7 Things You Should Know Before Moving To Utah
“Welcome to Utah” is the first thing people here greeted me when I finally arrived in Utah, United States.
I am Thai, and I lived in Thailand for 29 years! So, it was fascinating to me being here in America. It was my first time in life traveling alone to America to live here as a permanent residence.
However, once the excitement gradually subsided, I wish someone could have told me what I should have known before moving to Utah.
These are 7 things; you should know before moving to Utah.
1. Utah is a Mormon state.
Before moving to America, specifically Utah, I had no idea what Mormon was.
What is Mormon?
“Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, the principal branch of the Latter Day Saint movement started by Joseph Smith in upstate New York during the 1820s.” — Wikipedia
2. You may experience altitude sickness.
What is altitude sickness?
Sometimes called “mountain sickness,” it is a group of symptoms you may experience when you immediately and rapidly reach a higher elevation or altitude.
“You may experience altitude sickness when you rapidly increase in altitude without allowing time for your body to adjust. There is less oxygen in the air at higher elevations, and oxygen deprivation can lead to negative side effects.” — pcdf.org
I came from a province in Thailand where it is about 700 feet above sea level, but Utah is 6,100 feet above sea level!
Yes, 6,100 feet above sea level or around eight times higher than where I came from!
“Utah is the third highest state in the union with a mean elevation of 6,100 feet above sea level. Its lowest point is Beaverdam Wash at 2,000 feet above sea level.” -netstate.com
I experienced fatigue and nausea in the first two months in Utah. When I climbed upstairs, weariness struck me.
Nausea came out of the blue almost every day.
During my road trip from Utah to Nevada, I missed a lot of beautiful sightseeing because I felt sick and nauseous and had to sleep in the car along the way.
3. You should learn “slang” words.
I am a translator and hold two degrees in English major, but you know what? I failed at using colloquial language, like slang.
People here in Utah, I assume that most people in America use a lot of slang and idiom, such as “knock yourself out.”
To live more accessible here, you should learn slang and idioms.
4. Food will be given in a bigger size.
In Thailand, the food that will be given is much less than in America. So, the first day I arrived, I was surprised by how big the sushi burrito was. It is ok that you cannot finish it, but after a month or two, you will be able to eat more automatically.
5. You must hold a “learner permit” for 90 days before taking the driving test to drive in Utah legally.
You cannot take the driving skills test immediately after passing the written test. In Thailand, you can take it on the same day as your written test, but in Utah, you must first practice driving with a person who holds the driving license for 90 days. You will not be able to go alone for 90 days.
After you pass 90 days, you can make an appointment to take the driving skills test for your license.
6. There are a lot of mountains in Utah.
Mountains surround Utah. You can go hiking here during summertime.
You can go up there for skiing. During winter, all mountains will be covered by snow. It is such a nice view.
Preparing hiking shoes and clothes is a perfect idea before moving to Utah. Outdoor activities here are unforgettable.
7. Fry sauce
I love fry sauce! It is a unique Utah sauce for fries, but I eat it with almost everything. It’s pink mixed with light orange in color mostly. It tastes like ketchup mixed with mayo.
These are 7 things you should know before moving to Utah.
If you come from Thailand, you might need time for adjustment, and you eventually will love Utah after a couple of months.
Thanks for reading!
