Salt Lake City, Utah

I like their downtown.

The bars water down their weak drinks though -- mandatory.

Are drinkers seen as evil, R1?

Do you get dirty looks?

and they cant set your 2nd drink down until 1st glass is picked up, ,or some such thing

It is creepily clean.

The airport sucks.

It's very cramped and crowded.

And there are only like 8 urinals in every men's restroom. No kidding. For thousands of people.

Can you use a urinal if you're wearing temple garments?

Lol, there are modesty panels in between the urinals, R6.

No one will know.

I’ve seen some of those movies, those garments come right off!

I would imagine that the food in the city, is as bland as the people.

It's like Las Vegas without the casinos and a whole bunch of Mormons.

Been there twice. Not everyone there is Mormon. The city itself went for Obama that last time around. If you want a quite place to live with nothing to do then it's probably your dream. Except for the people. Very white, blond types but dead behind the eyes, think Brady Bunch Ritalin.

People have a lot of stereotypes about Salt Lake City and Utah in general. Our city is actually quite incredible, and we find a lot of individuals who come to Recovery Ways for treatment end up staying in Salt Lake after treatment. So here is a quick list of some things we bet you didn’t know about Salt Lake City.

1. It was originally called Great Salt Lake City since it’s so close to the Great Salt Lake. But in 1868 the word “great” was dropped from the official name.

2. Salt Lake is home to the first Kentucky Fried Chicken. It’s still around too, on the corner of 3900 South and State Street. That’s about 1500 miles away from the state of Kentucky.

3. If you’re interested in your genealogy, we have the largest genealogical library in the world. The Family History Library is run by the LDS church and is open to the public free of charge. Check it out and see where you come from.

4. Driving in the downtown area of a city can be incredibly stressful, but the streets of downtown Salt Lake are unusually wide. When the city was originally mapped out, the streets were designed to accommodate oxcarts that would need to make U-turns.

5. We have our very own Nessie. Back in 1877, witnesses claimed to have seen a monster in the Great Salt Lake. They said it had the body of a crocodile and the head of a horse. Dubbed the “North Shore Monster” it is believed they simply saw a bison in the water, which the area has plenty of.

6. We’re the only U.S. capital with three words in our name.

7. People are confused by our street names, but they’re just a giant grid. Rather than our street names be named, we simply numbered them. Main Street and the cross street of South Temple work as the prime meridian of the city, then it simply climbs to 100 North, 200 North and so on in each direction.

8. We have very intense sports fans. Our professional basketball team, the Utah Jazz, originally hailed from New Orleans. Which is why they are called “The Jazz” when we are not well known for any sort of jazz culture.

9. We experience all four seasons. Our summers can get very hot climbing into the 90s and even low 100s. Our winter season can get very cold, dropping just above freezing.

10. You’ll never get a “snow day.” The likelihood of anything being cancelled including school or work is rare. Utahns are used to driving in crazy snow, and continue to attend school, work, and then head up to the ski resorts on the weekends.

11. The state shuts down on Sundays. Many restaurants and businesses will be closed on Sundays.

12. We’re Silicon Valley’s younger sibling. Utah is home to more than 4,000 startups, and just south of Salt Lake City you’ll find what has been dubbed Silicon Slopes in Lehi. It’s home to many tech companies and has some popular names like Adobe and eBay. In the last few years, venture capital firms have invested $2.5 billion in and around the area.

13. Surprisingly, Salt Lake City has a large LGBTQ community. In fact, in 2012 the Advocate named SLC the “Gayest City in the USA.” It dropped to number six in 2013, but Salt Lake City was actually the first in the state to pass anti-discrimination ordinances based on sexual orientation. The Pride Festival happens each year and draws over 25,000 attendees.

Salt Lake City went for Obama in ‘12. Wow, never would have guessed. Big points!

There is some spectacular historic architecture.

Well we know that there's at least ONE brewery in the city.

This guy is not just decoration on top of their temples, they believe he is supposed to come alive in the second coming.

