Review of St. George, Utah

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Do your homework

- 5/5/2016
I have lived all over the world including Canada and South America and quite a few places in the States so have lived in different cultures and feel I can be fair in my assessment of St George. I was attracted to Utah as a teenager because of the non drinking, non smoking etc lifestyle that I preferred and wanted a change from the heavy drinking etc culture of Great Britain and France where I was raised. My husband and I are loners so being accepted by the local Mormons is not important to us as we make a living outside the state and do some work in Southern Utah.My husband is an International sculptor with pieces in several countries in public places. In between commissions he does custom stone work on homes and buildings and charges a third to a quarter less than local tradesmen. He turns up when he says and gets the job done and does not gouge people and that is very different from the local tradesmen who have poor work ethic and if you are non mormon they will purposely leave you hanging and unsure if and when the work will be done if ever. Some local trades people that my husband contracted with were caught out and busted and were heavily fined. Dishonesty is also very normal and poor treatment of non mormon trades people is the norm. Retirees that move here might love it but they do not have to work or have their children in school and I will tell you that there is discrimination but not as bad as it used to be but it is still there. We all have a right to our religous views but it is decidedly unchristian to bully and shun those who are not of your faith and this is how you know that Mormonism is not based on Christianity. The old biblical saying of Thou shalt know them by their fruits. On the other hand there are coffee shops and funky pizzerias that were not here even ten years ago and I notice much more fashionably dressed women than there used to be which is a nice change from the drably dressed Mormons who I guess think it is a sin to wear color There are more deli type supermarkets that cater to food from other countries and that is a nice change.A lot more shopping than there used to be and some very nice restaurants have opened. Most jobs in Utah are low paying and there is resentment from locals towards outsiders that appear to be affluent. There are good things about Utah as in a lower crime rate and towns very clean but the Mormons are a strange lot and act very much like cult members which they are. If you decide to move here and are non mormon quickly affiliate yourself with a church or groups that interest you so you will not feel isolated. After the honeymoon is over and you fall to earth with the realization that even thought you maybe mormon from outside the state you are still an outsider and not one of the elite families. Many out of states Mormons have moved here expecting to be swept up and held to the bosom of the members but sadly that does not happen too often unless of course you are Mitt Romney and very wealthy.
sharon | ,