth defending. the place sucks. i grew up never even knowing there was skiing in utah. now that i know what you have to do to ski in utah (like deal with mormons and shitty 3.2 percent beer and stupid liquor stores and stupid grid system, and stupid police, and stupid smog) its just totally not worth it.

yea the mountains are some of the best in the world and they get tons of snow, and there is a really good college scene and great hospitals and low property taxes and cheap gas and groceries, and the weather is usually nice, and you meet people that drinking doesnt consume their whole lives,  but come on 3.2 beer guys!

two thumbs up
/thread

Just come to Vancouver if you can get into Canada man its on of the most beautiful places on earth and theres decent skiing thats a public bus ride away and epic skiing 2 hours away.



Not many places you can see the ocean and downtown from your local hill.

YOU CAN LIVE IN L.A. WITH MOUNTAIN HIGH AN HOUR AWAY!!!!

everyone i talked to in SLC encouraged me NOT to move out there haha. they are like we got enough damn people moving to our mountains.

dont forget low unemployment rates also.

the one real complaint about Utah....that you have to agree with is the yard size is small. Have 120k? Look at what 120k can buy you around the U.S. and look at SLC real estate. They have houses, but nothing big enough to toss a football around. Or put a pool in and have room left over.

I was just nitpicking since i had JUST gotten back from vacation and I can still recall the annoyances.

Im not an alcoholic either. But yeah I work second shift, and theres some times when after work (we get out at 10pm), we all head to the corner store and grab some deuces, and whatever.

lol if you're in the market for a $120k house, I doubt a pool is in the cards

seattle's size is deceiving as well, due the the restraints of being trapped between two bodies of water (the pudget sound and lake washington) the size of the city proper is very limited in growth potential. while the city itself is only 25th in size, the size of seattle and the surrounding area is the 13th largest market in the country.

i actually want to build my own pool. with a fucking water fall and cool rocks and a rope swing and a tiki bar and industrial outdoor grill.

i want to fix up a house as well. not flip it, but just take someones neglected potential house and make it my own.

soooo much hate towards SLC!!!

$120K would buy me half of Detroit. I'd get a few houses, plus one HUGE yard, as in several city blocks.

WIN

I was going to high light the fact that yeah Utah has undoubtedly more lift serviced terrain within 1 hour of their airport than probably any local in USA, but other cities worth mentioning with at least good terrain near by

geeez not many canadians in this thread

im not trying to reside in canada. nothing against you guys!! just sticking to the states.

Exactly what I was about to say

I typed out a super long response then went to send it and my internet went off so I lost it all....I'll summarize

I've lived in both Seattle and Portland.  Right now I wouldn't want to live anywhere else besides maybe Bellingham, WA, Bend, OR (BHam and Bend are both a lot smaller) or Vancouver, BC.

For Seattle I would recommend Stevens for a solid park and good all around skiing.
Park:http://www.vimeo.com/8609927
Last year one run of Pow: http://www.vimeo.com/3568151

Portland would be Mt Hood Meadows, Timberline or Skibowl.  TLine for Park, Skibowl for low snow levels and pow, or Meadows for a lackluster park but good all around and long lines.  The Fusion Pass would allow for skiing both TLine and Skibowl which is a pretty good option for everything.

Drive times really vary since both cities sprawl so much.  It really depends on where in the city you live.  It could be anywhere from 2hrs to less then 1hr 15min to Stevens or less than an hour to 1hr 45min to Hood depending on resort as well.

Not into nightlife too much but both have good music scenes and tons of quality beer.  Belltown and Eastside in Seattle probably would be better for that kind of nightlife than Portland.  If your into strip clubs...pretty sure Portland has the most Per Capita in the states.

I am trying to make a similar decision within the next few months.  If you want a longer analysis I would be glad to type something more detailed up just send me a PM.

As someone who's lived in SLC, SF area and DC, let me put in my $.02.

Compared to some place like NYC, the nightlife is going to be a little boring. But really, if you want good nightlife, don't leave New York, or it's going to suck. Maybe live in Vegas, and you can drive up to LVSSR.

If you want to live somewhere with awesome skiing, and big city amenities, Salt Lake is your best bet. Don't live in Provo, or Sandy or anywhere else, that's suburbia hell.


SLC's actually largely liberal, and there is a good mix of bars, clubs and restaurants if you spend 5 minutes figuring out where to go.

I will attest to this, outside of maybe Eastern Europe, there are more hot girls in Salt Lake than anywhere I've ever been. Even if you're not into the whole blond hair blue eyes thing you'll do ok. Me and my buddies go to this Latin club all the time and they always VIP us in (*claim*).

Oh, you can also buy Everclear in Utah, which you can't in Cali if I'm not mistaken.

But don't move here. The snow sucks. You don't want it.