If you are the outdoor type, it may seem that Alaska should be your first port of call when looking for a state where to reside. However, should colder temperatures not take your fancy, the adventurous state of Utah may be just the ticket.
From Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon to the Arches National Park, suffice it to say that Utah has it all. Even the state capital is named after one of the great natural wonders the state is home to; Salt Lake City.
What about Utah as a place to live? There are several highly desirable neighborhoods in Utah, each of which has its unique character and redeeming features.
Whether you’re seeking a home in which to retire or a suburb to raise a family, there are specific requirements that transcend demographics; proximity to commuter routes, crime levels, and health provisions are all to be considered when seeking a new home.
To make your life that little bit easier, we have compiled a list of the 15 best places to live in Utah based on all the criteria that matter to you.
1. Park City
Source: Johnny Adolphson / shutterstockPark City is first on our list of best places to live in Utah. When living in Park City, you’ll have fantastic views of the Wasatch mountains and the town’s ski resort. Park City offers its residents various outdoor activities such as mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking, and several shopping options.
While walking around the town, you’ll be captivated by its breathtaking art galleries and museums. With its perfect weather year-round and low crime, Park City has become a top place to live for families. When living in Park City, you’ll make friendships that last a lifetime.
The unemployment rate in Park City stands at 2.8%, placing it well below the national average. While its cost of living hovers around 86% higher than the national average, you can’t beat the views and safety that Park City offers.
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in Park City are:
- Park City Mountain
- Deer Valley Resort
- Main Street Historic District
- Trove Gallery
- Canyons Village
- Kimball Art Center
- Park City Alpine Slide
- Outlets Park City
- Red Pine Adventures
- Egyptian Theatre
2. Fruit Heights
Source: Ntsimp / WikimediaThe city of Fruit Heights is a beautiful community that is one of the best places to live in Utah. Situated just outside of Salt Lake City, you’ll have breathtaking views of the mountains, a relaxing neighborhood, and plenty of space to enjoy the great outdoors.
While living in Fruit Heights, you’ll quickly discover how much the residents look out for one another and how filled it is with restaurants and coffee shops. Residents living in Fruit Heights love its excellent school system, climate, recreational opportunities, and attractive setting.
The unemployment rate in Fruit Heights sits at 2.5% below the national average. In addition, the cost of living is 31% higher than the national average, but with its loving community and excellent schools, you can pass on this city.
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in Fruit Heights are:
- Lagoon Amusement Park
- Boondocks Food & Fun
- SeaQuest Utah
- Nicholls Park
- East Mountain Wilderness Park
- The Gailey Trail
- Station Park Shopping Mall
3. Greater Avenues
Source: lake.comewithme.usGreater Avenues is a charming neighborhood in Salt Lake City and is considered one of Utah’s best places to live. With a population of around seventeen thousand, residents living here get the luxury of having a suburban feel, with many big city amenities such as bars and restaurants.
Greater Avenues has an excellent school system, is low on crime, and is rated ideal for families looking to move here. Families are well off here, as the average value is at least six figures. You’ll love the Greater Avenues if you are a downtown or suburban-loving person!
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in or near Greater Avenues are:
- Temple Square
- Great Salt Lake
- Ensign Peak Nature Park
- City Greek Center
- Natural History Museum of Utah
4. Summit Park
Source: summitparkutah.netSummit Park is a gorgeous mountain town and one of the best places to live in Utah. This peaceful, breathtaking town gives lovely views of the nearby mountains.
While living in town, residents enjoy many outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, and snowboarding. Around town, you can expect to see wildlife such as deer, elk, and moose. Different from the big city.
Summit Park is also great for families, as it has abundant open spaces, parks, and an excellent school system. The unemployment rate in Summit Park is 2.8%, while the cost of living is 58% higher than the national average. But with what Utah offers, it’s well worth the price!