Wow again for #13 in R12

i have a friend who is in a rock band that travels the world. She is liberal and intelligent, and, when I asked her what her favorite city she's visited is, she said SLC, which surprised the hell out of me. I doubt she would ever live there, but the thought that she loved it when visiting was eye-opening.

Meh - except for its setting near the mountains and a nice temple, not a very interesting place. Worked there for a year. Supposed to be the progressive center of Mormon land - but it’s still overrun by Mormons. It’s got some gay people and gay places, but I wouldn’t call it thriving. A strange number of physically deformed people - there are real examples of inbreeding. A general blah, cold, creepy, not very friendly vibe. The bar scene is better than it was - but it’s still backwards and limited. I would never live there. Probably ok for straight families. Lots of jobs. .

It does seem a lit like Colorado with the snow. You got Park City, where Sundance is held.

Yeah, Obama won SLC by 300 votes, but there was bad blood with McCain.

I find this hard to believe, at R12:

[quote] Surprisingly, Salt Lake City has a large LGBTQ community. In fact, in 2012 the Advocate named SLC the “Gayest City in the USA.” It dropped to number six in 2013, but Salt Lake City was actually the first in the state to pass anti-discrimination ordinances based on sexual orientation. The Pride Festival happens each year and draws over 25,000 attendees.

I find this hard to believe, at R12:

[quote] Surprisingly, Salt Lake City has a large LGBTQ community. In fact, in 2012 the Advocate named SLC the “Gayest City in the USA.” It dropped to number six in 2013, but Salt Lake City was actually the first in the state to pass anti-discrimination ordinances based on sexual orientation. The Pride Festival happens each year and draws over 25,000 attendees.

[quote] If you’re interested in your genealogy, we have the largest genealogical library in the world.

LOL That's because they wanted and did try to baptize everyone in the nation without their permission including dead people.

I would imagine that the Mormon leaders couldn't care less if you're gay or straight, as long as you tithe your 10% to the church.

Park City is fun for a weekend. It's like a little mountain gold rush town, kind of touristy, but you can drink and party there like you really cant anywhere else.

[quote] you can drink and party there like you really cant anywhere else

Do you mean anywhere else in Utah?

Utah is insanely gorgeous.

SLC is a provincial city full of Mormons, watered down booze, and not many coffee options.

Half the gays in Portland and Seattle are refugees from Utah.

Heroin and Mormons rule Rule Salt Lake

Lots of closeted Mormons. I grew up with Mormon neighbors and had a childhood best friend who is Mormon. I found myself in their social circle for years. Mormons or LDS as the ones I know like to be called, are generally very decent people. The problem is that while they’re nice, they won’t seek you out to be friends as adults if you’re not LDS, god forbid you’re also gay. For the most part this is true but of course there are also sizable exceptions. Depends on whether or not they have (known) gay relatives. My childhood friend has 2 gay cousins.

I lost contact with my friend until I visited him and his family (5 children) in SLC where they moved to from California. They live in a ridiculously spacious mansion that cost them only around $600k to purchase just a few years ago. Similar home in upscale neighborhood in SF Bay Area or LA would probably go for at least $1.7 million. But then again the food culture in SLC is lacking, good luck if you like ethnic cuisines because you won’t find good ones there. On the plus side it’s a clean city and people are polite. Mormons tend to be health conscious too so you don’t see a lot of fatties walking around.

They are not supposed to drink alcohol, caffeine or even a diet Coke. So guess what, they are addicted to pills. There is a huge pill popping problem in that state because they don't equate prescription drugs being drugs. I think its one of the highest addiction rate in the country. They will even tell you they don't do drugs right to your face and believe it while filling multiple prescriptions.

[quote] Heroin and Mormons rule Rule Salt Lake

Oh, no.

I'm trying to escape a drug infested city, not move to one.

The gay Mormons are just as weird as the regular ones. There's a line from that play "The Book of Mormon" which basically says they can turn off like a light switch. Well, it's really true. They can seem normal one minute, but if something uncomfortable comes up like them not being out it's like they didn't even hear you with a smile on their face. Drug problem, same thing. Racist, same. ect.

