Neighborhood Spotlight: Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City is where urban America meets the American West. This thriving metropolitan hub offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, state-of-the-art performance venues, cutting-edge restaurants, and an interesting collection of real estate to fit all tastes and budgets.

Salt Lake City at a glance

Salt Lake City (often abbreviated as SLC) is the capital of Utah and the state’s most populous city with approximately 200,000 residents. The city forms the core of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a population of over 1.2 million. Salt Lake City is the home of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints and is well-known as a tourist destination, boasting many outdoor recreational opportunities, particularly skiing. One characteristic that sets Salt Lake city apart from other western cities is its wide streets, designed to allow an ox-pulled wagon team to turn around. Salt Lake City also has the largest block sizes in the country.

Salt Lake City real estate and neighborhoods

Salt Lake City is divided into many distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character. Some of the most popular neighborhoods in the city include:

• Sugar House — Located in the southeastern section of the city, this older neighborhood has been redeveloped and has small shops at its core.
• The Avenues — This affluent community is outside of the city’s grid system and is comprised of smaller blocks. Here you’ll find multi-million dollar homes with panoramic views, gated communities, and eclectic shops and restaurants.
• Capitol Hill — This neighborhood boasts a diverse array of Victorian and Gothic-style homes as well as access to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
• University/Foothill — For college-town vibes, head to the University/Foothill neighborhood, home of the University of Utah campus.

Many of the homes in Salt Lake City were constructed before World War II, though new homes have been built since the 1970s. There are a wide variety of housing styles to choose from in Salt Lake City, and the median home price is approximately $261,000.

Salt Lake City history

Founded in 1847 by Brigham Young and other pioneer settlers of the Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City began as a place for them to escape religious persecution for their Mormon faith. When the settlers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young immediately designated the building location for the Salt Lake Temple. Construction began in 1853 and took 40 years to complete. It has become the centerpiece of and an icon for the city. The city experienced economic growth during the mining booms and the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. When Utah became a state in 1896, Salt Lake City was named the capital. In 2002, Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics and was one of the few in recent history to make a profit.

Salt Lake City amenities

Salt Lake City has been a popular tourist destination for many years. Outdoor recreation certainly tops the list, and hiking trails are abundant throughout the area. Skiing is also a major draw, and Salt Lake City has often been described as the home of “The Greatest Snow on Earth”. Residents and visitors also enjoy many opportunities for fishing, mountain biking, boating, camping, and golfing.

Arts and culture are also important in Salt Lake City. Visit the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, browse the works of local artists during the Salt Lake City Gallery Stroll, peer into the past at This Is the Place Heritage Park, or take in a concert at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

Your tastebuds will also love Salt Lake City. The population of the city has become increasingly diverse in recent years, and the city’s food scene reflects this. Indulge in delicious Indian cuisine at Bombay House, tuck into some tacos at Red Iguana, sample artisan pizzas at Nomad Eatery, experiment with molecular gastronomy at Table X, or get your sushi fix at Takashi.

Salt Lake City schools

Students in Salt Lake City are served by the Salt Lake City School District. There are currently 23 elementary schools, five middle schools, and three high schools. There is also one alternative high school in the district. Public school students who are part of LDS families are often released from school at certain times of the day to attend religion classes that are held on church-owned properties within walking distance of the school. There are several post-secondary schools in Salt Lake City including the University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College, and Westminster College. There are also satellite campuses for several schools including Utah State University and Brigham Young University.

Explore Salt Lake City today

Are you ready to discover what makes this Utah city such a desirable destination? Then view available properties in Salt Lake City and schedule your private showing today!