Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 4

[Mountain man]

First time poster here. I have to get something off my chest, I absolutely love the mountian west region so a few times a week I love to come onto the Denver/Salt lake threads. But I can't hold my tongue much longer. There seems to be a lot of unnecessary bashing on Denver on this forum (and it's not just recently.) I absolutely love Salt Lake, it's one of my personal favorite cities in America. But holy crap do you guys try and bash Denver any chance you get and really try to make it look worse that it is. I have never seen anyone do that to Salt Lake on the Denver forum. It often makes you guys look very jealous of Denver and attempt to prop yourselves up on a pedi stool you have to tear down Denver. I understand being upset about loosing the outdoor event, but holy crap you guys are making yourselves look pathetic. And in response to all the negativity about Denver on here, I spend a lot of time in both Salt Lake City and Denver, and I love them both very much and if I could move anywhere in the country it would be one of those two cities. And let me make this very clear that there is no other city in America geography wise closer to being like Salt Lake City than Denver, and vise versa. So apparently being 30 minutes closer to the mountians automatically makes a city better? So because Denver is slightly farther away from the mountians than Salt Lake than means it's a city worth bashing and a city not worthy of the outdoor event? Let me remind you that even though the mountian view from Denver isn't quite as stunning as Salt Lake and not that half hour closer to the mountians, Colorado as a whole dwarfs Utah in outdoor recreation. The whole state of Utah is desert except right around Salt Lake. Colorado has more than half a state of mountians with thousands of more and higher peaks than Utah and they are much more green and filled with trees than any mountians or mountian towns ive seen in Utah. There is a reason why so many more Americans prefer Colorado. And it's because it's so beautiful there and so many different options. I love Salt Lake City and trust me I would move there in a heart beat if I could. But if I had the opportunity to choose Denver or Salt Lake I'm going to have to choose Denver, Denver is really close to the mountians also (not Salt Lake close but very
Close.) and they are a world class city, Salt Lake is struggling to even get 200 thousand people in the population. I do love how close the mountians are in Salt Lake but give me a break Denver is not that much further. I know many people who still prefer Denver over Salt Lake and a lot of it is because of what each has to offer, mind you most people outside of Salt Lake (idk why it's so important to you guys) even care about having to drive just a little further to go skiing. Are you really in a hurry to get back home when your done to get stuff done? Because most people I know are pretty worn out after skiing and don't mind taking there time coming back home driving through some of the most beautiful mountains in the world.
Yes I do think Salt Lake is a slightly better fit for the OR, but Denver also has one of the top 15 largest downtowns in America to help sustain visitors, provide world class amenities and big city options that Salt Lake City could never provide. So what they have to drive just a little further, get off your jealousy box and be respectful, otherwise people loose respect for you.

I've never heard Boise be jealous of either city and they are at the bottom of the 3 cities.

Okay now I'm done with my rant, I do love Salt Lake City and I'm really looking forward to my trip there next month

[San Diego-Honolulu]

I agree with everything you said! Bravo. Hopefully you SLC forumers take this advice.

[EPdesign]

^^^ unfortunately I have to agree with the perception that Some of our forum members project almost an insecurity in the way they justify their views by comparing two completely different states and and cities.

[scottharding]

Originally Posted by Mountain man

It often makes you guys look very jealous of Denver and attempt to prop yourselves up on a pedi stool you have to tear down Denver.

Pedi stool.

[Stenar]

I do have one bone to pick with you regarding SLC's population. SLC's area has fewer square miles than some other cities, which makes SLC seem like a smaller place than it is. There are over 2 million in the greater SLC area, which makes it more like the 23rd largest city in the country.

