For those looking to relocate, Ancestor Square is a great reason to consider St. George real estate. Boasting many restaurants and businesses, this is truly a hub of the community. One additional seasonal asset to the square is The Downtown Farmers Market at Ancestor Square. Running on Saturday mornings from 8:00 am until noon from May to October, this market truly supports local farmers, bakers, and craftsmen. It also promotes the organic gardening movement sweeping southern Utah. Residents, visitors, and St George real estate owners alike enjoy peaceful Saturday mornings browsing the vendor booths, stocking up on local produce, crafts, and handmade goods while listening to live music and enjoying the fresh air.

Keeping products local and having a high standard for responsible farming is becoming more and more important to many people in this day and age. Choices for shopping beyond the local grocery stores are a great way to support the local farmers, bakers, and craftsmen of southern Utah. This market also brings the entire community together. It is easy to meet new people and learn new things about your own garden by chatting with the vendors and other buyers. Consider a move to southern Utah and enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of your very own piece of St. George real estate.  To view all homes for sale in St George, visit my Property Search page or contact Paula Smith Red Rock Real Estate today.

The natural beauty of the city is one of the great reasons to own St. George real estate. St. George maintains an extensive park and trail system so that residents can enjoy the outdoors close to home. The trail system includes those that are paved and those that have a natural surface. The city has a long term vision that these trails will be used for alternative transportation in years to come. Imagine the ability to bike from your St. George real estate home base to work or the market. It will be a great way to get exercise in as a normal part of your daily routine.  

The trail system in St. George is open to pedestrians, bikers, and skaters, including those on skateboards, inline skates, and roller skates. Pedestrians have the right of way. Dogs and other pets are allowed on the trails, as long as they are leashed and their waste is cleaned up. The Temple Quarry Trail is a scenic 2.1 mile long trail. It provides beautiful views of St. George real estate and Green Valley. The Bear Claw Poppy Trail is 5.5 miles long. It can be either an out-and-back trail or an 11.5 mile loop, if you take a few city streets. To view a full list of trail guidelines and find a list of trails and their lengths and amenities, click here.

One of the great things about owning St. George UT real estate is the city’s recreation program.  There are so many different classes and sports to choose from.  One fun programs is fishing!  April is a great month for fishing in St. George.  The Fishing Derby for kids 12 and under is held on Saturday, April 5th.  Kids who live on St. George UT real estate can participate for free in this introduction to fishing, held at TAWA Ponds, 2300 W. Snow Canyon Parkway.

The Youth Community Fishing Program will also be held in April.  For three Thursdays, April 10th to April 24th, kids ages 8 to 12 can learn the basics of angling.  Equipment is provided.  Participants will learn knot-tying, casting, how to identify fish, angler etiquette, and fishing regulations.  Classes will be held at Skyline Pond, 600 East Skyline Drive from 6 to 7:30 p.m.  Cost to register is only $18.

If you own St. George UT real estate and would like to find a stocked fishing pond near your home visit the city’s recreation page.  It also has information about amenities at the ponds, such as restrooms, picnic tables, benches, and a pavilion.  You can also learn more about the fishing classes offered to kids by clicking here. 

The growth of St. George and the St. George real estate market can be attributed to many things including the natural beauty, weather, and locations such as Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club. This private gated golf community offers golf, spa services, fine dining, and wedding and banquet facilities. For a limited time, non-residents can also consider a regular Equity Membership.  The 18 hole Johnny Miller signature golf course makes its way through ancient black lava flows, meandering streams, and has magnificent views of daunting red cliffs.  A great round of golf awaits all athletes. 

The Recreation Center is one of the best resources near St. George UT homes.  There are great exercise, swimming, and sports facilities.  The Recreation Center also offers many hobby classes.  People who have dreamed of making and designing their own pottery for their St. George UT homes should check out the beginning and intermediate pottery wheel class that’s starting in April.  

