SLC Life Grid System Most of the streets in Salt Lake City are based on a grid system. This means that most of the streets run north to south, or east to west. The center of the “grid” is Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. The further North you go, the bigger the street numbers get, such as 100 N, 200 N etc… The same is true for all other directions. *Not all streets have numbers. Some only have names, such as Main Street, University Ave. *Some other cities surrounding Salt Lake also have a grid system. When trying to find an address, be sure to check which city it is in. Public Transportation at the U of U Travel Tips Plan your trip using the trip planner on www.rideuta.com or www.maps.google.com Public Transportation has different schedules for weekdays, weekends, and holidays Public Transportation is usually on time, but sometimes it can be late Busses do not automatically stop at every bus stop. Be sure to let the driver know that you want to get off at the next bus stop. Utah Transit Authority (UTA) www.rideuta.com - Use the “UTA Trip Planner” and enter in your current address and your destination address . Enter your starting address and your destination address . Select what time you are traveling 1 . Submit the information and get instructions on how to take public transportation to your destination . Remember to get directions to go back home from your destination - Ride for free with your UCard. Just tap on and off with your UCard on the electronic reader Google Maps www.Maps.google.com - Find a map for any address - Get driving/bus/walking directions - Use google street view (zoom in all the way in google maps and drag the yellow “person” icon onto the street) to see what your destination looks like. Campus Shuttle http://www.uofubus.com/ Text “uofubus (#)” to 41411 (Union=1, Heritage Center=3, President‟s Circle=8) Other Transportation Taxi/Cab - Taxi‟s must be called by phone. Most of the time you cannot flag them from the road Yellow Cab - www.yellowcabutah.com – 801-521-2100 Ute Cab - www.utecabco.com – 801-359-7788 Obtaining a Driver’s License http://driverlicense.utah.gov/ For more detailed information, please ask for the Driver‟s License Brochure at the International Center. Documents needed to get a Utah License: 1. Identity and Legal/Lawful Status Verification: Unexpired foreign passport with visa 2. Social Security Verification (must provide one) Social Security card issued by the U.S. Government that has been signed and has not been laminated; or If the Social Security card is not available, the applicant may present one of the following documents which contain the applicant's name and full SSN: Letter from the Social Security Administration indicating ineligibility to obtain a Social Security number as a result of their legal/lawful presence status. 3. Utah Residency Verification must provide two: o Bank Statement (dated within 60 days); o Current mortgage or rental contract; o Major credit card bill (dated within 60 days); o School transcript (dated within 90 days); get from Registrar‟s Office (SSB 250) o Utility bill (billing date within 60 days), (cell phone bills will not be accepted); o Valid Utah vehicle registration or title; o Other documents acceptable to the Division upon review, except that only one proof of address document printed from the internet will be accepted. 4. AND - Proof of Driving Experience required for first Utah license (not required when obtaining a learner permit, or over the age of 19) Evidence of completion of a course in driver training; or Evidence of a driving privilege issued in another state or country. 2 3 Banking, Cell Phones, Textbooks and Shopping Banking Choosing a bank: There are several options when choosing a bank. Consider location, fees, and ATM convenience! Using the ATM from your bank is free, but other banks will charge a fee. University of Utah Credit Union, Bookstore branch (www.ucreditu.com) o Opening a checking and savings account: checking free with $10 in a savings account o Checking account minimum or monthly fee: None o International wire transfer fee: $25 outgoing, $10 incoming o Branch location on campus and ATM in the Union Wells Fargo Bank, 235 S 1300 E (www.wellsfargo.com) o Opening a checking and savings account: Need $100 to open account but can take out 24 hrs later. Free savings account. o Checking account minimum or monthly fee: $3 per month or free if (1) use credit/debit card enough times, (2) direct deposit $25+ per month OR (3) keep minimum balance $300. o International wire transfer fee: $30 