Hello, I relocated for work and It's a a mid-size city city with about 204K people. Rent is about $1,343/month for a decent place. With a population of 204K, Salt Lake City is a mid-size city. Average temperature is around 52°F, so expect cold winters. Household incomes average around $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
Pros:
- Good schools
- Low taxes
- Good internet infrastructure
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Cold winters
- Chain restaurants dominate
What are your go-to spots? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
sadie_dude
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Anna
I work in healthcare here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Mia M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 27, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Springfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
37 upvotes
Mackenzie B.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
37 upvotes
Lucy A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Connor Ward
yep
35 upvotes
Joshua Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 12 years. Moved from Denver for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Ian
Bought a house here in 2024 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
31 upvotes
Jose L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 13 years. Moved from Austin for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Cooper Sanchez
Moved here from Raleigh about 4 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to traffic but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Julian
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 9 years. Moved from Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Road conditions need improvement. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Axel Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Midtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
14 upvotes
Eliana Bailey
yeah no that's not right
9 upvotes
Declan Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
2 upvotes
Gianna M.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Riverside area are better than expected. Kids love it here.