Snowcapped mountains and spruce trees in Sandy, Utah
Sandy is a city in South Salt Lake, with a history of mining and agriculture. Like many communities surrounding Utah’s capital, Sandy’s economy boomed in the late 1800s thanks to mining and the arrival of the railroad system. Today, it’s a city of about 92,000 people with a country feel, where residents take advantage of outdoor activities like horseback riding and skiing.
Surrounded by snowcapped mountains and Engelmann spruce trees, the city is a popular home base for people who love winter activities. As they ski down the slopes at nearby Cottonwood Canyon, the wind slams against people's goggles, and the powder packed underneath their skis almost makes them feel like they’re flying. The city is less than one hour from several internationally acclaimed ski resorts, and fast access to these extreme outdoor playgrounds is a major perk.
Realtor Stephanie Hudson says she moved to Sandy for that exact reason. “My husband can be door-to-door from our house to Alta in 20 minutes,” Hudson says. “It makes a huge difference. On a powder day, the traffic lines up for miles because people from the north, Sandy and Draper, are trying to get to the Canyon. If you don’t live close to the Canyon, you will wind up waiting a long, long time.”
Outdoorsy activities are central to life in Sandy. The Wasatch Mountains are visible from mountainside homes, and they’re constantly calling neighbors out of their homes to hike, camp and go for scenic drives. “You probably have more outdoorsy people here than anywhere else in the Salt Lake Valley,” says Hudson.
Sandy enjoys breathtaking views of the Wasatch Mountains.
Snowcapped mountains as seen from Sandy.
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Million-dollar homes by the mountains
As of May 2024, the median sale price for a home in Salt Lake County was $540,000, according to the Salt Lake Board of Realtors. Prices in Sandy vary depending on proximity to the mountains and renovations. Lower-priced houses may need a room or two remodeled, while more expensive properties were likely recently remodeled. Homes in well-established subdivisions sit on smaller lots with fully grown trees like bigtooth maples and ponderosa pines in the front and back yards. Multi-million-dollar homes have lots of acreage and unobstructed mountain views. But no matter where a home is, mountains are always visible through people's windows, reminding them to plan their next adventure.
Solstice Senior Living is a retirement community in the city that offers short- and long-term stays and nursing care. The community includes a library, a place of worship, a beauty salon and a media center.
The beautiful, mountainous homes in Sandy awaits you.
A variety of home styles line in Sandy.
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A STEM-based private school
Students in Sandy are part of the Canyons School District, which earns an A-minus from Niche. Alta, Diamond Ridge and Jordan high schools offer concurrent courses, allowing teens to earn college credit before graduating. Some public elementary schools give students a chance to learn a second language through a Chinese immersion program, and the Beehive Science and Technology Academy is a STEM-based private school serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade rated A by Niche. It was ranked the No. 1 high school in Utah in 2024, according to U.S. News and World Report.
The University of Utah, founded in 1850, is 15 miles north of Sandy. The public school has a student population of about 35,000, and is home to the University of Utah School of Medicine and the S.J. Quinney College of Law. Its science, technology, engineering and math programs are ranked among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Brigham Young University is a private college in Provo, 33 miles from Sandy. It was founded in 1875 by Brigham Young, one of the first settlers in Utah, and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. BYU has about 36,000 students, and its notable alumni include U.S. Senator Mitt Romney and Stephenie Meyer, author of the well-known Twilight saga. The Wall Street Journal and College Pulse named BYU No. 20 on its list of best colleges in America.
Beehive Science and Technology Charter School is located in Sandy.
Sandy offers world class schools.
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Shorts drives to Cottonwood Canyon
Dozens of parks are scattered throughout Sandy, like Dimple Dell Regional Park, which covers 630 acres throughout the city. People can hike, bike, or ride horses along more than 15 miles of trails. People also go hiking at Bell Canyon Boulders Trailhead, and kids play at smaller park playgrounds at Main Street Park and Bicentennial Park, next to the Sandy Rec Center. The indoor space offers youth sports programs such as basketball and pickleball.
In the wintertime, people drive 45 miles to Cottonwood Canyon, home of ski resorts like Brighton and Solitude. Alta Ski Area and Snowbird Ski Resort are 13 miles away, and Park City Mountain is about 34 miles away. For $5, people can board the ski bus and hitch a ride to resorts along the Wasatch Front.
Golfers will appreciate Sandy’s public and private options. Hidden Valley Country Club and Willow Creek Country Club both offer memberships and River Oaks Golf Course is open to the public.