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in Summit Park are:
- Woodward Park City
- Utah Olympic Park
- Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
- Park City Mountain
- Canyons Village at Park City
- Deer Valley Resort
- Park City Museum
5. East Bench
Source: www.youtube.comEast Bench is a residential neighborhood in Salt Lake City and is one of Utah’s best places to live. Situated at the base of Wasatch Range, East Bench is home to almost seven thousand residents.
The Salt Lake Country Club and the Bonneville Golf Course both fall within the neighborhood, and Hogle Zoo, home to giraffes and tigers, is a great day out for the family.
The cost of real estate in East Bench does vary. This is no bad thing, for there is a home to suit every budget. If you have seven figures to play with, you should head to Ambassador Way, where a 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom grand family home is estimated to cost over a million.
If you have a more humble figure to invest, perhaps a cozy 2-bedroom family home with sun trapped garden would be more appropriate, costing slightly above the national average.
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in East Bench are:
- Hogle Zoo
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- Red Butte Garden
- Liberty Park
- Sugar House Park
6. Snyderville
Source: seekraz.wordpress.comSnyderville is a growing community in the state of Utah and is situated in the Wasatch Mountains. With its gorgeous scenery in the background, you’ll take advantage of various outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and skiing.
This small town has a lot for its size, such as local eateries made with fresh ingredients from their local farms. Even though it’s small, it’s connected to nearby cities, so you’ll always be able to find what you need when you need it.
With no need to worry about overcrowding, Snyderville is the perfect place to live peacefully.
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in Snyderville are:
- Willow Creek Park
- Utah Outdoor Adventures
- Egyptian Theatre
- Park City Ice Arena
- High West Saloon
- Resort Center Ice Skating Rink
7. Kaysville
Source: Tricia Simpson / WikimediaSituated north of Salt Lake City is the city of Kaysville. If you’re a fan of live music, Kaysville is right down your alley. Almost anywhere you go in town has a live music venue with a unique nightlife experience.
Kaysville is known for its attractive setting, nearby recreation, and climate. The unemployment rate in Kaysville is 2.1%, so if you’re moving here for job opportunities, that’s one area you won’t need to worry about.
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in Kaysville are:
- Cherry Hill Water Park
- Kaysville Theatre
- Barnes Park
- Get Air Trampoline Park
- SeaQuest Utah
- Heritage Park
- Layton Commons Park
8. Yalecrest
Source: Ken Lund / FlickrYalecrest is a historical area in Utah, only a few miles from downtown. The neighborhoods of Yalecrest have been highly sought after and have a welcome vibe given by its residents.
As you walk through the neighborhood, you’ll pass by tree-lined streets, warm and loving neighbors, and parks for the community to come together. One of the reasons residents love living in Yalecrest is because of its proximity to Salt Lake City.
If you’re considering moving to Yalecrest, this is one charming neighborhood you’ll adore.
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in Yalecrest are:
- Brighton Resort
- Liberty Park
- Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort
- Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Lagoon Amusement Park
9. Wasatch Hollow
Source: www.slcgov.comJust south of Yalecrest is the neighborhood of Wasatch Hollow. This small suburb is considered the best community to buy property in Salt Lake City.
It is becoming increasingly popular with the millennial generation, who are hunting for their first homes. So not only is demand high, but the value is rising.
Properties in Wasatch Hollow are what make the area so highly sought after. Think classic American tree-lined avenues with white-washed detached homes and kids selling lemonade on the sidewalk; it’s that place. The median home value is above the national average, but the higher-value properties seem to come on the market more frequently.
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in Wasatch Hollow are:
- Heber Valley Historic Railroad
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- Church History Museum
- Jordanelle State Park
- Memory Grove Park
- Cascade Springs
10. North Logan
Source: sevenMaps7 / shutterstockIn Cache County, you find North Logan, a town with around eight thousand residents. North Logan offers its residents breathtaking mountain views and some of the best outdoor activities, such as fishing and camping.
North Logan is known for its attractive setting, nearby recreation, and diverse economy. The unemployment rate in North Logan is 2%, well below the national average. In comparison, the cost of living is around 7% higher than the national average.
