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Living In Festival City, USA
In the first two months of 2021, the small mountain town of Cedar City, Utah had approved 45% more home build permits than it had during the same time just one year ago, according to the city’s Office of Economic Development.
With easy access to the great outdoors and high quality of life and well-being amongst its residents, it’s no wonder people are leaving such locales as Salt Lake City, and even California, to relocate to Cedar City. It's a small town with big offerings. But is the area right for you? We think it might just be – and we have 10 top reasons why. Read on to learn why you should consider Cedar City as the place to build your dream home and life.
Living In Cedar City
For many residents, living in Cedar City means finding peace – or adventure – surrounded by nature and improving your quality of life. Here’s what life can look like for you.
1. Endless Outdoor Recreation
Of all of the different opportunities you’ll have living in Cedar City, exploring the outdoors may be the biggest. The area features hiking trails for all levels with views of meadows, ponds, streams, ancient pine trees, and the Cascade Falls. Along with hiking, you can explore natural wonders on your mountain bike, horseback, ATV, snowmobile, or a pair of skis. Visit one of the many state and national parks, recreation areas, and canyons close to the city to enjoy an outdoor adventure, picnic, or a weekend of camping. For a picturesque experience, gaze amongst the colorful cliffs and intricate rock formations at the breathtaking Cedar Breaks National Monument. To enjoy a little more action outdoors, head over to Brian Head Ski Resort, which features 71 runs, tubing hills, and terrain parks, along with disc golf, archery, and some of the best mountain biking in the state. However you like to enjoy the outdoors, you’ll find a way to do it.
Cedar City is also known as the “Gateway to the National Parks” due to its proximity to Utah’s most prominent national parks, also known as “The Mighty 5.” The city is one hour from Zion National Park, 90 minutes from Bryce Canyon, three hours from Capital Reef, four hours from Arches National Park, and five hours from Canyonlands. That makes it possible to enjoy multiple natural wonders in just a day or a weekend trip.
Sunrise at Partition Arch in Arches National Park.
2. A Charming Downtown
Seasonal decorations line the streets of a charming downtown area, including live floral displays in the spring and glistening Christmas lights spanning across the main roads during the holiday season. Historic buildings fill the downtown area and bronze statues of prominent citizens greet you throughout your visit. And while you’ll find this part of this city is rife with small-town charm, you’ll also notice that it doesn’t skimp on certain amenities you’d find in the big city, including unique shops and restaurants, coffee houses, and bars.
3. A Growing Economy
Cedar City’s unemployment rate is a low 3%, which is half the national average. It’s also seen a 3% job market increase in the past year, showing a healthy recovery from the national economic downturn caused by the pandemic. Much of the job growth has been seen in construction, manufacturing, and trade, and the city’s future job growth predictions look healthy for the next decade.
4. Low Cost Of Living
In addition to having a growing economy, Cedar City, Utah also has a low cost of living. The city’s overall cost of living ranks about 9% lower than the national average and almost 20% lower than Utah’s average. And when it comes to the average cost of utilities and transportation, Cedar City’s costs are even lower, according to data from Best Places.
5. Community Events
Along with hosting a slew of festivals, the Cedar City community keeps residents busy with a calendar full of family-friendly events, like year-round farmers markets, weekend concerts and art in the park experiences, county fairs, parades, and an Annual Pie Eating Contest.
Things To Do In Cedar City
It’s safe to say that residents of the city are hardly ever bored. If the community events aren’t keeping you busy, there’s a seemingly endless list of other things to do in Cedar City that will keep you entertained, inspired and well-fed. Here are just a few.
