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| First Up: Utah’s Quality of Life Declines |
|  | How would you rate your quality of life in Utah? (Terina Ria/City Cast Salt Lake) |
| Is Utah the best or worst place to live? Depends on who you ask. U.S. News & World Report ranked Utah number one this year, while CNBC put us among the 10 worst. Now, a new report by the Kem C. Gardner Institute finds Utahns are less happy with their quality of life since the survey began in 2011. Here’s what’s bringing us down. | - Housing is a big sore spot. KSL reports Utah’s median single-family home price is among the 10 highest in the country, at $559,000. Plus, 91% of Utah renters can’t afford a median-priced home (up from 59% in 2015). [KSL]
- Could that be shifting? Five Utah counties saw some of the biggest price cuts nationwide this summer. By September, nearly one in four homes for sale in Davis County had a reduced asking price. [Salt Lake Tribune]
- It’s not just housing: Utah ranked low for poor air quality, limited healthcare access, and a $7.25 minimum wage that covers just 16% of living costs. Additionally, our satisfaction with job opportunities dropped significantly from 2022. [KPCW, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute]
- So why do we stay? Utahns still love the mountains, parks, and access to religious activities. But what matters most to our quality of life is feeling connected to a community where people look out for one another. [Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute]
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| What Salt Lake's Talking About |
| Salt & Straw Opening in Riverton | Salt & Straw ice cream shop will open its first Utah location Friday at Riverton’s Mountain View Village, beating its previously announced Trolley Square location to the punch. Don’t miss the Utah-inspired pink sugar cookie flavor. [Salt Lake Tribune] | | Help Shape Next Year’s Twilight | The Twilight Concert Series wants your feedback! Fill out their quick survey to help shape future lineups, tickets prices, and more. Plus, you’ll be entered to win two VIP season passes for Twilight’s 40th anniversary in 2027 and two 3-day passes to Kilby Block Party. [Salt Lake City Arts Council] | | Arempas Closes Multiple Locations | Popular Venezuelan restaurant Arempas has closed three of its six locations. According to the owners, fear of immigration enforcement has cost them about half their workforce. [Salt Lake Tribune] | | Spooky October Ideas | We put together some ideas for frightmasters and scaredy cats to make the most of the rest of October. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧] |
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|  | Join for the whale dad hat. Stay for the community of City Cast Salt Lake Neighbors! |
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| | | Electric vehicles can help reduce fuel costs and support a cleaner energy future. Whether you’re considering your first EV or already drive one, Rocky Mountain Power offers resources, charging solutions, and incentives to help you get the most from your investment. |
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Welcome to our newest members: Katie B., Jon G., Halen S., Heather A., Katie M., Yvonne J., David H., Ian B., Zachary L., Anne W., Donald A., Grace G.B. and Arlyn R. | | Thank you for building out our neighborhood. We still need 150 members to help sustain the City Cast Salt Lake podcast and newsletter. We can’t keep doing this work without your support, and every member gets us closer to our goal. | | Plus, join today and get a cool City Cast dad hat featuring the 9th & 9th whale! |
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