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Best Neighborhoods in Salt Lake City for Families

Thinking about living in Salt Lake City? With all kinds of safe neighborhoods, outdoor recreation, career opportunities, and kid-friendly activities, SLC is a terrific place to raise a family! Check out the five best Salt Lake City neighborhoods for families!

East Bench

  • Home Price: $480,350 median home price; $616 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 84% of Salt Lake City neighborhoods

Does your family love the outdoors? If so, East Bench might be the best place to raise your family in Salt Lake City! Nestled against the Wasatch Mountains, this neighborhood gives residents plenty of opportunities to hike, climb, and bike right in their own backyard! East Bench is also near The University of Utah and Downtown Salt Lake City, making it a great place to live for those who work in education and those who plan to commute into the city center for work. In addition, families will have access to top-rated schools like Indian Hills Elementary School and Bonneville Elementary School.

Things to Do in East Bench

See tigers, leopards, and red pandas in the Asian Highlands exhibit at Hogle Zoo. Go for a pony ride, visit the petting coral, and learn how the Shoshone people lived at This Is The Place Heritage Park. Take in gorgeous views of the city during a hike up Jacks Mountain. Gear up for your next outdoor adventure with new skis, shoes, or a bike from Sports Den. Find the perfect new toy to help your child grow and develop at The Tutoring Toy. Plan an afternoon picnic in the wide outdoor space at Rotary Glen Park. Test yourself with the hilly terrain and challenging greens at Bonneville Golf Course. Create a custom box of French Sable Cookies at Eclair French Pastry. Pick up some Beef Ramen and Lamb Rice Noodles from Sasa Kitchen. Or bring home some Cookie Dough Cakebites and Caramel Chocolate Oat Bars from The Sweet Tooth Fairy.

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Greater Avenues

historic home in Greater Avenues, Salt Lake City photo by Instagram user @lovelyoldhomes

Photo via @lovelyoldhomes

  • Home Price: $442,638 median home price; $757 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 95% of Salt Lake City neighborhoods

Not only is Greater Avenues one of the safest neighborhoods in SLC, but it’s also one of the most beautiful, thanks to its incredible views of the Utah State Capitol and the long-stretching Salt Lake Valley! The neighborhood is home to green spaces like Memory Grove Park, as well as several trailheads that lead to top hiking spots in City Creek Canyon and along the Bonneville Shoreline. It’s not all about the outdoors in The Avenues, though. Families will also find some of the best elementary schools in Salt Lake City here, including Ensign Elementary School and Wasatch Elementary School.

Things to Do in Greater Avenues

Watch the sun set over the city during a hike at Terrace Hills. Go for a trail run or walk with your dog through City Creek Natural Area. Enroll your kids in swim lessons or take yoga classes at Northcrest Swim Club. Check out books for the kids at the Corinne & Jack Sweet Branch of the The City Library. Shop at big box stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom at City Creek Center. Make your way over to Vivint Smart Home Arena to catch a Utah Jazz (NBA) game. Start your day with a Lavender Ginger Latte and Avocado Toast from Publik Coffee Roasters. Chow down on a Grinder sandwich and a bowl of Pumpkin Curry Soup at Straw Market. Wash down Pork Belly Tacos with a Czech Your Head pilsner at Avenues Proper. Savor wonderful Thai cuisine like Drunken Noodles and Panang Curry at Sawadee.

