DEMOGRAPHICS :: LIVING

General | Living | Government/Taxes | Business

Cost of Living
Orem's housing costs are lower than in most areas of the country. Seventy percent of Utah Valley homes are priced under $200,000. This low cost of housing, low crime rate, cultural and outdoor recreational opportunities make Orem one of the most attractive places to live an do business in the country.

Weather and Climate
At an elevation of 4,770 feet, Orem residents enjoy brisk winters, rejuvenating springs, warm summers and colorful autumns. The relatively low humidity allows full enjoyment of all four seasons while the moisture from rain and snow allow the growth of rich, beautiful vegetation. Although Utah is home to "the greatest snow on earth," with an average rainfall of 65 inches, cities in the valley-like Orem-typically only get 20 inches of precipitation. The average temperature is 61 degrees Fahrenheit, with extremes that range between 5 and 105 degrees.

Recreation
Nestled at the base of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, Orem is less than 30 minutes from a number of exceptional outdoor recreation spots, including world-renowned ski resorts, large reservoirs, innumerable hiking trails, and cascading waterfalls. Nearby recreational activities include snow skiing, boating, water skiing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and camping.

A new, state-of-the-art softball and soccer complex is being built Summer 2001 in Orem to accommodate the needs of the youth and of softball enthusiasts. Included in the $2.5 million complex are: five softball and eight soccer fields, a walking track, a large pavilion, a "tot lot," and plenty of picnic tables and green grass to make this park a haven for families. Orem has 14 beautiful parks, a multi-million dollar recreation center, and a golf course. Swimming, racquetball, volleyball, basketball and golf are just a few of the many activities available in Orem.

College athletics provide additional entertainment in Orem. The 8,500 seat capacity McKay Events Center at Utah Valley State College hosts sporting events, concerts, and other cultural activities. Major sports events are also held at nearby Brigham Young University, whose 65,000-seat LaVell Edwards Stadium and 22,700-seat Marriott Center are among the largest on-campus athletic facilities in the nation.

In addition to outdoor and sporting activities, a number of cultural opportunities are offered locally by Brigham Young University, Utah Valley State College, the SCERA organization and nearby Sundance summer theater. Orem's central location also allows citizens to enjoy the cultural advantages of Salt Lake's museums, theaters, symphony, ballet, opera and concert halls as well as Cedar City's Tony-award winning Shakespearean Festival.

Education
Orem is located in one of the most educated counties in the nation, with 94 % of the youth in Utah County graduating from high school. All levels of schooling within the district are exceptional. As one indication of this, scores on college entry tests-such as the ACT and SAT - from high school students are consistently above the national average. In the ACT, for example, district high schoolers averaged 21.6, above the state average (21.5) and the national average (21.0) despite an unusually high participation rate (70%). In addition to college preparation, the district provides students the choice of a vocational program for those who wish to more carefully explore the specific work opportunities. This is accomplished by working closely with local businesses and by providing excellent cooperative learning programs.

Once out of high school, students can enjoy the benefits of fine colleges and universities in the immediate area. Most prominent is Brigham Young University, the nation's largest private university with over 30,000 students. This excellent university, with its international student body and exceptional academic environment, offers a broad spectrum of bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees ranging from business management and communications to engineering and microbiology. Among the many outstanding programs, BYU's accounting program is consistently ranked within the top two in the country.

Orem is home to Utah Valley State College, with an enrollment of over 20,000 on a beautiful 185-acre campus. UVSC offers degrees both at the associate and bachelor levels. Some of the programs offered at UVSC are Business Management, Computer Science, Information Systems, Technology Management, Elementary Education and Hospitality Management. Further information is available at 222-8300 or by visiting www.uvsc.edu. Students also have the choice of Stevens-Henagar College of Business, the University of Phoenix, several beauty schools, and other specialized training programs. Additionally, within 40-70 miles of Orem are the University of Utah, Weber State University and Utah State University.