This is still great, considering those mountain views you’ll get from home!
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in North Logan are:
- Cache Valley Fun Park
- Elevation Rock Gym
- Zootah
- Utah State University
- Elk Ridge Park
- Logan Canyon
11. Highland
Source: Edgar Zuniga Jr. / FlickrSituated east of Provo is the city of Highland, one of the best places to live in Utah. While living in Highland, you’ll find famous landmarks such as Timpanogos Cave National Monument.
Highland is known for its attractive setting, educated population, and future job growth. The unemployment rate sits at 2.5%, well below the national average. In addition, the cost of living in the Highlands is 57% higher than the national average; however, living in a scenic state such as Utah doesn’t get much better than this.
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in Highland are:
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument
- The Ninja Playground
- Highland Glen Park
- Moyle Park
- Ghost Falls Trailhead
- Farm Country
- Evermore Park
12. Farmington
Source: BrandonEvansPhotographer / shutterstockFarmington is a small city in Utah with around eighteen thousand residents. While living in Farmington, you can enjoy its endless outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, camping, and fishing.
Farmington also has some of the state’s best private and public schools! If you’re looking to move to Farmington for relaxation, Farmington is one of Utah’s best places to live.
Farmington is known for its attractive setting, nearby recreation, and fantastic climate. The unemployment rate in Farmington sits at 2.5%, while its cost of living hovers around 26% higher than the national average.
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in Farmington are:
- Lagoon Amusement Park
- Station Park Shopping Mall
- Cherry Hill Water Park
- Cinemark Farmington Movie Theater
- Forbush Park
- SeaQuest Utah
13. Cedar Hills
Source: www.utahrealtygroup.comTo the west of Highland, we find the quiet and cozy suburb of Cedar Hills. Ten thousand one hundred sixty-five people call this neighborhood home and pride themselves on the small-town feel they created. Although a suburb of Salt Lake City on paper, Cedar Hills is its place.
Cedar Hills is a very family-orientated area of Utah, and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy family time together. The church is at the heart of the community, and faith-based events encourage the community to come together.
Public schools in Cedar Hills are in no short supply; 78 schools to be precise, and this is one of the leading schooling districts in Utah.
Entertaintment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in Cedar Hills are:
- Heritage Park
- Harvey Park
- Discovery Park
- The Grid Go-Kart Track
- Snuck Farm
14. Foothill/Sunnyside
Source: www.weichert.comWith a population of just over a thousand, it will be no surprise that Foothill/Sunnyside is the safest neighborhood in Salt Lake City. Everyone knows everyone by face, if not by name. This area is becoming an evermore popular place for couples to start a family.
Being a suburb of Salt Lake City, no compromises need to be made; access to good schools is sufficient and easy access to the city for work is provided from a base here too. Although the median monthly rent is just under $1,000, buying property requires a more staunch investment for home values above the national average.
There is an excellent range of properties, from 5-bedroom family mansions to quaint 3-bedroom condos.
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in Foothill are:
- Hogle Zoo
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- Red Butte Garden
- City Creek Center
- Liberty Park
- Clark Planetarium
- Utah Olympic Park
15. North Salt Lake
Source: www.nslcity.orgSeeing as Salt Lake City is the center of the universe in Utah; it seems only fitting that we should close off our list of 15 best places to live in Utah with a suburb close to the heart of the action.
North Salt Lake is as pleasant as any other suburbs we have shown you already. Home to eighteen thousand residents, this is a small town all of its own. Median home value is fair, and many properties on the market at any given time offer views of Rotary Park.
North Lake is an area proving to be the go-to place for millennials to buy their first home, so be sure to check back in a few years to see how North Salt Lake fairs higher up the list.
Entertainment & Activities
Some of the best things to do in North Salt Lake are:
- Temple Square
- Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
- Thanksgiving Point
- Eccles Theater
- Utah Museum of Fine Arts
- Delta Center Arena