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As the most populous and famous city in Utah, Salt Lake City is likely the state's top retirement destination. But while retirees flock to shiny Salt Lake City, they miss the gems on the outskirts. Mere minutes from Utah's capital are communities just as deserving of your twilight years鈥攑erhaps even more so. From Millcreek and its mountains to Bountiful and its gardens to Park City and its picture shows, these non-SLC settlements present different paths for pensioners.

Millcreek

Considered a suburb of Salt Lake City but incorporated as its own city, Millcreek is an excellent place to mill about after retirement. Populous yet mellow, scenic yet urban, and vintage yet vibrant, this city has something for all types of retirees. The Wasatch Mountains offer revitalizing recreation, while downtown Millcreek offers relaxing eateries. For example, El Chihuahua Restaurant is ideal for some Mexican fare, while Sicilia Mia abounds with Italian food. You should have no trouble finding buddies for a meal since roughly 16 percent of Millcreek's ~63,000 residents are 65 or over. Housing prices are comparable to those in the big city, as is access to assisted living. Facilities like Highland Cove and the Peaks at Millcreek have you covered if need be, offering services like massage therapy, a wellness center, and regular meals.

Morgan

Morgan is for retirees wanting a rustic life not too far from Salt Lake City. Just over 4,000 people call this mountain town home, of which nearly 13% are seniors, indicating a strong social environment. Outdoor activities are, of course, plentiful and range from high-octane rafting on the Weber River to leisurely golf at the Round Valley Golf Course. LDS adherence in Morgan County is higher than the state average but appears to be dropping. Morgan has a medical clinic, Morgan Health Center, and a retirement community, Family Tree Assisted Living. For greater care, Salt Lake City is about 45 minutes away, so you can make a round trip whenever needed.

Heber City

Heber City is quite the opposite of Morgan. Sure, it is another mountain town in the Wasatch Back, but you cannot call it quaint. Heber has around 17,000 residents and is rapidly growing. Moreover, it is a year-round tourist destination, drawing visitors with indoor and outdoor attractions like the Heber Valley Brewing Company and Heber Valley Railroad, respectively. For seniors, the Wasatch County Senior Citizen Center offers plenty of services and programs, such as concerts, awareness workshops, and movie nights. Housing prices are high, but several retirement communities offer an affordable alternative. Sante Assisted Living is one of the best, with independent, assisted, and memory care living options.

Bountiful

Set between the Great Salt Lake and the Wasatch Range, Bountiful lives up to its name as a lush, welcoming city with a strong sense of community. Known as the "Garden Spot of Utah," this charming city offers peaceful neighborhoods, green spaces, and easy access to both nature and urban amenities. The Bountiful Ridge Golf Club offers stunning mountain views alongside well-maintained fairways, providing a perfect retreat for retirees looking to enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Those who prefer leisurely walks in nature will appreciate Mueller Park Trail, a scenic escape where golden aspen trees light up the hills in the fall.

For retirees seeking community living and extra support, Bountiful offers a variety of assisted living and senior housing options, including Creekside Assisted & Senior Living and Legacy House of Bountiful. Independent retirees will find home prices comparable to Salt Lake City, making it an appealing alternative to big-city life while still being just a short drive from SLC鈥檚 海角社区-class healthcare, entertainment, and airport access.

Daybreak

Daybreak is a master-planned community within the confines of South Jordan. It began in 2004 and has grown to cover approximately 4,000 acres, 10,000 homes, 40,000 people, and half the population of its host city. Being master-planned means virtually everything in Daybreak has been meticulously designed, from its dozen villages to its 67-acre Oquirrh Lake to its many amenities organized under the "five-minute rule" so that every home is within a five-minute walk. One of Daybreak's mini-communities is the senior-centric Sagewood, which spans 235,000 square feet of independent residences, assisted living apartments, and memory care suites. The campus also offers daily activities, walking paths, an indoor pool, and an on-site saloon so seniors can relax during their golden years.

North Ogden

North of the quasi-metropolis of Ogden is North Ogden, a 21,000ish-person bedroom community where you can find some of the state's coziest bedrooms. Here, retirement homes look like French ch芒teaus. In fact, one is called The Auberge. Here, seniors can enjoy assisted living and memory care, with services like chef-prepared meals and a community-centric lifestyle. Dining and recreation are also fine, as are seniors, who account for nearly 13 percent of North Ogden's population per the 2020 U.S. Census. Although you need not leave North Ogden at all, its proximity to Ogden is a huge plus. This bigger brother offers such excellent attractions as Ogden Botanical Gardens and the Ogden Dinosaur Park. Moreover, Parade magazine named it one of the five best places to retire in America.

Holladay

You can spend a holiday in Holladay, but you are better off spending the rest of your life. This 32,000ish-person city sits below Millcreek and has one of the highest concentrations of seniors in the state. About one in five residents is 65 or over. To this end, there is a strong social environment for retirees. To make some new friends, seniors can make the short trip to Mt. Olympus Senior Center in Millcreek, which offers educational classes, lectures, fitness programs, and transportation assistance. Naturally, Holladay hosts a whole lot of extendicare facilities, such as Sunrise, but new retirees can buy a grand home and explore grand greenery like Knudsen Park. The most adventurous are mere minutes from both Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Mountains.

Logan

For retirees who would rather be around youth, Logan is the perfect pick. Home to Utah State University, this college town is safe, relatively affordable, and roughly an hour and 20 minutes from Salt Lake City. Sure, calling Logan a "town" is a bit of a stretch since it is within the top 20 largest cities in Utah, but it has a classic town-like downtown and is a stone's throw from serenity thanks to the Millville Face Wildlife Management Area. Thus, active seniors can head out to spots like Logan Peak and Providence Cave to stay fit and grab some scenic photos. Though the majority of Logan鈥檚 residents are young adults, it still has around 3,800 seniors. Thus there are plenty of people, young and old, to befriend for treks through the forest or tours of downtown architecture like the Cache County Historic Courthouse.

Park City

Park City is a paradise with a huge price tag. This lavish retreat sparkles not just with the bright lights of Main Street but also with surrounding snow-capped resorts with their own legit villages. But what better place to spend one's hard-earned savings? Tuck yourself into a mountainside manor or mingle with like-minded retirees at the Park City Mountain Village or theaters for the iconic Sundance Film Festival. Though a tourist hot spot, Park City is quiet during the off-season. The city's population, according to the 2020 Census, is only 8,396. Moreover, for seniors, the Park City Senior Center is open four days a week, with regular lunches, exercise classes, movie nights, and more.

Wrapping Up

Salt Lake City is far from the only destination for Utah retirees. But even if you love SLC and want to visit often, these nine communities allow exactly that. Millcreek, Morgan, Heber City, Bountiful, Daybreak, North Ogden, Holladay, Logan, and Park City put you less than two hours from the big city while offering their own attractions ranging from mountaintop recreation to master-planned communities. Let SLC's outskirts be the twinkling stars of your twilight years.