Love at first sight For many Park City residents, that’s how they remember their first visit here. They came for a skiing vacation or the Sundance Film Festival or a relaxing summer get-away and then found they couldn’t stop thinking about this little corner of the world when they returned home. In what seemed like no time, they had made a promise to themselves and their families that they would have a home in Park City someday. And then someday came. It’s more than just the beauty of the mountains, or the world-class recreational opportunities, or the nationally recognized school system. It’s the whole package. Park City offers a quality of life that inspires ardent love for this little town among its people and we would like to have you join us.

Park City welcomes new residents with open arms and makes it easy for them to find or create their own personal niche. The first thing on everyone’s list is outdoor recreation. This is usually the initial way newcomers meet people and form a close circle of friends. Park City offers such a wide variety of enjoyable things to do that it’s hard to decide how to spend your free time. In addition to skiing at any of the three world-class resorts, (Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons), on any given day you can play hockey or speed skate at the local indoor ice arena, cross-country ski on some of the best groomed trails in the world, or snowshoe into areas of pristine beauty and silence. And that’s just in the winter. Some folks think this area is even better in the summer with its miles of trails for biking, hiking, or horseback riding, magnificent golf courses, or water sports on the Jordanelle Reservoir. Only the number of organizations that promote them matches the number of recreational options.

If we could just play every day the decision to move to Park City would be all too easy. But, what about a job? Tyler Richardson, President of the Park City Board of REALTORS®, points out that the job market in Park City is becoming more and more extensive every year and that one of the major metropolitan centers of the western half of the U.S., Salt Lake City, is just 30 minutes away. For a list of the major employers and current job openings in Utah, go to Utah’s Department of Workforce Services website, www.jobs.utah.gov. On this list of concerns, right after finding a job is finding a home. Richardson also attests that finding your perfect home in this area has never been easier. While 2008 home prices here have not fallen anywhere near the national average, they are still a bargain when compared to other Rocky Mountain ski towns. The variety of neighborhoods and price-points in Park City covers virtually everyone’s needs. A quick call to a local REALTOR® or browsing REALTOR.com® will save you time by sending you in the right direction to look for the home that’s right for you.

Your sense of being connected to the community at large is what makes a town your home. Park City offers a multitude of ways to bond and make a difference. Mayor Dana Williams says that Park City citizen’s commitment to volunteerism is the “grease that makes the wheels run” in this municipality. By visiting the local newspaper’s website, www.parkrecord.com, and choosing the “community” tab, you can browse the incredible number of non-profit organizations that would appreciate your help. Also, the police department, the school district, and the local libraries are always looking for people who can donate a little of their time to help make this an even better place to live. On the more social side of things, the Newcomers’ Club of Greater Park City, www.parkcitynewcomers.org, offers clubs and meetings that cover a wide variety of interests. Also, the Park City Chamber/Bureau maintains a very useful website, www.parkcityinfo.com, that is packed with information about shopping, dining, nightlife, and events.

There’s no question that Park City is a wonderfully unique place to live or have a second home. Let your heart lead you toward making that dream come true. With very little effort on your part you can dig below the obvious attractions and find the goldmine of other attributes that draw people from all over the world to our small town. If you choose to make the move, you’re sure to become one of our most prized nuggets.