Cottonwood Canyon is just a short drive from Sandy.
Sandy enjoys easy access to Cottonwood Canyon.
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What’s happening on State Street?
Dubbed the “Heart of the Wasatch,” Sandy is located between Draper and Salt Lake City. If U.S. Route 89, known as State Street, is clear, commuters can usually drive to either in about 30 minutes. State Street runs north to south through the city, and people often hit traffic while heading to the interstate. People without a car can depend on the bus or light rail offered by the Utah Transit Authority. FrontRunner, the authority’s commuter rail service, makes 17 stops across about 80 miles.
South Valley Regional Airport, 11 miles northwest of Sandy, offers business and law enforcement-related flying services. It’s 13 miles south of Salt Lake City International Airport, which has non-stop flights to destinations worldwide.
Intermountain Health Alta View Hospital opened in 1982 in the middle of the Sandy. In 2019, the hospital invested $140 million in expanding its facilities, resulting in a new emergency room, a space for patient therapy and a rooftop helipad. It was ranked No.1 for small community hospitals in the country by Fortune in 2022.
Shake Shack is a great burger option in Sandy.
A row of retailers offered in Sandy.
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Sunday brunches at Slackwater Sandy
There are plenty spots to eat in Sandy, mostly along State Street, like Slackwater Sandy, known for its wide selection of pizza toppings, Sunday brunches and live music on the weekends. The community gathers at the Cairns, the epicenter of Sandy, with a wide selection of shopping, dining and entertainment. Within the Cairns are popular shopping and dining areas like Shops at South Town and Scheels, plus workout facilities like Momentum Climbing Gym. People watch performances at the Hale Center Theater and cheer on Real Salt Lake, Utah’s Major League Soccer team, at the America First Field. The options at the Cairns are plentiful, but so is the traffic, so people should plan accordingly. People visit Megaplex Theaters in the northwest corner of the city for the newest blockbuster movies. The Sandy Museum, a two-story brick building built in 1889, takes people back in time.
Slackwater Restaurant offers great food, beer and music in Sandy.
Sandy residents Sunday enjoy brunch at Slackwater.
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Enjoying annual concert series and conventions
Every year in August is the Sandy City Balloon Festival. People arrive early in the morning at the City Promenade, spread out their blankets and set up camping chairs to witness hot air balloons launch into the sky. If watching isn’t enough, people can volunteer to show up early and help pilots prep for take-off.
The Sandy Amphitheater hosts annual concert series, including Jazz in the Park, which showcases local artists and high school jazz bands. People can sing along to their favorite songs while enjoying a scenic mountain sunset. The Mountain America Exposition Center is a hub for yearly holiday gatherings and conventions like car and gun shows.
The blue sky at dusk contrast with glowing red and yellow lights at Sandy Amphitheater.
Sandy Amphitheater has a large stage that is perfect for Open Mic Night.
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What to know about Sandy
Sandy has a temperate climate, with hot summers and freezing winters full of snow. Air quality is an issue because of the area’s topography, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality works with local businesses to reduce pollution buildup.
CrimeGrade gives Sandy an A-plus rating, meaning it’s safer than 92% of U.S. cities. The 2024 state of the city report said property crime was down 13% from the year before, and persons crimes decreased by about 10%.
Nestled along the Wasatch Mountain Range, Sandy suffers through inversion type weather through the winter months.
Sandy suffers through cold winters where the inversion can be difficult.
Craig Hawker has been a Realtor® for over 14 years. He is dedicated full-time to real estate and home ownership. Craig enjoys helping buyers and sellers find the home that best meets their needs.
The average real estate agent enrolls in 18 hours of continuing education every 2 years. Craig Hawker has averaged over 75 hours of education every year he's been in the business. That is almost 10 times the education of the average real estate agent. This level of expertise has led to a passion for educating others in real estate.
Craig loves to share the knowledge he has obtained for the benefit of his clients. He has developed a reputation of being a fierce negotiator and an avid student of the market. This reputation comes from his repeated ability to get sellers top-dollar for their homes through accurate pricing and proven negotiation strategies.
Craig Hawker has gained vast experience with the Utah culture over the past 15 years, but also possesses 20 years of out-of-state experience. His unique perspective helps buyers find floor plans most suited to their needs, with high re-sale value.
Craig has developed the patience to work with individuals at their pace and in their timeframe. Because he sells a lot of homes each year, he won't be pressuring you to make a quick purchase.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