Liberty Wells

victorian style home with colored shingles in Liberty Wells, Salt Lake City photo by Instagram user @lovemyyanks

Photo via @lovemyyanks

  • Home Price: $215,480 median home price; $731 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 42% of Salt Lake City neighborhoods

Are you searching for a more residential area near the heart of SLC? Liberty Wells is an excellent option for families! It’s one of Salt Lake City’s best places to live with kids because of its easy-going vibe, family-friendly restaurants, proximity to spacious parks, and great elementary schools like Whittier Elementary School and Hawthorne Elementary School. Liberty Wells has housing for just about any budget, including affordable bungalows and ranch-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

Soak up the sun at the pool, take the kids to the playground, or get in a game of tennis at Liberty Park. Get out to see the pelicans, macaws, flamingos, and more at Tracy Aviary in Liberty Park. Cheer on the Salt Lake Bees (MiLB) at Smith’s Ballpark. See regional performances of famous plays like To Kill a Mockingbird and The Producers at the Grand Theatre. Let fido off the leash to make new friends at Herman Franks Dog Park. Chase the kids through the jungle gym and play in the splash pad at Rotary Play Park. Enjoy some of the best breakfast in SLC with Gustavo’s Burrito or French Toast Foolishness at The Park Cafe. Fill up with a BBQ Chicken Pizza or a Pesto Chicken Calzone at Rusted Sun Pizzeria. Meet up with friends for Pub Quiz Sunday and a round of Kentucky Iced Teas at Piper Down Pub. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with Apple Pancakes and Blueberry Belgian Waffles at Coachman’s Dinner & Pancake House.

Sugar House

  • Home Price: $324,184 median home price; $988 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 47% of Salt Lake City neighborhoods

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 local businesses, and quick access to the University of Utah’s Sugar House Health Center, this SLC area is an idyllic place to raise kids. Sugar House is also home to well-regarded schools like Dilworth Elementary School, Highland High School, and Westminster College, providing exceptional education at any age!

Things to Do in Sugar House

Sled down massive hills in the winter, take your dog for a walk, or play softball at Sugar House Park. Become a member at The Country Club, where you can work on your golf game or go for a swim. Help the little ones get comfortable in the water with a Star Tots swim class at Fairmont Aquatic Center. Train and sign up for your next big race at Salt Lake Running Company. Savor a famous Smoked Turkey Sandwich or Blackened Chicken Salad on the patio at The Dodo. Sample different versions of flapjacks from Georgia Pecan Pancakes to Bacon Pancakes at The Original Pancake House. Grab a Garlic Burger or Bacon Swiss Jalapeno Burger to go from Millie’s Burgers. Or catch the big game with a Rocket Bike Amber Lager in hand at Fiddler’s Elbow.

Yalecrest

small tudor style home in Yalecrest, Salt Lake City photo by Instagram user @lovelyoldhomes

Photo via @lovelyoldhomes

  • Home Price: $405,460 median home price; $1,049 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 79% of Salt Lake City neighborhoods

Want a quiet family-friendly place to live? Yalecrest may be the area for you! This top Salt Lake City neighborhood offers safe streets, large yards, and a variety of housing options ranging from Tudor cottages to modern Colonial-style houses. Families will appreciate the close proximity to Uintah Elementary School and East High School, as well as the easy access to green spaces like Sunnyside Park. While Yalecrest is a calmer, more residential area, the neighborhood is within ten minutes of Downtown Salt Lake City, which means residents aren’t far from the city’s top dining and entertainment spots!

Things to Do in Yalecrest

Keep your eyes peeled for warblers and black-headed grosbeaks on a family walk through Miller Bird Refuge & Nature Park. Relax with the calming sound of the mini waterfalls in Bonneville Glen. Help the kids learn new skills with skating, dance, and martial arts classes at SLC Sports Complex. Take the kids to play on the playground at Laird Park. Find a new book or an old favorite at King’s English Bookshop. Order a hearty breakfast like Pulled Pork Benedict or a Chorizo Quiche at Hub & Spoke Diner. Cool off on a hot day with a cone of Cookies & Cream or Brown Butter Banana gelato from Dolcetti Gelato. Satisfy your sushi cravings with rolls like the Poki Don or the Deadly Spider Roll at Kyoto Japanese Restaurant. Or pick up a Beehive, Vegan, or Margherita wood-fired pizza at Pizza Nono.

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