2100 s and Highland in sugarhouse are absolutely a disaster right now, and a near disaster even without construction. Any construction on older streets is brutal. At least there are other streets to use. Out west it's one way in and one way out.
Big houses are fine, I for sure wish I had an extra 1000 square feet (my house is like 850). I wish I had a bigger garage and driveway too. But I'd be so bummed if I had to furnish, clean, and maintain a 5k square foot house. And on top, maintain an acre of yard? No thanks. Everyone has their priorities.
Lots of neighborhoods have a good vibe and "culture". My mom's street where I grow up is real tight knit, and full of amazing and supportive/helpful people. No diversity, but a great hood once the riff raff moved away (that's me). I like that just on my street, at least 5 languages are spoken. I have the gaybors that watch our dog, a world renowned classical musician that teaches at the U, a husband/wife from Taiwan that are both doctors, a family from Mexico city that sells me the best tamales (from the cooler in their minivan), a whiskey blogger, a motorcycle mechanic, a handyman, and the guy across the street that just died was literally born in that house, and had lived there 84 years. Oh, and the ice cream truck comes year round. Is that normal for everywhere?
I'd love to live in a smaller mountain town, but as has been mentioned, small towns are a little tougher on kids (in some ways, way awesome in others). Hopefully I'll find a cool spot tonight retire in 40 years when I. I'm too decrepit add value at work any more. Maybe I'll run for president.
