how different wards are outside of Utah. They've made comments like "everyone just hangs out with their family", etc., and given I've never lived in Utah beyond my 4 years at BYU, and I couldn't think of one single person I know who lives in Utah with kids that doesn't have at least one set of parents close by, I thought I'd pose the question to CB.

See the other responses that confirm the stereotype.

Glad your experience has been different. That's why I posed the question (to get multiple perspectives), but one contrary experience doesn't disprove a stereotype.

By the way, I'm not concerned about my kids. I have 4 boys ages 8 through baby, so I have no doubt they'd start playing w/kids in the neighborhood and would be just fine.

I'm more concerned about my wife. She is extremely social and wants to be part of the group, and if it's challenging to make friends (as adults) b/c everyone has family and/or friends from childhood to hang out with, that's a huge factor for her in where we live.

FWIW, Minnesota is the same way. People are friendly as in they smile a lot, but it's very difficult to break in and make friends (outside of the church which is mostly transplants).