Living in Utah

[wsingh]

Hey all:

As the time to submit the rank list draws closer, like many of us, I am thinking about the different places I interviewed at, Salt Lake City being one of them. If any of you are from Utah and are not mormon, how is life?? I've heard some things about racism and discrimination stuff in SLC if you are not mormon and not a blue eyed blonde. Any comments??

WS

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[aj725]

I'm not from SLC but have a good friend who moved out there a while ago and this is what he tells me all the time. Physically, its a great city. In terms of fitting in though, it seems a bit unusual, especially if you are from the east coast or any large diverse city. It seems that everyone is blonde haired and blue eyed so anyone of another ethicity really sticks out. He tells me there is no overt racism. Everyone is incredibly polite and friendly. They do, however, tend to tell you a LOT about their religion, their lifestyle etc. At first its good because its nice to learn about others. After a while though, my friend says that it feels like they're trying to show you that their way is inherently better than any other way of life. He finds that people are incredibly friendly at first but once they discover that you have no real interest in their faith, they tend to back off and become more distant--this is more true of older people. He says that its fairly easy to make friends with younger people--20s, non-married etc. because although the majority are practicing mormons they tend to have a broader outlook sometimes, especially those who are practicing only because of parental influence.

On the whole, I wouldn't worry about living in SLC. You will find enough people who have something in common with you. Also--I don't know how true or false this is--but my friend tells me that Utah Mormons tend to place a good deal of emphasis on higher education; thus, people will likely have respect for an MD.

 

[typeB-md]

i heard it's an absolutely horrible place. seriously they are the most outright racist group of individuals i have ever met. i was called several names just in one outing at a local supermarket. i will never go back there again.

actually, i'm just joking. i want to go out there, so i figure i must dissaude others and it'll make it easier for me.

i think salt lake is a nice place and if you can deal with the thumpers (LDS) i say go for it, especially if you are an outdoors type of person. just my $.02 though.

and btw i'm straight-up white (brown eyes, though) so i don't know if that has anything to do. i have heard, though, that there are not many black people, and only a handful of hispanics... but that is just from talking in conversation to locals. i'm not sure how true it is.

 

[erichaj]

Hi,

I live in Utah. I'm a physician in Utah. I'm not blonde or Mormon. The post from aj275 is mostly accurate. If you are single, you may find it difficult to date. There is a certain click here. However, if there is lots to do here in the outdoors. If you do decide to come here, send me an email. I know lots of non-mormons. Mormons are not bad people, they just don't do thinkgs like non-mormons. This is their home, so you will get an ear full about their religion when you come here. But not that much in SLC. If you are going to work for the University of Utah, you should know that they have a very international program.

Good Luck,

EH.

Hey all:

As the time to submit the rank list draws closer, like many of us, I am thinking about the different places I interviewed at, Salt Lake City being one of them. If any of you are from Utah and are not mormon, how is life?? I've heard some things about racism and discrimination stuff in SLC if you are not mormon and not a blue eyed blonde. Any comments??

WS

 

[hammersmith]

What is the weather like in SLC? Does it get very hot in Summer and really cold in Winter?

 

[gungho]

Just moved from Utah last summer after spending 15 years there. Lived 45 minutes south of SLC in an area 90+% LDS (I'm not LDS) and loved it. SLC is 45-50% LDS. Most of the others posts are spot on. It is difficult for teens growing up who are not LDS, but if you are not interested in being LDS, usually you are left alone. And, as said, there are plenty of non-LDS. It's a fairly racially homogeneous area, but quite a few Hispanics and Polynesians. Politics are heavily LDS-driven. If you are a partier, you will be disappointed. If you like outdoors stuff (except the ocean), you will be in heaven. Can be hot in the summer, but, as they say, it's a "dry heat", and is quite bearable. Winters can be cold, but not like the upper Midwest. The worst are the inversions when fog can set in for several weeks at a time, but it's always sunny and warmer up in the mountains. Can PM me if any other questions.