I knew one guy that would go on and on about Mexicans in California milking the system, just takers, all illegals, "build a wall" and then hook up with one on Grinder the same day.

It’s just the young kids and the huge amount of people who go there for rehab, get out, and relapse

I've been there a couple of times and enjoyed both visits. The natural history museum is fantastic. The dinosaurs there are much better than even the newly renovated exhibit at the Smithsonian.

[quote]They are not supposed to drink alcohol, caffeine or even a diet Coke. So guess what, they are addicted to pills. There is a huge pill popping problem in that state because they don't equate prescription drugs being drugs. I think its one of the highest addiction rate in the country. They will even tell you they don't do drugs right to your face and believe it while filling multiple prescriptions.

I remember several "Intervention" episodes with Mormons from Utah. And they were into everything, not just RX drugs. Also I've heard that "dirty soda" is popular which is I guess how the teens go wild, with a bunch of sugary syrup mixed into soda. Hope they enjoy diabetes.

I wish the Mormons had settled one of the ugly, shitty states like Kansas instead of Utah. I love the landscapes, it's incredibly beautiful. But I already live in an area with a fair amount of Mormons and I couldn't stand to live in a state where they control everything.

I wish the Mormons had settled one of the ugly, shitty states like Kansas instead of Utah. I

They tried!

Is it true that there aren't any black mormons?

I suspect people who go on and on about how homophobic Mormons are don’t really know any Mormons, but get their talking point from Book of Mormons and satiric takes on the religion. If you hang around Mormons you will know that it’s very unfair to paint them as ideological homophobes, in fact I’d experienced more homophobia from other religious and ethnic groups than Mormons. Around half of LDS followers support gay marriage, it comes down to the fact that followers of LDS are more progressive than official leadership.

You can’t say the same for let’s say, Islam, I doubt Muslim support for gay marriage would even be in double digits. But for some reason my fellow left-leaning peeps love to rag on Mormons as worst of the bunch. I think Mormonism is a cult as are most religions, but as far as cults go it’s not the worst.

All religion sucks r39. Yes Mormons are as homophobic as Christians. All religion deserves equal contempt

I've lived in Utah for about 20 years now. I'm originally from California. I love it. It's much cheaper to live up here. And I love having seasons. You do have to buy wine, rum etc at the alcohol store. But just a few months ago the beer company said they would not make the lower point anymore for Utah. So now we have the same beer as everyone else. Not everyone here is Mormon. That's like saying everybody in California is Catholic. I have loved living here it is beautiful and I have wonderful friends.

Briana Jungwirth who had Louis Tomlinson's kid has just moved there.

I don’t get the hype around SLC. It’s a provincial, religion-dominated city which basically banned alcohol for decades and now barely allows it. The biggest concentration of fast food restaurants I ever saw was in SLC - like a mile straight of nothing but every fast food chain imaginable,

R39, given the two options, I would rather deal with Mormons than the cloyingly Jesus-y Evangelicals/Pentecostals.

I also wouldn't trust anything from those two overrated, unfunny, conservative hacks, Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

Is it a salty place?

Beautiful city. I was there for a conference about ten years ago. Gorgeous mountains (Wasatch?) seen outside our hotel window, which was the same hotel the Olympians stayed at for the Winter Olympics back in the day. Weirdest thing was having to carry a flag if you’re the the first crossing a busy street.

Seriously, R46?

They make you honorary Junior Police Officers?

That's hilarious.

That's the very first thing I thought of, when I landed in SLC, R37.

"Damn, those Mormons settled a beautiful part of the country. Lucky fuckers."

However, if they weren't in SLC, it would probably just be another Denver. Or maybe even a Jackson Hole. Or Boise.

Park City is crazy gorgeous and a nice community with, of course, loads of outdoor activities year round including hot air ballooning. Also lots of rock climbing venues. And it’s very close to SLC. Can commute. And drink.

[quote] I find this hard to believe, at [R12]:

Here's a link.

So only gay in 2012, what did they all leave after that. OR was it just a fluke which the stats seem to imply.

Are there any bathhouses?

[quote] Are there any bathhouses?