outgoing, $12.50 incoming o Branch location on 1300 E 250 S and ATMs on campus in the Union and Stadium Chase, 376 E 400 S (www.chase.com) o Opening a checking and savings account: Need $25 to open account but can take out 24 hrs later. Savings is free if you keep a minimum of $300 or have an automatic $25 transferred from checking to savings every month. o Checking account minimum or monthly fee: No minimum balance. Chase college checking (17-24 yrs old) has no monthly fee for 5 years. After that, direct deposit keeps it free or $6/month. o International wire transfer fee: $45 outgoing, $15 incoming. o Branch location on 376 E 400 S (Trolley/Library TRAX stop) and ATM in Union. There is NO Bank of America in Salt Lake City Opening your account: Bring your passport and I-20 to the bank where you choose to open your account. Speak with a bank representative about your options! You can open a checking account and/or a savings account. Savings accounts bear interest but require a larger initial deposit. Checking accounts are the most popular among students. Request a free checking card from the bank, and get a list of ATM locations. Review online banking with a bank representative. *Do NOT put a university office as your mailing address! Make sure to always update your current mailing address and choose to receive mail electronically (by email) if possible. Cell Phones Plans: You can choose a two-year contract, monthly or a pre-paid plan. The two-year contract will likely include a free cell phone, but there are fees for leaving the plan early. A pre-paid or monthly plan is slightly more expensive per month, but there is no extended contract. You may 4 also consider sharing a family plan with classmates. Make sure you agree on how many minutes you need and who will pay if you go over your limit. *Do NOT put a university office as your mailing address! Make sure to always update your current mailing address and choose to receive mail electronically (by email) if possible. Carriers: Sprint, AT&T, Team Mobile and Verizon are the most popular service companies. Estimate the minutes and text messages you will use each month, then visit www.letstalk.com to see plans that fit your needs. Compare „Individual Plan‟ prices, then visit the store location and speak with an employee about what you need. Team Mobile: 613 E 400 S. F1 visa students can be approved for three lines with no deposit. Monthly plans with no contract. AT&T: 675 East 500 South Sprint: 665 East 400 South Verizon: 639 East 400 South *All providers also have stores in the Gateway Mall. Textbooks Places to get your textbooks include: - The University Bookstore (can buy or rent) - Online sites: www.cheapesttextbooks.com, www.amazon.com, and www.half.com. - Marriott Library: Go to the „reserve desk‟ and ask if your book is on reserve. - From other students, especially off of email lists like ISC (International Student Council) *Renting and buying online are the cheapest options. Use the ISBN # to find the correct textbooks online. Shopping Taxes and Tips: Sales taxes are in the range of 5.95% - 8.35%. When dining in a restaurant, a 15%-20% tip is appropriate for good service. On the bill there will be a line to include the tip. Food: Smith‟s - www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/ 455 South 500 East, (801) 328-6000 o Trax to Trolley station 876 E 800 S, Salt Lake City, Utah (801) 355-2801 o o Bus 9 to 900 S @ 901 E stop Specialty Food Markets Southeast Market (Asian) o 433 E 900 S o Bus 9 to 900 S @ 451 E stop 5 Halal Market o 2850 South Redwood Road o Green Line TRAX to Redwood Junction stop Sprouts Farmers Market (Organic) o 656 East 200 South o Bus 220 to 100 S @ 705 E stop or Bus 2 to 200 S @ 667 E stop General Target – www.target.com - 1110 S 300 W, (801) 401-9562 - near UTA Trax Ballpark Station or Bus 9 Wal-Mart – www.walmart.com/ - 350 Hope Avenue, (801) 484-7311 - Open 24 hours - near UTA Trax Ballpark Station Shopping Malls and Centers City Creek Center - Higher end shopping, restaurants (closed Sundays) - 100 S Main St - Trax to City Center stop Gateway - Shopping, restaurants, movie theater, planetarium - 110 S. 400 W - Trax to ARENA or Planetarium stop Trolley Square - Shopping Center, Whole Foods Market (Organic Grocery Store) - 500 S 700 E - TRAX to TROLLEY stop Brickyard Plaza - Discount Shopping – Ross, TJ Maxx - 3200 S. 1300 E. - Bus 220 Neighborhood Shopping Areas Sugar House - Shopping, dollar movie theater, restaurants, park, coffee shops - 2100 S. 1100 E. - Bus 220 to 2090 S. 1300 E. 9th and 9th - Shopping, restaurants - 900 S.