10 Things to Know Before Moving to Utah
Utah is a beautiful state, has a unique culture and some of the best scenery & outdoor recreation the western United States has to offer. Knowing and understanding the local area is key to adapting to a new lifestyle in a new state. Although you’ll have to learn from experience, we hope these 10 things to know before moving to Utah will help you acclimate to the Beehive State!
Fry Sauce is the Ultimate Condiment
Fry sauce is the combination of ketchup and mayonnaise. Created by a local fast food chain, Arctic Circle, fry sauce has become a state-wide phenomenon. If you’re not from Utah you might recognize Mayochup, a Heinz version of fry sauce. Ask a Utah native how they feel about Mayochup, there’s usually strong feelings associated. Fry sauce is great for dipping fries, onion rings, chicken nuggets/tenders, and burgers. Other uniquely Utah foods are scones with honey butter, funeral potatoes, pastrami on burgers and green jello.
Utah Alcohol Laws
Utah’s alcohol laws seem very odd to those who aren’t from around here. To put this in perspective, Utah was only allowed to serve beer containing 3.2% alcohol by volume until a few years ago when Anheuser-Busch along with Coors Brewing Company decided to no longer produce 3.2% beers forcing Utah to change it’s legislation. Liquor can only be bought at state-run liquor stores and beers over 5% alcohol by volume can only be bought at liquor stores. These liquor stores are closed on Sundays so make sure to plan ahead. At restaurants a shot of liquor cannot be on the table at the same time as a beer or mixed drink. A patron may order them at the same time but can’t be on the table at the same time. Double shot mixed drinks are not allowed in restaurants either.
Driving in Utah
Driving in the Winter is Tricky
Learning how to drive in inclimate weather is absolutely necessary in Utah. Temperatures can go from 60 and sunny to sub 40s and snowing in one day. More on this later.
Driving the Speed Limit is Driving Slow
A running joke in Utah is the speed driven on the freeway. The second left lane (next to the carpool lane) is the passing lane at which drivers who are in this lane drive 80+ mph, the third left lane is for those going 75+ and the fourth right lane is for those driving the speed limit or less. We don’t condone driving recklessly or speeding on our freeways, this is merely a representation of a popular Utah meme and a standup skit by Jeff Foxworthy.
Road Construction is Constant
Utah is a fast growing state, road construction is everywhere. Our highways need to be expanded to accommodate a growing population so commuters aren’t stuck in traffic for a very long time. Surface streets are constantly being dug up and replaced. Road construction gets very annoying as commutes get longer, cars get dirty and it’s everywhere!
Religious Influence & Understanding LDS Culture
Without a doubt Utah is commonly associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also known as Mormons. The church plans to phase out the term Mormon hoping Latter Day Saint (LDS) will become the standard term of reference. Salt Lake City is the hub of the LDS faith even though Salt Lake City is the most progressive city in Utah. Members of the Church adhere to certain rules such as observing the Sabbath (the reason Sunday’s are considered lazy days), refrain from substances such as alcohol, coffee, nicotine and other drugs and no pre-marital sexual relations. Church members belong to religious groups called Wards (usually a geographic region like a neighborhood) that are run by Bishops (a member of the neighborhood who is considered the spiritual leader). Be prepared for a lot of frickin, flippin, heck, gosh darn, and other swear word substitutes.
Sunday's are Lazy Days
This might be the least known of the 10 things to know before moving to Utah. Sunday’s are considered a day of rest in Utah. This is a LDS held belief that members should follow an observance of the Sabbath on Sunday encouraging them to refrain from shopping, dining and other worldly activities. A slow-paced lifestyle is common and not many people are seen out at malls, movie theatres, bowling, etc. However, recreating outdoors is popular throughout the year on Sundays amongst those who don’t observe the Sabbath.
Preparing for Winter
Driving in the Snow
If you are or are planning on moving to the snowy state of Utah, you NEED to learn how to drive in inclimate weather. This includes snow, rain, hail and whatever else mother nature throws at you. You NEED a car with either front-wheel drive or preferably all-wheel or 4×4 drive. Consider adding snow tires and/or keeping chains in your car. Add plenty of time to your commute. You will need to take your time, drive slow and give yourself plenty of time to brake as you may slide.
Inversion
Utah’s inversion is a big problem. Inversion is pollution from cars, manufacturing plants, etc that gets trapped in the Salt Lake Valley because the valley sits in a bowl and the cold air condenses and traps the pollution from escaping upwards. High winds and snow storms are needed to push the inversion out of the valley. Clean air is only around for a day or two as new inversion quickly adds up. At times, our air quality can be amongst the worst in the world.
Utah National Parks will blow you away
Utah is well-known for its outdoor recreation. Most tourists know it as having excellent skiing and winter sports. It’s a little known fact that Utah is actually a desert and one of the driest states in the US. Our Big 5 National Parks are located in the desert region of Southern Utah:
People come from all over the country to experience our National Parks, mainly Zion National Park. Residents are very fortunate to have such incredible and unique places right in their backyard.
Lake Powell is a Hidden Utah Gem
Lake Powell, located in Southern Utah is a hidden gem of Utah. Locals know it as a desert oasis. The closest marina to Salt Lake City is 4 hours away, the farthest, in Arizona, is 6 hours away. You have to vacation here to really understand the beauty. Images don’t do it justice. Summer temperatures get north of 105 degrees and water temperatures can reach 80-85 degrees. Slot canyons provide some of the most scenic views the west has to offer. Antelope Point and Wahweap Marinas both offer rentals and tours for those who don’t have watercraft of their own.
Cross-Town Rivalry
The rivalry between the University of Utah and Brigham Young University (BYU) also known as the Holy War, runs long and deep. BYU and Utah football is the most notable rivalry of the Holy War as college football is popular in Utah. In the 2021 football season, BYU was able to break their 9 game losing streak to Utah. Salt Lake County is Utah Utes country and Utah County (to the south) is BYU Cougar Country.
The Struggles of Ski Season
The most obvious perk to Utah on the list of 10 things to know before moving to Utah is our winter sports recreation. Skiing is more than a sport, hobby, pastime, it’s a lifestyle. Skiing is a lot like football, skiers now tailgate, grill and have a few beers. Lines up the canyon can get extensively long. Skiers can expect to wait several hours to get to the parking lot. There are plans to build a tram that will carry winter sport enthusiasts from the mouth of the canyon to the resorts.
Adapting to Life in Utah
We hope these 10 things to know before moving to Utah will help you in your transition! Utah is unique to any other state regarding our religious affiliations and strict alcohol regulation. However, Utah is a beautiful state with great outdoor recreation throughout the state. The Wasatch Mountains provide some of the most scenic hikes in the summer and world renowned skiing in the winter. A few hour drive to Southern Utah reveals a completely different landscape with exceptional national parks that bring a lot of tourism to the area.
Search Homes for Sale in Utah
If you’re looking to relocate to the great state of Utah, get in touch with our real estate team and we’ll find you a great Salt Lake home!
