I have family in Utah county and I see more backyard horses there than just about anywhere.
Remember that it isn't just SLC itself. More like one giant city from Payson to Brigham city. Not unlike the front range through Colorado.
As populated areas go it is probably pretty good.
The winter weather is all relative. I hear about all their snow and storms, yet their spring comes 4 weeks sooner than Wyoming's plus when it snows the roads are usually bare by afternoon if that long. They salt the roads heavily.
I would say they have a bunch of gun and outdoor shops and are pretty gun friendly.
