Tell me about: the towns of SE Utah

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Coach37

Social climber
Philly
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 28, 2016 - 10:06am PT
Maybe this topic is acceptable?

I've run a couple of these "tell me about xyz town" threads as I consider job opportunities. They have been very helpful, so thank you to those who've chimed in (I delete them after getting input, to get them off the front page). In short, I recently took a new job, moved across the country, and quickly discovered I'd been sold a bunch of false promises as far as duties and schedule.

So, I know a good bit about the climbing down there, having spent many days in the Creek, Fishers, and Mill Creek. But I know nothing about the towns other than Moab. So what about Blanding, Monticello, La Sal, Castle Valley.

I anticipate some drawbacks related to remoteness, like long drives to an airport or for shopping. But I am no LDS and worry a bit about living in those communities as an "outsider". Moab and Castle Valley seem to be less small-town LDS kinda places, but the others I have no clue.

Obviously the climbing is great and the setting is beautiful. But what about day to day living?

EDIT: I found this, from Crusher, when searching, maybe a good starting point for a discussion?


"Blanding is a strange place. From north to south along Hwy 191:

Moab is a thriving metropolis.
Monticello is more insular, quiet, heavily Mormon but seems like a real community.
Blanding.... has always had a weird vibe of sadness, distrust; outsiders are not welcome. Never see anyone smile. The town sprawls for miles.
Bluff, south again, is a hippy outpost, friendly, as is Mexican Hat, friendly, welcoming.
"
John M

climber
Jul 28, 2016 - 10:13am PT
I wish you wouldn't delete these threads. Lots of us are looking, just not always at the same time. Its nice to be able to dig through and find what info people have talked about. They drop off the front page quick enough once the info is passed.
Coach37

Social climber
Philly
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 28, 2016 - 10:22am PT
Hey, sorry man, I deleted them because they were not really on-topic and I didn't think they were much use to anyone other than me. For instance, I asked about a couple small central valley towns that nobody would move to except for work, or if family were there.

Seems like off topic here creates a lot of moaning and "locking" of threads, so I was just trying to adhere to community norms.
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Jul 28, 2016 - 10:26am PT
No worries, dude. These kinds of OT threads are actually useful, and are certainly related to the climbing community.

It's the purely political Krap that's getting the axe. Prolly as it should be.
10b4me

Mountain climber
Retired
Jul 28, 2016 - 10:36am PT
no LDS and worry a bit about living in those communities as an "outsider"

yeah, I don't think Blanding would be the place for you. It's actually a pretty racist town.
frank wyman

Mountain climber
montana
Jul 28, 2016 - 10:38am PT
I spent alot of time in the 4-corners area during my Oil Exploration days awhile back. Like you say Monticello,Blanding,etc. are mostly just places to stop and get gas/food. Mostly lived in the Cortez/Delores area in Colo. Best seen in the rear view mirror. Durango is hip but expensive. But...The arrowhead hunting can not be beat, used to find a dozen a day plus pottery shards and various artifacts. Best of luck, Things might have changed now as it has been 15+ years ago.
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Social climber
SLO, Ca
Jul 28, 2016 - 10:51am PT
I wouldn't remotely consider living in any of those towns. Middle of nowhere mo mo politics, shitty food, etc. But maybe that is what you are after?? Rural Utah is paradise for some..
Maybe Moab to climb for a year or two if I were still in my 20s and only cared about crushing.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jul 28, 2016 - 10:55am PT
Moab or Castle Valley which is a nice community twenty miles from Moab. The other towns are dull and grindingly conservative.
TWP

Trad climber
Mancos, CO & Bend, OR
Jul 28, 2016 - 10:58am PT
The jump from Philly to SE Utah or SW Colorado is huge.

You'll never know how vast the chasm until you actually go and live there.

I made a transition from Phoenix to SW Colorado (Mancos - much like Monticello 80 miles to the west) in 1988.

I never went back to Phoenix but I never felt truly "at home" in either Mancos (where my family has had land since 1971l (and my "home" from 1988-1990 & 2004-2014) or Durango (where I lived for 14 years: 1990-2004).

You are unlikely to find acceptable female companionship in the towns of SE Utah. The pond is shallow and the fish few. So, is this an issue in your case? Only you know. It would be for me. Hence, this advise which you are free to reject: Don't go until you have the female companionship issue resolved and your mate wants to go live in these Hick's villes to raise the family.


If you go, realize the chances are at least 50% you will leave within 3 years.

Above having been said, your best bets in the area are Moab and Durango. The small towns are just too small, too remote for a guy from Philly. I've seen a lot of folk come and go. Hey, myself included - though it took a long time. I called SW Colo. home from 1988 to 2014. Now, I am in Bend, OR. I still have my home and property in Mancos, so I will return there again - but for how long I'll never know. But I'd never expect Mancos to be a happy hunting ground for female companionship should said need re-arise. (For now, I am happily "common law" married and that's why I moved to Bend when wife invited me to co-hab in her house.)

Good luck. Life's a journey and you don't know where it will lead. Circumstances can change in a heart beat.

P.S. To buttress, Mr. Donini's "grindingly conservative" comment.

I have become friends with the "real locals" in Mancos who hangout at the hangout - the local grocery store. Once the conversation took this turn when the store owner commented, "How did Obama win the election? I haven't talked to a single person who voted for him!" Obviously, this was 2009. So I chimed in, "I did" and said why.

We remain friends. Politics aside, I do like these people. With the "good" conservatives, you don't have to agree with them to gain their trust and respect but it won't come easily.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Jul 28, 2016 - 11:02am PT
Do you have a job, or independent means? Pretty much what others said. Castle valley isn't really a town, but more of a bedroom community, really nice if you can buy a place and live there, but not a great place to move without $ or tele commute skills...


Edit based on below; I'd lean toward castle valley, in that case, though it's twenty miles to the grocery store, etc. if that's a deal killer I'd look at an outlying place around Moab / Spanish valley.
Coach37

Social climber
Philly
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 28, 2016 - 11:20am PT
Yes, I will have employment, that is not a concern for me.

"The jump from Philly to SE Utah or SW Colorado is huge"

Yes indeed. I am not in PA anymore, moved to central CA coastal area a little while back. It's nice here, and I enjoy the weather and lack of traffic, it's just that the job was a bait and switch and I'm unhappy and want to get out of this company.
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Social climber
SLO, Ca
Jul 28, 2016 - 11:24am PT
Durango is like a different planet from your list of Utah towns. Like comparing Paris with Waco TX.
Reeotch

climber
4 Corners Area
Jul 28, 2016 - 11:33am PT
Things are changing a little in some of these places. Crusher's comments are pretty spot on. But there are good people to be found in all those places.
I own property outside Monticello. I may retire there. I love the land so much I'm willing to put up with a few stuck-up mormons. Thinking about starting a guide service.

If you want to get a feel for the political scene in the area, witness the battle over the Bear's Ears National Monument proposal.

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/07/18/sally-jewell-visits-bears-ears-says-obama-will-decide-national-monument-leaving-office


There is a strong right wing, anti federal government element in this region. I expect to see a big fuss if Obama makes that into a National Monument. The Native American Tribes are in favor of it, as are most environmentalists and outdoor recreation folks. This latter faction is gaining strength, we need to forge more alliances between environmentalists and the tribes...

I try to seek out the like minded folks in these communities. Also, don't get sucked into only looking in Utah. This region is called the 4 corners. Consider places like Cortez, Farmington, or towns on the Navajo Reservation. Education and Healthcare jobs abound on the reservation.
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