Originally Posted by
VacancyBid
Second hand but direct from a close friend who lived there
1) it is very significant and not transparent at all.
2) You will have zero problems with your LDS neighbors and coworkers but you will also have no meaningful opportunity to interact with them. The church occupies a good bit of their time and it is a cradle to grave social network such that you just won't have the opportunity to build relationships. (I'm sure there are exceptions ... there's probably an LDS heavy EAA chapter where it's irrelevant, but the more typical suburban social networks are functionally segregated)
3) Not having to deal with minor children will help
4) Not being dependent on work to make contacts will help
5) Having a lot of location opportunities will help
But it's very real. I would liken it to something like living among people who speak a different language. Nothing wrong with them or you, but it's such a strong organizing factor for social networks that you will find it a major factor.
That's pretty spot on. We have great relationships but not true friends. Their full-service relationships are fully taken by their faith activities. You're on the outside. As a local sports coach I got to know many families "on the field" but was never invited into their social circle, unless it was a church event. (Obviously hanging out at the local coffee shop or having a glass of vino at night is not something they do.) Again great folks, just not much room outside their faith community. This is from around the Ogden suburbs.