by Terry Morrison 
Pleasant Grove lives up to its name. Many residents of this close-knit community of about 37,500 enjoy living here so much that they never thought of going elsewhere. It’s a great place for newcomers, too, because it’s easy to find a well-paying job and a terrific school to send your kids to.
Do you love the mountains or the shore? Living here, between Mount Timpanogos and Utah Lake, you’ll have 229 sunny days a year to enjoy both to your heart’s content. And you can look forward to some of the country’s best skiing and snowboarding when the annual 42 inches of snow arrive.
Pleasant Grove Then and Now
Mormon pioneers, enticed by a small grove of trees promising nearby water and rich soil, began settling the area in 1850. They named their tiny community Battle Creek due to recent conflicts with the Ute tribe of Indigenous people. In 1855, Pleasant Grove was incorporated under its more peaceful name.
Facing harsh winters and famine, early residents banded together for survival. Modern ones stick together out of camaraderie and pride of place.
In 1920, as a tribute to their mascot, the Grovarian, Pleasant Grove High School’s students gathered rocks to create a gigantic capital “G” 150 feet up the side of Little Mountain. In 1978, citizen groups got together to airlift concrete in to make the eroding letter permanent. 1986 brought another restoration. In 2023, after residents raised $700,000, the big “G” was rebuilt to stand the test of time, complete with solar panels and LED lights. People flying back from their travels will always know they’re home when they spot the 136-by-102-foot marker. Gee, that’s community spirit!
Why Move to Pleasant Grove?
Some residents tell why they’re happy to be living here:
“This is a safe, family-oriented community that is growing. It is centrally located between Salt Lake and Provo. It is just 15 minutes from the [Brigham Young] university. There has been a lot of business expansion and new housing in the last few years which has refreshed the cityscape.”
“I love what a small town it is but that it’s close to a lot of shopping places. The community is supportive and close. They are constantly trying to improve things throughout the town.”
“Wonderful place to live with many places to hike that are nearby. Also, it’s pretty central to other cities and attractions that you can go visit!“
“Pleasant Grove is one of the tightest-knit communities I’ve ever seen. The pride for the city and high school here is unmatched as a large portion of residents here are multi-generational Pleasant Grove citizens.”
“Great people! Pleasant Grove is a very kind and loving community! People tend to look out for each other. The best part is how crazy safe it is!”
A couple of downsides to keep in mind: Some residents who don’t belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say it takes a while to feel like a part of this overwhelmingly LDS community. And lots of motorists say their cars would appreciate some attention to the streets’ numerous potholes.
Pleasant Grove’s 2.9% unemployment rate, about 1% less than the U.S. average, is good news for anyone wanting to start or continue a career here. Retail trade; professional, scientific, and technical services; education; and healthcare are the leading industries.
The city’s top 5 employers, according to Zippia, Inc., are:
- dōTERRA, a multilevel marketing company selling essential oils and related products
- Niels Fugal Sons, contractor building water and sewer mains, pipelines, and communications and power lines
- Loveland Innovations, a company specializing in gathering and delivering roof and property data
- ASEA, a global leader in marketing products for cellular health
- Quail Run Primary School Foundation, primarily engaged in community improvement and social change
More opportunities are available in nearby Orem and Provo with companies involved in software, technology, and advanced manufacturing.
Almost everyone here is a high school graduate, and 40% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Your children can receive an excellent education in a school district that runs highly rated public schools ranging from elementary level to junior high and the famed Pleasant Grove High School. When your kids are ready for higher education, or you’d like to continue yours, 23 colleges enrolling more than 318,000 students are within 50 miles of Pleasant Grove.
City of Trees, Parks, and Trails
Known as the “Utah’s City of Trees,” Pleasant Grove is home to a dozen parks offering youth and adult sports and classes as well as seven walking and hiking trails.
Take the kids to Discovery Park, where they can have fun learning about science by investigating whisper dishes, a dinosaur sand pit, an earthquake platform, and music tubes. Within the surrounding Manila Park are Discovery Playground plus baseball diamonds, soccer fields, lighted tennis courts, a walking path, and barbecue grills.
When your family has had enough of reality for a while, head for the mythical fantasy world of Evermore Park. In this replica of an old European village, you’re encouraged to wear costumes and embark on adventures, completing quests, meeting fanciful characters, and snacking along the way. Attractions include an archery range, a battle arena, and a train ride. Authentic items from five countries, spanning the 15th through 19th centuries, as well as some dating back to 400 BC, will delight history buffs.
Soak up the natural beauty of 17-mile Murdock Canal Trail, which connects seven Utah Valley towns. It’s marked every quarter mile, and you can find restrooms and running water about every 3 miles. There’s a paved route with trailheads from Orem to Lehi plus an adjacent path where you can ride your horse.
Other noteworthy trails include:
- Battle Creek Trail, which offers an easy 2.2-mile hike to a waterfall
- Valley Vista Trail, a 6.5-mile multi-use system with loops for all skill levels and a breathtaking view of the valley
- “G” Trail, a .95-mile path that offers a steep climb to the high school’s famous capital letter on the mountainside.
Strawberry Zeal Forever
The longest-running festival in Utah, Pleasant Grove’s 103-year-old Strawberry Days celebration brings the community together for more than a week every June. This year’s theme is “The Heart of Pleasant Grove” — it’s fitting since strawberries were the heart of the city’s economy from 1920 to 1950 when the sweet, juicy berries were its major export. The strawberry fields and the cannery that processed the fruit yielded to development several decades ago, but the strawberries and their fans are going strong.
Whatever your favorite leisure pursuits, you can enjoy them at the festival. Events and activities includes:
- Car show
- Carnival
- Fireman’s pancake breakfast
- Concerts
- Garden and pioneer tours
- Mammoth parade
- Children’s parade
- Baby contest
- Rodeos
- Races for adults and kids
- Huck Finn Day
- Sports tournaments including golf, pickleball, and volleyball
- Family fair
- And, of course, tons of strawberries in cream or baked in dough for a pie-eating contest
Make the Most of a Seller’s Market With Staging
If you’re thinking of putting your Pleasant Grove house on the market, this is an ideal time to do it. Houzeo notes that not only have Utah home values risen by 57.8% over the past five years, but in January 2024, home sales rose by 30.8% over the same month in 2023. In February 2024, according to Movoto, homes were selling for a median price of $532,492 after 48 days on the market – much faster than last year’s 102-day wait.
If you’d like to make an even quicker sale and boost your profits to boot, consider staging your home before you show it to prospective buyers. For inspiration, courtesy of Utah Style & Design magazine, here are some takeaways from Utah’s 2024 St. George Area Parade of Homes:
- Fluted and ribbed elements in cabinetry, tiles, glass doors, and wall treatments
- Earthy tones like mossy green, rich clay, warm taupe, and dark charcoal
- Gorgeously styled, practical outdoor living spaces
- Books displayed as art
- Wall sconces used as lighted sculptures
- Plaster finishes to add warmth and texture
Unlike other ideas that require renovations, these are some quick updates to consider making before you schedule your open house. Shelly is an expert at the art of staging, and she’d be happy to help you show off your home to its best advantage when you put it up for sale. Give her a call for more information about the staging services she provides.
