If you enjoy hiking in beautiful scenery, are looking for temperate weather, and wouldn’t mind being a short drive away from infamous National Parks, you might want to consider moving to St. George. Between the affordability, pleasant weather, and great outdoor activities, St. George has become one of the fastest growing cities in Utah. This Southern Utah city has been drawing in retirees looking to get out of the cold as well as young professionals who love its outdoor adventures and the proximity to major cities in Nevada and Arizona. When moving to somewhere as up-and-coming as St. George, it can be hard to know exactly where to start. Don’t worry, because this guide covers the top reasons people move to Southern Utah’s booming city of St. George.

Utah is well known for being a safe state, fitting along with state statistics the crime rate in St. George is also much lower than the national average. The national rate of incidents for crime in the United States is an index of 280.5 according to information published by City Data. If you take the same information for the city of St. George, then the index is just 170.9. Theft is the primary issue in the city, with 2016 figures reporting 995 incidents. There were also 120 automobile thefts and 350 burglaries. There were no murders reported in the community either, although there were five arson attempts. It is one of the safest areas in Utah and the rest of the country to live.

St. George offers fantastic education opportunities with some of the best schools in the state. This Southern Utah region offers families access to twelve elementary schools, five middle schools, another five high schools, and three accredited colleges. Since its opening in 2008, Desert Hills High School has ranked as one of the top-10 best in the state. There are about 1,500 students enrolled at each education facility to create a teacher-student ratio of 21:1 in the city. The average ACT scores are all above 21 as well.

The cost of living in St. George is fairly lower than the rest of the country. Along with affordable housing expenses in St. George, you’ll also find that the remainder of your costs are exceptionally low when you start living here. The cost of living index for the city is 88.3 compared to the 100.0 average for the United States. That makes it one of the cheapest places to live in the entire United States. There are a variety of adventures and entertainment within city limits or a short drive away helping you save on costly trips as well. 

There are endless outdoor exploration opportunities to enjoy in Southern Utah. If you are concerned about the lack of entertainment options in St. George, then take a look outside and you’ll see plenty of places to explore. You can visit state parks like Snow Canyon or Sand Hollow. The Red Cliffs Recreation Area is a popular place throughout the year. There is also the Red Hills Desert Garden, St. George Children’s Museum, or the LDS temple that continues to serve as a place of worship. The temple in St. George is the third-oldest in the world for the Mormon faith, and it is the oldest continually operating one in the world. You are also less than four hours from several national parks, including Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and Capitol Reef.

St. George temperatures are typically warmer than the rest of Utah. With the city’s location in the outer reaches of the Mojave Desert, you will discover that the weather is significantly warmer here than in most other cities in the state. The monthly average in December is around 42°F, while the summer brings an average that tops 87°F. There are an average of 60 days each year where the high temperature for the day exceeds 100°F. Freezing does happen because of radiational cooling too. The record high for St. George is 118°F, while the record low is -11°F, which is one of the more significant extremes in the United States.

St. George is known as a relatively friendly community. Because of the warmer weather and its proximity to Nevada, it is turning into a retirement community with an easygoing attitude. There are always some exceptions to this advantage, but for the most part residents of St. George are accustomed to Utah’s friendly nature. Most people find the place to be warm and hospitable, allowing you to make some new friends right away. If you make the effort to get to know people while living here, then you’ll find more friends than people who want to snub their nose at you. Almost 90% of the recent growth in the city is from individuals migrating to the area versus homegrown residents. 

You can pursue an undergraduate degree in St. George. Dixie State University is one of the greatest assets that you can take advantage of when you start living in St. George. There are almost 150 degree and certificate programs available at the institution. Because there are less than 200,000 people living in the entire region, you’ll find that the class sizes are rather small. There are also numerous extracurricular experiences that will help you to make the most of your learning experience.

Nothing beats the alluring landscape of southern Utah’s national parks, local pristine reservoirs and the freshly coated snow capped mountains during winter. Choose from a variety of amenities that take advantage of the state's beautiful scenery, including playgrounds, parks, trailheads, golf courses and much more. Once you live here, it might just be the only time you’ll want to step foot in another state. If you’re looking for a new home in St. George, check out our map of communities in the area or stop by our Design Studio to see, feel, and experience the Visionary Homes difference.