7 Undeniable Reasons to Make Park City Your Home

March 13th, 2018 | Park City Community

It was pretty flattering last summer when Park City, Utah, was listed as one of Time magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places.” Chosen for its appeal as a “year-round playground,” Park City has morphed from its beginnings as a silver-mining town into a four-season destination with world-class ski resorts, luxury resort collections, great shopping and dining, and star-studded film and music events including the Sundance Film Festival and the Park City Song Summit.  

We happen to agree with all those reasons and more, which is why we’ve rounded up our very own list of top reasons we think Park City is the place to live, work and play. If you’ve ever considered making Park City your permanent home, read on to find out exactly what we love about our mountain-town paradise.

Park City’s sense of community is infectious

Chances are, most people you meet in Park City are from somewhere else, which creates an immediate bond among the 8,500 full-time residents living in this small town, which was named “the best town in America” by Outside magazine in 2013. Needless to say, it doesn’t take long before you start to recognize folks on your daily dog walk or see your neighbors at the grocery store. 

Not to mention, it’s easy to learn the lay of the land and keep up to date on happenings thanks to several popular and well-established news outlets including KPCW, the local public radio station, and the Park Record, a twice weekly newspaper that dates back to 1880. And thank heavens, because there are more happenings than one person could ever keep up with! From music, movies, theater and art to festivals, clubs, fundraisers, sports groups, churches, schools and more, the options to participate in community activities are endless. Additionally, there are more than 100 local nonprofit organizations with opportunities to join in your choice of social causes. 

Come for winter, stay for summer

Park City boasts nearly 230 days a year of sunshine – well more than the U.S. average of 209 sunny days – and that translates to lots of sunshine year-round. And with elevation ranging from 6,400 feet to 9,900 feet (historic Main Street sits at 7,000 feet), it means low humidity with fluffy powder in the winter and fewer bugs and perfect temperatures in the summer. Some notable stats from the annual BestPlaces Comfort Index for Park City, which ranks at 6.4 overall (10=best):

  • Average summer high (July): 83.5 degrees (U.S. average: 85.8 degrees)
  • Average winter low (January): 13.0 degrees (U.S. average: 21.7 degrees)
  • Average rainfall: 20.8 inches per year (U.S. average: 38.1 inches)
  • Average snowfall: 95.3 inches per year (U.S. average: 27.8 inches)
  • Average precipitation: 98.2 days per year (U.S. average: 106.2 days)
  • Average sunny days: 229 days (U.S. average: 205 days)

Enjoy four seasons of recreation at world-class resorts and more

Speaking of killer weather, that means four seasons of adventure and recreation in and around Park City, which is home to two world-class resorts. This past winter, the skiers-only paradise of Deer Valley Resort was ranked No. 2 in the West by SKI Magazine, while Park City Mountain ranks as the second largest resort in North America, boasting 7,300 skiable acres and 41 lifts. What’s more, at multiple destination resorts are within an hour’s drive of Park City including Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, Sundance and Snowbasin.

These same resorts are bursting with activity in the summer months as well, with lift-served access to miles of maintained trails for hiking and biking. Park City’s own trail system features approximately 400 miles of continuous, non-motorized recreational trail, which is highlighted by county parks, preserved open space and even iconic landmarks like the McPolin Farm. Several lakes, rivers and reservoirs provide opportunity for water sports including boating, rafting and fishing, while the lush Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest offers a sanctuary for camping and backpacking.  

Lastly, with 17-plus golf courses in and around the area, Park City has become a hotbed for links life once ski season ends. World-famous designers have created courses that offer a multitude of challenges, a few confidence boosters, and price points for every pocketbook. Adding his name to the mix is none other than Tiger Woods, who recently announced he’s designing at new 18-hole course as part of the new Marcella Club at the in-progress Mayflower Mountain Resort. 


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Match your property to your lifestyle

Park City offers an outstanding selection of property and housing, featuring a diverse collection of single-family homes, ranch and estate properties, mountain cottages, townhomes and condominiums boasting unmatched craftsmanship and quaint subdivisions. But what really makes housing opportunities stand apart in Park City are the number of amenities now available at private communities and residences designed to give owners luxury, four-season mountain living. From spa, fitness and wellness services, to horses, kids camp, boating, fine dining and more, Park City’s portfolio of exclusive communities have something to fit every lifestyle. Visit our “In the works” page to learn more about new developments in our area, and browse the CMFH team’s collection of featured listings to see what’s currently available. 

Location, location, location

Located just 30 minutes from the new Salt Lake City International Airport, Park City is an easy commute for business travelers or vacationers and second-home owners. And of course, once you’re in or near Park City, most every service, amenity and store you might need is easily accessible. What’s more, Park City’s great public transportation system makes getting around town even more convenient. 

But what we also adore about Park City is its proximity to Utah’s five premier national parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capital Reef and Zion — all within a few hours’ drive time. Renowned mountain-biking and off-roading destination, Moab, is an easy four-hour drive and also offers access to rafting on the Colorado River. Extend your trip a little further and you can be in Colorado at Grand Canyon National Park, or head north a mere fours to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks teem with wildlife including grizzly bears and bison.

Kids benefit from great schools, education and access

The Park City public school system is among the top three in the state, and Park City High School ranks in the top 20 percent nationally. Fun fact: Park City public schools let out at 12:30 p.m. on Fridays so students can hit the slopes or participate in other sports. There also are several alternative education opportunities including the Winter Sports School, a charter high school that operates on a reverse schedule to accommodate winter competition and travel. And the Picabo Street Academy customizes a year-round academic schedule that allows students to pursue their extracurricular passions.

Enjoy lower cost of living, emerging business opportunities

Compared to high-tax states like New York and California, moving to Utah can reduce living costs substantially. According to TaxFoundation.org, Utah ranks tax system ranks 8th overall on its 2023 Climate Index. The state ranks better than average nationally (21st) for state income taxes with a maximum rate of 4.85%. For combined sales tax, Utah is 21st at 7.19%, while property taxes have Utah coming in at 43th with an average of 0.57%. However, the property tax rate in Summit County (Park City) is only 0.39%

As for the business and industry climate in Utah, the Beehive State is booming. The Salt Lake/Provo/Park City triangle has been called “Silicon Slopes” for its cluster of information technology, software development, hardware manufacturing, retail company headquarters and research firms. Several nearby universities — University of Utah, BYU, Utah Valley – help support the area’s bustling growth. 

 

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