Below you will find all the SperlingViews added about this city.
| Some good points; Not as nice as SLC though. - 12/17/2020
Ogden is an old industrial city that was once a huge railroad and mill town and IRS office (still there; hey...they provide jobs). It's always been a bit rougher, poorer and less cultured than Salt Lake City. (In college in SLC all the guys we knew from Ogden knew how to fight). The crime is much higher (read that...drugs and gangs). It's kind of like SLC's younger step-brother who barely graduated high school while Salt Lake is the more urbane and sophisticated one. There are good points to Ogden: beautiful scenery, canyons, skiing, really nice people, reasonable cost of living, jobs, Weber State University (Div. 1 sports; pronounced Weeber not Webber), SOME good family restaurants. Some cool old places (Ben Lomand Hotel). Ogden seemed to suffer urban blight long before SLC did (a lot more boarded up houses) so you'll have to live on the outskirts or in surrounding towns. Even North Ogden and Washington Terrace have their rough elements and they're the nicest areas in Ogden proper. You can certainly do worse (Phoenix, Albuquerque, San Bernardino=felony flats). But if you are a city person you are better off in Salt Lake.
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| LIFE ELEVATED / LIFE DEVIATED - 8/12/2020
Elevate (verb); 1. to raise to a more important or impressive level/to enhance attraction or desirability.
Deviate (verb); 1. depart from an established course or usual and accepted standards.
I've lived here almost all my life. Like every other town, it has it's good and bad qualities. Unlike every other town, tho, I live HERE. For this reason, and countless others, I will always remain loyal to this place. Don't worry, Ogden, us locals, (the only ones who really count) will always have your back ! <3
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| The Land of OG (Ogden) is Just Right! - 4/20/2020
~~Me = Utahn, 44, College Graduate, Homeowner, Father~~
Fact...Just 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, Ogden was named the 6th best place to raise a family by Forbes. ~~
Housing prices are surging (he Ogden real estate market saw a double digit appreciation as the home prices have risen by 14.6% over the last year. And looking forward into the coming year). ~~
I moved from SLC to OG in November 2016 to take advantage of the more affordable housing. I was able to purchase a town home at a really great price and over the last 3 years of home ownership I have experienced an approximate 45% increase home equity. That's a phenomenal rate of growth; but that's only the tip of the iceberg of why the Land of OG is a great place to live. ~~
I expect home prices to stabilize or drop due to Covid. So be ready to pounce in the next 12-24 months. I for one am staying put and have no interest in leaving Ogden as its simply a better pace of living and freedom than most places I've lived (Salt Lake City, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, San Francisco, Raleigh). ~~
Bonus tip is to purchase a residence NORTH of the I-15 exit of Milepost 341 (31st Street) as this will allow you access to I-84. I-84 Southbound access is key to circumventing rush hour traffic and traffic accidents that always happen on I-15 Southbound. There have been so many instances that I'm planning my hour commute from OG to SLC and then I see the traffic backing up and I take the I-84 off ramp to navigate to SLC either via US HWY 89 back to I-15 S/Legacy HWY or if you want a scenic longer, more enjoyable, without any top and go; simply take the scenic loop route of I-84 to Park City then come back down Parleys Canyon into Salt Lake that way. Multiple options for you to navigate this thing called the Wasatch front. ~~
~Commute~
Frontrunner is centrally located right off of 23rd & Wall and runs regularly and on time, even on Sundays (Worst thing about living in Utah overall is that so many businesses close on Sunday). Additionally; UTA (Utah Transit Authority) has a major operating hub right off of 19th & Wall; so commuting around town via bus is available and timely and affordable.~~
Trust me on the commute, as I take it on 3x a week and work from home the other 2x as my office is in Draper which is approximately 55 miles from my house via the way the crow flies. Yes...about an hour each way and 100 mile round trip. When I take frontrunner from Ogden to the Draper station; it's usually 90 minutes; but I get a load of work done on the train via my WiFI hotspot and or you can use the local Wifi on the train as well. The trains are good; they are refurbished units from New Jersey and are warm in the winter and very cool w/AC in the summer. ~~
Suggesting a vehicle with good gas mileage if you regularly have to commute to SLC Valley and Front Runner doesn't drop you off near your office. BONUS; is that the portion of I-15 between Layton and Riverdale, is getting a huge freeway overhaul and expansion of lanes allowing for a smoother commute.~~