Beginners will learn how to center on a wheel.  They’ll make a mug, bowl, plate, and a vase.  Intermediate students will be able to work on projects of their choice.  They’ll also learn advanced techniques, including lidded containers.  Cost for the class is $65.  It includes clay, glazings, and firings.  Classes will be held on Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m.  The first class is April 7th.  The last is April 28th.  Three other sessions will meet Wednesdays, beginning April 2nd and going until April 23rd.  Class times are noon to 2 p.m. for Session 2; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for Session 3; or 7 to 9 p.m. for Session 4.  Registration is currently open.  To learn more and register, click here. Also take note of the classes offered in May, June, and July.  Get started on a fun and practical hobby and meet others who live in St. George UT homes!

People considering St. George homes will find lots to do in the city.  Many beautiful parks with hiking and sports facilities are maintained by the City of St. George.  Anyone wanting to learn about the plants and animals native to the area should take a trip to Tonaquint Nature Center.  There are self-guided nature walks to explore.  The center also offers classes for children and adults, and summer camp is even offered for children from four years old to fifth grade.  Each winter, Tonaquint hosts the annual St. George Winter Bird Festival.  Birdwatchers of all levels of experience come together to observe the many species of birds that stay in St. George during the winter.

There are so many great things about owning St. George UT real estate. Toward the top of the list are all the delicious frozen treats in town. Treat yourself to Nielsen Frozen Custard for a yummy, frozen dessert at the end of a hot day. If you’ve never tried a frozen custard, you’re in for a whole new level of smooth and creamy, in comparison to regular ice cream.  

If you’d like to get a hamburger and fries along with your dessert, try the Iceberg Drive Inn. It’s another famous fixture among St. George UT real estate owners. Their burgers are huge, and their fries are nice and crispy.  Save room for their thick shakes, though! It’s what they’re best known for and they have so many flavors - from chocolate to blackberry to eggnog.

St. George, Utah may be best known as a great place to retire, but that doesn’t mean families shouldn’t consider St. George homes. Over the last several years, the Washington County School District has worked very hard to improve student proficiency scores.  In math and language arts, at both the elementary and high school levels, proficiency is above the state average.  At all levels, the public schools near St. George homes are performing very well on state standardized testing.  Parents and students rate their schools very highly, too.  For instance, George Washington Academy, a kindergarten through eighth grade public charter school, scores 10 out of 10 on GreatSchools.org for its great performance on state testing.  

The St George real estate market is historically right on track. They say “history repeats itself” and in the case of our market, this appears to be true. The graph below does a great job with illustrating conditions over the past 3 years. You’ll notice that we tend to spike with homes listed in January to February, this is largely due to the Parade of Homes here in St George and secondly due to sellers who wanted to get through the holidays before listing their home for sale. So, the surge in new listings is very typical for this time of year though we are about 8.6% higher when compared to February 2013. This likely stems from seller confidence in the market, realizing that it is a better time to sell than it was last year. Interestingly enough, this also tends to be our two slowest months, this year falling right in line with traditions; however I would like to point out that this was our slowest February since 2011. That said, back in 2011 we did have a higher number of active homes, and the “Months in Inventory” was higher.

Information on St. George, Utah

If you are considering purchasing a home in St George, then you’re probably starting online with your preliminary research and/or perhaps you are in the initial stages of planning your trip to visit St George. Here is some information that may be useful to those who are in the information gathering stage and those who are planning to visit soon.

Las Vegas to St. George, Utah

First of all, watch the TIME! This typically becomes the first line of confusion when I am meeting a client for the first time. Often, those flying into Vegas will forget the time is NOT the same in St George, we are an hour LATER. From Las Vegas to St George Utah takes just under two hours to travel by car from the Vegas Airport, however with the time change; you’ll have to add the extra hour upon arrival.

Places to stay in St. George

If you are looking for a St George hotel, here are a few that my clients have used (as well as popular choices for visitors)
• Best Western Abby Inn 435-652-1234
• Courtyard Marriott 435-986-0555
• Comfort Suites 435-673-7000
• Ambassador Inn 435-634-7930