10 Things That Make St. George, Utah Locals Judge You ‘Big Time’

On the surface, St. George is all about sunshine, red rocks, and friendly neighbors. But if you’ve spent more than a week here, you’ve probably felt it—that subtle side-eye that makes you wonder, what did I do wrong? Don’t take it personally. Ignore the haters. St. George is part small town, part retirement oasis, part LDS stronghold, and part California escapees. The mix creates its own multi-layered brand of judgment, and here’s where you’re most likely to trip the radar.

The drive-thru soda shops are practically a religion, and yes, there’s a right order. Locals expect “dirty Dr. Pepper” with coconut and lime. A plain Diet Coke? Rookie mistake.

Unlike some of the stores, plenty of gas stations are open, but the cultural undertone is still there. Buying gas or groceries on Sunday feels like breaking an unspoken rule—especially if you bump into your neighbor doing the same thing.

St. George heat is no joke. Show up in all black in July, and locals will know for sure you are a newbie. It's 115 degrees out, that will be viewed as a cry for help.

Pickleball is more than a pastime here; it’s a way of life. If you don’t play, locals may quietly assume you just don’t like fun and are out of shape. Which for me, is sadly true.

You don’t have to be LDS to live in St. George, but locals somehow always know who’s showing up on Sundays and who isn’t. (This is actually a very small percentage, but boy are they loud.)

With Zion, Snow Canyon, and Red Cliffs minutes away, not hiking is basically a crime. Locals won’t say it out loud, but if you’d rather stay home and binge Netflix, they’re silently shaking their heads. You're missing all the beauty!

Yes, the city preaches water conservation. But St. Georgians still love manicured lawns. If yours looks crispy, expect some side-eye from across the cul-de-sac.

There are plenty of coffee shops in town now, but that green cup still carries “outsider trying to change us vibes.” Don’t be surprised if someone notices.

The left lane is for passing here in Southern Utah. We don't take kindly to those out of state plates parking it in the left lane. We already have enough trouble with our own  thinking they can enforce the speed limit by creating a Utah road block.

Locals are pretty proud of what St. George is—and just as proud of what it isn’t. No casinos, no all-night clubs, and definitely no Strip. The city wants you to know: this is not Vegas.

All in all, St. George really is one of the friendliest places you’ll ever land. There are haters no matter where you go, so bypass the negative.  Most neighbors are kind, welcoming, and genuinely happy to help whether you’re moving in or just passing through. The side-eye moments? They’re just background noise. Ignore the uptight Debbie Downers and you’ll find yourself surrounded by sunshine, good people, and a community that mostly just wants to share a plate of cookies and ask how you’re settling in. But watch out for the unsolicited advice or observations, those are a given. We still haven't mastered the "always tell the truth, but you don't have to always be telling it. "