So I have seen a significant drop in openings for my industry over the past 6 months and seems hard to move beyond making 25 bucks an hour or so in SLC. Further, it seems like the majority of positions are below 25 an hour. So while we have a great unemployment rate, those jobs outside of tech are soso.

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As for teg, even there the growth rate has been slowing and in Provo there was a huge drop off. This could be a larger shift to Lehi, but it seems like people are promoting Salt Lake as a juggernaut, but it me based on raw data, things are weakening. Is it me, or does it seem like the hype about SLC has been overplayed at this point? It used to be SLC had a rather low food bill, but it seems like it is catching up. I originally moved here for jobs but as I moved up modestly in my career, it seems like the next step (more managerial roles) have disappeared. Part of this could be Salt Lake, part could be a larger trend. Further, outside tech, it feels like there is a ceiling in terms of reasonable pay.

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Also on politics, I felt like there was not much disagreement on policy, but then I noticed Ogden had a gas tax, was cracking down on Airbnbs, Utah has cracked down on adult content, control alcohol (it is a given but still), and has raised the tax on ecigs wholesale to 56%, in addition to all the bs with social media. I really don't think any of that is limited government in my opinion. Also with a state income tax I feel like I am leaving money on the table and I just paid 9 cents in taxes for a cheese stick. That just seems kind of perverse.

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The final thin has been socially. Maybe I am becoming a curmodgeon, but people never use their damn manners in public. Yes no one owes me anything, but the charm or Utah when I first moved here seems like it has been fading. It is also kind of hard to make friends, but I am an introvert and part of that is my fault. Also I do find some fun with going to the ball park, going to a brewery, going to a ball game, and etc. but sometimes it feels a bit monotonous outside going to the Great Salt Lake lately and I need to get up to Radio Shack one of these days.

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After visiting Dallas and comparing stats, upward mobility seems to make more sense there. Pay seems better, the economy is more balanced, and is a tad more secular. I really enjoyed myself there and I am debating about moving to boost my quality of life and economic situation. Is anyone else scratching their heads with the numbers vs what everyone is saying ? Also have my own condo and have been here 6 years. I just worry that I would be jumping out of a good thing, but I am going to give it a year or two to see where things go and prepare myself, but I am at 55% sure on moving, but was to examine the data and see how things play out.