If SLC was like San Antonio and annexed the entire county into its boundaries, the city population would be in the top 10. San Antonio is the 7th largest city in the country because they annexed EIGHT counties into their city boundaries, but their metro population is SMALLER than SLC's

Originally Posted by Mountain man

First time poster here. I have to get something off my chest, I absolutely love the mountian west region so a few times a week I love to come onto the Denver/Salt lake threads. But I can't hold my tongue much longer. There seems to be a lot of unnecessary bashing on Denver on this forum (and it's not just recently.) I absolutely love Salt Lake, it's one of my personal favorite cities in America. But holy crap do you guys try and bash Denver any chance you get and really try to make it look worse that it is. I have never seen anyone do that to Salt Lake on the Denver forum. It often makes you guys look very jealous of Denver and attempt to prop yourselves up on a pedi stool you have to tear down Denver. I understand being upset about loosing the outdoor event, but holy crap you guys are making yourselves look pathetic. And in response to all the negativity about Denver on here, I spend a lot of time in both Salt Lake City and Denver, and I love them both very much and if I could move anywhere in the country it would be one of those two cities. And let me make this very clear that there is no other city in America geography wise closer to being like Salt Lake City than Denver, and vise versa. So apparently being 30 minutes closer to the mountians automatically makes a city better? So because Denver is slightly farther away from the mountians than Salt Lake than means it's a city worth bashing and a city not worthy of the outdoor event? Let me remind you that even though the mountian view from Denver isn't quite as stunning as Salt Lake and not that half hour closer to the mountians, Colorado as a whole dwarfs Utah in outdoor recreation. The whole state of Utah is desert except right around Salt Lake. Colorado has more than half a state of mountians with thousands of more and higher peaks than Utah and they are much more green and filled with trees than any mountians or mountian towns ive seen in Utah. There is a reason why so many more Americans prefer Colorado. And it's because it's so beautiful there and so many different options. I love Salt Lake City and trust me I would move there in a heart beat if I could. But if I had the opportunity to choose Denver or Salt Lake I'm going to have to choose Denver, Denver is really close to the mountians also (not Salt Lake close but very
Close.) and they are a world class city, Salt Lake is struggling to even get 200 thousand people in the population. I do love how close the mountians are in Salt Lake but give me a break Denver is not that much further. I know many people who still prefer Denver over Salt Lake and a lot of it is because of what each has to offer, mind you most people outside of Salt Lake (idk why it's so important to you guys) even care about having to drive just a little further to go skiing. Are you really in a hurry to get back home when your done to get stuff done? Because most people I know are pretty worn out after skiing and don't mind taking there time coming back home driving through some of the most beautiful mountains in the world.
Yes I do think Salt Lake is a slightly better fit for the OR, but Denver also has one of the top 15 largest downtowns in America to help sustain visitors, provide world class amenities and big city options that Salt Lake City could never provide. So what they have to drive just a little further, get off your jealousy box and be respectful, otherwise people loose respect for you.

I've never heard Boise be jealous of either city and they are at the bottom of the 3 cities.

Okay now I'm done with my rant, I do love Salt Lake City and I'm really looking forward to my trip there next month

[VelvetElvis]

Mountain Man, you seem to be indicating that outdoor recreation is limited to tree filled mountainous areas. That's just not the case. Even so, Utah has a number of high alpine mountain ranges. The Uinta and La Sal ranges immediately come to mind. I haven't lived in Utah since 2004. Since then, every town I've called home has been filled with folks who take regular pilgrimages to Utah's desert areas for biking, climbing, and hiking adventures. And that's not hyperbole. Moab has an almost mystical reputation. I would never suggest that Utah's outdoor possibilities are unparalleled, that's just provincial thinking. But by focusing on tree covered mountains, your perspective is far too narrow.

As far as the bickering, stick around a little longer. I've watched it play out similarly throughout the mountain west forum, not just SLC. In my opinion, the SLC threads exhibit a peculiar strain that more easily captures attention. There is an ever present cultural friction centered in Utah's Mormon nature that heightens every conversation. It's a pressure that infects everyone living in the area.

[airhero]

Originally Posted by Marvland

Hmm. Makes one wonder. Especially this week.

Actually you're right. I suppose to an extent I get the Denver hate in the midst of the stuff going on with OR. But it really is an awesome city and a great place for outdoorsy types imo.

Originally Posted by Stenar

I do have one bone to pick with you regarding SLC's population. SLC's area has fewer square miles than some other cities, which makes SLC seem like a smaller place than it is.

Also just to add to this, a huge percentage (60-65 percent) of the area within city boundaries is zoned for uses that don't really allow residential, way more than other cities. You have an entire canyon within city boundaries plus some wetlands near the lake and a ton of industrial on the west side.

