People who come to visit Cedar City
(population 29,000) often decide to stay. Situated in the
stark beauty of southwestern Utah's Great Basin, this sparkling small
city is known for its conservative values, relatively cool weather, pretty scenery
and good mix of cultural events and outdoor recreation opportunities. It had
been a booming place, growing 40% in the last 10 years, and
housing prices had been rising just as fast. The boom has ended,
though, and the median home price is now $185,000. Utah has the
7th highest foreclosure rate in the U.S., but Iron County has faired
much better than many other Utah counties. The cost of living in
Cedar City is roughly 5% below the national average, and of the
population, 14% is age 45 to 64, and 8% is age 65 or better.
Cedar City sits on a high-altitude plain (elevation 5,800 feet), but to the
immediate east the forested
Markagunt Plateau provides spectacular venues for bicycling, hiking,
fishing and skiing. During winter, powder at nearby Brian Head Ski
Resort is some of Utah's best. Amazing
Zion National Park is just 60 miles south and beautiful Bryce National
Park is just 65 miles east.
Settled by Mormon pioneers in 1851,
Cedar City is today known as "Festival City," with good
reason. No fewer than 17 fairs and festivals are held each year
and include the Utah Summer Games (an Olympic-style event with 9,500
athletes and 50,000 spectators), the Midsummer Renaissance Faire (four
days in downtown each July), the Skyfest (hot air balloons) and the Tony
Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, onstage at Southern Utah
University (population 5,000) for two months each summer.
Fourteen parks and an active parks and recreation department give
residents plenty of places to play, and the Cedar City Senior Center (435-586-0832)
provides services for the more mature set on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Friday.
Most necessities can be found in
town, but occasional trips to St. George (50 miles) or Las Vegas (170
miles) may be necessary. Dining is adequate, although not a reason
to retire here (and most restaurants do not serve alcohol).
The downtown is healthy, and the crime rate is below the national
average. Despite its Mormon roots (nearly 70% of residents
identify themselves as members of the Church of Latter Day Saints), many
different houses of worship are here (although there is no
synagogue). Internet access is available. The Cedar
City Library is well-stocked and presents workshops, speakers and
discussion groups. Public transportation is provided by CATS
(Cedar Area Transportation). Cedar City Regional Airport is
serviced daily by Skywest Airlines.
Valley View Medical Center has been
named a national Top 100 Hospital for three consecutive years and is a
part of the Intermountain Healthcare system which has been singled out
as a health care model by President Obama. Two more hospitals are
located within 35 miles. Air quality and water quality both beat
the national averages.
Although it is just 20 miles north
of the northeastern edge of the Mojave Desert, Cedar City's elevation
prevents it from have blazing hot summers (daytime temperatures are in
the 70s and 80s). Winters are cold, though, and temperatures can
dip into the teens. Six to eight inches of snow per
month from November to April are not uncommon, but usually the snow is
melting and the sun is shining the next day. This region has
nearly 300 days of sun and blue skies a year, and humidity is very, very
low.
Cedar City is a place where one can
spend the day in the solitude of spectacular natural beauty and then
spend the evening attending a Shakespearian play. So far, the city
is managing to maintain this quality of life, and retirees enjoy living
here. There are a few drawbacks, though. Winds
occasionally kick up, and the area has a high earthquake risk
factor. There are few jobs, and the ones that are here are
primarily based in tourism, education and healthcare. Ethnic
diversity is practically non-existent. Some newcomers say that it
is difficult finding new friends without belonging to the Mormon Church,
but others say that generally townspeople are kind and
welcoming.
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Recommended
as a Retirement Spot?
Yes
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Cold winters but plenty of cultural
activities, abundant outdoor recreation, a very good
medical facility, affordable housing, blue skies, dry
air and beautiful scenery make Cedar City, Utah a great
retirement spot. |
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