Weather | | How much crime? | | What are the neighborhoods like? | | What are the people like? |
Weather in Provo is widely varied, with hot dry summers and cold snowy winters. Summer temperatures run from the mid 80's to low 90's. Days with strong winds are common, with gusts blowing across the valley floor. Rain is minimal in this dry Utah town, with precipitation averaging only about an inch or so each month. Winters tend to be somewhat less severe in Provo than in Salt Lake, about an hour to the north. Average temperatures in the 20's and 30's are still bound to feel a bit frigid though. Winter months receive anywhere from 6 inches to over a foot of the white powdery stuff each month. | | Provo is known for its safe communities and family-friendly atmosphere. This does not, however, imply that the city is crime free. Most crime is in the form of thefts and burglaries, a small percentage of these being auto thefts. Owing to a large population of young people, there is also a good amount of vandalism and youth-related disturbances that are reported. A very small number of assaults are recorded every year, however more violent crime is rare in this area. | | Some of the nicer areas in Provo are located near Provo Parkway and Shadowbrook Drive, as well as Caryhurst and Christmas City neighborhoods. These areas are on the northern side of Provo, close to the majestic Cascade Mountain range. Homes are large and situated on expansive lots that overlook the city. Less desirable areas tend to be more southwest, near W. Center Street and 3100 West. While homes in this area are by no means run down, they are smaller and located in close proximity to Provo Bay, which brings with it an unpleasant smell when the winds blow. | | Provo folks tend to overwhelmingly white collar, well-educated and conservative. The area has a very large population of Mormons, who are a hard-working, clean cut, stay-out-of trouble bunch. The area is also home to Brigham Young University, an LDS owned college, where young people must adhere to a strict code of conduct in order to attend classes. All these factors make Provo a safe place for young families. The area also has high numbers of professionals and working students, with numerous start-up companies and entrepreneurial businesses. |
Downtown Area | | Restaurants | | Schools | | Single life |
Shopping in Provo is excellent, catering to students and visitors. There is a large downtown mall and a boutique shopping district known as The Riverwoods, with shops, restaurants and large theaters. | | Hogi Yogi is a popular and locally owned chain that offers made to order subs and salads. The Bombay House is an upscale restaurant offering a wide array of entrees from Indian, Mediterranean, and Asian cultures. | | Public schools are of high quality in Provo, with small class sizes, and students performing at or above national levels. | | There is an extensive singles scene in Provo. Being a university town, there are always scheduled events aimed at singles, although non-Mormons may feel that they are in the minority. |
Noise | | town comparison vs. | | Best hospital | | Tourist attractions |
Noise in Provo originates from the nearby Interstate 15. Brigham Young University and its crowds of students also generate a good amount of noise, especially with football games and events at the stadium. | | When making a comparison, Provo could be considered superior to neighboring Spanish Fork. Spanish Fork is smaller, with few amenities to draw in visitors, and it lacks the numerous shopping outlets that Provo possesses. Provo is also laid out in a visitor-friendly manner, with streets arranged in easy to follow grid system as well as wide driving lanes.
One could make the argument that Salt Lake City is a better place to live than Provo. With many of its residents commuting to Salt Lake for work, Provo requires a lengthy drive to the capital city. Salt Lake also is home to a vastly superior public transit system, something for which residents of Provo must first get to Salt Lake in order to use. | | Utah Valley Regional Medical Center is a full service, emergency and critical care hospital run by IHC. It services not only Utah but also the surrounding western regions. | | Seven Peaks Ice Arena was a venue for the 2002 Olympic games and continues to be a popular tourist draw. Bridal Veil Falls offers great hiking and outdoor recreation, and Utah Lake is a scenic boating retreat. The Annual Freedom Festival supplies annual Fourth of July festivities. |
General comments | | | | | | |
Provo has earned itself a few nicknames over the years, like "The Bubble" and "Happy Valley." These describe perfectly the feeling in this town, a feeling of being in a protected little bubble, sheltered from reality. Provo is unlike anywhere else you're likely to have been, and generally is not high on the list of travel hot spots. The atmosphere is one of exclusion, of we-are-our-own-little-society, and may be somewhat off-putting to outsiders. The city is beautiful, however, and has a clean orderly feel to it. | | | | | | |