Utah is the fastest-growing state in the nation for a reason. Between the thriving job market, the legendary snow, the five national parks, and family-friendly atmosphere, there is something for everyone in Utah.
Over the past decade, Utah grew 18.4%. The higher-than-average birth rate in Utah partially impacts the growth rate. Utahns tend to have large families. But in addition to the high birth rate, more people are relocating to Utah than ever. Full-service movers keep busy with the steady stream of families moving to the Beehive state.
You can’t go wrong if you’re considering jumping on the bandwagon and calling Utah your new home. Utah is notorious for its gorgeous outdoor landscapes, quality of life, and healthy economy. Keep reading to learn nine things to love about Utah.
1. Excellent Job Market
Utah has a very healthy economy and continues to outrank much of the nation by adding sustainable jobs and maintaining a relatively low unemployment rate. Utah is one of the most accessible states to find a job because of its diversified job market, ranking its economy number one in the nation, according to the U.S. News Best States Rankings Index.
Whether you’re fresh out of college and ready to start your career or a seasoned executive looking to relocate or make a career change, Utah has plenty of opportunities. Graduates from prestigious local universities, including Brigham Young University, University of Utah, Utah State University, Snow College, and Westminster University often find their first jobs within the state.
Utah’s biggest job markets include aerospace, energy, financial services, life sciences, outdoor recreation, and the biggest one of all, technology. Utah has emerged as a leader in tech jobs in recent years. A large portion of the Wasatch Front resides within what is called “Silicon Slopes” due to the saturation with tech companies. This Utah area is also called the “tech boom.” It spans from Ogden in the north to Provo in the south and Salt Lake City in the middle, with the core of it in Lehi, where you’ll find Adobe, Podium, Oracle, Domo, and Micron. In 2021, Utah’s tech industry accounted for about 11.5% of the state’s economy, about $20.1 billion. This is why Utah ranks ninth in the nation for tech jobs.
Forbes even named Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City, the number one U.S. city “Poised to Become Tomorrow’s Tech Mecca.”
2. Major International Airport
The first two phases are complete with a significant expansion of the Salt Lake International Airport, with phase three underway and completion expected in the fall of 2024.
The new airport design accommodates 34 million passengers with departing flights from two linear concourses. In addition, the airport has a beautiful aesthetic inspired by the Utah canyons and famous landscapes, including “The Mighty Five” national parks.
Ten major airports and their sister airlines serve the Salt Lake airport, including Southwest, United, Skywest, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier, Delta Airlines, American, Alaska Airlines, and Aeromexico. With these major airlines, it’s easy to get anywhere.
Delta Airlines even has a central hub at the Salt Lake airport and offers a handful of direct international flights from Salt Lake to Toronto, London, Paris, and Amsterdam. If having a major airport close to your home is essential to you, check that off the list.
3. Four Beautiful Seasons
Many locals love that you get a taste of every season in Utah without any of them being too extreme or too long. Utah is a vacation destination during any time of the year if you love outdoor activities. The beehive state has endless beauty and recreational activities due to the unmatched terrain and topography. Utah is the perfect place to spend your summer…or winter…or fall…even spring.
4. Proximity to Popular Attractions
A three-hour drive to Vegas. An 11-hour drive to beautiful California beaches. And proximity to five of the best national parks in the country. The “Mighty Five” parks, Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park, contain pristine views, world-class hiking, climbing, and serene landscapes.
5. Greatest Skiing on Earth
Are you an avid skier who is always on the hunt for the best fresh, powdery snow? Utah has some of the best ski resorts in the world. Utah mountains get an average of 500 inches of snowfall per year with a lengthy ski season that spans from November to April. Some of them include:
- Park City Mountain Resort
- Snowbird
- Powder Mountain
- Deer Valley Resort
- Alta
- Solitude Mountain Resort
- Brighton Resort
- Sundance Mountain Resort
- Snowbasin
6. Sundance Film Festival
Many film fanatics look forward to the annual Sundance Film Festival every January. It honors storytellers in the following cinematic genres:
- Short films
- New Frontier
- Dramatic and documentaries
- Series and episodic content
You may even run into a famous face while you’re at the Sundance Festival, and many of them attend.
7. Live Music
Salt Lake is a great place to be if you love concerts and music festivals. Salt Lake has a vast music scene, with its concert venues hosting thousands of big-name touring artists and bands yearly. Many incredible musicians have ties to Utah, including The Killers, Donny and Marie Osmond, Panic! At The Disco, Imagine Dragons, Neon Trees, and Post Malone.
8. Foodie Scene
Since Utah is such a family-oriented state, many family restaurants, franchises, local food joints, and treat stops exist. They’ve even got Soda restaurants all over the state where you can order a fancy soda concoction. There is always a restaurant, drink stop, or ice cream shop to satisfy your cravings. If you do come to Utah, make it a point to try these local staples:
- Green Jello
- Fry Sauce
- Deep-fried scones covered in honey butter
- Bear Lake Raspberries
- Funeral Potatoes
9. Great For Families
Utah is a great place to raise a family. If you have children, you will not be in the minority. There are endless activities for kids in Utah. You won’t find a better Children’s Museum than The Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point. Thanksgiving Point is a beautiful indoor and outdoor farm, garden, and museum in Lehi, Utah. It has the children’s museum, Ashton Gardens, Butterfly Biosphere, Farm Country, and Museum of Ancient Life.
You can also get a bite to eat at one of the dining options, grab an ice cream, host an event in one of their event spaces, or purchase a souvenir at one of the gift shops. Thanksgiving Point is excellent for families and is a one-stop shop for a Saturday outing.
As a moving company in Utah, we may be biased, but Utah has every element of an ideal place to plant roots. Whether you’re a recent college grad, an executive looking to relocate, or a family searching for the perfect place to call home, consider making the Beehive state your new home.
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Utah is a fast-growing state with a strong job market, world-class ski resorts, five national parks, and a family-friendly atmosphere. It’s a great place to live with breathtaking outdoor landscapes and a healthy economy. Take a look at the infographic below to explore the nine things to love about Utah.
