If you head south from the downtown area on Interstate-15 (I-15 for locals) for 25-30 minutes, you will reach one of the most desired, scenic, and affluent sections of the Salt Lake Valley - nestled on the south east corner.
Having lived in Draper from 2008 and 2019, and frequenting this area almost daily, I can attest that it truly is one of the most highly desired cities in the Greater Salt Lake City area - I like referencing it as Salt Lake City's 90210.
Until recently, Draper did offer housing to just about any budget out there, but as you and I know, rising home prices have morphed the market, making this area just a tad higher than what it used to be. I still remember begin able to find a condo or townhome in the high 200s, with single family homes starting in the low 400s - long gone are those days.
For example, according to the Multiple Listing Service (www.mls.com), there are a couple of 2-story townhomes between 1,800-1,900 sqft, both with 4 bedrooms, one has 4 bathrooms, the other one has 3 - in the 'flat' part of Draper. Last year, one of my soccer buddies listed his 2 bedroom 2 bathroom townhome in this neighborhood with me for....wait for it, 375K! Yeah, that was last year....anyway, the area is close to Harmons Grocery, private and public schools, IKEA, and just about anything you may need or want, as far as entertainment, shopping, dining, and extracurricular activities.
A little further up the hill towards South Mountain, we find a rambler sitting at a little over 2,200 sqft, with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. By the looks of it, needing some updating and getting it out of the late 90s (Built in 1997). This property is currently on the market for 500K. The home, but especially the neighborhood, makes it a perfect option for a new first time home buyer, or an investor looking for a great rental property with a solid ROI.
From there, we start climbing rapidly into million dollar properties up to the 2 highest priced properties - 4 Million and 4.2 Million. In fact, if you head over to Instagram and pull me up (@theactorsellinghomes), I just posted pictures of the 4 Million beauty off of historic Fort Street, a few blocks east from the previously mentioned townhomes.
As one of Salt Lake City's most aesthetically pleasing areas in the valley, whether you're an avid photographer, or you just happen to have a good camera on your iPhone - the pictures that you can take here will truly be stunning.
As you drive up the hill towards Suncrest, a Draper community literally on top of the mountain, you get jaw dropping scenery. I do need to add, before you make it up to Suncrest, you have to stop at Potato Hill, one of the best scenic spots with views of the Salt Lake Valley, perfect for a hike, a picnic, a wedding proposal, or as the backdrop for a 9-year-old's YouTube videos.....hahaha, that last one was for my own kid ;)
If you do make it up to Suncrest, make sure to stop in at The Ridge Cafe. Not only do they make a delicious pizza, and awesome gelato, in the summer time you have the perfect spot for a date night with live music. The Ridge also serves as a pop-up market with the essentials in case you don't have the time or energy to make it down the hill for groceries.
One of my favorite locations in Draper is the Andy Ballard Rodeo grounds, right across the street from the mouth of Corner Canyon. I have been coming to this place since 2010 to work out. With 5 flights of stairs, it is one of the most scenic locations for a good leg day session.
No matter the day of the week, the parking lot is filled with people unloading their cars/trucks with mountain bikes, or simply getting ready for a fun hike. Once you're in Corner Canyon, you can access several trails taking you up the mountain to various end points. Along one of the hikes, you will run into Red Rock, where you will find people climbing/bouldering, and repelling back down.
During the summer, sometimes you will see this parking lot filled with sponsor tents, and hundreds of bikes - mountain bikes, and sometimes road bikes - plenty of races.
Draper has something to offer for just about any lifestyle. I can't forget to mention a golf course and one of the largest paragliding parks in the nation....yes, a paragliding park. Back when I was a Draper resident, my townhome's front door was right below the launch point (on the hill) with 20, 30, sometimes 40 people paragliding.
In conclusion, Draper would be a wonderful candidate for any home buyer, whether you're a local, or you're relocating to the beautiful beehive state.
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