On Feb 20, 8:26*pm, tienshanman tienshanman.
wrote:
Dr. John Ackerson;683444 Wrote:



On Feb 14, 9:50*pm, tienshanman tienshanman.
wrote:-
Tim,

I have always been interested in Utah but have not been able to
really
assess what it's like there with a family if you are not an LDS
member.
I have heard that it can be socially limiting, a bit stifling. I was
wondering if you could comment on this.

--
tienshanman-

Utah is very family friendly! *I live in Heber City Utah with 4
young kids. *Heber is a mountain valley with majestic mountains all
around. * Heber, at one time used to be the mecca of Soaring in Utah.
The soaring has decreased since the private jets from Park City moved
in. *Since I trained here, I don't mind the jets. *Its actually quite
a thrill to be number one on final with a Citation X as number 2 with
a Piper on crosswind in the landing pattern. *Morgan is another
soaring hot spot in Utah close to Ogden. Morgan is a lot more rural
than Heber with no jets. *Parowan is 3 hours away if you want a change
of scenery. Heber is a lot like Logan Utah, but we still have more jet
traffic. * Cedar Valley, which is west of Provo/ Utah Lake exists for
soaring but I don't know much about it.
Utah is one of the highest in the nation for High School
Graduation rates. * The schools are regarded as excellent based on
SAT/
ACT Testing. * Some of the more rural schools (ie parowan) *sometimes
struggle a little due to the agriculture culture of the community. *If
the LDS thing really bugs you, Park city is only 20 minutes away which
has very few LDS. *Park City is mostly an east cost liberal democrat
refuge with high average incomes and higher taxes. It also has great
skiing. *We even have a democrat rep Jim Matheson in the house. * I
have a lot of friends both LDS and Non LDS and we all get along
great. *Most normal non LDS people find that the LDS thing is no big
deal when they get here unless there social life revolves around the
bar scene. * In general, the LDS people are very friendly and try to
be good neighbors. *You will find a few that are very odd as in any
culture. *Don't worry, we only have one wife and we don't dress like
pilgrims.
I only drive 5 minutes to get to the local airport. *I am on tow
in the air in 30-45 minutes from leaving my house. * We soar 6-7
months out of the year. *We ski/ snowboard and or snowmobile the rest
of the time. *The winter break from soaring really increases the joy
for spring and returning to the air. *We have 3 fishing/boating lakes
less than 45 minutes away. *Life gets no better if you like a strong 4
season climate with low humidity and strong thermals. *Heber is only
30 minutes from great shopping in Provo or 50 minutes from Salt Lake.
It has a small town feel but is close enough to the big city that many
people commute to Salt Lake or Provo to work. *The club owns 3 *Grob
103's. *We keep two in Heber and one in Morgan.
Property taxes are low and cost of living is low to average which
makes Utah a great place to retire, as long as you don't mind the
snow. *Heber has the some of the lowest crime rates in the nation yet
most still lock there doors at night. *Best of luck on your final
decision.
John Ackerson OD
736 West 100 South #2
Heber UT *84032
435-654-3140

Jack,

What a coincidence - just last night I was looking at Heber on google
earth and reading some sites about it. Seems like a very nice place
indeed! One certainly can't get much closer to the airport!

--
tienshanman

tienshanman: If you're seriously considering Utah -- and why wouldn't
you -- then Heber would be an excellent choice, particularly if you
prefer living in a smaller town. The spectacular view of the backside
of the Wasatch Mountains is surely one reason the Swiss immigrants
felt at home in Heber valley. The Utah Soaring Association has two
Grob 103's stationed there, so if you don't yet own a glider, or you'd
like access to a two-seater, then it's very convenient.

However, there are advantages to living on the other side of the
Wasatch in the Salt Lake City area: easier access to the best
backcountry skiing and paragliding (which you mentioned you do), plus
all the usual advantages of a bigger town -- more cultural options,
more restaurants, better schools, more educated people, international
airport, etc. Also, the soaring site nearest Salt Lake City -- Cedar
Valley, which is only 25 minutes from the center of SL Valley -- is an
excellent XC site.

Let me know if you're coming through Salt Lake City and you want a
tour.


Jeff 7JK