A Postcard from St. George, Utah
The red rock mountains almost seem otherworldly, yet their beauty is compelling. Here in St. George, our whole family can find something they love to do. And our vacation home is perfectly sized to include our friends too. Wish that retirement were closer for us!
About St. George, Utah
Red limestone and sand mountains, and peaks as high as 10,000 feet surround this little gem of a town in Southern Utah. Like the center of a hub of four major cities, it remains quiet, peaceful and unbelievably scenic. Add to that 300 days of sunshine, and you can see why population continues to expand in St.George. The largest city in Southern Utah and the county seat, St. George feels small partly because the magnitude and presence of the surrounding mountains and cliffs feels so large.
However what brings people to buy second homes or retire in St. George is the beauty of its setting. This green oasis in the desert with its warm, dry winter climate keeps everyone, visitors and residents, continually happy. Visitors frequently return to purchase a vacation home or golf resort of their own, with an eye to retirement. Why? One reason is that the beautiful setting of sunshine provides year-round golf on a variety of 17 courses.
What makes St. George truly unique is its ability to provide both winter and summer-time activities in the course of the same day. One can snow ski in the morning at Brian Head or Elk Meadows and then in the same afternoon get in a round of golf back at St. George. With the limited amount of rainfall experienced typically in the early spring and late summer, St. George has become a very popular outdoor adventurer's paradise.
Very family friendly, the Chamber of Commerce website has a section "just for kids". There is so much for kids to do, from parks to hiking, and outdoors and nature will never be boring. A great school system and good jobs attracts a significant family population. Yet it's gold lies in the potential for enjoying the golden years of life, and retirement folks are discovering this in increasing numbers.
Local History
St. George has a strong sense of history, tracing back to its first residents in 200 BC. Historic buildings and archeological sites are well preserved and a great source of interest. Evidence of inhabitants from 200 BC can still be seen, as the area was well populated by Indians continuously through the arrival of the first Europeans in 1776. Mormons later settled the area in 1847, particularly focused on agriculture. Because of the warm climate and the agriculture produced, it took on the nickname "Dixie". The first Mormon temple in the west was completed in 1877.
An Average Lifestyle in St. George, Utah
"Healthy lifestyle" seems to sum up life in St. George. Healthy in every way - weather is perfect, people enjoy outdoor activity and the sense of community and family keeps creates good feelings as well. A low crime rate, good health care, and patio lifestyles around the pool make living comfortable here. A sense of having chosen the right place pervades people who live here - you don't wind up in St.George by accident, or because it is a sprawl from another city. It is a chosen place, by its people, for its people.
Housing
Options: A wide choice of single family, townhouses, condos and retirement communities provide great housing. Most housing takes into consideration outdoor living with patios. Also some golf community housing.
Economics
$143,200
The following information is courtesy of the St. George Chamber of Commerce Website:
2003 average costs:
Single family home (2,400 square feet, four bedrooms): $161,467.
Condo or Townhouse (Three bedroom): $114.258.
Building Lot: $65,631.
A very strong market, even in the above $300,000 range, with building lots strong as well.
Things to Do in St. George
Golf at 10 local courses with spectacular views
Rock Climbing
Visit several nearby ghost towns
Hiking
Swimming in the Aquatic Center
Tennis
Visit the Red Rock Mountains
Mountain Biking
Fishing in urban ponds, or Duck Creek or Panguitch Lake
Enjoy over 25 parks
Camping and Hiking in State Parks
Hike, camp or just hang out in red sand dunes at Snow Canyon State Park
Boating and Waterskiing, swimming and scuba diving at Quail Lake
Run the St. George Marathon
Cultural Activities in St. George
Historic St. George Walking Tour
Music at The Tabernacle
Annual Art Festival
Concerts at Dixie State College
Southern Utah Heritage Choir
Southwest Symphony
St. George Musical Theater
Pioneer Center for the Arts, Opera House and Art Museum
Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum
Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum
Johnson Farm Dinosaur Museum
Near-By Excursions
Zion National Park (50 minutes)
Kolob Canyon (25 miles)
Bryce Canyon National Park (2 hours) (Miles of limestone cliffs)
Cedar Breaks National Monument (1 hour) 1,600 year old pines
Anasazi Indian Village State Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Escalanta Petrified Forest State Park
Skiing at Brian Head (hour and half)
Location
Located in Washington County, Southern Utah, about 3 hours from the rim of the Grand Canyon, and six miles from the Arizona State line.
Elevation
2,880; with Pine Valley Mountain peaks over 10,000
Size: 64 sq miles
Distance to other major cities
Distances to Washington County
Salt Lake City 305
Las Vegas 120
Los Angeles 417
Phoenix 267
Mesquite 45
Getting To St. George, Utah
Easily accessible by north/south I15 or east/west I70
Limited flights into St. George Municipal Airport to Salt Lake City and Los Angeles by SkyWest Airlines.
Bus Service
Weather
Desert Climate with over 300 days of sunshine; mild winters and hot summers
Annual Average Temperature: January Low 27, July high 102; Yearly average high is 78; yearly average low is 45
Annual Average Rainfall: About 8 inches.
Demographics
Population: City: 55,000; County: 106,000, over 2 million visitors yearly
Population Projections: St. George Area projected to be 105,000 in 2005 and 150,000 by 2010; the city has about a 5% growth rate.
Median Age, 2000: 31; one third is under 19 years old;
Taxes: State Income Tax of 7%; Sales tax about 6%, and tax considerations for retired people. Second home tax of 1%; primary home ½ %, with a formula that looks like this:
primary residence=assessed x 55% X .011316% value.
Median Household Income: $36,505
Principle Industries: Education, health services; recreation
Higher Education
Dixie State College