The capital and most populous city in the state of Utah, Salt Lake City was founded by Mormon followers and remains the headquarters of the Church of Latter-Day Saints to this day. However, the city is becoming increasingly culturally diverse, with less than half of its citizens LDS followers and a more secular government.
The city is home to a burgeoning rock music scene, is partial host of the iconic Sundance Film Festival, and is a hub for the performing arts. If you are planning or considering a move to Salt Lake, this guide will help you make your transition a smooth and easy one.
Salt Lake City Climate
The city has a sub-humid continental climate, with dry, hot summers and cold, wet winters. Both seasons are long, with spring and fall existing as brief and mild transitional periods.
The city receives an ample amount of snowfall, usually occurring from November until April. This is partially due to the city's proximity to the Great Salt Lake--a phenomena known as the "lake effect" occurs when cold winds move across warmer lake waters, producing large amounts of snow. However, the wettest season is spring--namely March through May--specifically from massive Pacific storms that move in from the ocean.
Salt Lake City Neighborhoods
The city has numerous neighborhoods, each with something unique to offer. Sugar House is a very liberal neighborhood featuring independently-owned niche shops and specialty stores; the trendy and historic Marmalade District features vintage architecture and eclectic shops and eateries; and The Avenues is an artsy residential region with Victorian-style homes and intimate restaurants.
Registering Your Car
Upon establishing residency in your new home state of Utah, you will have 60 days to register your vehicle. You will need your existing title, current registration, and to pass a safety/admissions test at any DMV location.
To transfer your driver's license, you must visit any one of 26 driver license offices in the state. You will have to fill out and submit an application (this can be obtained at the office or printed out online in advance) take a photo, pay a fee of $25, bring your old out of state license, supply your Social Security number, present proof of birth and residence, pass an eye exam and a written test.
Salt Lake City Schools
Public education in the city is operated by Salt Lake City Public Schools, one of the oldest districts in the state. It consists of 35 facilities educating about 24,000 students.
While the city's heavy Mormon influence used to be prevalent in schools, there is now a clear separation between church and state in the district. Mormon students are often permitted to leave school at designated times to attend seminary--religious instruction held in nearby church-owned buildings.
Due to high birth rates in the region, the school district suffers from insufficient funding--Utah spends less money per student than any other state in the country.
Salt Lake City Employment
The city's economy is driven by the service industry--mainly transportation, government, trade, utilities, healthcare and business services. It is also the banking center of the region--several financial institutions are headquartered there. Tourism is also an increasingly booming sector of the city's economy since it hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002.
Major employers in the city include the state of Utah, Intermountain Healthcare, the University of Utah, Salt Lake County, Smith's Food and Drug Centers, U.S. Postal Service, Delta Air Lines, Novus Credit Services, Salt Lake City Schools, Cordant Technologies, Qwest Communication, Zion's First International Bank and Wells Fargo.
Living Costs in the City
The cost of living in Salt Lake City is five percent below the national average, with housing and utility expenses being the most affordable at 11 and 18 percent less than average. Healthcare and grocery costs are below average as well. Transportation costs are a mere one percent greater than the typical American city.
If you are planning on renting in the city, a one-bedroom apartment will cost you around $712 a month, and a two-bedroom will rent for about $892. If you plan to buy, the median home price in the city is $249,000.
Salt Lake City Moving Resources
There are many moving and storage companies located in Salt Lake City that are waiting to help you relocate to your new home. Be sure to do your research and obtain estimates from several different services before choosing one for hire. You can compare online quotes from many different moving companies and other services to aid you in your move, whether you are coming from the next city or overseas. Visit the following pages here at Movers.com to get fast quotes for the following services:
Salt Lake City Transportation
If you plan on residing in the city without a vehicle, you will be using Salt Lake City's mass transit service. The public bus, commuter rail and light rail systems in the city are operated by the Utah Transit Authority. The system has been rated third-best in the nation by the Brookings Institution for commuters--it enables riders to access 59 percent of all jobs in the region.
The 35-mile light rail system is known as TRAX. It operates on three lines along 47 stations, with 23 located within city limits. The commuter rail, known as FrontRunner, serves four counties (Salt Lake County, Utah County, David County and Weber County) along 88 miles of track.
Culture and Contemporary Life
The city's heritage is influenced heavily by Mormon culture and the history of the pioneers that settled there. The Church History Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts, art, and historic documents associated with the Church of Latter-Day Saints; the sacred Salt Lake Temple and surrounding Temple Square represent the religion's significance in the region; and the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Memorial Museum preserves the history of the trail-blazing settlers. Additionally, every July 24 the city celebrates Pioneer Day, which marks the anniversary of the Mormon pioneers' arrival in the region with parades, fireworks and a rodeo.
However, the city has much more to offer than religious culture and is very diverse. The Utah Museum of Fine Art showcases over 17,000 works from a variety of cultures, including Oceanic and the New World, European, American, Asian and African. There are also numerous venues dedicated to the performing arts, including the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, which showcases performances by local acting companies; the historic Capitol Theatre, where you can catch traveling Broadway and off-Broadway performances; and the regal Salt Lake Tabernacle, home of the infamous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The city also hosts portions of the renowned Sundance Film Festival along with neighboring communities Park City and Ogden.
The city also has a thriving alternative music scene, with an assortment of venues, indie music clubs and bars that showcase live music. Punk, deathcore, hip-hop, blues and metal bands can be heard at The Garage, The State Room, Urban Lounge, and Bar Deluxe.
Salt Lake City Relocation Tips
- Research the neighborhoods. The city has a diverse assortment of neighborhoods, ranging from reasonable to costly in price. Your budget will be a major influence on where you choose to live, so conduct thorough research before moving. Some neighborhoods that are more affluent include The Avenues, Federal Heights, and the Foothill area.
- Bring a varied wardrobe. The city experiences four distinct seasons, with frigid temperatures often dropping below freezing in the winter and very hot summers with highs reaching the 90s. Pack warm sweaters, coats, scarves, hats and snow boots for the winter months and shorts, sandals and T-shirts for the summer.
- Make sure you extensively research any moving company you are considering for hire. Begin by comparing quotes from several movers that can service your move to Salt Lake City, then perform a background check by reading reviews, checking references, and verifying the company's DOT number on the FMCSA website.