Considering living in Salt Lake City? The “Crossroads of the West” is a great place to raise a family with safe neighborhoods, excellent career opportunities, and kid-friendly activities. Check out the five best Salt Lake City neighborhoods for families!
| Neighborhood | Greater Avenues | Liberty Wells | Sugar House | Wasatch Hollow | Yalecrest |
| Median Home Price | $442,454 | $279,200 | $387,543 | $544,067 | $694,033 |
| Median Rent Price | $1,152 | $995 | $1,306 | $1,498 | $1,605 |
| Median Household Income | $100,032 | $56,526 | $88,859 | $125,469 | $127,629 |
| Home Appreciation Rate | 0% | 23% | 16% | 19% | 42% |
| High School Graduation Rate | 97% | 86% | 95% | 98% | 96% |
Greater Avenues
Originally founded in the 1800s to give laborers proximity to Downtown SLC, Greater Avenues is one of the safest neighborhoods in Salt Lake City. Its Queen Anne, Prairie, and Mediterranean architectural styles reflect its historical origins while providing great housing for families. This neighborhood is also one of the most beautiful, thanks to its incredible views of the Utah State Capitol and the long-stretching Salt Lake Valley! Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate sprawling green spaces like Memory Grove Park, as well as several hiking trails at City Creek Canyon and Bonneville Shoreline. Families can also find some of the best elementary schools in Salt Lake City, such as Ensign Elementary School and Wasatch Elementary School. In addition to outdoor fun and great schools, Greater Avenues also offers quick travel into the city hub for those needing convenient work commutes.
Things to Do in Greater Avenues
Experience hiking in Salt Lake City with family through rocky wildflower paths or watch the sunset at Terrace Hills. Enroll your kids in swim lessons, participate in weekly water aerobics, or enjoy open swimming at Northcrest Swim Club. Check out the latest bestselling kids’ books and attend family events like Book Baby and Playtime at the Corinne & Jack Sweet Branch of The City Library. Get your shopping fix just outside the neighborhood at big box stores like Macy’s, Gap, and Nordstrom at City Creek Center. Start your day drinking rotating offerings of fresh coffee blends like Cabin, Central Ninth, and Marmalade Decaf from Publik Coffee Roasters. Have lunch in SLC by chowing down on a BLT, Grinder, or Grilled Cheese sandwich at Straw Market. Bite into Turkey Pastrami or Spicy Chicken Sandwiches, and order Kids Noodles for your little ones at Avenues Proper. Or savor some of the best Thai food in Utah with chef specials like the Crying Tiger, Duck Noodle, and Seafood Spaghetti Kee Moa at Sawadee Thai.
Liberty Wells
If you’re searching for a more residential area with a tight-knit community near the heart of SLC, Liberty Wells is an excellent option for families! This neighborhood is considered one of Salt Lake City’s best places to live with kids because of its high walkability and bike access, as well as its easy-going vibe and family-friendly restaurants. Families will enjoy proximity to green spaces and plenty of Salt Lake City schools, including Whittier Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary School, and Utah Innovations Early College High School. Liberty Wells also has affordable housing for families with classic bungalows and Victorian-style homes. On top of that, Downtown Salt Lake City is only about eight minutes away, making commutes into the city center quick and easy!
Things to Do in Liberty Wells
Take your kids to soak up the sun at the pool and roam around jungle gyms at the Rotary Play Park area in Liberty Park, the oldest park in SLC! See pelicans, macaws, and flamingos, or attend interactive bird shows at the Tracy Aviary. Watch regional performances of famous plays like A Christmas Carol, Sweeney Todd, and Pride & Prejudice at the Grand Theatre. Let Fido off the leash to make new friends at the dog-friendly Herman Franks Park. Enjoy some of the best breakfast in SLC with Gustavo’s Burrito, the Michigan Hash, or French Toast Foolishness at The Park Cafe. Slurp down delicious Salt Lake City ramen dishes like Tonkotsu, Kurai, or Shoyu at Tosh’s Ramen. Fill up with BBQ Chicken Pizza, Bleu Chicken Pizza, or Pesto Chicken Calzone at Rusted Sun Pizzeria. Or take a seat for authentic Ethiopian food in Salt Lake City like Siga Wot, Bozena Shiro, or Alicha Wot at Mahider Ethiopian Restaurant.
Sugar House
The hip Sugar House neighborhood may be popular among singles and young professionals, but it’s also one of the best family-friendly neighborhoods in Salt Lake City! From its beautiful tree-lined streets and cozy bungalows to its expansive green spaces, kid-friendly businesses, and quick access to the University of Utah’s Sugar House Health Center, this is an idyllic place to raise children. Sugar House is also home to well-regarded local schools like Dilworth Elementary School, Highland High School, and Westminster University, providing top-notch education for any age! Not to mention, the neighborhood has close proximity to Downtown SLC amenities, as well as private golfing at The Country Club and public golf courses like Forest Dale Golf Course and Nibley Park Golf Course.