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by scottharding

Pedi stool.

What is "the stuff found in my child's diaper", Alex?

[scottharding]

Originally Posted by wrendog

What is "the stuff found in my child's diaper", Alex?

Urban dictionary is a far more sinister definition.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by airhero

...
Also just to add to this, a huge percentage (60-65 percent) of the area within city boundaries is zoned for uses that don't really allow residential, way more than other cities. You have an entire canyon within city boundaries plus some wetlands near the lake and a ton of industrial on the west side.

I just looked up the land area for the largest 307 cities in the U.S. SLC has one of the smaller areas and although we have approx. 110 square miles, we're really only using about 40 square miles.

[Mountain man]

Originally Posted by Stenar

I just looked up the land area for the largest 307 cities in the U.S. SLC has one of the smaller areas and although we have approx. 110 square miles, we're really only using about 40 square miles.

Clearly a lot of you have missed the point of my post. And regarding the msa, I understand the population as a whole metropolitan area is over 2 million, but honestly what is the point of all that if most of the metros population lives almost an hour away from your city core? (Talking about Utah valley and Ogden areas). That's basically a smaller version of Phoenix. But my point wasn't to point out whatever the population is, I'm saying you got to stop pointing your finger at Denver and saying everything that is wrong with that place when instead you should clean up whatever is wrong with your own cities. Every city is flawed, even Salt Lake. But there is no need to bash on other cities to try and make your city look and sound better.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by Mountain man

Clearly a lot of you have missed the point of my post. And regarding the msa, I understand the population as a whole metropolitan area is over 2 million, but honestly what is the point of all that if most of the metros population lives almost an hour away from your city core? (Talking about Utah valley and Ogden areas). That's basically a smaller version of Phoenix. But my point wasn't to point out whatever the population is, I'm saying you got to stop pointing your finger at Denver and saying everything that is wrong with that place when instead you should clean up whatever is wrong with your own cities. Every city is flawed, even Salt Lake. But there is no need to bash on other cities to try and make your city look and sound better.

The furthest parts of Utah valley are 40 minutes. Ogden is 40 minutes. I'm not even talking about those. Without counting those two, The metro area is still almost 2 million. But when half of northern Utah county and all of Davis and half of Weber counties commute to SLC or the near suburbs, they are part of our metro.

MOST of the metro's population does NOT live an hour away. Over 1 million live within 20 minutes of downtown.

[Mountain man]

Originally Posted by Stenar

The furthest parts of Utah valley are 40 minutes. Ogden is 40 minutes. I'm not even talking about those. Without counting those two, The metro area is still almost 2 million. But when half of northern Utah county and all of Davis and half of Weber counties commute to SLC or the near suburbs, they are part of our metro.

MOST of the metro's population does NOT live an hour away. Over 1 million live within 20 minutes of downtown.

Again your missing my point. And clearly you and I have been to two different Salt Lakes.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by Mountain man

Again your missing my point. And clearly you and I have been to two different Salt Lakes.

You obviously haven't paid attention to the demographics of the SL metro.

And you've missed the point. We're not bashing Denver to make our city look better. We're just pointing out that it's not as great as some people think.

Originally Posted by Mountain man

... Every city is flawed, even Salt Lake. But there is no need to bash on other cities to try and make your city look and sound better.

[delts145]

Mountain Man, No one is missing your point. The problem is your points are woefully incomplete and very inaccurate. Much of what you keep generalizing regarding Utah's geography reminds me of the many who somehow think they know Los Angeles because they've been to a few of it's attractions and cruised a few freeways. I can only go by what you are writing, and it almost sounds like you have never been to 98% of the State. You said that you absolutely love Salt Lake City, and then turn around and say that Salt Lake is the only area in the State with mountains. That's about as inaccurate sounding to the forum members here as one of us going to the Miami thread and saying that only the Miami area of Florida has beaches! In addition to Utah's iconic red rock country, there are vast and stunning areas of mountain ranges scattered all over the entire State.

