To discover what qualities are drawing guests and converting them to residents of Park City Utah, we looked to the experts and posed these questions to realtors Tisha Digman & Cam Schiedel.
What local amenities does this area have to offer (parks, community center, recreation programs)?
Named by Forbes Traveler Magazine as one of the top 20 “prettiest towns” in the United States, Park City truly remains an undiscovered jewel. Park City was founded as a silver-mining town in 1869. By 1900, it was a booming mining town with 10,000 residents and 100 saloons. The population declined after the shutdown of the mines but has grown tremendously beginning in the 1980’s through an expansion of the tourism industry. The city has three major ski resorts: Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and Canyons Resort. Park City and Deer Valley ski resorts were the major locations for ski and snowboarding events at the 2002 Winter Olympics and Deer Valley is consistently voted one of the top resorts and often number one in the country. One of the benefits of hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics was the creation of the Utah Olympic Park. The Utah Olympic Park is open year round and offers the opportunity to observe or participate in activities ranging from the Bob Sled to aerial jumping. The resorts are also a great place to take advantage of hiking & mountain biking during the summer months. With zip lines, the alpine coaster and activities for the kids there’s something for everyone. Additionally Park City hosts the annual Sundance Film Festival which was founded by Robert Redford. Sundance is an exciting time where Park City bustles with the energy of aspiring and accomplished artists. Less well known are the amazing golf courses we have in Utah. Private communities courses designed by Tom Fazio, signature Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Arnold Palmer & Mark O’Meara offer the opportunity to live the ski resort lifestyle without giving up your love of golf. With an international airport just 30 minutes away we’ve found our visitors spend less time driving and more quality time on the hill and with their family and friends.
Can you describe the local school system, and what type of education children get here (private, public, charter - focus on sports, the arts, etc.)?
Newsweek has ranked Park City High School among the top 200 high schools in America since 2004. Park City High School offers a complete high school curriculum and an extensive selection of AP (Advanced Placement) courses. Language offerings include Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese. In conjunction with the AP curriculum and with the support of members of the community, PCHS has offered school sponsored trips to Europe and China.
Core curriculum for the public middle schools covers language arts (writing and reading), math, science, social studies (history), healthy lifestyles (health and physical education) and information technology (computers). Expanded curriculum includes drama, music, band, French & Spanish, visual arts, dance, shop, home economics, and life skills classes. Outdoor education programs allow students to experience nature and hiking as well as learning about environmental issues through slides, lectures and hands-on projects. There are also excellent private schools in the Park City area, offering a diversity of education. Currently there are two Montessori academies, a private academic day school, and an unusual and respected school for winter-sports athletes, which inverts the normal educational calendar, placing intensive academic work in the summer, freeing the winter competition season for the athlete/students.
What is the community culture like (i.e. private, gated, urban, diverse, etc)
Our community is really one of a kind. People who visit Park City fall in love with the local vibe. Low key and laid back, Park City offers the alternative to other resorts on the verge of archaic without the creature comforts most of us prefer in our vacation destinations to overly pretentious and slightly uncomfortable for the understated visitor…in Park City everyone is welcome and invited. Most everyone who lives here came from somewhere else and brings with them the experience and knowledge gained from living all around the world which greatly enriches our culture. While there are private gated communities and clubs you’ll find that locals and visitors alike enjoy the benefit and atmosphere of places like “The No Name Saloon” where you can enjoy a local brew and buffalo burger or sip on a delicious cucumber martini at the “St. Regis” or enjoy slope side dining at “The Montage at Deer Valley”. Truly unique and a wonderful place to visit and live.
What is transportation like to the area's major surrounding cities, or within the city?
Leave the driving to us. Park City, Summit County's free transit system is the best way to get around town. The transit system provides easy access to recreational areas, our historic district and Kimball Junction without the worries of having to drive your car and find available parking. There are also private transportation companies as well as car rental companies for those who’d like the flexibility of coming and going at their leisure.
Is there a strong political presence or community leader involvement in this area?
There is a very strong political presence in Utah. In fact our Sotheby’s broker is very actively involved as Chairman of the Utah Republican Party, our governor is a former realtor and our former local mayor who served for years was an active realtor. We are very business friendly and the growth and economy reflects our tax rate and policies.
Are there any local traditions that bring the community together? (sports events, charity events, sales, holiday celebrations)?
Park City is so strong because we have so many events going on throughout the whole year and all of them have great participation. Our 4th of July parade, Concerts at Deer Valley, Pond Skimming at Canyons Ski Resort, the Arts Festival, Sundance Film Festival and of course many charitable events for non-profits bring everyone together.
What is the job market like or major industries that are at the core of this area?
Utah has a very healthy viable job market and fairly low taxes which make it a highly desirable place to live. Because Park City’s major industry is travel and tourism the jobs available range from working at the local resorts, hotels, restaurants & retail stores. But…the unique aspect of being in Park City is its close proximity to Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. Salt Lake and the surrounding cities offer job opportunities found in most metropolitan areas. Because of our friendly small & large business philosophy and corporate incentives Utah has attracted businesses the like of Solomon, Rosignol, Back Country.com, Overstock.com, Adobe, Twitter (technical operations), Bluehouse, Cushman and Wakefield and will be the future home of Raliegh movie studios and a new but unnamed as of yet movie studio in Salt Lake just to name a few.
What are some thriving small local businesses that make an impact in the community?
Some of the biggest impact in our local community is made by the great non-profit organization we have here in Park City:
The Peace House, which provides a safe haven for victims of domestic violence & includes community education and awareness programs designed to reduce the violence and abuse in our communities.
The National Ability Center, which is an organization committed to the development of lifetime skills for people of all ages and abilities by providing affordable outdoor sports and recreational experiences in a nurturing environment.
Mountain Trails Foundation was established in 1992, at a time when Park City had only a few hand-cut trails all of which were on private lands. Spring forward to 2011 and we now enjoy 350+ miles of trails in Summit County, Utah with Park City at the epicenter of this internationally recognized outdoor nirvana.
These are just a handful of the organizations that work every day to make a better community for the people who visit and live here.
What are the local property taxes like and what other financial responsibilities should a property owner in this area be prepared for?
Utah is one of the least expensive states for fees on real estate transactions. A buyer paying cash will have to pay half the fee owed to the title company which generally comes to about $200 for the buyer. Unless there is some other negotiated fee, or in a few cases, a transfer fee owed by a buyer in a couple of developments and neighborhoods, the total closing costs for a buyer is normally limited to that $200. Of course for properties that will have a mortgage, loan fees will be part of settlement costs for the buyer. In Utah, the seller pays the Realtor fees and the Title Insurance fees, unless otherwise negotiated by both parties. Property taxes generally run just under 1% of actual value of a property. If the home will be the primary residence of the owner, or will be used for a long-term rental for some other occupants, there is a 40% discount from this amount, and this is regulated by the Utah Homestead Exemption Regulation.
Please note any Key Listings you have in your area:
Welcome to an entertainer's paradise! As you enter this beautiful custom home overlooking the fabulous Glenwild golf course is a grand staircase highlighted with the warm glow of the magnificent entry chandelier. The gourmet kitchen, fabulous bar with the copper clad backsplash, semi-formal dining and great room all capture the picture perfect alpine glow of sunrise and sunsets in Park City. No need to fight over where to sleep as every bedroom has its own fireplace and custom designed luxurious ensuite bath. At the end of a great day of golf or skiing you can enjoy a movie in your own theatre, popcorn and drinks at the lower level bar, play a game of pool or enjoy a soak in your hot tub. With just under 3 acres of property and unobstructed views of the golf course, rolling hills and majestic Wasatch Mountains this is truly a slice of heaven.
Enjoy beautiful views in this custom designer home on the "Back Nine" in Jeremy Ranch. Located on the sunny side of the 9th fairway, this mountain contemporary home is an entertainer's dream. From the moment you enter this house and experience the fabulous great room with floor to ceiling windows you know you've come home. With attention to detail and the idea of elegant comfort in mind, this home was designed for those who appreciate the finer things in life. A chef's kitchen boasts custom cabinetry, two dishwashers, two refrigerators, three ovens, two warming trays and a kitchen island finished in "Zebra Wood". Whether you retreat to the highly desirable main floor master suite with a bathroom designed to feel like a spa, escape to the wine grotto to enjoy a bottle from your wine collection or enjoy a movie in the lower level family room there's an opportunity for everyone to appreciate "Life on the Back Nine".
Perfectly Priced Park City Vacation Home! Who says you can't have it all? The luxury and convenience of new construction, views of the ski runs & Old Town, plenty of bedrooms for family & friends, a theatre room, a fabulous kitchen and great room, all within walking distance of Park City's Main Street.... and, most importantly, all at an UNBEATABLE Price. Don't miss out on the Perfect Park City Vacation Home!
To Learn More: Visit Tisha Digman & Cam Schiedel's HLRN Member Profile