Lastly on this topic; with the pandemic; more WFH (Work from home opportunities) will and are arising; making the commute factor in living become a bit more irrelevant over time.~~
FUN Stuff!...~~
My daughter & I frequent the Ogden River Trail quite often to ride mountain bikes or our EV's (Scooter & Onewheel). I'm a snowboarder so I love the quick access to Snowbasin (25 mins) and Powder Mountain (35 mins) from our residence near downtown Ogden. Also; I golf a lot (Maybe that's why I'm divorced); I took lessons when I was 12 at Riverside Golf Course located in Riverdale (Basically South Ogden) and I play that course often. BONUS...Right next is MOTOR VU Drive Inn. We love Drive Inns; support them as they are a dying breed and OG has one for you to make memories! Golf is also very affordable overall in Utah...it's so cheap compared to other states. We go hiking all the fantastic trails and mountain bike and camp and flyfish the multiple streams, rivers, etc... If you are an outdoor enthusiast, OG is a no brainer!~~
Diverse people; good food on Historic 25th Street and just a very chill vibe.~~
I love Ogden...so will you!~~
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| Most Non-Judgmental Fun Place To Live - 6/21/2019
I've lived here for 25 years, traveled all across the country for work, lived in Northern CA for a year, and there's nowhere else I'd want to live in Utah. There's a small airport so you will often see people skydiving/parachuting/paragliding above. We would take a flight to Las Vegas for dirt cheap, pull right up to the front of the airport, park, walk right in and be in Vegas in about an hour. Unfortunately the Vegas flights are no longer available, but hopefully they will bring them back! There is Pineview reservoir right up the canyon from where I live, 10-15 minutes I'm on the beach. Or I can be skiing/snowboarding in 20-25 minutes (Powder Mountain has the largest ski-able area in the US, short lines and cheap!). There is live music playing somewhere almost any night of the week, usually without a cover charge during weekdays and the music is ACTUALLY GOOD. There are often street musicians as well downtown which makes a nice ambiance. I have 2 grocery stores right by my house, yet I feel like I'm away from the city in a nice outdoor environment. There's a beautiful river parkway that runs all the way through the city (right next to the river that stretches for miles, my dog loves it), that goes through several parks, a botanical garden, a skate park (that's free). There's a huge Rodeo that happens every July (I don't even attend, but I hear all the fun happening from my house). Fireworks going off almost every night during July (mortars are LEGAL here, so you get to see a lot of fireworks everywhere during this time). There are concerts every week in the summer at a outdoor amphitheater downtown. You can hear the music half way across town. They block off the downtown area for various festivals and parties all the time. One time they hauled in truckloads of snow and covered the streets for a winter festival where they had horses and snowmobiles pulling people on snowboards through the downtown area, doing tricks off ski jumps and various winter sports. There's indoor skydiving, indoor surfing. I've never had problems with the police being jerks here. I have had very little issues with crime. I think the people complaining are just afraid and create that for themselves. The people are not fake around here. They don't judge by the clothes you wear or get caught up in the clicky "what's cool" sort of thing that most other cities do. There is a huge variety of culture, race, religion. Someone commented about everyone being mormon. There are mormons here but probable less than any part of the state. Also, it sounds like people complaining about that have their own issues and it's not the mormons. The ones I know are very nice and I have no problem with them being around. They have great welfare programs that help out a lot of people in need. I know I'm jumping all over the place, but there's a lot to say about Ogden. I feel comfortable here, there's always something to do. The air quality is WAY BETTER than Salt Lake. Salt Lake has some of the worst air quality in the nation. I have NEVER seen smog in Ogden (there is a canyon that blows fresh air down through the city every night). The houses are completely unique. You don't see the same cookie cutter housing like so many other places. There are awesome old buildings with character. The high school is amazing looking (gothic style, been in a few movies). Housing has been cheap for years, but it's finally catching up to what it's worth. There used to be some motorcycle gangs in Ogden, but they have since been cleared out. If you like to have fun, like variety in your life, love the outdoors and are non-judgmental, this is the place for you.