Also, I love the western half of Colorado. I also like Denver as a city, and have many favorite relatives in the area. It's not my favorite topography for a city by a long shot, but that's just my own subjective opinion. I much prefer the topography of Los Angeles, or especially the Wasatch Front. The typical set up throughout metro Salt Lake City, whether it's a mountain view or a mountain plus valley/large lake view is completely different from almost all of the Denver Metro. Trying to compare the two metros geographically or their physical topography is like trying to compare the western half of Colorado with the eastern half. They're completely different.

[delts145]

Originally Posted by Stenar

The furthest parts of Utah valley are 40 minutes. Ogden is 40 minutes. I'm not even talking about those. Without counting those two, The metro area is still
almost 2 million. But when half of northern Utah county and all of Davis and half of Weber counties commute to SLC or the near suburbs, they are part of our metro.

MOST of the metro's population does NOT live an hour away. Over 1 million live within 20 minutes of downtown.

When I lived in Salt Lake City, I lived within 10 to 15 minutes from Downtown, yet I also was within 15 to 20 minutes of some of North Americas most iconic ski resorts, and canyons
that are among the most beautiful in the world.

Views from the South Bench. Not even my favorite and most rugged major cities on the West Coast offer views more stunning than these below, and yet within 10 to 30 minutes from downtown.
For a major metro, Salt Lake City's topography is unique and stands on its own.

Courtesy of Suncrest

Views from the North Bench


Views from the Central Metro valley floor


Hundreds of miles of Metro hiking and biking trails, and more being added each year. Whether in the Metro's scenic Valleys or the dozens of spectacular Metro Canyons, all are within
minutes reach of their respective North, Central or Southern Metro populous.

[SFTransplant]

You guys are just confirming his initial point. You can't pretend SLC is the only city in the country with beautiful topography within its boundaries and constantly sh*t talk others. SLC is beautiful, I go there 3 times a year for work, but it has got a long way to go before its the center of the cosmopolitan universe you guys think it is.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/432064157983839496/

https://idahofotos.files.wordpress.com/2...othills_125_61_0_-125_-61_tonemapped.jpg

http://carlavista.com/sober-living-homes-colorado-springs-colorado/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/131167407873263829/

And if you're going to post photos within an hour or two from SLC this is a 90 minutes from downtown Denver.

http://images.summitpost.org/original/721653.JPG

[Stenar]

No one in this thread has said that SLC is the only city with beautiful topography. Get over yourself.

We don't constantly shit talk others. 1-2x/year someone makes a comment about Denver because of something annoying like SLC losing the outdoor convention to Denver.

Also, the photos delts posted are all less than 30 minutes from downtown SLC, except the last one, which is 50 minutes. SLC is RIGHT IN the mountains, not 90 minutes away.

Originally Posted by SFTransplant

You guys are just confirming his initial point. You can't pretend SLC is the only city in the country with beautiful topography within its boundaries and constantly sh*t talk others. SLC is beautiful, I go there 3 times a year for work, but it has got a long way to go before its the center of the cosmopolitan universe you guys think it is.



https://www.pinterest.com/pin/432064157983839496/

https://idahofotos.files.wordpress.com/2...othills_125_61_0_-125_-61_tonemapped.jpg

http://carlavista.com/sober-living-homes-colorado-springs-colorado/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/131167407873263829/

And if you're going to post photos within an hour or two from SLC this is a 90 minutes from downtown Denver.

http://images.summitpost.org/original/721653.JPG

[AllOutOfBubbleGum]

Originally Posted by Mountain man

Again your missing my point. And clearly you and I have been to two different Salt Lakes.

And now you know what it's like living around all these bandwagon Ute Fans.😂😂

[Utah_Dave]

Originally Posted by SFTransplant

You guys are just confirming his initial point. You can't pretend SLC is the only city in the country with beautiful topography within its boundaries and constantly sh*t talk others. SLC is beautiful, I go there 3 times a year for work, but it has got a long way to go before its the center of the cosmopolitan universe you guys think it is.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/432064157983839496/

https://idahofotos.files.wordpress.com/2...othills_125_61_0_-125_-61_tonemapped.jpg

http://carlavista.com/sober-living-homes-colorado-springs-colorado/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/131167407873263829/

And if you're going to post photos within an hour or two from SLC this is a 90 minutes from downtown Denver.

http://images.summitpost.org/original/721653.JPG

I don't think these places even really exist