Where should/shouldn't I live in SLC??

Hey,

The gf and I are planning on moving to SLC this fall and need to start looking at places to live. I would love to get some advice on the good and bad parts of town from some locals. I've been through SLC a few times, and have a pretty good idea of where everything is. My job will require me to be within 45mns of the airport.

Are there certain neighborhoods/areas to avoid?
We've got a big golden retriever, so single family homes/neighborhods near parks would be desireable. The budget is going to allow a rent/mortgage payment range of about $1200-2000/month.

Thanks a bunch!!

Sugarhouse area is good. (east of 700 east, north of 3300 south) I live in that area.

Sugarhouse park is great for running, and I let the dog (a German Wirehaired) run wild in Tanner Park, one of the best dog parks in SLC. (Around 2760 S 2700 E)

The Avenues, north of North Temple and east of State Street is also good, with easy access to trails in the foothills for you and the dog.

The home market is fair right now with a lot of places for sale, but still fairly high prices. In the Avenues you can get a small house for maybe a 1200-2000 mortgage. In Sugarhouse, you can definitely get a good place within that range.

West of I-15 is substantially cheaper, but the neighborhoods are generally not as good.

I live close to I-80 in Sugarhouse, and am likely 20 minutes from the airport. The Avenues would be closer, but might take as long to get through the city.

Cheers,
Ryan

+1 for sugarhouse

Sugarhouse and the Avenues are the usual choices, and while very nice you pay a premium for the location. The area north of downtown and west of State(maybe called Marmalade Hill now?) is a good choice and less expensive - I lived on Columbus St just past the Capitol building for a few years and loved it.

Cottonwood Heights is much more bland, but closer to the Cottonwoods and you'll get more house for your money.

My favorite neighborhood within 45 min of the airport is Summit Park at the top of the pass between Salt Lake and Park City. It is quirky and has long cold winters, but if you want to live in the woods and backcountry ski in your backyard it is hard to beat.

Thanks for all of the suggestions! This is the kind of info I was looking for.

At this point, I am looking to find the most house, for the money; and am willing to sacrifice not being in a "cool" neighborhood or part of town. As of right now I live in the most un-cool place in Minnesota, so anything will be an upgrade from Rochester. We're looking for a friendly place with a big-ish yard and lots of parks nearby. I know this is a lot to ask for given my budget...

I live in Sugar house as well in fact I must live pretty close to RoadTripRyan but don't think I have met him. There are some great homes for sale in Sugar house but you do pay a premium for the location. I have a great friend that beats me to Little Cottonwood canyon every time we go because he lives between little and big, His house is about the same cost as mine with twice as much house.
Pretty much anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley is within 45 min. of the airport. Sandy has some great houses and good nieghborhoods. Holiday is good Pretty much most of the East side of I-15 is going to be good location save a few hot spots. Hope that helps.
Dallen

what about the marmalade district? Near rose park closer to the airport than sugarhouse/aves... Cheaper houses on the up and coming with the trax stations going in and downtown rising.

yeah, i mentioned marmalade earlier(though no one ever called it that when i lived there). I loved that neighborhood, and the access to the trails around ensign peak was great. If I were ever to live in SLC proper again, i'd move back to that area.

9th and 9th (9S 9E) is where all the cool people live according to all the cool people that live there. What I can vouch for is that I spent a week there one night and didn't wake up in jail. Oh... I've had some really good scotch in that area, too.

Sugarhouse, the Avenues, 9th & 9th and such are good if you want to live in some cool, tree lined, old little houses with lots of hip people and places nearby.
Sandy, Cottonwood Heigths area is good because you are minutes from the bases of the cottonwood canyons. I live in Sandy and I am 10 mins to little cottonwood, 3/4 mile to a Trax station, and 2 miles to I-15.

Andrew May wrote: At this point, I am looking to find the most house, for the money; and am willing to sacrifice not being in a "cool" neighborhood or part of town. As of right now I live in the most un-cool place in Minnesota, so anything will be an upgrade from Rochester. We're looking for a friendly place with a big-ish yard and lots of parks nearby. I know this is a lot to ask for given my budget...

Cottonwood Heights meets your criteria. It doesn't sound like you have to be cool and live in a trendy area. We live 20 min from the airport, right between the canyons. With the depreciation in home values, you can likely get a 2000 ft2 house in the low 200's, depending on the streets. You need someone to listen to about what you want to see, then show you some streets and neighborhoods.
michaelmorrisrealestate.com
This guy is a climber, superman skier and boatman. He'll hook you up on the excellent deals around here. We love our neighborhood. Lots of parks, canyons, etc. Not for everyone, but we practically have the pole position. (excluding TPinSLC)

+1 for the Sugarhood.

