'Sterile'Mormon city rated paradise to live in
London UK Times 8Nov99 D6
By Damian Whitworth in Salt Lake City

Every two years, the "Places Rated Almanac" looks at more than 350 cities and compares the cost of living, employment levels, transport, health services, crime levels, arts and recreation, and climate. Salt Lake City did not come out on top in any single category, but was in the top half in all categories, except cost of living, thus giving it the top ranking. Washington, D. C., even with all its inner-city problems, was ranked second and Seattle WA third.

The Almanac's findings usually sets of a round of preening from the mayors of winning cities and huffing and puffing from the losers. However, this year when Salt Lake City metro area appeared from nowhere to take the top spot, it set of a additional round of huffing and puffing from some of the flabbergasted in the news media.

A Salt Lake City area author reporting to the London, UK Times called Salt Lake City "Sterile" and wondered why anyone would live there unless they were Mormon. He supported his claims by saying that young people flee the city for the National Parks and noting the exploits of the violent "Straight Edge" street gangs in Salt Lake City.