Things to Do in Sugar House
Sled down massive hills in the winter, take your dog for a walk, or gather your family for a pavilion picnic at Sugar House Park. Sign your child up for junior tennis programs, attend group fitness classes, or join the diving team at Salt Lake Tennis & Health Club. Shop your favorite book genres or trade your old collection for new reads at the independently-owned Central Book Exchange. Get kids involved in Little Dippers or Mini Martians gymnastics, or sign them up for seasonal swim classes at Fairmont Aquatic Center. Sample different versions of delicious Salt Lake City pancakes, including Georgia Pecan Pancakes, Bacon Pancakes, and 49’er Flap Jacks at The Original Pancake House. Taste Turkey Pesto, Chicken Gyro, or Spicy Chicken sandwiches for lunch while sipping on hot brews at Sugar House Coffee. Savor a famous Smoked Turkey Sandwich, Blackened Chicken Salad, or Pulled Pork Quesadilla on the outdoor patio at The Dodo. Or pull up a chair for hot Salt Lake City sandwiches and subs like the East Side Sloppy Joe, Turkey Reuben, or Corned Beef Rachel at Feldman’s Deli.
Wasatch Hollow
If you’re looking for one of the best family neighborhoods in SLC, Wasatch Hollow could be the perfect fit! Running through Emigration Creek and a natural preserve, this peaceful neighborhood is flush with outdoor recreation opportunities. Find your family’s dream home by browsing charming one-story Tudor Revival and Craftsman-style abodes, and enroll your kids in great Salt Lake City schools like Wasatch Presbyterian Preschool or Clayton Middle School. This family-friendly neighborhood also holds monthly council meetings where you can meet other residents and participate in community initiatives. Despite being mostly residential, Wasatch Hollow encompasses the vibrant intersection of 15th and 15th with several restaurants and shops for the whole family.
Things to Do in Wasatch Hollow
Appreciate lush wildlife and vegetation while walking through the natural trails at Wasatch Hollow Preserve. Spend the day relaxing at a historic green oasis near the heart of Emigration Creek at Allen Park. Check out some of your favorite books, or meet and greet with published authors like Gary Carner, Traci Sorell, and Christopher Cokinos, at The King’s English Bookshop. Browse or purchase contemporary fine art from renowned Utah artists like Ryan Akerley, Fahimeh Amiri, and Cheryl Collins at the 15th Street Gallery. Bite into fresh pastries for breakfast in Salt Lake City with Chocolate Croissants, Raisin Croissants, and Cinnamon Rolls from Tulie Bakery. Have a taste of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine like Falafel, Shawarma, and Chicken Kebab at Mazza. Bite into Patatas Bravas, Paella de Mariscos, and Fideo at FINCA, one of 15th and 15th’s finest Salt Lake City Spanish restaurants. And stop by for classic Italian gelato and delicious flavors of the month like Lemon Biscotti, Amaretto, and French Vanilla from Sweetaly Gelato.
Yalecrest
Seeking a relatively quiet family-friendly neighborhood? Yalecrest may be for you! This top Salt Lake City neighborhood offers safe streets, large yards, and a variety of homes for sale in Yalecrest ranging from Tudor cottages to Colonial-style houses. Families will appreciate the proximity to Uintah Elementary School and East High School, as well as easy access to green spaces like Sunnyside Park. Residents can get involved in regular community events like yard sales, concerts, and movie nights, and pick up essentials at the local Harmons Emigration Market. While Yalecrest is a calmer area, the neighborhood is still located less than 15 minutes from Downtown Salt Lake City, meaning residents aren’t far from SLC’s top restaurants and entertainment spots!
Things to Do in Yalecrest
Keep your eyes peeled for warblers and black-headed grosbeaks on your family outing to Miller Bird Refuge & Nature Park. Relax in a tropical forest with the calming sound of mini waterfalls at Bonneville Glen. Help the kids learn new skills with all-ages skating, fitness, and swimming classes at SLC Sports Complex. Bring the kids to roam open fields and climb around the playground at Laird Park. Order a hearty SLC breakfast like the Brisket Benedict, Vegan Grit Skillet, or Breakfast Burrito at Hub & Spoke Diner. Satisfy your Salt Lake City sushi cravings with specialty Kyoto rolls like the Spicy Scallop Roll, X96 Roll, and Ichigo Roll at Kyoto Japanese Restaurant. Have slices of Salt Lake City pizza with wood-fired pies like the Sausage Pepper, Vegan, or Margherita at Pizza Nono. Or cool off with a rotating selection of gelato flavors, including Coconut Sticky Rice, Chocolate, or Pistachio from Dolcetti Gelato.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