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| Don't listen to these whiners. - 11/27/2017
If you like fishing, hunting, beautiful country, skiing and friendly people then Utah is the place for you. I think it's great. Let those other tools go back to California so they can sit in the traffic.
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| Ogden might be Okay if you are young and strong - 3/12/2017
Ogden is here because the Railroad came through in the late 1800's. Utah was populated by Mormon polygamists that were searching for a place that NOBODY ELSE wanted. They found all those things in Ogden. The terrain is good if you are an avid skier. It's not as good as say Aspen or Mammoth, but it's also much cheaper.
The high mountain geography is too blame. The sun burn factor is very high and the air is some of the driest in the nation. Most people here have perpetual Dry Eye, bleeding nose and hacking cough. We have some of the worst ozone pollution in the USA and the "allergy problem" symptoms that go with it.
Utah has some of the highest taxes in the USA for income and sales tax on food. There is a very regressive flat-rate 5% income tax with NO breaks for social security income. The state median age is very young and that means an influx of lots of children in schools that need to be built. The rather young adult population does not have the median income needed to support their own. The retirees have all left for other states so there is not much available for the Republican government to tax. It's a perpetual legislative problem of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
There are four seasons, but due to the high altitude they are rather extreme. Ogden will hit 97F~100F degrees every day from June 1st through August. In winter, the temperature will be 20F~29F as the HIGH for most of December through February. On the good side, there are NO hurricanes and very few tornadoes. But we do get 80 MPH wind storms and fire smoke from California will fill the valley for most of the summer.
Outdoor life of hiking, hunting and fishing is not as good as say Arizona, Tennessee, Texas or Wyoming and one must stay in the mountain areas in the eastern side of the state or their highly touted national parks. Enormous chunks of the western desert were used for a bombing test range during the war years and it's full of unexploded ordinance. Except for the part used by the Army to test nerve gas or nuclear radiation.
Utah is unique among states that in the northern half, there is no drainage to the oceans. Whatever we get or make stays right here in the Great Salt Lake. It's not an attraction, it's a mineral deposit mine.
Yes, Ogden is a great place to live if you don't mind having an aging industrial super-park for a city center. I have lived in northern and southern CA, Atlanta GA, Phoenix AZ, Charlotte NC and Star Valley Wyoming. I spent considerable amounts of time in San Antonio TX, eastern Tennessee and Florida pan handle. in my opinion Ogden is the worst place I have ever been. I started out in Ogden (age 8) because my father could find work here and he and mother "fit the faith." I'm here now for mom's health. Then I will leave never to return.
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| No comment - 3/22/2016
I jus need a place to stay i lost my job because it wasn't certified for welding now I'm just trying to get into a place besides these crappy motels before I go completely broke from paying these outrageous prices I just want 2 have a nice space to myself and get away from the drugs here in Ogden so I can focus on what I need to do I need help
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| Junction City - 10/28/2009
Read your history. Ogden has long been an industrial/commercial center and with the decline of the railroad industry, Ogden's economic foundation went with it. City leaders and residents have done the best they can with what they have to revive the city. It's not that bad of a place to live. It's actually very beautiful and for the cost of living it's a great value.
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| Ogden's Not Too Bad - Fresno Is Worse - 7/22/2009
I moved here from Fresno, CA for a job transfer in Jan 09, and it has been a bit of a culture shock as well as a bit of a disappointment too. Years ago I lived in Boise, ID and noticed how polite and well mannered the kids were, especially the LDS kids, and expected to find the same here in "Mormon Country".
