Orem South - Orem, UT

This beautiful neighborhood's history is inextricably tied to the settling of the Utah Valley by early Mormon explorers and missionaries. Incorporated in 1919, Orem started as a speculative agricultural area but quickly evolved into a well-planned small city. With the construction and growth of Brigham Young University in nearby Provo and Utah Valley University in Orem itself, the area turned its emphasis to supporting education and fostering start-up companies.

Woodbury Art Museum showcases permanent and visiting displays, and admission is free. The BYU Museum of Palaeontology highlights Utah's important place in the world of fossil discovery and research.

As you expect in an area with such a strong emphasis on higher education, a fairly robust local arts scene keeps local galleries and festivals full of original art and performance spaces lit with plays and music.

State Street, the main commercial drive through South Orem, features a great variety of locally-owned eateries. Chain restaurants are few and far between, and the dining scene is excellent. Pizzeria 712 sources their ingredients from local farms, and their menu consists of a delightful mix of classic recipes and new favorites such as the butternut squash, bacon and onion offering. The name of the restaurant comes from their 712-degree wood oven used to fire their pizzas.

Joe's Cafe brags of the "Finest Breakfast in all of Utah," and locals agree. There's nothing out of the ordinary here, just classic breakfast dishes such as the Chef's Special Biscuits and Gravy and Joe's Omelet, a four-egg affair with bacon, sausage and cheese. Check the website for operating hours and daily specials.

The health-conscious crowd gravitates to Aubergine and Company on South State Street. Build your own Mediterranean sandwich or salad from a wide variety of organic ingredients, including their wonderful baked falafel.

When it comes to nightlife, South Orem won't impress or excite you. Club Fusion is the only dance club in the neighborhood, catering to students and young singles. Several bars and restaurants serve drinks into the evening hours, but this muted neighborhood is not the destination for late night fun. Locals travel to Provo for its clubs and bars or to Salt Lake City for concerts and special events.

Interstate 15 connects Orem to Salt Lake City, Provo and more distant points. Easy freeway access and ample parking in town makes this a very car-friendly neighborhood.

The Utah Transit Authority offers extensive bus service connecting South Orem to the rest of the city and to Provo, including the BYU campus. In addition, the Frontrunner rail system stops here, with service to Salt Lake City and other points north.

A taxi sighting on the streets is not likely, but several cab companies will come if you call them. Uber availability here is excellent, and a cross-town ride will only run about $12.

South Orem's wide sidewalks and friendly streets make cycling or walking a popular option, especially in the warmer months.

Numerous parks make outdoor recreation in South Orem an easy affair. Scera Park, a neighborhood favorite, features two playground areas, a jogging and walking path and the Scera Park Pools, open seasonally. Residents visit Community Park on the north side of the neighborhood for its lighted tennis courts, baseball fields, and barbecue pavilions. All city parks are free to use, with optional rentals of pavilions and other structures available for residents.

There are no off-leash dog areas in Orem itself, though Provo does have several dog parks to draw residents and visitors alike. The Provo River Parkway, a trail converted from an old railway, attracts dog owners and fitness buffs alike for its 15 miles of level, graded surface along the riverbank.

Locals and travelers alike attend the nationally famous Timpanogos Storytelling Festival each spring, and Orem's Summerfest celebration and parade in June draws revelers from the entire Utah Valley.

LIfe in South Orem comes with a relatively high price tag when compared to the rest of the country, but when compared to nearby Provo and Salt Lake City, the cost can seem low. Rental housing can generally be reasonable. In South Orem, a one-bedroom unit rents for around $780.

A round-trip bus fare on the Utah Transit Authority system costs $2.50. Gas prices run 10 percent lower than the national average. A cold beer at a local pub will cost you around $6.

University Mall on the southern edge of the neighborhood provides most of the shopping opportunities for South Orem residents. With anchor stores such as Macy's, along with dozens of fast food joints and specialty shops, University Mall will meet your shopping needs.

Big box stores such as Best Buy, Lowe's, and Ross occupy sites along University Way on the southern edge of the neighborhood. A Costco store sits just north of the University Mall.

Bella Ella Boutique stocks unique women's styles, and the staff strives to be helpful to shoppers. Another popular option is Soel Boutique, specializing in women's and children's clothing that can't be found in department stores.

A Super Target sits on the north end of the neighborhood, and most locals shop for their groceries here. Several specialty markets can be found here as well, including Chao's Asian Market on State Street, and Sprouts Farmers Market, which sells fresh produce and other goods year-round in an indoor market.

Provo hosts a weekly farmers market at Pioneer Park through the month of October.