by Terry Morrison 
The first time you glimpse this picture-perfect town on the slopes of the Wasatch Range, you might be tempted to belt out a tune from “The Sound of Music.” But although its scenery might remind you of the Swiss Alps, the tale of Alpine, Utah is an all-American success story.
In 1850, several families settled in this northern part of Utah Valley after deciding it was ideal for raising cattle. Originally called Mountainville, Alpine received its new name from Brigham Young in 1855, when it was officially chartered as a city. In the 1860s, an early display of civic pride brought many poplar trees to beautify Alpine’s streets. Over the decades, parts of the small farming community fell into disrepair. But in 1965, Alpine residents inspired by Lady Bird Johnson’s “Clean Up, Paint Up, Fix Up” campaign did the first lady proud. They spruced up the city so well that they earned a national distinguished achievement award.
These days, Alpine is looking better than ever. The city’s population has grown from less than 1,000 to 10,574. It’s home to some of the wealthiest and best-educated people in America and known as a haven for young professionals who have chosen it as a safe and wholesome environment in which to raise their children.
Why They Love Living Here
Get to know some Alpine residents in these excerpts from reviews at Niche.com.
“It might seem like a little town amongst mountain peaks, but there is something breathtaking about this place. … Everything is perfect here, as it is surrounded by nature and close to Salt Lake City.”
“I have been living in Alpine since I was 5 … and it has been such a great experience! Nestled right between Lone Peak and Timpanogos, there are too many hiking trails to count, yards and houses are beautifully manicured, and you always feel safe.”
“There are stunning views of the mountains, as you are right up against them. There are amazing hikes as well, and if you simply drive 15 minutes up the canyon, there are mountain peaks you can climb with amazing views.”
“I am originally from Mexico and moved to Alpine 7 years ago. I enjoy walking around the neighborhoods of Alpine because they are very safe and family friendly. They have different parks, and on the holidays they decorate them with either Christmas lights or USA flags.”
“Alpine is quiet. My family has lived here for over 20 years. … There isn’t a single stop light within city limits, and it seems that everyone knows their neighbors.“
“Alpine’s a great place to grow up. I grew up here and the neighborhood is fantastic. Lots of very friendly people, always willing to lend a hand.”
“I’ve lived in Alpine for 14 years. Moved there from California. My kids were welcomed into the schools in a way that made the transition great. … Little more rural but shopping and entertainment are 10 minutes away … No crime to speak of … My neighbors are the best. I would have a hard time leaving …”
Of course, no place can be right for everyone. Downsides that some residents cited include a lack of diversity and a need for more stores, restaurants, and employment opportunities right in Alpine — although everyone acknowledged that nearby cities like Draper, Provo, and Salt Lake City provide all of these.
Elevate Your Lifestyle
If you’re at the peak of your career, or at least have the summit in sight, Alpine might be the ideal place to move to. With an elevation of 4,951 feet, it offers a lofty lifestyle to match. It’s a buyers’ market for real estate, with median home sale prices estimated at anywhere from $907,500 (Realtor.com) to $2,085,000 (Movoto). The average household income in Alpine is $182,408, the median age is 34, and nearly a third of the city’s residents are 17 or younger. Together, these statistics suggest that many affluent young couples want to raise their families here.
Children have every chance to succeed in this community where almost all the adults have a high school diploma and nearly 57% are college graduates. The Alpine School District offers enrichment opportunities like dual language immersion and an advanced learning lab for gifted students. The city also has well-regarded private schools. Kids in Alpine’s schools have access to programs at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center in nearby Pleasant Grove. These include a planetarium, laser shows, starship simulators, summer camps, and field trips.
If you’re seeking a new career opportunity, some of the biggest and reportedly best companies to work for in the Alpine area are American Indemnity, International Paper, Partners in Leadership, and Sundance Mountain Resort. Other popular employers include Adobe and Purple.
Utah is one of the safest states in the nation, and Alpine is one of its safest cities. Neighborhood Scout reports that here, you have only a 1 in 2,576 chance of being a victim of violent crime and a 1 in 129 chance of experiencing property crime. One survey found that the crime Alpine residents worry about most is having a package stolen by a porch pirate.
