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Top 10 Reasons to Live in Utah County

Top 10 Reasons to Live in Utah County

January 31, 2022

Utah is emerging as an attractive state thanks to the great outdoor recreation, beautiful scenery, low housing cost, low cost of living, low crime rate, and much more. Sitting along the base of the Wasatch Front, Utah county boasts incredible views, a strong economy, friendly neighbors, and a variety of great schools! If you and your family are looking for the perfect balance of nature and a booming metropolitan or perhaps even a rural farmstead, Utah County has something for you. If you are looking to relocate to Utah or within Utah, we have compiled a list of the top 10 reasons to live in Utah County to help make your decision easier! 

1. Nature

Most of the state area is covered with mountains and it opens a diversity of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. Breathtaking scenery, beautiful rivers, lakes with crystal clear water, and crisp air contribute to great activities such as cycling, hiking, climbing, scuba diving, backpacking, horseback riding, and skiing. If nature and adventure days are on your mind, then there’s no better place to live than Utah County! 


2. Outdoor Recreation

There are so many things to do in Utah County from hiking, cycling, mountain biking, going to the lake, hunting, fishing; anything you want to do outside is available here. There is a great trail system and unlimited trails so you can feel far away from the city, even if you’re only 5 minutes up the canyon. Two of Utah’s top view hikes are right in your own backyard on Mount Timpanogos, set off on Timpooneke Trail or the Mount Timpanogos Trail for spectacular views. 


3. Public Transportation

(Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) One of UTA's Utah Valley Express (UVX) buses makes a stop in Orem, Tuesday Sept. 25, 2018.

Getting around Utah County is incredibly simple with it’s public transportation infrastructure. The public transportation is not like you’d find in NYC, but the communities are putting resources into improving it each year. RideUTA.com is the website for the Utah Transit Authority and will detail the public transit options from Provo to Salt Lake. You can easily get around the entire valley without a car by utilizing public transportation. You’ll have the bus and rail system in Provo that connects to the FrontRunner leading up into Salt Lake and then the TRAX system, which will take you all over downtown. There are also bicycle lanes and paths that go throughout the county and connect you from Provo up into Salt Lake and even further north. This ever-growing system will provide residents with improved transportation options for years to come. 


4. Close to Major Metros

While tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Salt Lake City, Utah County is still in close proximity to all the major metro areas. If you live in the north part of the county, downtown Salt Lake is only about 40 minutes away. Anything you need is within driving distance of fewer than 40-45 minutes, so you don’t feel like you have to make a day trip out of going up into Salt Lake. The airport is also only about 35 minutes' drive from North Utah County. Although the distance may look far on a map, you are just a quick drive from the major metros. 


5. Economic Growth - Silicon Slopes

Utah can be a great place to look for a new job or to start your own business. The unemployment rate is very low, about 2.9%. Moreover, there has been a big increase in the number of high-technology jobs available each year. Most people have heard of Silicon Valley, but have you heard of it’s little brother the Silicon Slopes? Silicon Slopes is the hub and heartbeat of the tech community here in Utah. While the name “Silicon Slopes” is an actual non-profit organization, the idea of the Silicon Slopes refers to the vast amount of entrepreneurs, startups, and tech-related jobs available in Utah. If you are interested in being around other entrepreneurs and tech startups, or looking for job fairs, tech events and opportunities to get your foot in the door, North Utah County is the place to be.


6. Cost of Living

One of the main draws of Utah state, aside from it’s outdoor lifestyle, is a lower cost of living. It is one of the most affordable states in the US that guarantees a high standard of living to everyone. By pairing comparatively low prices with a medium-high income, most people living in Utah County can access big city amenities but for half of their price. It is natural that the homes closer to the Salt Lake City metropolitan area become more expensive than southern Utah County, but still, utilities, groceries, and rental prices are typically lower than other states in the country.


7. Top Rated Education

Mountainville Academy in Alpine, Utah

Utah can be proud of schools located there, as they attract thousands of students to this state. Home to some of the highest ranked public, private and charter schools grades kindergarten through high school, your children are guaranteed to get a quality and memorable education. You can also find many decent higher-learning institutions just outside of Utah County and some within, but it's impossible not to mention Salt Lake Community College (the second best community college in the country), Westminster University (22nd place in the national rating), and two more institutions from top 50 of the best national ones - Brigham Young University and University of Utah.


8. Low Crime Rate + Safety

One of the best things about living in Utah County is the low crime rate. Utah consistently ranks in the bottom of the US States in terms of the crime rate. With most of the crime coming from larger metropolitan areas, the crime rate is even lower when you get into the suburbs towards North Utah County. These are mainly property crimes, while violent crimes are 36% lower than on average around the country. However, the biggest part of smaller cities and towns in Utah can boast 80% lower crime rate than the average one around the state and it is a decent proof of the high level of safety there. One more fact that speaks louder than words is a strong religious background that minimizes the possibility of becoming a victim of any crime. In 2016, Utah was ranked the 9th safest state in the US too. 


9. Family Centric Neighborhoods

Once you’ve decided that moving to Utah County is the right move for you, it’s time to narrow down your options and decide where you want to live. This area spans many beautiful cities featuring a choice of wonderful neighborhoods, each with something different to offer. We build many of our communities in and around the Utah County area. Visit our communities page to see where and to find out more or schedule a visit to come see our model homes!


10. Let Visionary Lead the Way

If you’re looking for an affordable, laid-back lifestyle close to major cities in the Wasatch Front, Utah County is a dream come true. Residents love the space, friendly neighbors, beautiful scenery, and strong economy — all of which contribute to Utah County’s rapid growth. When you’re ready to start relocating to Utah County, consider stopping into a Visionary Homes Design Studio or Model Home to explore the possibilities of your new home. Give us a call at 435-228-4702 to get started!