Utah is just one state in a nation of 50. Surprisingly, Utah’s population only represents 1% of the US population, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
For such a small national presence, Utah sure generates a lot of conversation. Some things, like the state’s reputation as a world-class ski destination, are totally true. (After all, it’s in the state motto.)
But some other things often said about the Beehive State aren’t so nice. Or true. Diplomatically, these can be labeled as misconceptions and attributed to ignorance rather than malice. At least, that’s what the kind, happy people of Utah would choose to believe.
Here are some of the most common misconceptions and why they are not true.
‘It’s boring’
The refutation of this one is easy: “Are you crazy?”
If you’re a young socialite whose main priority in life is clubbing, then yes, there are probably better places than Utah. (This sounds shady; it isn’t. To each his own.)
Everyone else should discover that there is plenty to do in this state. If you like to bike, ski, or wear hiking boots, Utah is top-notch. Entire websites are dedicated to that topic in case you need more details.
Because the outdoors is so spectacular in Utah, the indoors can be unfairly ignored at times, but city life is alive and well in the Beehive State.
For sports enthusiasts, only Salt Lake City has an NBA team, an MLS team and will soon have an NHL team. Live music lovers can enjoy everything from pop superstars headlining the Delta Center to summer concert series in Ogden and the Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall. Theater fans always line up at the Eccles Theater to see top-notch performances of iconic musicals.
Whatever type of hiking you enjoy, there’s a good chance you can enjoy it in Utah.
Photo: Brendt A. Petersen/Shutterstock.com
‘Everyone is Mormon’
This is a double.
First, it is a good opportunity to remember that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discourages the use of the term “Mormon.”
Secondly, it is also a false statement. According to a 2023 study by the Journal of Religion and Demography, 42% of Utah’s population identifies as Latter-day Saints.
This number may fluctuate depending on the exact location in the state (for example, Utah County has more members of The Church than Salt Lake County), but the point remains: there is more religious diversity in Utah than many might realize. believe.
Notable places of worship for religions other than the Church include the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, the Islamic Center of Utah, and the Madeleine Cathedral.
‘It is expensive’
Especially lately, there has been an increasingly common feeling that Utah has become too expensive. But is it really true? Most studies on affordability and cost of living seem to indicate the opposite.
For example, a March 2024 USA Today report ranked Utah as the most affordable state. US News ranked Utah as the 28th most affordable state in 2023, right in the middle of the pack. (This calculation was part of a larger Best State study in which Utah took gold, but that’s neither here nor there.)
And according to a cost of living index compiled by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Utah ranked 34th, a little more expensive than the average state, but not prohibitively expensive. For reference, Utah was neck and neck with Montana and less expensive than Arizona.
When you factor in economic growth, low crime rates, and world-class outdoor destinations, you can argue that Utah is one of the states that truly offers the most bang for your buck.
Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com
‘It is very cold’
The myth of frigid winter temperatures primarily refers to the Wasatch Front, and it’s easy to see where people are coming from. A state that claims to have the most snow in the world surely has some seriously cold weather. Turns out it’s pretty cold in Utah.
According to historical data from the National Climatic Data Center, Utah is the state with the 18th coldest winter temperatures in the United States. This might be a little skewed by the subtropical climate of southwestern Utah, but even near the Wasatch, winter weather rarely becomes extreme.
For example, Salt Lake City has an average daily high temperature of around 40 degrees F in December and January, which is a warm climate, but not a climate where freezing is inevitable.
‘The food is bad’
Okay, this probably isn’t such a widespread stereotype, but it’s definitely something that visitors who come from more well-known food meccas have said. Those people didn’t look hard enough, because Utah holds its own when it comes to culinary prowess.
In Logan, Le Nonne is a tasty, elegant and reasonably priced Italian restaurant that would rival much more expensive trattorias in other cities.
Head a little south to Ogden and you can walk along historic 25th Street, which is lined with restaurants to satisfy every taste.
Moving on to the main course: Salt Lake City. For Thai food, Aroon Thai and their Khao Soi are as good a choice as you’ll find in the United States, and you’ll get the friendliest service in town.
Are you craving fried chicken? No need to fly to Nashville when Pretty Bird has three locations in SLC and one in Park City. Alternatively, visit Chick Queen in Chinatown if you’re more in the mood for Korean flavors.
To close with sweets and desserts: Banbury Cross Donuts, Eclair French Pastry and Fillings and Emulsions are amazing options depending on what you fancy.
Of course, this is just a sample of the food scene in Utah. Hundreds of restaurants are worth mentioning, but you will have to discover them on your own.
“There is no decent public transportation”
Salt Lake City is no New York or London, but the public transportation system isn’t as bad as you might think.
US News ranked Utah #6 in the country for best transportation. In addition to the quality of roads and bridges, public transportation use ranks in the top 15 in the country.
It’s not just that the transportation system is available, but people are also using it. Data compiled by StreetLight ranked Salt Lake City No. 8 in the country for transit ridership. Go ahead!
True Utahns know the struggle of leaving downtown after a concert or game and the endless wait in traffic just to get on the highway. Once you take the Front Runner after an event, you’ll never look back.
Siegfried and Jensen
Since 1990, Siegfried & Jensen has been helping people in Utah and surrounding states who have suffered unnecessary injuries and deaths caused by car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, defective medications, dog bites, wrongful death and other types. of personal injuries.
The firm is committed to keeping Utah families and communities safe by ensuring wrongdoers are held accountable. While a lawsuit is not always the answer when it is necessary, having someone on your side can mean the difference between filing for bankruptcy and rebuilding your life and moving forward, especially when facing an insurance company or a hospital.
Siegfried & Jensen has represented more than 35,000 clients and has recovered more than $1.2 billion for them.
Keynote USA
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