I'm not Mormon, although I have never had any problems living with them and enjoying their friendship, and I was surprised to see that generally the older kids here in Ogden are basically pushy, ill-mannered and rude, whether they are of Mormon families, or not. And yes, there are gangs here too (well at least wannabe's as compared to Fresno), which are dangerous with their drive by shootings, especially in the older, middle part of Ogden.
Of course crime and other problems depend on which part of Ogden you live in, as the hills and edges are much nicer and newer, and are also more costly. If I were still young and raising my family, I'd search out one of these areas, or perhaps (with a little more money) consider living in North Ogden (a very nice town), or in Davis County.
The City of Ogden is really trying to upgrade a lot of the older run down areas, especially around down town, and is also doing a lot of roadwork so as to reduce the traffic congestion here, and hopefully if these efforts are successful, in a few years Ogden may evolve into a really nice city.
The biggest plus to the area is the recreation, which is great. Wonderful hiking and fishing areas are very near Ogden in the summer, and if you're a skier or snowboarder, Utah snow is very good. Fresno does have Yosemite, but it's not nearly as convenient as recreation areas are to Ogden.
As for me, Ogden will work ok for the next few years, and then I'll retire and move to a small town somewhere in Oregon or Washington, like many of the other retirees on the West Coast do.
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| hispanic population - 7/22/2009
Last time I was there seems like the mexicans were taking it over.
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| Crime - 9/29/2008
Ogden is mild compared to Newark, NJ or other urban areas. Although I have seen my fair share of high-speed chases and drug-busts, it is still ok.
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| New Growth Opportunities - 4/2/2008
In the last few years Ogden has seen excellent job growth especially in the high tech industries. The primary focus is the growth in aerospace including engines, avionics, carbon graphite composites and components. In the last three and a half years twelve ski and recreation companies have moved their corperate, North American or US operations to Ogden. This move is because of the access to outdoor sports and recreation of all kinds in just minutes. The third growth area is in tourism taking advantage of the incredible year around outdoor recreation.
Ogden is one of the most written about cities in the last few years, people are finding out that it is a great place to live, play and do business. The cost of operation is relitively low including labor, lease space, taxes and availbility of transportation. Manpower's recent study ranked the Ogden area as tenth best in the US for job creation.
For more information Contact Dave Hardman President of the Ogden/Weber Chamber of Commerce.
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| DONT COME, you'll probably like it too much! - 11/26/2007
I have come to the conclusion after living here for a year and a half and coming from Salt Lake City that anyone that complains about Ogden is someone that either has no clue what Ogden is really like or is someone that is afraid of change. Change can be good... and it has been. Ogden has a stigma of being a dirty rundown city and I'd like to keep it that way. That way we keep out all of the closed minded individuals and will unite with our progressive, fun and focused community. We have one of the sweetest places in the country as far as quailty of life, outdoors-adventure, and so many neat places with in a few hours of here to visit. Each time I travel I am excited to go home... this is new to me. I have a sense of pride for what Ogden has become and am proud to be part of the renaissance. Snowboarding, biking, hiking, water skiing, horseback riding, and kayaking is all in my back yard. The city life is all at my front door step. You should probably stay away though, you might like it too much.
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| Ogden has it all - 8/23/2007
My family recently moved back to Ogden after 8 years in the East. We love it here. I am 5 minutes away from the library, gym, shopping, resturants, movies, high-adventure complex, not to mention fantastic mountain trails. Where else can you get all that at your fingertips? As a mother, I am very concerned about crime. Although Ogden crime statics appear higher than I'd like, I have yet to have one problem living here. Futhermore, neighbors here band together to create neighborhood watches and the one time a neighbor saw anything of concern (teenagers wandering the neighborhood during school hours) the police arrived within 2 minutes of her phone call and immediately resolved the issue by contacting the police liason at the local high school. Problem solved! If you're thinking of moving to Utah, check out Ogden. 2008 brings the light rail and with more lanes beingadded to I-15 North, I predict the home prices in Ogden will quickly catch up to the rest of the Salt Lake City area. Buy now!
