Why Provo, Utah?

01. Low Cost of Living

The Provo/Orem, Utah area has a reasonable cost of living. Food, energy, and healthcare costs are lower than the national average. Housing costs are similar to other small cities across the U.S. and are much cheaper than large metro areas like New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles. Overall, Provo/Orem is less expensive than the national average.

02. Student Housing

Provo boasts many great student housing options. Since Provo/Orem has two universities, there are many furnished student apartments available for rent. Some have private bedrooms. Sharing a bedroom with a roommate can save you even more money. You can rent a room in an apartment for $200-325/month.

03. Transportation

The UTA bus system will help you get anywhere you need to go in Provo and beyond. Many students also walk and ride bikes. If you need to go to the Salt Lake International Airport (about an hour’s drive by car) or anywhere within a few hundred miles of Provo, there are two shuttle services that can help you get there: The St. George Express and the Salt Lake Express. The Frontrunner is a commuter train that runs from Provo through Salt Lake City to Ogden. Other transportation options include Lyft and Uber.

04. Other Educational Opportunities

Provo/Orem is a college town and is home to two universities, Brigham Young University (BYU) and Utah Valley University (UVU). BYU has many award winning programs, accounting and its MBA school, for example. BYU was rated in 2017 by U.S. News & World Report #11 in the nation for best value and #61 in National Universities. UVU is an open enrollment university, accepting 100% of its applicants. It offers a diverse list of degree programs ranging from aviation to modern dance. Both universities host many cultural and sporting events which are free or of very little cost to the general public. When you are ready to make the transition to university classes, being in Provo with so many great education options should make the transition to university easy.

05. Low Crime Rate

Provo is a safe, friendly place to live. According to areavibes.com, Provo has a 47% lower violent crime rate than the Utah average, and is 67% lower than the national average. In property crime, Provo’s property crime is 21% lower than the Utah average and is 4% lower than the national average. Utah was ranked the 4th safest place to live in America in a study done by Niche.com

06. Outdoor Fun

Definitely one reason to move to Utah is the amazing outdoor adventures which are practically at your fingertips. In just a 20 minute car ride, you could find yourself picnicking in Provo Canyon, hiking, or feeling the mist from Bridal Veil Falls. Sundance Ski Resort is approximately 45 minutes from Provo. In the summer, you can hike or mountain bike there and ski in the winter. Utah also has many canyons and other ski resorts, including Park City, within a 60-90 minute drive from Provo. Deer Creek Reservoir is 20 minutes from Provo. Deer Creek and other nearby lakes are perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing.

Utah also has amazing national parks, within a 3 hour drive from Provo. Some of them include Arches, Zions, Canyonlands, and Bryce Canyon National Park. These parks boast amazing sandstone arches, rock formations, and views that attract tourists from around the world.

07. Entertainment

The entertainment possibilities in and around Provo are almost endless. See the Provo activity guide for activities offered through Provo Recreation including swimming, sports, classes, concerts, plays, dances, museums, film festivals and special events.