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by Cindy Schwalb, kiplinger.com
PRISTINE SOFTWARE MECCA
Population: 474,351
Population Growth Since 2000: 20.6%
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 32%
Cost-of-Living Index: 97.7 (100 being national average)
Median Household Income: $50,583
Income Growth Since 2000: 12.2%
Driving along the stretch of I-15 between Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah, you can’t help but wonder if locals take the scenery for granted. The snow-capped Wasatch Mountains rise more than seven thousand feet above a string of neat and orderly communities.
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Take Our Walking Tour Through Provo | ||
The Provo area has grown into the country’s second-largest software center, featuring top employers Novell, Micron Technology and Omniture. The vibrant business scene is stoked by workers—among them recent graduates of Brigham Young University’s nationally ranked business school—attracted to the low cost of living and year-round outdoor lifestyle.
Residents can hit the slopes or hiking trails, or cast a fishing line within 30 minutes of stepping out their front door. Or they can wonder at the miles of snow-capped Wasatch Mountains.
Nearly all of Provo’s homes boast a mountain view, and family-friendly neighborhoods are safe environments in which to raise kids. Veteran real estate agent Brent DeMille says: "Of all the people I’ve placed, only one couple told me they were unhappy. They wanted more nightlife."
The promise of high-speed rail (due in Provo in 2012) will make Salt Lake City nightlife a quick ride away. Also, much of the development in the area is in towns such as Draper and Lehi, suburbs near Salt Lake County’s border. So those places will have the advantages of affordable housing, quick access to both Provo and Salt Lake City, and, of course, the area’s spectacular outdoor living.
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POSTED BY: LeftProvoforGood (June 19, 2008 08:59 PM)
Provo is a great town if you are Mormon and have a family. Otherwise, there isn't a whole lot going on. Even though there are roughly 50,000 students between BYU and UVU, its not your typical college town. There is barely a music scene and not a lot of nightlife. Well, no night life. Families drive huge Suburbans, there are no decent grocery stores with organic food, and the schools are scraping by. No one wants to pay taxes, even for their big families to go to decent schools...No diversity to speak of and greater and greater tension between the growing hispanic population...I finally got out this past year and plan on never returning.
POSTED BY: Nephi (July 05, 2008 03:38 AM)
Provo is a truly great and wonderful place to live. It is clean, wholesome, and holds strong family values, but only for those who are members in good standing with the Mormon Church. If you are not a Mormon or do not intend to become a Mormon, then Provo's not the place for you.
POSTED BY: Judy (July 31, 2008 05:04 PM)
I lived in Provo for 5 years and loved it. The University adds so much culture to the community and offers lots of fun affordable things to do on the weekends. The outdoor recreation available close by is also a huge perk. I took advantage of the hiking, fishing, running/bike trails, camping, etc on a reegular basis.
POSTED BY: gbristow (September 18, 2008 03:10 AM)
...Provo is a nice place and i liked it very much.Is it true Provo is a second largest software center?
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Gary Bristow
POSTED BY: jenny (September 18, 2008 02:52 PM)
Provo is a wonderful place if you have good values. Those who like to smoke, drink, party and be loud will not like it. Those who like peace, quiet, nature and conservative values will find it is probably the best place in the country.
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