"Oh Bountiful, we're proud of you and of your red and grey! We'll fight for you with might for you and cheer you as you play! Unlowered shall these colors be whatever comes our way! So glorious in victory the mighty red and grey!" (-- Bountiful High Song)
Bountiful was named when its earliest settlers realized that they found paradise on Earth--but that is all subjective of course. The 42,500 residents of this 13.5 square mile city appreciate the proximity to jobs in Salt Lake City, without the problems associated with urban living. For a period, commuting to work was a nightmare and daily rush hour bottlenecks frustrated even the calmest drivers. However, in 2008, planners made significant changes to alleviate the problem, including the new Legacy Parkway and the state of the art Front Runner Commuter railway. Best of all, Front Runner Service is available until 2 a.m. on the weekends, so you can get home safely after a night on the town. Who knows, Bountiful might just be the paradise for you.
Neighborhoods in Bountiful
East Bountiful: If you need space, the area around Bountiful Boulevard and North 1300 East is the place to be. Most homes are quite large: at least 3 bedrooms and often more. While the majority of these are owner-occupied, there are some rental properties available if you keep your eyes open.
Downtown: If you love urban living, downtown Bountiful is just the right mix. It is lively and diverse, with plenty of shopping in walking distance, so you can have the best of both worlds. While there are both owner-occupied and rental homes, many residents live in one of the apartments located in small apartment buildings. Unfortunately, the low cost of renting means that this is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Bountiful, so finding a place is like finding that darn needle in the haystack.
Monarch Drive / Bridlewood: If you feel more comfortable in an urban setting, but you want the beautiful suburban scenery of Bountiful, then this southwest neighborhood is right for you. While there are houses for rent, it is a good idea to start an apartment search early, because the area is primarily made up of large owner-occupied homes with 3 or more bedrooms. $$$$
North 400 East/East Center Street: The area around North 400 East/East Center Street has something for everyone, from singles to families to retirees. There are both large and small single-family houses, as well as several apartment complexes, and rents are affordable, making them all the more attractive. Commute times are lower in this neighborhood, and many choose to carpool with friends and neighbors to make the drive more pleasant.
Viewmont: If you want a single family rental home but you don't need multiple bedrooms, the area around North Main Street and West 1000 North is an ideal match. There are plenty of efficiency apartments and homes, along with options that are a little bigger, and you won’t complain about the cost of housing. It can be tough to find a place in this area, but it isn't impossible. There is more turnover than in other parts of Bountiful not because residents want out, but because of the many students that flock to the neighborhood. Thanks to the high student population, bus service is convenient, which makes commuting and getting errands done a snap.
Valley View: Newcomers to Bountiful often find that the area around South Davis Boulevard and Charlene Drive to be an excellent choice for everything from studio apartments to 3 bedroom apartments. Unlike many of the other Bountiful neighborhoods that are made up mostly of single family homes, this nabe offers residents options in apartment complexes. Prices are reasonable, and the area has a balance between an urban lifestyle and a suburban landscape.
South Davis Boulevard/South 400 East: If you want to live in the South Davis Boulevard and South 400 East neighborhood, you need to start making friends there first. Once folks move in, they typically stay for decades, so there are very few apartment rentals available. When you do find a place, you will probably pay a little more for it, but you won’t regret the extra expense. The tight-knit community looks out for each other like an extended family.
Val Verda: Young families often find that Val Verda is the right place to make a first home. Affordable rents, a variety of rental properties, and easy access to activities make this spot popular. In fact, many stay even when they trade up, transitioning from one of the rentals to a house of their own without leaving the neighborhood. Public transportation through Val Verda makes it easy to get to work without adding the extra expense of an additional car, which is all the more appealing.
Living Bountifully
Residents of Bountiful enjoy spending time together, and community events abound. There is a weekly farmers market, a city park, and a center for the arts. Poets and writers have opportunities to connect over coffee, and there is even a Quilters Guild that meets every two months. Though population-wise, Bountiful can certainly qualify as a city, the small-town feel of Main Street with its one-of-a-kind shops means you get the best of both worlds.
The Bountiful Historical Museum maintains the city's rich history, offering a look back at a time when the city was surrounded by a 12-foot wall. There are a variety of festivals unique to Bountiful, including Handcart Days -- a special celebration of Utah state holiday Pioneer Day -- which remembers the brave first residents of Salt Lake Valley. The City sponsors an annual Summerfest, which includes a variety of performers, vendors, and artists.
No conversation about Bountiful is complete without a nod to the amazing architecture of the Bountiful Utah Temple, dedicated in 1995, which belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Members of LDS are abundant in Bountiful, spending their time between the Temple and the Tabernacle, which was constructed in 1862.
Have you ever wondered where your favorite video games come from? You probably wouldn't have guessed that Bountiful, Utah, was the birthplace of Headgate Studios, where brilliant minds brought you the EA Tiger Woods PGA Tour series. Of course, video games isn't the city's only claim to fame. Nature’s most magnificent scenery is Bountiful's biggest draw, with mountains, canyons and forests there for hiking, biking, riding and more. In fact, the city is essentially built on the Wasatch Mountain Range, adding distinctive characteristics to daily living.