Holiday and Sandy are nice and close to the canyons...but it's definitely the moburbs.

Tenes is right. Cottonwood Heights is the place to be.

Utah sucks, don't move here. Also, I live in Sugarhouse, there is crime, traffic and an almost palpable sense of uneasiness. A car was stolen from right in front of my house last year, and Boissal's car window was smashed not long ago. Everybody giving you the "good beta" is counting on you to be the newest victim of their multi-level marketing scam or the newest member of their church. Beware - seriously.

Colorado is the place for you. There is a reason this area is called Wasangeles. The people, weather and non-existent culture sucks....

I lived in suguarhouse for a year when I first moved here from Seattle to be closer to what is concidered "culture". I then moved to Cottonwood Heights because the only reason I moved to Utard is to climb so why the hell live farther than necessary from the climbing or skiing?

My 2nd adivce is live as near to an on ramp as possible - to either I-80 or I-215 (not I-5). You can be downtown or to the airport super quick.

I'd just rather commute to work and have the outdoor access literally in my backyard.

Sugarhouse park is terrible for running! Liberty park actually has a path aroudn it...then again the trails are way better than both.

Yes SLC sucks as far as the food (grocery stores and eating out)and the beer, although there are a few good places - but then again so does 90% of america to live in! It ain't no Seattle or Boulder, but the good part is that it's cheap and doesn't have that annoying rich hippy ski town vibe.

First off, you shouldnt complain about all of the food/beer options that you have in SLC. There is not a single restaurant that brews beer in Rochester. Beyond that, there are VERY few non-chain restaurants for a town of over 100k.

I ruled out Denver because of how long it takes to get into the mtns, and the traffic. The "culture" is infinitely better in Denver, but that is something I can live without. My work will take me out of town 4 days a week, so when I get home I want to be right in the mtns so I can climb, bike, snowboard and hike. So we decided on SLC. Plus my brother plays hockey for the Grizzlies, it would be nice to be able to see some more of his games.

Thanks Tenesmus, I'll check out Cottonwood Heights, that sounds like exactly what we are looking for. And thanks to everyone for the info.

Andrew May wrote: Thanks Tenesmus, I'll check out Cottonwood Heights, that sounds like exactly what we are looking for. And thanks to everyone for the info.

I think you're onto something. Cottonwood Heights/Holladay sounds like your cup of tea. Anywhere in the SL valley is within 45 mins of the airport. If you're near what they refer to as Knudsen's Corner (I-215 & 6200 S.) you're money, about 20 mins from the airport via I-215, which has minimal traffic. You're also a quick shot via I-215 E. to the U area, Summit Park, etc., and you're at the mouth of Big.

BTW, nice one Malcolm.

ddriver wrote: If you're near what they refer to as Knudsen's Corner (I-215 & 6200 S.) you're money, about 20 mins from the airport via I-215, which has minimal traffic. You're also a quick shot via I-215 E. to the U area, Summit Park, etc., and you're at the mouth of Big.

=cottonwood heights.

You should ask my friend Mike and he'll help you out. He's full service.

Got the green light last monday to move out to SLC. We're pretty excited.
How do the seasons line up with the midwest?
Specifically, when does climbing/mountain biking season end and snowboard season begin?

Hi there - Skiing/Snowboard season usually gets going mid November (some years earlier) and can go well into May or June. Climbing season in northern Utah can go from early spring into late fall/early winter. If you do not mind the drive you can pretty much climb in the St. George or Las Vegas areas all winter long.

Hope this helps - Gordon

Welcome to Utah Andrew

There is a nice house for rent at the bottom of my street that fits your budget. I know the landlord and he is cool. He allows pets.

I live in Draper. The place is 2 minutes away from the freeway and about 15 minutes away from the airport in good traffic conditions.

Location is nice in that climbing in three canyons is less than 30 minutes away (AF, LCC, BCC). Also, one of the trail heads for Lone Peak is located in Draper.

Proximity to freeway places you a short drive away from many SLC hot spots. There are many parks short distances from my house.

Draper has a nice network of hiking/mountain biking trails. I am a matter of minutes from my door step to trail head for nice runs and biking sessions. You can link trail systems for nice long XC rides. There is also a new down hill trail.

There is a great grocery store about a quarter mile from the place along with a few restaurants. Living logistics in this hood are prime.

Anyway, if you are interested send me an e-mail and I will give you some additional info.
jwiggins@ussynthetic.com

Jason