So, I'm aware that this forum is for vacations and similar trips but I'm hoping someone who has stayed in Salt Lake City before (or someone who knows the area) could help me anyway since this is something of a *very* extended trip.

I'm a 23 year old female and I plan on moving from Pennsylvania to Utah (Salt Lake City specifically) sometime in August before classes start. I will be starting my very first year of college there, and it will be my first time away from home alone. My mom is getting really stressed because I haven't found a roommate yet, and because of her breathing down my neck, I am also starting to get stressed. She has this hope that someone in SLC will just happen to be okay with not meeting me before accepting me as their roommate. I see this as an unreasonable request to ask of anyone, so I am looking for somewhere safe and reasonably priced that I could stay for a week or two while I hunt for a roommate. The cheapest thing I have come up with is just a simple hotel, but since I've never been in Utah (or anywhere else on my own, for that matter), I'm not sure what else to look for that might compete with hotel pricing on a weekly basis.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've scoured every applicable classified section on KSL that I could think of but haven't had much luck, other than one place I'm not sure about. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post links here either?

You might even meet a future room-mate here. Looks like a good place. There are at least 2 other hostels besides this one.
http://www.utahinternationalhostel.c...nt/information

Try VRBO for a condo/house--they can be very reasonable. You might also want to call the University Guest House to see if they offer anything. I would not recommend staying at the Hostel in the Avenues--it is a nice location but it has been in the news for housing men recently released from prison. (how to drive your mother up a tree...) There are some extended stay places that might work for you. (Marriott Residence Inn and there is a new place in Sugarhouse--I forget if it is open yet (at 21st south and 1200 East).

Basically, you want to stay anywhere from the AVenues (north of the U) to about 33rd south. Anything East of 900 East will be fine. There are some places downtown that are ok--but we are talking major hotel chains ok? NOt the "whatever inn". YOu can stay at places between 500 and 900 east but it varies a lot.

As odd as it sounds, you might even be able to find a place VRBO in Park City because you are off season--check it out. It would be a fine drive in August. (my personal preference was always to live as close to school as possible)

If you get specific place ideas, you could post them here for comments or contact the admin office of your department--they should be able to tell you. Good luck!!

My first thought for a short term stay was University Guest house also: http://www.universityguesthouse.com/
They have kitchens.

Thanks for the replies. I'll take a look at VRBO later today. I was considering Homestead Studio Suites last night, but today I looked up some reviews and it doesn't sound very pleasant.

I'm not sure if it will make a difference in replies, but I'm not going to the U. (Does that matter for the university guest house?)
I'm just going to SLCC since I've had quite a long break since high school.

Anyone can stay at the University guest house, not just those associated with it. I suggested it assuming you would be looking in that area.
But since you'll be going to SLCC then maybe something further south would be better.
Like Crystal Inn or Holiday Inn Express in Midvale. Right off I-215 for easy access to the college and any where else in the valley.