 

[texas_ute]

I am a non-Mormon resident physician who has lived in SLC, Utah for almost 3 years now. I work with many Mormon people (which has never been an issue) and a ton more non-Mormon people. As gung-ho pointed out, SLC is more non-Mormon than Mormon anyway. Of the 26 categorical residents in my class, I believe only 2 are even from Utah- we have people in my year from New York, California, North Carolina, Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, etc.

Unless your idea of a good time is clubbing every night until 4AM (which you will probably have a difficult time doing during residency anyway), there is enough nightlife in the area to keep you busy- there are quite a few good bars, brew-pubs, live music venues, etc. There is also theatre, symphony, professional sports (NBA basketball, then minor league baseball, hockey), the Sundance Film Festival, and multiple outdoor concert series throughout the summer.

If you have any interest in the outdoors, this place is a paradise. It is all in your backyard- literally. Just behind the University of Utah hospital, there is access to mountain biking, hiking, trail running. Rock climbing is also extremely popular here. In the winter of course there is fantastic skiing, snowshoeing, etc. From the University Hospital, you can be at one of 7 major ski resorts in about a 30-40 minute drive.

As far as diversity, there are few African-American people in SLC, but there is a significant Hispanic population (I believe 8-10%) and a large Polynesian population. There is no shortage of patient population and diversity here as the U of U is a very large referral center. I routinely see patients from all over the state of Utah, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, and eastern Colorado.

You are probably in a similar situation that I was when I was considering residency here and people were saying 'why in the world do you want to move to Utah??!'. Of course these are the same people that have never been here and do not know anything about Utah but will say ridiculous things like- the state is all Mormons, there is no alcohol here, etc., etc. Give them a call after you have been here a couple months when you are getting a great clinical experience and also skiing in a foot of fresh powder on your day off, and you will be the one laughing...

I hope that helped clear some things up. Let me know if you have any other questions about Utah.

 

[eralza]

I lived in Utah for 17 years as a non-Mormon. Even growing up in rural areas, I never felt discriminated against. Perhaps it was because I fit the mold of blond hair/blue (actually green) eyes, or most likely it was because I've always been pretty easy going. Mormons will try to convert you, clubs do close early, and the politics are pretty strange. Aside from that, the mountains are spectacular, the crime is relatively low, and people are pretty friendly.

 

[stillfeelgone]

Like others have said, if you enjoy the outdoors, you can't go wrong. The mountains are right outside the hospital.

I moved there from California and completed residency in SLC. I'm not LDS and I am a minority. I really loved being there. It can be difficult as a single person, but the hospital setting provides some opportunities.

I just moved to Milwaukee from SLC. I would say that Milwaukee isn't any more or less diverse (just more segregated) than SLC. So unless you're coming from the east or west coasts I doubt that SLC will be that shocking.

In terms of religion, sure it's very dominant and can feel overbearing but mostly in the politics. However, on a personal basis, I never felt like people were trying to convert me or looked down on my values. I should note that I really didn't have any close friends who were LDS, but I guess people just tend to gravitate towards their own.

 

[Lefty]

Blond hair and blue eyes??? 😕

You make it sound like Nazi Germany. Come on--that is a pretty stupid descriptor of SLC.

During my 20 years in UT I'd have to say that there are a lot more dark haired people. I've heard all sorts of negative comments about Utah and mormons, but I've NEVER heard the blond hair and blue eyes bit.

 

[freaker]

I lived in SLC for a while, and it never bothered me.

I'm a Presbetyrian/non-demoninational/Methodist/Baptist/whatever I like kind of guy, so I found talkingn to Mormons pretty interesting. Kind of cool to see how another branch (and a completely differnt one) of Christianity operates.

I think Mormons in general are some of the nicest people I've met. Be it in California or Utah. Very easy-going, very thoughtful. They definitely do a lot of work in the community, keep crime low, and place a lot of emphasis on education.

Good people.

And Utah in general is about as gorgeous a state as there is in the union. South Utah especially.