Only in the Mormon temple. ;o)

Many years ago, I recruited at BYU for an East Coast Ivy grad school and there was some sex, all very furtive, going on in a men's room off the gymnasium where the recruitment event was being held. One of the be-suited recruiters got to blow a student in a stall. Noisiest blow job I ever heard. He was sitting on the john with his suit pants down around his ankles and the student was standing facing him with his jeans down around his ankles. I was tempted to stand on the john next door and look over the top of the partition but chickened out. To this day, I wonder which one of my colleagues got so lucky. I found SLC to be creepy in a sect-like way.

Go there from time to time for work.

Agreed people are friendly and fit. I'm from CA and they make people here look and come off as lazy fat bastards.

Lots of young guys looking for action before they muster the strength to wander greener pastures. Log on to Grindr and there's usually one knocking at my hotel door within the hour.

I have a great aunt and cousin who live there (non-Mormons), and my brother's ex-girlfriend (a lapsed Mormon) was from Salt Lake. It is very pretty, and they have beautiful winters. SLC is the only real metropolis in Utah, so this is naturally where all the outliers who want to stay in the state gravitate. The city proper is actually fairly liberal—it's the suburbs (Sandy, Kaysville, Bountiful) that are Stepford wife Mormon purgatory.

I grew up in Oregon where there is also a significant Mormon presence (even in Portland), and had cousins who are Mormon, so I am familiar with the culture. I can say based on my experience that Mormons are one of the overall friendliest religious groups that I can think of. They have a very childlike innocence about them that is oddly endearing to me—they don't watch R-rated movies, and their idea of a fun night is boardgames and barbecuing. That said, they are not easy people to get to know unless you are part of the church; though always polite, they will keep you at a certain distance unless you are a committed LDS member—if you are openly gay and they know it, probably even further. But still, they're always nice, even if they're phoning it in.

Utah is out of the world beautiful.

This*

Are the men hot?

I would say the men are handsome. Lots of blonds for some reason.

A cesspool of Mormon rednecks.

R52 There used to be three in SLC. Here's a short history of what happened to each of them with the last one closing ca. 2010.

More

Never been there R10 but that is funny.

Thanks R41 for some good insight. I’ve never visited UT, but seems like a peaceful place to live.

Real estate seems very pricey (and the listings look pretty blah). Is this why so many LDS are relocating to Idaho?

Don’t confuse Park City or the beauty of southern Utah with SLC. The best thing about SLC is access to those places - but you do not live there if you live in SLC.

What did they think about the Book of Mormon musical?

The church advertised in the Playbill.

R68, it's a piece of crap, just like everything else from Parker and Stone.

Ironically, they love the play. That's what my one Mormon friend told me who live in CA now.

Do you still have to sign your name when entering a bar, because it's legally considered a "private club" rather than a public place?

You can get wine in a restaurant if you order food. But I think they cant serve it until you actually have food on the table.

I go there twice a year for work. It is physically beautiful, and the downtown and outer areas are nice. It is pretty generic/white, but nothing like people act or exaggerate. I drink when there, and not once have I had a 'sponsor' or whatever someone typed. My company also forces us to go bowling and everyone in there is nice, having beer, the usual crap you'd expect from a bowling alley.

I've also hooked up quite a few times - lots of Grindr activity.

Salt Lake City is in a former lake bed. Like Mexico City.

I read that one big earthquake, and the whole thing will fill up with water from the Great Salt Lake.

^If you read it once, then it must be factual!

Dear CUNT at R76:

[quote] The Salt Lake Valley floor is the ancient lakebed of Lake Bonneville, which existed at the end of the last Ice Age. Several Lake Bonneville shorelines can be distinctly seen as terraces on the foothills or benches of nearby mountains

[quote] The Wasatch Fault is found along the western base of the Wasatch and is considered at high risk of producing an earthquake as large as 7.5. Catastrophic damage is predicted in the event of an earthquake with major damage resulting from the liquefaction of the clay- and sand-based soil and the possible permanent flooding of portions of the city by the Great Salt Lake.

CUNT.

