The main difference between Cedar City and St. George is about 50 miles and 3000 feet. It gets cold and snows in Cedar, and seldom snows in SG. You can look at the pretty snow on the surrounding peaks and hills, but you don't have to drive in or shovel that white schidt. OTOH, summers are hotter in SG, but you can deal with that by getting up early and getting out and doing stuff before it heats up. Cools down a lot overnight, and early mornings are beautiful. Cedar City gets windy, which bothers some people.
The Mormon influence is very real, but it's what you make of it. The LDS church and its members dominate all facets of life, social, political and economic. For the most part it's benign, just an overwhelming presence. We've never felt mistreated or discriminated against, at worst just ignored by most of our Mormon neighbors, but are good friends with a few. I wouldn't say they are unfriendly, but with their church such a big part of their lives, and large families, a job if they aren't retired, they just don't have room in their lives for new friends. They tend to socialize among themselves, and I've heard, but can't verify, that the church discourages close friendships with non-Mormons. Having children adds another element, and I would give careful thought to moving if I had school age children. Again, nothing first hand, but I've heard lots of stories about non-Mormon kids having a tough time in school and socially. The LDS church just completed a temple in Cedar City, which in that church is a big deal and an indicator of the LDS presence and influence in an area.
Cedar City (Iron County) has an unsupervised range outside of town that goes out to 1000 yards. Concrete pad, uncovered, and a few benches. St. George has a few ranges, but all specialized except one county range which is very nice, supervised by NRA RSOs, 24 benches and covered. 200 yards max.
www.redcliffsrange.com. Of course some folks shoot in the desert.
Anyhow, JMO, after six years in SG. Not utopia, but we like it. Lots of California transplants, but the ones I know are conservatives who were glad to escape. Their real estate equity and pensions allow them to live very well here. You can buy a nice house for $300K or so, but prices are going up.
The "big city" is Las Vegas, about a two hour drive down I-15 from SG. I've never been to SLC, likely won't go unless the VA sends me. There is a VA medical CBOC in SG. Mesquite, NV, is about 45 miles from SG, casinos with buffets and a big discount liquor store. Parking lot always full of Utah plates
Paul