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| new ogden - 6/17/2007
Ogden sure has a bad reputation. Seemingly undeserved. I don't live there, but I have spent quite a bit of time there lately. Everyone there complains about how dangerous it is, so I started asking them to qualify these feelings. I would just ask if they had any personal problems with crime in Ogden. To a person the answer was no. Then I asked if they knew anyone personally who had been the victim of crime. Again the answer was no. It seems that there is just this perception, possibly exagerated by the media, that Ogden is dangerous. Or it is just that it is a culturally diverse city surrounded by homogenous suburban sprawl. I don't think Ogden is a perfect place, but it is a nice smaller city surrounded by great outdoor activities. The downtown is also undergoing an amazing urban renewal. I agree with some other comments that people should visit before making any major decisions, but my opinion is that Ogden is a nice city with a ton of potential.
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| ogden is horrible - 5/29/2007
ogden has alot of crime. I dont know how it made one of the best places to live . I only live 10 minutes away from there and I try my best to avoid it.
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| Matthew - 5/29/2007
Ogden is an incredible place to live. Where else do you have a downtown 5 minutes from kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing and just 25 minutes from world-class snowskiing or waterskiing? Incredible scenery, wonderful neighborhoods and it's still affordable.
I just read the posting of someone who left Ogden years ago and protrayed it as a crime ridden city. Where has he been the past ten years? That would be like someone who visited Paris in 1945 posting a comment today saying it was a rundown city with crumbling buildings and ruble! Ogden has undergone major revitalization and will not disappoint.
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| Their cup must be half full, Ogden has it all - 3/21/2007
We bought a home on the north east bench of Ogden after hanging around and checking it out. The neighborhood is awesome, I have never had new neighbors come to meet me and bring chocolate before. There is everything an outdoor person could want, golf, skiing, boating, fishing, hiking, you name it. The downtown is being upgraded big time, ski and clothing companies are moving in en masse', and the views and the weather are great. You can go to your favorite chains, big box stores, or patronize small businesses of your choice, all within minutes. Culture? Everything you can handle, plus all the biggest name shows 30 miles away in Salt Lake City. Here's something really encouraging; on the Snowbasin gondolas I have met literally dozens of folks who have also purchased homes in Ogden and gleefully agree that it has the best skiing in America and even new home prices that are too low to believe ("how can they even BUILD them for that?". Not to mention it's a golf paradise, with green fees under $25 at dozens of cool courses up and down the Wasatch. I feel very safe, in fact, I don't know any place I've seen more police cars cruising the neighborhoods. I would be very uncomfortable if I was a criminal here. I think the crime rate is reflective of the number of perps being caught per capita. Go for the mountain benches for the best views and nicest neighborhoods, costs a little more but still a fraction of what you'd pay in a crummy LA or Vegas or Phoenix neighborhood. And they don't have the skiing. Give it up, naysayers!
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| ogden is cool - 2/25/2007
went to school at weber state. love utah mountains, want to move back.
p.s don't go to oklahoma stay in utah..
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| Do your research and visit here before moving... - 2/25/2007
I grew up in Ogden, used to be a pretty good place to live. But that has totally changed! Gangs are taking over the city, shootings and robberies are almost an every day occurance anymore. Wonder why homes are cheap here... let's see... gangs, no average paying jobs unless you commute to Salt Lake - at least an hour drive, more during the "rush hours". It's taken me 4 hours to get home on several occasions. The town is dying, just drive downtown and notice the number of business' that have closed their doors and left town, heck, even the old mall has pulled out and left, the railroad is gone, the defense depot is gone, not sure who will be next, but they're all leaving!!! Don't move here without checking it out first, we're leaving this summer as crime has gotten too bad. Don't leave ANYTHING outside, it will be gone before morning! I hate to see what has happened to this city.
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