R77 - much better with actual sources! Thanks!

someone I know just visited, but I don't know which city...He said a 2 bedroom there is 1400.

and you can't have a shot and beer at the same time, you have to finish your beer first, then they will give you the shot.

They sound like fucking control freaks, R79.

That's the biggest turnoff about SLC.

Yeah - as much they have progressed, the alcohol thing is still weird. Not a drinkers city. Denver is better.

Denver is alright, but I don't think it's the same.

Denver is basically another Podunk backwater that all the Californians discovered so it is now becoming another big city of people who couldn't hack it in California.

Your typical C-Lister mentality with all the faux (garish) elegance and showoffmanship that nouveau riches need to demonstrate their status to the outside world.

Just move to Texas.

I've thought about taking a weekend trip there. Do they have any adult bookstores in UT? Might I see temple garments on the other side of a gloryhole?

Surprisingly large homeless population; there are even signs discouraging you from giving them $$. It's easy to navigate & a good jumping off point for other cool places like Park City or Moab (and Yellowstone is about 6 hrs north), but I could see where it would be deadly dull to live, though I believe as someone else noted, Provo is really Mormon Ground Zero. I've also heard that Mormons are polite, but not welcoming to non-members. So not great, but I guess you could do worse

I've been there dozens of times, but only in the summer when it is lush and green. The lake itself isn't all that pretty. Nearby Park City is beautiful - they have a good Alpine Slide...

[quote] Denver is basically another Podunk backwater that all the Californians discovered

This is precisely why I would never move to Denver.

It used to be affordable, but now it's horribly over crowded and very expensive.

Truth be told, Denver isn't really all that exciting, either.

Might as well move to SLC, where it's cheaper.

I worked at a law office in SLC one summer when I was attending college. I wanted to spend time in the national parks on weekends. The attorneys were very liberal. I was surprised at their progressive views, but I didn't get the impression they felt out of place in the city.

The guys at the gym I joined were open about nudity in the locker rooms, more so than any other gym I've been at. Lots of men in the open showers. Most retained their pubic hair, no shaving or trimming. I found it curious but I didn't ask anyone why. Religious reasons?

I encountered naked male hikers twice in the parks. Same ungroomed pubes. They were very friendly as I passed by, not concerned at all. I hiked naked once before I left Utah. I had to experience it. Bucket list.

[quote] Surprisingly large homeless population; there are even signs discouraging you from giving them $$.

I'm surprised they have any homeless at all. Mormons are such experts at attracting converts from poor, far-flung places -- where their missionaries speak Swahili and other obscure dialects to win over converts -- that you think they would have bought over local homeless souls in exchange for some housing arrangement..

Salt Lake County is majority non-mormon.

I recently spent 6 months there. EVERYTHING revolves around family. I couldn't wait to leave.

Mormon men seem to have a very Ned Flanders quality to them.

Zion Canyon is really a nice place to visit. It's like a red rock version of Yosemite. Unfortunately the Podunk town outside the park is really hard core lower class Mormons. But it's still worth seeing once.

How is Mormon cock like?

R93 From a work travel and hotel Grindr regular -- it's surprisingly average, if not sub-average.

Zion is beautiful - but has been so overwhelmed with tourism, it totally kills the beauty and the nature,. Even the off season has huge waits for the bus. Having gone before you had to take buses everywhere, it was amazing. Now it feels like I’m in midtown Manhattan on most of the trails.

Does Mormon cum taste different because there is no caffeine in their diet?

R92, Zion contains one of the most beautiful and elusive hikes which I've been trying to get a permit to hike for quite some time now -- the Subway hike, which involves swimming and rappelling. It is supposed to be quite magnificent.

[quote] Salt Lake City is in a former lake bed. Like Mexico City.

[quote] I read that one big earthquake, and the whole thing will fill up with water from the Great Salt Lake.

Interesting, at R75.

SLC just had a big earthquake today. Not major, but big.

Utah is VERY family-oriented. The bright side of that is the best work/life balance I've ever had in my life. Working late hours or weekends is virtually unheard of.

The quake closed the airport.