Gorgeous Trails for Hikers, Bikers, Horses, and Dogs
With more than 30 trails covering nearly 300 miles, the Alpine area offers abundant and varied adventures to enjoy whether your outdoor passion is hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, or delighting your dog with a tail-wagger of a walk. Here are AllTrails’ Top 5:
- Horsetail Falls via Deer Creek and Dry Creek Trail – Challenging
Length: 4.2 miles | Elevation gain: 1,653 feet | Route type: Out & back
Take a steep hike up a wooded canyon to feast your eyes on an amazing waterfall. - Silver Lake Trail – Moderate
Length: 4.5 miles | Elevation gain: 1,423 feet | Route type: Out & back
Hike to Silver Lake with cliffs on one side and a spectacular valley view on the other. - Scout Falls via Mount Timpanogos Trail – Moderate
Length: 2.9 miles | Elevation gain: 833 feet | Route type: Out & back
Make some new friends on this popular trail for hiking, running, and walking. - Lone Peak via Peak View and Jacob’s Ladder Trail – Highly challenging
Length: 15.6 miles | Elevation gain: 5,554 feet | Route type: Out & back
Scale this 11,260-foot Wasatch summit that rises above Salt Lake City. This hike is for skilled, experienced explorers only. - Horsetail Falls Trail Northern Route – Challenging
Length: 3.6 miles | Elevation gain: 1,345 feet | Route type: Out & back
Cross a long log bridge to reach this secret trail that ends at the bottom of Horsetail Falls.
Family-Friendly Community Events and Experiences
Alpine Days, the city’s best-known festival, began 77 years ago as a fundraiser for a church in need of new shingles. It grew to become a week-long celebration that takes place every August, and it truly does offer something for everyone. The parade and rodeo always draw a crowd. There are food trucks, boutiques, and music in Creekside Park. Competitions include a pickleball tournament, a quilt show, a Chalk the Walk contest, and a Candy Scramble for the kids. You can enjoy a 5K run, a mountain hike, a car show, and fireworks, too. Want more? Check out yoga in the park, chow down at the fire department barbecue, and enter your furry or feathered friend in the pet show. Join in the fun at the senior dinner or make a splash with the little ones on Water Day. And don’t forget the kids’ market, Home Run Derby, and bake-off!
Families can also enjoy:
- The Living Nativity presented every December by local volunteers who rejoice in sharing the spirit of Christmas
- The Alpine Historic DUP Relic Hall Museum, where members of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers offer free guided tours to acquaint visitors with the city’s past and its early settlers
- Moyle Historical Park, site of pioneer John Rowe Moyle’s 1850s farm, featuring log cabins and a stone structure Moyle called his “Indian tower”
- Ten more city parks that offer recreational facilities like baseball diamonds; courts for tennis, basketball, and sand volleyball; soccer fields; walking paths; picnic areas; children’s play areas; and more
The Sky’s the Limit for Fabulous Fantasy Homes
In Alpine, sprawling five-bedroom houses selling for more than a million dollars are common. So, it takes something truly sensational to qualify as luxury real estate. There’s a surprisingly large assortment of properties that qualify very nicely. If only the best will do, you might consider one of these incredible residences on the market for multiple millions.
How about a fully furnished 8-bedroom, 7-bathroom mansion with nearly 11,000 square feet of living space, sitting gracefully on more than 7 acres? Awesome valley views greet you as you enter through the fenced and gated private drive. There’s no excuse not to stay in top condition since there are tennis courts, an indoor pool and spa, a sauna, and a fitness center. Other amenities include a chef’s kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, expansive spaces for dining and entertaining, radiant heated floors, and a striking fish tank to provide a touch of aquatic whimsy. A theater awaits indoors, and a covered patio and deck beckon outside amid exquisite landscaping.
Want to wow your guests with incredible views as you host a rooftop party for 200? There’s a house for that. It snuggles against the foothills and nestles in so much greenery that you can enjoy the views from floor-to-ceiling windows and still have all the privacy you desire. The home has 4 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms and spans over 10,000 square feet. Its kitchen is a thing of beauty with everything the most demanding chef could want. There’s a home gym, a state-of-the-art theater, and space for a future pool, golf simulator room, and elevator. Although the home’s lot spans only 1.38 acres, you’d feel like you owned limitless land since the property backs up to Bureau of Land Management acreage that no one can build on.
If you’d rather customize a new luxury residence that’s being built just for you, that’s possible, too. One smart home that’s going up in an exclusive subdivision will have 6 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, cover almost 11,600 square feet, and be surrounded by 2.3 acres offering mountain vistas and lake views. Vaulted ceilings, a theater, a mother-in-law apartment, a basement apartment with its own entrance, and a home office are in the plans. There will be a covered deck, a stable for horses, and a garage for up to 6 vehicles — Mustangs, maybe?
Fortunately, Alpine has so much to offer that you don’t need a massive mansion to feel like some of your fondest dreams are coming true.
