What to know before shopping for a house for sale in Salt Lake City

Vibes can make or break your decision to live in any given area. What is it like living in Salt Lake City?

When looking for your dream home, you’re not just looking for the house. You’re choosing a lifestyle based on the area. While that fully landscaped yard and Craftsman porch you’ve been dreaming of are important, so is the rhythm of daily life in your new neighborhood. You don’t want to be housebound because you hate the location. 

How will you spend your weekends? How long will your commute be? What is the community like? Culture plays a massive role in whether or not your new city feels like home. From mountain adventures to downtown art districts, Salt Lake City has a unique culture.

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Weather and the outdoors

Bust out the leaf blower. And the snow blower. And the allergy meds. And the sunscreen. Best to be prepared for four distinct seasons if you’ll be living in Salt Lake City. 

Spring

In spring, Salt Lake’s wettest season, April showers generally do bring May flowers. And most people find the season quite pleasant (even with seasonal allergies). Foothills are green. Trees are bursting with blossoms. Tulips are everywhere. There are also popular events such as KaBLOOM! at Red Butte Garden to showcase the season. 

Who cares about seasonal sneezing when the blossoms at the state capitol are this gorgeous?

Summer

Summers are hot and dry, except for a few big monsoons in July and August. Your neighbors (or you!) may have a swimming pool to beat the heat. Families frequent the nearby Hogle Zoo for summer fun with the polar bears and elephants, and to cool off at the zoo’s Lighthouse Point Splash Zone. 

Fall

Fall in Salt Lake City is simply dreamy. Temps cool off in September and October, and neighborhoods and mountains explode with yellows, oranges and reds. Residents take hikes or drives up the nearby Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood and Millcreek Canyons, which all put on a spectacular fall show. 

Winter

Living in Salt Lake City winters really shows you what Utah’s slogan “The Greatest Snow on Earth” is all about. You may get snowed in while living on a steep street in The Avenues or on the East Bench. You’re super close to several ski resorts in both Cottonwood Canyons. Before you know it, you’ll be calling yourself a powderhound!

The snowy mountains often call out to residents, "Come shred some powder!"

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Commutes and accessibility

The grid system makes living in Salt Lake City pretty easy to navigate. Addresses are based on their distance to Temple Square in downtown, which means once you learn the system, it’s easy peasy to find your way anywhere.

Whether you’re living near City Creek Center in downtown or close to the University of Utah campus, a car isn’t always needed. Utah’s TRAX light rail system and Utah Transit Authority’s bus routes can quickly get you across town, through neighborhoods or out to the airport and back. 

Salt Lake City International Airport is just a few minutes from downtown.

Rather drive or live farther away? That’s fine. The city is perfectly drivable with I-15 and I-80 a hop, skip and a roundabout away.

Want a house within a certain distance from your work? Look at homes for sale in Salt Lake City to find an area that works for you.

Food and drink

Salt Lake City’s food scene goes beyond delicious dirty soda shops worthy of reality TV (looking at you, Swig) and our state’s famous obsession with fry sauce. Salt Lake City embraces the art of creation when it comes to food and drink. 

Locally owned coffee shops are on practically every corner, ensuring your morning rituals always start off with a buzz. There is a diverse range of eateries, from sushi to Indian food, and you’ll often hear of local favorites such as the Red Rock Burger from Red Rock Brewery to the lemon pancakes from Lazy Day Cafe. 

Are you a foodie that needs good eats nearby? Find houses for sale in Salt Lake City near the best coffee shops and restaurants.

Sports community

Let’s see how old you are. Does the phrase “The Mailman” mean anything to you? The Utah Jazz has always been an integral part of living in Salt Lake City, and you’re sure to see neighbors cheering home games at the Delta Center. 

Outdoor sports are also woven into daily life while living in Salt Lake City. You’d be the first if you never encountered a coworker talking about their long weekend snowboarding at Brighton Resort or backcountry skiing in Millcreek Canyon. It’s practically in Salt Lake’s DNA. 

Bonneville Shoreline trailheads, signaling their mark along the ancient Lake Bonneville, are usually less than a 20-minute drive away and dot the whole north and east side of the city. If you live near the Utah State Capitol, Greater Avenues or the U of U campus, trailheads are practically in your backyard. No wonder hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers love the area! 

People lounge in the foothills like they're in their actual backyards. Same, same.

Ready to look for houses for sale in Salt Lake City, Utah near trailheads? Explore the map feature on KSL Homes.

Cultural norms and friendliness

“Hey neighbor! Anything I can help you with?” 

A big reason living in Salt Lake City is so popular is because it’s quite friendly. Kids or no kids, or just fur babies, you’re bound to fit in somewhere. Kiddos can play at one of the many playgrounds. Families small and large can mingle with the community at popular gatherings such as farmers markets or pet adoption events at local shelters.

Salt Lake is a college town where young adults can often find likeminded people who will also go on late night Beto’s runs after class. But one thing is for certain — kid, college or middle aged, you won’t be surprised to see people you know getting riled up over U of U football games. 

University of Utah is in the middle of it all. Perfect for students!

While Salt Lake has deeply religious roots from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the city embraces a diverse group of people from all walks of life. Overall, it’s an eclectic place to live full of people who want to learn from each other.

Browse houses for sale in Salt Lake City and get ready to meet some charming neighbors in charming homes near the foothills.

Arts and entertainment

While the Wasatch Mountains often steal the show, Salt Lake City has a thriving arts and entertainment scene, which makes living in Salt Lake City perfect for artsy fartsy folk. 

The Eccles Theater hosts Broadway musicals, comedy shows and concerts. You’ll get to see classics such as The Nutcracker performed by Ballet West. Attending Utah Symphony performances at Abravanel Hall is a classic date night for locals. The Red Butte Garden hosts an outdoor concert series, where locals love to listen and lounge on picnic blankets.

The city hosts the Utah Arts Festival in downtown, where you can support local artists in your neighborhood. The Salt Lake Film society is a champion of independent filmmaking. The 9th & 9th neighborhood has its Street Festival dedicated to celebrating local artists and food. 

Feeling inspired? Find homes for sale in Salt Lake City near downtown theaters or in artsy suburbs.

KSL will help you find the right place

The best way to get the exact lifestyle you want is to first find a neighborhood that suits your needs. Explore areas ahead of time by browsing houses for sale in Salt Lake City, Utah, on KSL Homes. Read more articles to learn more about living in Salt Lake City.