Flex, Utah is a great place if you are into Outdoor Recreation, relaxed gun laws, amazing views and natural history. I lived in the SLC area for a while when I was 10, have also lived in Cedar City, Provo/Orem and Central Utah which I call home. The SLC Valley proper is at about 4,250 feet, on the east side are relatively large mountains. There are mountains on the west side also, causes inversions like no other. Same with the Provo/Orem area and even here in Central Utah. People comment to me that they are not used to seeing such tall mountains so close and on both sides.
If you are into Skiing or Snow Boarding, you are in luck. The Wasatch Range has a ton of resorts. Mountain Biking, horse back riding and hiking durring the summer and Skying and all that in the winter. The Sundance Film Festival is close if you're into that. Dinosour digs a few hours south east of SLC in Price and other places. Mount Nebo the Tallest peak in the Wasatch Range is about 1.5 hours south next to Nephi. IMO one of the best places to go hiking if you like a challenge, amazing views and natural beauty. There is a spot on the north side called Devil's Kitchen that looks like a mini grand canyon. Rock formations on the north east side that remind me of goblin valley and did I mention the views?
The relaxed gun laws are some of the best in the union. If you are a resident you can buy almost anything except Class 2 with only a simple background check that costs $7.50 unless you have your CCW then it's free. A simple form that takes a few minutes to fill out. The state has some good laws for Short Barrelled and suppressed weapons also. If it's made in the state for use only in the state and has the proper stamp, you don't need all that class 2 tax and check stuff. You want a Barret .50 BMG no problem, the mom and pop shops have them. Class II I know a dealer or two. Pretty much if the gun can be bought legal in the country there is probably a dealer in SLC or Orem/Provo that has it or will order it. Browning is located here and some smaller less well know gun makers.
Utah state is finantually well run, is good to the local small businesses and the cost of living isn't bad. Instead of raising state taxes, the state worked to stream line their operation. Govener Herbert said something to the effect of "Raising taxes doesn't help the economy, it hurts it. Lower taxes keeps busonesses local which helps". He's also big on getting rid of fire arms restrictions and all that crap.
I live in Spring City here in Central Utah which is about 2 hours south of SLC. Aside from living in Cali for 10 years and SLC for a year I've lived in the country and prefer it. Know the mountains and lots of trails around here really well. If you come to Utah to check out the area or end up moving here, look me up. My contact info is in my SIG. I'll show you more camping, hiking, hunting and other outdoor rec areas in a weekend then you'll know what do with in a whole summer. I used to hang out here in the Busse forum a lot and knew who the other Utah/SLC area Hugs/users were but don't any more. Flexxx a Esee and Becker user is from North of SLC and could give you a good idea of whats around in that part of the state. Seriously email/pm me if you want to know about recreational areas in Central and Southern Utah. Got any question, fell fre to ask me.
I do like to share the places I know here in Utah.
