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Salt Lake dull? Perfect? Readers weigh in
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I have lived all over the world. Served both a mission to Europe and I have served in the Army as an officer. I have lived in Virginia, Georgia, Kansas, California, Texas, the Netherlands, Germany and North Carolina. I have also served in Iraq, Egypt, and Kuwait.
Of all the places that I have lived, Utah is by far my favorite. I love the skiing, the beauty, the cleanliness, the lack of crime, the shopping, the food, the hiking, the mountains, the outdoors. I love having numerous Temples so close by. That you had the Olympics. The pioneer history, the football games and basketball...go Jazz! I graduated from Utah State University many years ago, and it is so wonderful to be finally call Utah Home.
If you don't like it, try living in some of the destitute and terrible places I have, and then you may realize, there is no place like Utah!
(Oh, for those who are going to flame me and say "If you don't like it, leave!" I have two things to say: 1), Please give it up already, and 2), I'm going to as soon as the housing market bounces back. Not soon enough, if you ask me.)
My suggestion for one word? "Money", as in not enough of it! At least it's on my mind more than I wish it were.
Myself, I might suggest "purpose."
Then, one day I moved away and I realized there actually is culture to be experienced outside of Utah. I went back for a visit and all I noticed were all the white people in their Old Navy t-shirts. Indeed, I realized right there that Utah has no culture whatsoever at all.
I enjoy visiting Utah, but I enjoy returning to my home outside of Utah where my kids associate with many people from differing ethinicities and cultures. I'm LDS and I enjoy going to church where people go because they want to go, not because they want to catch up on the latest gossip or because they don't want to look bad to their neighbors. I enjoy that people live their religion because they want to and they want to be good examples to others, not because they fear being the topic of gossip.
Yep, Utah has no culture.
I have spent lots of time out of this state, including Europe. Utah does have it's own unique culture, if you actually understand the meaning of the word culture. If you expect SLC to be NYC or London then you are going to be really disappointed. But why do you need another Detroit or LA or Madison? We already have them. If we have to turn every big city into the same thing then they lose their own character. So what if SLC is dominated by the LDS church down town, and so what if the majority of the people are white. Culture has an historical element which means that the place has evolved with a composition unique to other places. If your definition of culture means that a city has to have a certain percentage of every single race and religion, tons of theaters, and lots of clubs and bars to go to afterward, then you exclude most of the world of having any culture. Would you say that Jerusalem has no culture? What you�re looking for is diverse amalgamations where you can just get anything you want. Not culture.
For what it's worth, I have lived many other places in the states, and I consider myself easy to please. But I agree with others who have discovered a richness in life and culture outside of Utah. It's completely different. When I moved to Portland, OR, back in late 1999, I was floored by how friendly the cashiers--the cashiers!--at the local markets were. It was an astounding revelation.
I saw Page/Plant here. I love the mountains, the sites, places to 4-wheel drive, Jazz games, hiking.
You have to be boring to not like Utah.
My wife is Latina and has seen Latin America and much of the United States on the East and West coast and has lived in those places. She could not believe her eyes what she saw when she came here.
Utahns think eating at the local Panda Express is a cultural experience.
I have friends and family who are party-animals and they can find enough of the entertainment they like too, so I think there's enough diversity that you can find what you want in SLC.
Utah as a climate = reminds me of New England but without the humidity
Utahns= never seen so many people out to get what they want with no regard for who gets hurt in the long run.
Why do I choose to live here? I'm LDS, a genealogist, and I love attending the temple as aften as I can. Something that was not possible to do while living in the northeast.
It doesn't matter where a person lives there will always be something that they absolutely love about their surroundings as well as something that they wish would just go away never to return. Home is where you make it and if there is love it is even better. For me Utah is my home.
Nevertheless Spencer are you also inferring that going to a restaurant is supposed to be a cultural experience? If so I would be interested to see what restaurant you would suggest is a cultural experience. The only one I can even think could possibly be seen as a cultural experience is Ho HO Gourmet on 17th and State.
Lastly the anger about the local culture, which is culture just maybe not the culture you want, is rather humorous. People flock to Jackson Wyoming for the Cowboy culture and love it. Yup, all whiteys there.... hmmm. We also love to see the Amish and how they live their lives... wait a minute... yup all boring white people too! Get over yourself if you don't think Utah has a culture, it's merely one that you don't enjoy!
I agree with Fredd and John, that Utah is BLAND and DULL. Anyone know one word that sums up UNCHECKED URBAN SPRAWL and HOME OF THE NEVERENDING STRIP MALL?
Intellectally Pseudo.
Pseudo humor.
Pseudo cool.
Pretty much a Pseudo big city.
Fact is SLCers really try too hard. Come up looking, well, boring. That`s very real.
P.S I have seen and lived in other parts of the country and the world and I could come up with a word to describe each area I have lived. It's all about gratitude for the wonders around us.
Now that I am moved back to Utah, I think all the negative comments about SLC are hilarious. Especially the ones who complain about SLC and/or Utah being "dull".
In my opinion, "exciting" is where you make it! If you constantly need external stimuli to keep your neurons firing, chances are, it's not the place you're in that's dull; it's YOU that's dull. Make your own fun, I say.
Otherwise, please move to Las Vegas. They have shiny baubles and flashing lights and things that go whirrrr, there. Talk about a city that never sleeps! It's a dreamland for the ADHD culture.
SLC is not for everyone. But it's a place I am pleased to have returned to.
The funny part is that Seattle is always having this same conversation. "We're dull!" "This town needs more night life!" "I love it here!" Etc. Etc.
Why do so many people always wish the city they lived in, was some other city??
THey are obsesses with the ocean. They always bring up California in any conversation. Seriously it's a joke! Be happy with yourselfs. It's okay! that's why other great states thrive and progress.
This doesn't describe Utah or Cal. or Wash. ect. It is the word that comes to my mind the most. Home is where the heart is and my heart is with my family. I love Utah and all the things that it offers me. Fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, skiing, all kinds of sports, places to eat ,shop, watch a movie, Jazz games, highschool sports to watch (go Bingham) This place gives me and my family so much to do. I better go and shovel my driveway now. It doesn't matter where you live as long as you have a good attitude. Utah is beautiful and I love it.
Depressing.
Wasn't Utah listed as the most depressed state? Curious if all the religous guilt causes this depression.
I've lived in Utah, Oklahoma and many other states. Although at times every place was a bit boring, when I got off my butt and tried to find what there was to see and do, there was only one place that I'd never want to return to...and some people love it there! Home is what you make of it.
John, wish you'd get back on here and explain why you've returned 3 times to a place that you seem to despise. Somethings wrong--is it you, or is it "The Place"?
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