7 Most Hospitable Retirement Towns In Utah

It is common for those nearing retirement to feel apprehensive about what to do next. For many, retiring means downsizing and moving to another state. Fortunately, the U.S. offers many towns that make retirement enjoyable and ease the transition. Some of these towns are in beautiful Utah, where the sense of community is strong and there is easy access to nature. If you plan to retire in Utah, consider these seven towns.

Park City

If you want to enjoy the outdoors and nature, Park City is an excellent place to retire. Park City was once a silver mining town, but has transformed into one of the most popular ski destinations in the U.S. Park City is home to a lively arts scene, including the Park City Kimball Arts Festival, live music, and seasonal cultural events.. If you plan to stay active after retirement, you can enjoy skiing in the winter and hiking or biking during the summer. You can also fish at Jordanelle or Rockport Reservoir for trout and smallmouth bass.

Park City also offers numerous community events and activities, providing an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends while having a great time. The Park City Puzzling Adventure is a two-hour team walking challenge, as you solve clues and complete several challenges. This scavenger hunt is priced per team, and we recommend smaller teams for a better experience. You can also join the Park City Food Tours, which will take you down Main Street, where you can enjoy great food as you learn more about your new town’s history. The entire downtown area is walkable, so you can explore new streets regularly as you get to know your new home.

Heber City

Heber City is a picturesque town located in the Heber Valley of Wasatch County. It is a 43-mile drive from Salt Lake City and seventeen miles away from Park City. Heber City offers a relaxed mountain-view setting and exciting property options. If you want to freelance or teach after retiring, you will be close enough to economic centers, including the University of Utah.

If you prefer to relax, there are plenty of ways to do so. You can ski at Deer Valley and the soon-to-be-open Mayflower Mountain Resort, or hike all around the town. Jordanelle State Park offers camping grounds, boating, and a beach.

Should you want to experience the outdoors with friends and family, Strawberry Reservoir is excellent for snowshoeing in winter and fishing in summer. Heber City also boasts the Avon Theatre, where you can catch new and classic movies. Additionally, you can take the grandkids to the CAF Utah Wing WWII Aviation Museum to see vintage aircraft and WWII artifacts.

Cedar City

Moving from a big city to a small Utah town can feel like a big change, but it doesn’t mean losing culture or connection. In Utah’s small towns, the arts often help new residents build connections.

In Cedar City, also known as Festival City, you can look forward to the Utah Shakespeare Festival every year. Residents and tourists gather outdoors for memorable performances and pop-up concerts. The festival also includes art walks and even lectures. Southern Utah University hosts the event, and attendees can participate in classes or volunteer work to enhance their cultural experience. To experience this town beyond arts and culture, visit nearby Bryce Canyon or Zion National Park, where you will find magnificent red cliffs and evergreen forests. As for other fun experiences, you can visit the farmers' market and get to know the locals or participate in the annual July Jamboree.

Moab

Moab is a natural beauty with around 5,000 permanent residents. Many retirees are drawn to Moab’s dramatic red cliffs and its outdoor recreation opportunities.

Moab is also a gateway to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park. Those who retire here will never run out of landscapes to explore when hiking, biking, or camping.

There are also lots of cultural and arts events to enjoy at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center. You can view exhibitions or sign up for classes, depending on your interests. You can also watch concerts and movies at the historic Star Hall or book your place at the Moab Music Festival, a chamber/jazz festival with ‘Grotto Concerts’ on the Colorado River. With all these activities to choose from, you will have no time to feel isolated as you meet new people and make new friends.

Midway

Midway is a small town 18 miles south of Park City and only eight minutes away from Heber City, with a population of just more than 6,000. This town is a great option for retirees who want to stay active in a community setting and enjoy year-round events and activities. There is a strong Swiss history here, which runs through the events that bring people together every year. For example, the community holds the Swiss Days festival just before Labor Day to celebrate the town's Alpine heritage. There is also the Ice Castles event to look forward to from January through February, when ice artists create spectacular ice sculptures. The Ice Castles event is on hold for the 2025-2026 season while organizers revise the build process.

If you prefer outdoor activities, you can go fishing for rainbow and brown trout in the Provo River, which runs between Midway and Heber City. You can also drive a couple of minutes south to Deer Creek State Park, where you can enjoy the beach or go boating and even camping. You also have Wasatch Mountain State Park in your backyard with 23,000 acres of wildness to explore. You can even play a round of golf or try your hand at archery.

Kanab

Kanab is located north of the Arizona border in southern Utah. This means it is smack in the middle of the Grand Circle, which consists of natural attractions and several national parks, including Zion National Park. Aside from these outdoor destinations and beautiful desert landscapes, Kanab is also known for its film history. In fact, the town’s nickname is 'Little Hollywood', as it is the backdrop for several big-name movies.

Many retirees, however, are drawn less by the filming history than by the sense of purpose the town offers. Instead, they volunteer at the Best Friends Animal Society to find purpose after retirement. This institution is the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in America, and the team and volunteers work together to care for up to 1,600 vulnerable animals.

The Kanab community also warmly welcomes newcomers. Joining the community and feeling at home is easy. Established groups encourage newcomers to share their interests, helping them feel a sense of belonging. You can also join your new friends at the Western Legends Heritage and Music Festival, where people come together to celebrate Kanab’s cowboy spirit.

Highland

Highland offers a quiet, rural community close to Utah’s best outdoor attractions. Highland has a tight-knit community of just more than 20,000 and also boasts exceptionally low crime rates. The town is situated in Utah County, approximately 28 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. Green spaces include Heritage Park, located in the center of town, where families and friends gather to enjoy the outdoors. If you want biking or walking paths, you will find plenty of both at Highland Glen Park, and you can even kayak on the pond here.

In Highland, the surrounding mountains make every day feel scenic and active. You can go fishing at the Tibble Fork Reservoir in the American Fork Canyon or head to the Timpanogos Cave National Monument to explore the cave system. Throughout the year, there are several community events to participate in. These include tree planting on Arbor Day, Easter Egg Hunting at Heritage Park, and trick-or-treating during Halloween.

The Heart of Hospitality

Retiring should not just be about leaving a job and finding a new place to live. Retirement is about finding a new life rhythm that gives each day meaning. Utah’s most welcoming retirement towns offer exactly that and more. You will find hospitality, scenery, and genuine human connections as you enter a new phase of life.