16 Pros and Cons of Living in Provo, UT

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Provo is known as one of the best cities in Utah to live in.

It’s a town full of millennials with a host of things to do.

Provo has excellent weather, a thriving job market, and relatively low crime rates.

Nonetheless, Provo also has several drawbacks.

If you’re contemplating moving to Provo, you must first consider all the advantages and disadvantages.

Use this guide to aid in making the best decision.

Pros of Living in Provo, UT

1. Great for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Provo offers a great deal of outdoor activities along with natural beauty.

Do you consider yourself a true outdoor enthusiast?

If so, Provo is located close to the Wasatch Mountains, giving residents easy access to various recreational locations for rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking.

The Provo River allows residents to raft and even fish.

There are also many parks here, including Arches, Canyonlands, and Bryce, where you can enjoy your favorite outdoor recreation activities.

2. Low Crime Rate

The crime rate in Provo is 33.5% lower than the crime rate in the entire state of Utah.

It’s an ideal location for families and individuals looking for a haven to call home.

Residents living here can enjoy a welcoming community.

Provo’s strong presence of law enforcement also contributes to the overall feeling of safety in this community.

People living in Provo can have peace of mind while benefiting from a higher quality of life.

3. Educational Opportunities

Provo is infamous for the vast majority of educational opportunities it provides students and residents alike.

One of the highest-ranked private research institutions in the nation, Brigham Young University, is located right here in Provo.

Moreover, Provo is also home to a countless number of private and public schools that serve families with different educational needs.

Provo has an education system that is easily attainable, no matter your background.

4. Family-Friendly

Are you looking for a community that provides an ample amount of family-friendly activities?

Well, look no further than Provo. Residents living here are known for their charm and genuine kindness.

Every neighborhood here has its appeal and amenities.

Provo has plenty of recreational facilities, playgrounds, and parks throughout the city.

This means that children and adults of all ages will find something suitable for entertainment.

5. Thriving Job Market

In 2015, the job market in Provo increased at a pace that was much faster than any other city in the country.

The largest missionary training center in the United States is located in Provo.

This alone provides jobs in the tech industry.

Currently, the job market in Provo ranks second in the nation to smaller metro areas.

So, if you need a job, you can feel confident knowing that you’ll find something that matches your skills in Provo.

6. Bigfoot Sightings

If you’re a hiker, you may get lucky and catch a glimpse of Bigfoot.

In recent years, many people who have hiked in Provo Canyon have reported seeing Bigfoot.

Only several people have been lucky enough to catch the peculiar creature on video.

Many people aren’t able to differentiate between a bear and Bigfoot.

However, residents living here have plenty of evidence to support their findings, including footprints.

7. Plenty of Food Trucks

Who doesn’t enjoy food trucks?

Every Thursday at 6 p.m., you’ll be able to see plenty of food trucks parked in the Startup Building’s parking lot.

This gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy some of the best food in town.

You’ll find everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to gourmet waffles.

We also can’t forget to mention that the best burritos in town are found right here.

8. Many Cultural Opportunities

Provo offers residents living here plenty of cultural opportunities.

Do you consider yourself an artsy or creative person? You’ll find plenty of music and art here in town.

The Downtown Provo Gallery Stroll displays some creative paintings and is overall a vibrant arts scene.

The Covey Centers for the Arts has live performances that you can check out if you’re looking for some entertainment in town.

Cons of Living in Provo, UT

1. Cost of Living

Overall, Provo is appraised as an affordable city.

But, the cost of living can be a major drawback for individuals living here.

For example, groceries, utilities, housing, and transportation costs are a little bit higher compared to other towns in the state and the country.

For instance, the cost of real estate in Provo is much higher than in other areas.

What does this mean for you?

If you’re new to the area and looking for an affordable home, you may run into some challenges.

2. Challenging Weather

The weather and climate may be challenging for some residents living in Provo residents.

Provo has extremely hot summers and freezing winters.

Not to mention, Provo does see a lot of snow during the winter.

The weather and climate can harm those looking to partake in outdoor activities.

Provo does not get nearly as much sunshine compared to other areas in the country and state.

This can truly affect your quality of life.

3. Lacks Diversity

Are you someone who thrives in a town that has a lot of diversity?

Well, you may want to reconsider moving to Provo, because it’s just the opposite.

There just isn’t a lot of diversity in Provo. The area is predominantly white.

This makes it difficult to expose yourself to different cultures if you live here.

What the city does offer is a variety of activities and amenities.

Yet if diversity is a determining factor, this isn’t the ideal location for you.

4. Limited Arts and Culture Scene

Provo is an infamous Latter-Day Saint community.

So, what does this mean for you?

It means that you will experience a lot of limitations on cultural diversity in Provo.

While Provo does have some art attractions, the variety of museums and cultural events is extremely limited.

Moreover, the metro area simply lacks diversity.

As mentioned earlier, if you’re looking to live a more varied life, you probably won’t blend in well here.

5. Religious Area

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having and sharing your religion.

Provo is a strong religious area.

The Mormon Church is located in Provo, and its presence is obvious.

This can make it difficult for those who have opposite beliefs or look for a religious environment that is more diverse.

The city’s open religious culture may be suffocating for some.

As a result, this may influence negative attitudes.

6. Traffic

Provo, Utah, has an increasingly large amount of traffic, mainly due to the presence of college students in town.

If you commute to work, this could mean longer wait times at major intersections and stop lights.

The train and track systems contribute to traffic issues.

This system frequently stops traffic on major streets.

Roadways in Utah are set up like a grid.

And while this may seem like a simple layout, it has caused issues with construction and traffic, resulting in more congestion.

7. Air Quality Issues

Provo was ranked as having the filthiest air in the entire country in 2015.

The air quality isn’t the best in Provo due to local fires, emissions, and pollution from steel factories.

Since there are so many valleys and mountains in Utah, the air gets easily trapped.

Provo has consistently been ranked in the top five cities with the most polluted air.

For those who have respiratory issues, this could be destructive.

8. Lacks a Real Nightlife Scene

The culture of Provo is highly religious.

Nearly all members that attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints follow certain religious beliefs that affect the way they live.

For example, church members don’t believe in consuming alcohol or drugs.

They also refrain from having sexual relationships outside of marriage.

These beliefs have a significant impact on the number of bars present in Provo.

In addition, many places close early, limiting the nightlife scene in town.

Pros and Cons of Living in Provo, UT – Summary Table

Provo Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Provo Safety Review

Safety Index:

94

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW