Relocating to West Valley City, UT — pros and cons?
First post here. Been living here since 2017. It's a a mid-size city city with about 138K people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
26 upvotes
14 Replies
river_zoe29
bump
36 upvotes
Madelyn Alvarez
literally same
36 upvotes
Silas J.
nah I disagree
35 upvotes
Isla
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 4 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education 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 excellent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield 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. Winters are long and cold. Nightlife is limited. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Silas Lewis
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Samuel Brown
I'm a data analyst and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Camila
I've lived in Fairview for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cultural scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Maya White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 10 years. Moved from Nashville for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Cedar Grove schools are excellent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Josiah Myers
Moved here from Tampa about 2 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to safety but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Julia A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
19 upvotes
emily_local
haha yep pretty much
16 upvotes
Weston Allen
this is the way
13 upvotes
zoey_chef
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Gabriella James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 34, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Sunset and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
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 shopping options
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Denver, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
All Countries
