Any recommendations/caveats for a family with 2 young boys thinking of relocating to western Colorado or northern Utah? We want extreme scenic beauty, easy mountain access, good schools and friendly, well-educated neighbors. We're a little worried about being accepted and becoming part of the community in Utah towns because we're not Mormon. Is this a valid concern in Provo, Ogden, Logan, etc.? What towns would you recommend in this area of the country?

Durango is great, but you better have a job. Good employment is hard to come by.

A.J.
I am a non-mormon who moved to Utah in 1983, and although it's been awhile, I still remember the culture shock: from the stares we received when wearing tank tops and shorts downtown (Mormons can't) to realizing I was saying "Darn it all to heck" and "shucky darn" like a real Utahn. When we returned to Florida 4 years later they thought I had been kidnapped by aliens for the way I talked. the money out there was totally different. Thousands of dollars less in income and you have to make due on that. I realized on my return to Florida how I adapted to Utah when I was shocked to see the Cadillacs, BMWs, Porches, etc. that is in most cities but totally missing in Logan. The people were fine, once you learn their rules. I had lots of friends, especially those border Mormons who were glad to have someone to be a little more risky with, like rent an R rated movie or such. I think it would be great to raise a kid there, because the crime and stupidity is not as rampant. but I'm sure times have change since I was there. It's gorgeous country with mountains to hike and ski. good luck

Do not relocate to Utah unless you are Mormon. My parents retired there about 4 years ago, my father has passed away & my mom is sort of stuck there right now.
At first the reduced crime rate & general mood was a good thing until you get there, you are alienated & things like Doctors have no openings for new patients, jobs are within the community & ultimately very judgemental. Even news is sanctioned to reflect what is wanted.
No it is not horrible but you are & will feel like an outsider, trust me.

..If you want scenic beauty, easy mountain access, good schools, and well educated neighbors then Utah should rank high on the list. I have lived in Utah all of my life, and believe me, I AM NOT MORMON.!! I re-peat I AM NOT MORMON. That said, my point is, that the perceived influence of the Mormons on your daily life is grossly overstated. And Sara has put too fine a point of the reality of living here. While it is true the LDS Religion is the predominent religion, they by no means interefere or affect the daily living and peaceful enjoyment of the non-Mormon community. The influx of so many people to our state over the last 10 years or so who are non Mormon has in fact changed the demographics here a lot. I would dare say that in Salt Lake County and Summit County to name a few, the non-Mormon population at a parity with the Mormon population. There are some towns, that are more Mormon than others. If you are seriously considering moving here, I would suggest you come here to travel and spend time in some of the communities that you may be considering. There are other communities other than the ones you have named. It depends upon what you are looking for. Once you have been here and spent a bit of time, I think you can then make an informed decision that will be best for you and your family. That will be better, than depending upon the reviews and perceptions of people who think they know something, and really perhaps are mis-informed as to what their perception of our state and reality really are.

It's always interesting to see how the world perceives Utah. I was raised LDS, but in southern California, so I grew up with a very different outlook. I love living in Utah. The state has so much to offer in scenery, recreation of all types. About the only sport you can't do in Utah is surfing. Yes the incomes here are much lower than many other states, but then again it depends on where you are moving from. The Salt Lake City Metro area is much less "Mormon" than it used to be. The ratio of LDS to non now is actually 60 - 40 in Salt Lake. Park City, where I live, is a great option for people who want to distance themselves. Park City was a silver mining town (full of saloons and brothels) and is a ski resort town today. Park City has always been the "black sheep" town of Utah and has the distinction of consuming more beer per capita than the rest of the state combined. It has a small town atmosphere, the people are really friendly, excellent schools,and no significant LDS influence. Like Durango & most other western mountain counties, it's going through some development pains, but then what desirable community isnt'?

I spent four years in Durango during college. Durango is a beautiful town but as someone said before it is going through some growing pains with development. It is a college/tourist town so things are always hopping. The education level of the residents is generally pretty high. A lot of people live there because they love the area - that said - jobs can be tough to come by unless you want to work in restaurant/hotel/retail. I really like Durango - the people are friendly, the scenery is gorgeous and if you are into outdoor activities - it is the place. Feel free to email me if you have specific questions.

I really appreciate the time and thought that all you respondents have put into your answers. THANK YOU!!!
Just to clarify, I am planning a couple of scouting trips to the area this summer and was looking for guidance on where to best spend my time, since time will be limited. I love the feel of the Western Slope of Colorado, but didn't quite find what I was looking for in Grand Junction, Montrose or Ouray. The towns of Durango, Logan, Provo and Park City have all been recommended to me and look good on paper, so they're on my itinerary for the next trip. But good advice from people who know the area well is invaluable when trying to gain insight into a town that is new to you.

For the environment you are describing, check out Boise, Idaho. I grew up there. There is snow skiing, water skiing, rafting, hiking, fishing, etc all within 45 minutes. The city is small but has adequate cultural resources, cost of living is low, and the natural beauty surrounding Boise is fantastic.

I loved growing up there. Loved it. If I could talk my husband into it we'd be there right now. A great place to raise kids. If you are going to visit the west, Boise is worth checking out. Contact the tourist office or BBB there and try to go when they're having a festival (The River Festival, Art in the Park, Streets for People, etc--Boise has lots of festivals).

I'm jealous of you--moving anywhere that you've mentioned sounds great!

A little more info for you A.J. Provo is the home of Brigham Young University (read 26,000+ LDS college students) also known as "Happy Valley". Also the home of the Language Training Mission, where the LDS missionaries learn their foreign languages prior to shipping out on missions. I went to BYU, and although it's a beautiful valley and has grown a lot in the last 20 years - still NOTHING could make me live there. Heavy LDS influence and much lower incomes than the Salt Lake Valley. Re: Logan - again very beautiful, much colder climate, but despite recent growth still an agricultural/college (Utah State University) area. Two hour drive to nearest major city - SLC. Not nearly as many non-LDS have moved there and not nearly as many employment opportunities.

Why don't you give some thought to Portland, Oregon. A beautiful area and still much lower housing costs than other employment centers. It was recently voted the most livable cities in the U.S. and would be worth a look.

I was born in Logan, Utah and lived there for 23 years. It is a college town with some great activities associated with USU. Lots of community theatre and college-type cultural events, a nice little ski resort in the canyon east of the city and also water recreation at nearby Bear Lake. Logan is in an agricultural valley, however, and if you don't like the fresh, ripe smell of cow waste you could have a problem. Decent shopping is also practically nonexistant in Logan. Most people travel to Ogden or SLC for serious shopping. There is not much zoning control in Cache Valley (or elsewhere in many parts of Utah). 89 (the main drag through Logan and several small towns) is one long strip shopping center. A small mall was built years ago, much to the detriment of what could have been a charming downtown. Now the mall itself is also only partially occupied. You will see a lot of rundown homes in Logan, depending on the area you are looking at. I enjoyed growing up there, but it has changed since then. I have lived in both southern and northern Ohio for over 20 years now, and I could not go back to Logan. Our children feel much the same way about it when we go back to visit family.