📍 About ZLC & Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City ARTCC (ZLC) is located in Salt Lake City, UT. Nestled between the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake, SLC offers incredible outdoor access, a strong job market, and a growing cultural scene. The city has a lower cost of living compared to other major metro areas, and there are plenty of suburban communities with easy commutes.
🏡 Where to Live
For Singles & Young Couples
- Downtown SLC – Walkable, trendy bars, coffee shops
- Sugar House – Hip and artsy with parks and nightlife
- Millcreek – Great balance of city access and residential feel
For Families
- Draper – Excellent schools, suburban living, newer homes
- South Jordan – Family-focused with parks and shopping
- Holladay – Safe, quiet, good schools
🚗 Commute Times to ZLC (Salt Lake City, UT)
- 0–15 min: Downtown SLC, Sugar House, Millcreek
- 20–30 min: South Salt Lake, Holladay, Murray
- 30–45 min: Draper, Sandy, South Jordan
🎓 Top School Districts
🧳 Things to Do – Within 2 Hours, Year-Round
🌄 Outdoor Activities
- Skiing: Alta, Snowbird, Park City – world-class skiing within 45 minutes
- Hiking/Biking: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Bonneville Shoreline Trail
- Lake Days: Great Salt Lake and nearby reservoirs
🎭 Indoor & Cultural
- Music & Arts: Eccles Theater, Utah Symphony
- Museums: Natural History Museum, Leonardo Museum
- Sports: Utah Jazz (NBA), Real Salt Lake (MLS)
✈️ Nearby Airports
- Salt Lake City International (SLC): Major hub, ~15 minutes from downtown
- General Aviation: South Valley Regional, Ogden-Hinckley Airport
🧭 Helpful Resources for Newcomers
🛡️ Crime & Safety + Town Websites
- Downtown: Some property crime; improving in recent years
- Millcreek & Sugar House: Generally safe and walkable
- Suburbs (Draper, South Jordan): Low crime, family-friendly
🔗 Town Websites
💰 Cost of Living
- Housing: Median home ~$525,000 (lower in suburbs)
- Rent: 1-bedroom ~$1,300–$1,800/month
- Utilities: ~$200/month
- Taxes: Utah has state income tax (~4.85%) and moderate property taxes
🌆 Neighborhood Highlights
- Sugar House: Urban vibe with shops and nightlife
- Holladay: Leafy and peaceful
- Draper: Great schools, trails, and mountain views
☀️ Seasonal Weather
- Winter: Snowy, 20s–40s°F – skiing season!
- Spring: 50s–70s°F, blooming wildflowers
- Summer: Dry heat, 80s–100°F
- Fall: Crisp and colorful, 50s–70s°F
🚇 Public Transportation & Traffic
- UTA: TRAX light rail and FrontRunner commuter train
- Traffic: Mild compared to larger metro areas
- Car: Still needed for most errands and commuting
🏥 Healthcare & Urgent Care
- Major Providers: Intermountain Healthcare, University of Utah Health
- Urgent Care: InstaCare, Medallus Medical
- Specialists: Broad range available throughout the metro
🫂 Social Life & Community
- Events: Sundance Film Festival (nearby), Utah Arts Festival, Twilight Concert Series
- Recreation: Climbing gyms, ski clubs, outdoor meetups
- Day Trips: Park City, Ogden, Antelope Island
🍽️ Dining & Food Scene
- Local Favorites: Red Iguana, The Copper Onion, HSL
- Breweries: Wasatch Brewery, Epic Brewing, Uinta Brewing
- International Food: Vietnamese, Indian, Ethiopian, and more
🛫 ATC-Specific Tips
- Facility: ZLC covers a vast and diverse region from Montana to Nevada
- Schedules: Rotating shifts; snow can occasionally affect commute
- Culture: Tight-knit team with many outdoor enthusiasts
📦 Moving Tips
- Utilities: Rocky Mountain Power, Dominion Energy
- Winter Prep: Get snow tires and a snow shovel!
- Spring/Fall: Ideal moving seasons weather-wise
❓ FAQs
- Is Salt Lake City affordable?
Yes, compared to many metro areas in the West - What’s the vibe?
Clean, outdoorsy, and increasingly diverse - What’s the best area for families?
Draper, Holladay, and South Jordan are all great picks