Living a Mountain Lifestyle in Ogden, Utah

Snowbasin is a first rate ski mountain about 20 miles from Ogden, Utah (population 83,000) and was home to the Olympic Super G and downhill events in the 2002 winter Olympics. The 125,000 square foot Salomon Recreation Center features facilities like climbing walls, dance studios, wind tunnel, surf-riders pool, and a Gym. The Mayor of Ogden, Matthew Godfrey, told the New York Times that his city is ready to be “the high adventure Mecca of the country.” It also has historic buildings and proximity to the Wasatch Mountains.

The population was just over 79,000 in 2005. Weber State University has 12,000 students here. Ogden is not as well known as Park City, Utah, but offers some advantages and similarities to that resort town. For one thing it is not as crowded or nearly as expensive. For another it is less of a resort and more of a community;  indeed, several manufacturers of “extreme” sports equipment have set up shop here and are contributing to the local economy.

Where to Retire in Ogden and Home Prices

Ogden has some active adult communities (see link at left). According to Zillow, the median Home Value in early 2021 was $281,995, a 19% increase from a year earlier.

What Is Special about Ogden

A Mecca for outdoor sports including extreme sports, bouldering, kayaking; Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, and Wolf Mountain Ski Resorts; Solomon Recreation Center; Climate; Union Station; Rated 2nd best city for relocating families (2007); Network of trails going into the foothills for hiking, running, biking, cross-country skiing; Minor league baseball and soccer; Weber State University

What Is Not Special about Ogden

Non-Mormons could feel like outsiders. Nearest city other than Salt Lake City is Las Vegas, 400+ miles away. Crime is above the U.S. average.

Climate and Physical Environment

Ogden is located in the Wasatch Mountains at an altitude of 4300- 5200 feet. It is 20 miles to the of Salt Lake City. Winters are snowy and summers are dry, with the altitude providing some relief to the Utah heat.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Weber State U provides some culture to Ogden. Salt Lake City is just 31 miles away. The Egyptian Theatre is on the National Register of Historic places. After a down period it reopened on January 17, 1997 community theater/performing arts house. A Wurlitzer pipe organ was reinstalled in 2004, completing the historic atmosphere of the theater. The Sundance Film Festival has premiered movies at the Egyptian as a recognition of its importance.

Crime

Crime is a bit above the U.S. average according to City-Data. Violent crime is reasonably low.

Medical Facilities

Mckay-Dee Hospital Center;  Ogden Regional Medical Center

Transportation

Two interstate highways run near town, I 84 and I 15. The Utah Transit Authority offers service to Salt Lake City connecting to Weber State U and an intermodal travel facility. A light rail commuter line is under construction that will connect near Ogden. SLC International Airport is 31 miles. Ogden-hinckley Muni Airport is 5 miles.

Valuable Links

Wikipedia on Ogden
Ogden City-Data
More community reviews at Topretirements
Ogden Craigslist
Ogden City website
Utah guide to retirement
State mini-guides to retirement

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