Jordan Hills - West Jordan, UT

In 1848, when European settlers arrived in the area now called Salt Lake City, people immediately began settling in the area to the west of the town. Eventually named West Jordan, the area takes its name from the Jordan River, named by Mormon settlers after the Biblical Jordan River.

Early residents farmed, milled and mined for their livelihoods, and the area grow steadily for the next 150 years. In 2000, the area's population was 68,336 but a mere 10 years later, it exploded to over 103,000, making it the fourth most populous city in Utah. Jordan Hills, a neighborhood in the west part of West Jordan sits on the lower slopes of the eastern Oquirrh Mountains.

To encourage the development of an arts culture, West Jordan committed to building a library, education center and performing arts center in the middle of town.

In West Jordan, most restaurants sit near Plaza Center Drive and Jordan Landing Boulevard, and the mostly low- to mid-priced options include everything from sushi to burgers.

For landlocked Salt Lake City, Sakana Sushi sells some of the best sushi in the area. Start with a free bowl of edamame, and then move on to local favorites, such as monkey brains, Jordan rolls, salmon crunches and other treats.

Serving the area for over 15 years, Bombay House features a flurry of curry, and it has won more awards than any other ethnic restaurant in the state. From the moment he toasts the spices to the moment he adds the yogurt, Bombay's chef embraces the oldest traditions in authentic Indian cooking. Try the lamb coconut curry with an order of naan bread on the side followed by homemade mango pulp ice cream.

For nightlife, locals spend time with their families, or they head to the area's restaurants or sports bars. One of the only establishments with a liquor license near the Daybreak development, the Break Sports Bar and Grill has a menu full of hearty pub grub, and it hosts live music on the weekends. While in many establishments you cannot drink without ordering food, Break allows you to pound back the pints, and this spot welcomes kids if you prefer a family dinner over a night of hard drinking.

For a more entertaining evening, check out the Usana Amphitheatre right outside of the neighborhood in West Valley City. This outdoor music venue provides cheap lawn seats and even more comfortable, upfront seating, depending on how much you would like to spend on tickets. Keep up with the calendar to see what exciting bands and performers come to town.

Residents of Jordan Hills have access to free parking spots around their suburban neighborhood, and without traffic, they can make the 21-mile drive to downtown Salt Lake City in a half an hour via Highways 111 and 201.

Bus routes serve Jordan Hills, but depending on where you live, you may have to walk or get a cab to the bus stop, which could be 2 miles or more from your home. Once on the bus, you can take it to West Valley Central Station. From there, a light rail takes commuters into the city, and the ride takes approximately 30 minutes.

If they want to tackle the 21-mile ride, bicyclists can reach downtown via the Jordan River Parkway Trail. Trails also run through the area for recreational purposes. Although safe for walking, the suburban area is not convenient for walking. Cabs and Uber cars serve the area. Unless you want to wait for hours, do not try to hail one in the street. Instead, call a cab or use the Uber app.

For outdoor fun, Jordan Hills residents head to Valley Regional Park. Located nine miles to the east of the neighborhood, the park connects to Jordan Hills via bicycle paths. Once there, locals can exercise at the horseshoe pits or the baseball fields, or they can relax at one of the picnic areas. Kids play on the playground equipment, and this park, like the other parks in the metro area, welcomes dogs, but they must be leashed.

Locals who want to let their dogs play freely head to the West Jordan off-leash dog park. This 3.77-acre park has separate areas for big and small dogs, and it has benches and drinking fountains.

Living in Jordan Hills costs only a little more than the Salt Lake City average. While in Salt Lake City, locals pay an average of $751 per month for one-bedroom apartments, residents of Jordan Hills pay an average of $785 per month for one-bedroom apartments.

In local bars, drinkers can buy a pitcher of domestic brew for less than $9, and pints of craft beer start at $3. A bus ticket to the city center costs $3, but if you do not live near a bus stop, you may need to add cab fare to that price. Gas stations price their gas at 7 percent lower than the national average.

You'll find shops throughout Jordan Hills, including a range of chains such as Sears, Best Buy and TJ Maxx. To find upscale speciality shops or boutiques, shoppers leave Jordan Hills and drive to other parts of West Jordan or Salt Lake City.

If you have a special occasion coming up, check out Koo.De.Ker. This boutique sells formal gowns for cocktail parties, weddings and special events. It also has hip tops, skirts and jeans.

For groceries, locals shop at Harmons or Smith's Marketplace. When they crave fresh local produce, they head to the West Jordan Farmer's Market. Held in the parking lot of the Jordan School District, this market runs from early August to late October.