Mapleton, Utah, is a pretty place. In fact, it's pretty enough that the producers of the 2001 indie film, "Brigham City," didn't actually film their murder mystery in _Brigham City. And yes, there _is actually a Brigham City. Anyway, the point is, they went for aesthetics over accuracy and chose the quaint, picturesque (pretty) hamlet of Mapleton instead.
Mapleton is located in Utah County, UT, in the North Central part of the state. As of the last Census estimate, the city has 7,979 residents. The fact that Mapleton was named after the maple tree should tell you something about the area. Need a little help? There is an abundance of trees (including lots of maples) and unspoiled natural beauty abounds (by now you should know this). Spanish Fork and Ether peaks flank this lush valley below. Locals don't call Spanish Fork by its official name, though. In these parts, it's simply Maple Mountain. You'll be way ahead of the game if you know that little tidbit before you Google apartment complexes. If someone tells you that there's an apartment to rent with a view of "Maple Mountain" and you try to find that mountain on a Utah map, you'll be looking for a long, long time.
Moving to Mapleton
Before you grab your apartments locator guide and hit the pavement, there are some helpful tips you should know so you don't waste your precious time. You are on a mission, after all, to find luxury apartments in Mapleton. How frustrating would it be to be stopped cold by some local quirk of which you weren't aware.
Day of Rest
One important thing to know is that a lot of things shut down on Sundays in these parts. Church, skiing, napping, house cleaning ‰Û_ people around here value having time off of work to do other things they need or want to do. That's great from a quality-of-life standpoint, but not so amazing for a guy or gal hoping to look at studio apartments on Sunday morning. There are always exceptions, of course, and you might luck out and find a landlord who's cool with showing a property on Sunday. So before you roll into an apartment complex assuming there's an agent waiting with open arms, give them a call first to find out if they're open on Sunday.
Newsflash: It Snows In Utah
Not everyone is flexible about what time of year they plan to move. But if you have that luxury, you'll have a far more enjoyable experience house hunting and moving if you avoid doing it in the dead of winter. In late December and through mid-January (the snowiest times in Mapleton), snowfall averages roughly 13 inches. Who wants to trudge through that looking for an apartment or, even worse, unpacking a U-Haul?
Mapleton Neighborhoods
If you're looking for a house or condo to rent in Mapleton, you will find myriad options. While much of the housing stock is of the higher-end, luxury variety, if you do your homework you can find more affordable options. Below are a couple of representative examples of the type of neighborhoods that you'll find in Mapleton.
Harvest Park: Some residents of this master-planned community could, conceivably live much of their lives without _leaving _their neighborhood. The neighborhood includes a church, a school, a store, and a park -- just to name a few of its amenities. It's divided into three subsections (Crescent, Silverleaf, and Wildflower), to make it easier to tell your friends where to find you. This community consists of detached homes and easier-to-maintain townhomes.
Mapleton Highlands: This community consists of single-family homes -- primarily large (think five bedrooms, five baths) homes on large lots.
If you prefer apartment living, drive about a mile to Spanish Fork for a great option called the Diamond Fork Apartments. A few more miles out, in the much larger city of Provo, you'll find apartments and condos galore.
Living in Mapleton
Residents of this tidy, well-run city always know what's going on, thanks to a City Newsletter that keeps the entire community up to date the on important stuff like water rate hikes, dates for citywide cleanups open-burn opportunities, and details about local festivals, fun events, and new businesses.
Speaking of festivals, one of most eagerly anticipated community events is the Mapleton Pioneer Days festival each summer. This is a day that's jam-packed full of fun events held throughout the city. Every year is different, but typically there is a 5K run, petting zoo, flag ceremony, parade, inflatable bounce houses, and tons of food vendors. The evening's events include bands, a helicopter ping pong drop, and the grand finale: a humongous fireworks show.
Pioneer Days may, arguably, be the most fun day of the year in Mapleton, but there's plenty to do year-round in this outdoorsman's paradise. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, bird watching -- you'll find it all here.
As with many small communities, residents enjoy meeting up at the local hangout to visit and catch up. Locals are still mourning the closure of the city's train-themed Model A Caf̩ (but remain hopeful that this all American diner will make a return under new ownership one day). Fortunately, the Nevo Kitchen on Main Street still serves up delicious fare in a friendly setting. And for a quick bite on the go, while you're headed to a softball or soccer game perhaps, you can grab a Subway sandwich. A few miles away in Spanish Fork and Springdale, there are plenty more dining options
Considering its small-town charm, exemplary quality of life, and easy access to major regional hubs like Provo and Salt Lake City, for many, Mapleton is paradise found.