6. Attend One Of Cedar City’s Many Festivals
There’s a reason Cedar City is called “Festival City, USA.” On any given day, in any given month, there’s likely a festival going on in Cedar City. From music and film festivals to wildflower and UFO festivals, there’s something for every interest. Revelers in history and heritage will enjoy such festivals as the Mining Heritage Festival, Frontier Folklife Festival, or the Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival. The Festival of Homes takes visitors into the Cedar City community to see the latest in landscaping, architecture, interior design, and superior craftsmanship from some of the best design-build firms in the area. Of course, no festival may be as famous as the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, which features renaissance activities, modern plays, and Shakespearean productions right in the city.
Utah Shakespeare Festival's Globe Theatre at Southern Utah University, in Cedar City
7. Go Stargazing
Just a short drive outside of Cedar City is the Cedar Breaks National Monument, one of the best places in Utah to stargaze. At more than 10,000 feet above sea level, the area is far away from light pollution and is the first dark sky park in southwest Utah. The sky is so dark, gazers can see anywhere from 7,500 to 15,000 stars – as opposed to the typical 500 that’s seen on a clear night in a busy city. Attend one of the park’s ranger-led star parties to look through telescopes and learn more about the universe.
8. Enjoy The Arts
When you aren’t surrounding yourself with the natural beauty found around the area, you can immerse yourself in the cultural experiences offered by the city. Catch a play or ballet performance, listen to the symphony or attend a craft fair. Art enthusiasts will enjoy viewing art on display at the city’s art museums and galleries or taking a sculpture stroll on Southern Utah University’s campus.
9. Take A Walk
The city shares its stories through a number of different “city walks,” offering something different. You’ll wander the Historic Downtown finding architectural beauty in the city’s preserved buildings, walk along Coal Creek and take in the views of the stunning red rocks of Cedar Canyon or explore historic train cabooses and mining cars. Most importantly, you’ll learn even more about the history and beauty of your new city.
10. Explore International And Hometown Tastes
There’s plenty to do in the city – and also plenty to eat. Cedar City’s restaurant scene offers diverse tastes from around the globe including Thai, Mexican, Italian, East Indian, Japanese, and even Hawaiian, cuisine. For homegrown goodness, you can visit a local farm stand for made-from-scratch offerings or come to the Sweet Pea Farm and Orchard on Saturday mornings for a fresh farm breakfast. You can also quench your thirst at any of the wineries, breweries, and authentic soda shops sprinkled throughout the city.
Custom Home Builders In Cedar City, Utah
When you’re ready to build your custom home in Cedar City, it’s important that you work with a custom home builder that knows the area well and provides the best building experience possible. Choice Builders is a design-build firm that believes in honesty and integrity and provides clear and consistent communication as we build your perfect home. Take a look at some of our custom homes in Cedar City.
Voted Iron County’s Home Builder of the Year by the Iron County Home Builders Association, Choice Builders is an Energy Star® partner, LEED Accredited Professional, and Certified Aging in Place Specialist, meaning we have the experience and expertise to meet your needs and expectations for a safer, greener home.
Custom home by Choice Builders - A winning entry at the Cedar City Festival of HomesBuilding Your Custom Home
Choice Builders is a member of the Iron County Home Builders Association, the Home Builders Association of Utah, and the National Association of Home Builders. Because of this, the business is held to high ethical standards and expected to use only the best products, services, and business practices.
When you work with us, we’ll guide you through our 5-step design-build process that’s easy, clear, and highly effective:
- A complimentary consultation
- The development of a detailed design
- A pre-production phase in which we guide you through making decisions and handle all of the necessary permits
- The construction of your home, the way you want it
- A final walkthrough of your brand-new home
Throughout the process, our unique online portal will allow you to review your selections and financial information, make changes to your design and stay up-to-date on the construction of your home. You’ll be able to access the portal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and view progress pictures, job logs, and schedules to know exactly what’s going on with your build. To see the quality of work in the homes we build, please browse through our portfolio of custom homes.
If you’re ready to experience all that Cedar City has to offer, contact Choice Builders today. And since we’re located in Cedar City and our owner is a resident himself, we’re always available to answer your questions about the area and what it’s like to live in this beautiful mountain town.
