Looking at moving to the greater SLC area to live in base. Some of my non-Mormon friends who have lived in the SLC area have said that building social networks and integrating with the local community can be more challenging to non-LDS members, particularly in more rural neighborhoods. I generally steer clear of broad generalizations, and growing up in rural Idaho, I have only the best things to say about my Latter Day friends. That said, enough people have voiced this sentiment to make me curious enough to ask, and I think it would be silly to ignore such a question when considering moving someplace that will be my forever home.

So, for those who live in the SLC area as non-LDS members, what communities did you or do you currently live in, and what has been your experience? I’m sure Park City residents will have different experiences than, say, Morgan residents, so I’m curious about the whole spectrum. Did your non-LDS status affect the social aspect of your life in any appreciable way, or was it essentially transparent?

For the record, all of my kids will be high school graduates when I make the move.

Respectful replies only, please.

 

I also grew up in rural ID and moved to SLC area a few years ago to live in base. I’m over in Syracuse on the North side of SLC and we have really enjoyed it. It’s very quiet and out of the way and pretty affordable. The LDS thing is very much present down here, however there are plenty of people that don’t belong to that church as well. The state has changed quite a bit even in the last ten years or so. It seems like it’s about 50/50 around me. Unfortunately, I can’t speak to the kids/school aspect. Cheers and good luck.

 

Interested as well.

 

For SLC proper, don't worry about it. The city is going the way of many Western cities, full of out-of-state interlopers. (Of which I'm one.)

Most of my neighbors are ex-Mormons. The practicing city LDS are decamping to Provo, Sandy, Spanish Fork, etc. (south).

The trend is only going to accelerate.

More's the pity. They're great neighbors.

 

I have a close friend that moved from Baltimore to SLC about 15 years ago. My wife and I have both visited him and his girlfriend several times a year since he moved there. They absolutely love it! If you are into outdoor stuff it is a literal heaven of activities. They both work for the University of Idaho and while they do have a few LDS friends/colleages they have made several like minded friends in the time they have lived there. It is one of the few places I would strongly consider moving to if I didn't such deep roots on the East coast.

 

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.

 

sent you a PM

 

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.

 

Why Utah is so weird:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_U_rzlVVdA

 

FWIW, I am LDS and we moved back to Utah last summer after living outside the state for 18 years with the military. We've struggled to make close friends in our neighborhood and our LDS congregation. I don't think it's a faith-related issue, but more of a socio-cultural thing. People tend to move to Utah and stay for decades, for religious reasons - but also because Utah is an awesome place with tons to do and (until recently) a low cost of living. Utahns have big families and so they have deeply-rooted social connections. It's hard to break into a friend circle as a newcomer. Just one of those peculiar Utah things. Like others have said, Mormons won't shun you as an outsider like some sort of closed-off religious society. Heck, we send 19 year-old missionaries all over the world to convince people to come be our friends - LOL. But Utahns get comfortable in their decades-long familiy and friend circles and it's hard to break in. My advice if you move here is:

1. Make an effort to be friends. Join extraciricular clubs or activities - sports, GA flying, whatever. I rock climb and got involved in the Wasatch Mountain Club and my local climbing gym. It wasn't hard to meet new friends that way.

2. Buy a house in a new construction development. I wish I would have done this instead of buying in a 20 year old neighborhood. When all your neighbors are new too, it's probably easier to forge new friendships.

Good luck!