Orchard South

With Cascade Mountain in view and Provo Canyon at your feet, Orchard South is considered one of Orem’s premier neighborhoods. This residential community was built on land where fruit Orchards used to flourish. Though homes now stand on this once-fertile farmland, neighbors are still passionate about maintaining the land. “Neighbors take their lawncare very seriously,” says Emerie Brooks of Summit Realty Inc. “It’s kind of a keeping up with the Joneses type of thing. You always want your lawn to look good, and if your neighbors upgrade their lawns, you want to do something to make yours look better.”

Houses start at $590,000 and exceed $1 million, with prices increasing as you move east toward Cascade Mountain and the mouth of Provo Canyon. Ramblers built between the mid to late 1900s are common, with up to six bedrooms and three bathrooms across 2,000 square feet. These single-family homes are well-maintained, though some may require hefty renovations. “Many homes in Orchard are passed down from grandparents to parents to grandchildren,” says Brooks. “A lot of Orem residents really want their houses to stay in the family. Kids grow up and then wind up taking over their family’s home and living next to the same adults they played with as kids.” Custom, multi-million-dollar mansions sit on at least half an acre, span 5,000 square feet and sit closer to Cascade Mountain.

Students can attend Cascade Elementary, Canyon View Jr. High and Orem High School. Cascade and Canyon View received overall B’s from Niche, while Orem High got an A. Great Schools gave the elementary school a 5/10, the middle school a 4/10, and the high school a 5/10. Students can’t walk to school, but each is located within 2 miles of home; Additionally, all can be accessed along 800 East, making morning carpool easy for parents with children in each school.

During summer, most families with small children cool off at Palisade Park. The 22-acre park is less than 1 mile north and famous for its splash pad with fountains and waterfalls. A large green and tan playground provides unique climbing structures and swing sets for big kids and toddlers. You’ll also find soccer fields, tennis courts and a walking path that stretches nearly 1 mile.

If you’re craving adventure, drive into the mouth of Provo Canyon, located in Orchard South, along 800 North. Hikers can trek through the Provo River Parkway Trail, which runs beside the Provo River. Drive through the canyon and arrive at Mt. Timpanogos Park, where you can kick the dust-up on the bike skills track or cast your line in the river; dogs also have a fenced-in park to run around. During the winter, drive towards Sundance Ski Resort – 10 miles from your front door.

Groceries are easy to come by at the centrally-located Harmon’s Grocery, but you’ll have to drive a bit further to run errands and leisurely shop. Follow 800 East south and arrive in Hillcrest and Westmore: Orem’s two main shopping destinations. University Place is 3 miles from home – 10 minutes without traffic. Browse through more than 150 stores and eat at one of two dozen restaurants. The mall also has Kids Place, an indoor-outdoor area for small children to burn off extra energy. Here, you’ll find a shaded splash pad, treehouses with log-themed slides and see-saws that resemble canoes. Drive west along University Parkway and run errands at various big box retailers.

Dozens of fast-food, chain and local restaurants line State Street – Utah’s main road. Callie’s Café and Sports Bar offers a homey environment with classic and upscale diner food, like burgers, sandwiches and steaks. If you dine in for breakfast, locals recommend ordering one of Callie’s Favorites: Mark’s Pitcher Mound consists of split biscuits, sausage chunks, scrambled eggs, and hash browns covered in gravy.

With picturesque mountain views, proximity to Provo Canyon and a peaceful vibe, residents in Orchard South take pride in maintaining the family-oriented community they grew up with and intend to pass it down for the next generation to enjoy.

Written By

Alexandra Sosik

Photography Contributed By

Marcel De Lima

Video By

Wengel Abiy