St. George Area, UT 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

St. George, Utah is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. With its scenic beauty, temperate climate and wide variety of activities, it's not surprising that developers have begun building active adult communities throughout St. George and the surrounding area. Perhaps the bigger question is what has taken them so long to discover this retirement haven.

Set in the southwestern corner of Utah, St. George enjoys a hot, dry climate with sizzling summers and mild winters. The area's unique landscape includes fascinating rock formations and canyons, many with a distinct red appearance. St. George's beautiful and striking landscaping has attracted several movie productions as well. Just a few of the movies filmed in St. George include Jurassic Park, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Romancing the Stone.

St. George tourists are often drawn to the area's national parks, most notably to Zion National Park. This park contains Zion Canyon, a breathtaking cut in the surrounding Navajo sandstone that stretches across 15 miles and is up to half a mile deep. Set at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Desert regions, Zion National Park contains unique geological features as well as unusual flora and fauna. Naturalists will love exploring the area and visiting the impressive St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm.

With several spectacular golf courses and the weather to support year-round play, St. George is an ideal destination for any golf enthusiast. Yet golf is not the only recreation in town. St. George features many cultural attractions such as museums, galleries and performing art theaters. Historic Downtown St. George offers unique shops, restaurants and boutiques. Nearby shopping centers also feature many large-chain stores and factory outlets.

In addition to the year-round attractions, annual events draw visitors with specific interests. Each fall the St. George Marathon attracts runners from all over the country. Seasonal festivals provide a variety of activities throughout the year, such as the St. George Arts Festival in April, the Washington County Fair in August and the Jubilee of Trees in November.

Utah is rapidly gaining popularity among visitors of all ages, as well as the attention of active adult community builders, and St. George seems to be becoming the state's premiere destination. For those who plan to relocate, St. George's religious diversity is often cited as one reason for its popularity. While St. George has a strong Mormon presence, like the rest of Utah, the city is home to a wide variety of other faiths as well.

St. George visitors can treat themselves to four-star accommodations, such as those found at the Green Valley Resort or the Red Mountain Spa. Though hotels in the area are available in a range of prices to meet any budget. For those considering relocation, impressive St. George area active adult communities include SunRiver St. George, and Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club.