Saint George

At the southern edge of St. George, Bloomington Country Club is a secluded neighborhood with stunning views, a year-round 18-hole golf course and a laid-back lifestyle. “Bloomington is a classic neighborhood with established houses and a private golf course. It started in the 1970s and has all custom homes. It’s a highly desirable community that happens to be on Dixie Power, one of the nation's cheapest and best power companies,” says Malissa Kelsch, a real estate agent with Think Realty with 18 years of experience. The community boasts resort-like amenities, including a private clubhouse and restaurant. It’s six miles from downtown St. George on Interstate 15 and offers incredible views of distant mountains, nearby red hills and open desert landscapes.   When neighborhood residents need quick groceries or household items, they’re only two miles from a Walmart Supercenter. Peppers Cantina is a nearby cafe serving tasty twists on Mexican fare, like its signature flat enchiladas. The country club is five miles from St. George’s shopping and dining hub. Along the way, fast-casual chain restaurants are dotted along Interstate 15, and locally owned eateries are clustered in the historic downtown district. The Shops at Green Gate Village and the Shoppes at Zion each have a wide selection of retail, dining and entertainment options. The Shops at Green Gate Village even has Judd’s, a historic general store that’s the oldest operating business in town.   Montezuma Trailhead lies at the edge of the community and is just one of dozens of hiking and biking trails in the area. The neighborhood is also home to Bloomington Petroglyph Park. This rustic micro-site preserves and promotes ancient rock drawings of human and animal forms. The images were carved into the rock by Native Americans centuries ago and serve as a reminder of Southern Utah’s unique history. Just across Man O War Road, Bloomington Park is bordered by the Virgin River. This recreational sports area has four baseball fields alongside basketball and pickleball courts.  The clubhouse is the hub of social events for the small community and sits tucked along South Bloomington Drive. It offers a resort-style pool, six tennis courts and an outdoor sitting area. It’s only a short jaunt down a series of sidewalks from the club to the resident’s front doors. The townhouses and single-family homes encompass everything from newly built contemporary mansions to updated ranch-style homes with Spanish and Mediterranean influences. Each can be found beside well-established trees and gently curving roads ending in cul-de-sacs. Homeowner association fees vary depending on the type of home and subdivision. Homes sell for an average price of $482,000 after 80 days on the market. Townhouses range from $270,000 to $725,000, while detached ranch-style homes begin around $420,000 and continue to $700,000. Contemporary mansions are outliers, ranging from $1.75 to $2 million.   Niche B-plus-rated Bloomington Elementary operates a dual language immersion program for children to learn English and Mandarin. B-minus-rated Tonaquint Intermediate holds an annual Dream Week so students can meet local professionals as they begin to explore careers. B-rated Dixie Middle helps adolescents 15 and older achieve the dream of a driver’s license with its driver certification courses. B-rated Dixie High has over a dozen sports teams and is ranked one of Utah’s best schools for athletes by Niche.   Getting around Bloomington Country Club is simple, thanks to its network of gently curving local roads and accompanying sidewalks. The community is also close to Interstate 15, Sun River Parkway and the Man O War Bridge, the only way to cross the Virgin River in the area. The neighborhood has no public transit, but numerous hiking and biking trails run throughout the region. The community is just over five miles from St. George Regional Hospital-River Road and 12 from St. George Regional Airport.  Bloomington Country Club is a risk of wildfires and flash floods. Wildfires are often fast-moving blazes spurred by wind and extreme temperatures. On the other hand, flash floods result from heavy rainfall over a short period, leading to fast-moving water walls that can move cars off roadways. Being bordered by the Virgin River makes the area vulnerable to such flooding. To combat these natural disasters, the city ensures buildings are up to current standards, flammable debris is removed from nearby housing and water drainage areas are kept unblocked. St. George Fire Station 4 is less than a mile from the community, keeping response times low.

Six miles from downtown St. George, the Bloomington Hills golf course community offers residential comforts near urban amenities. The neighborhood is split into two parts, with Bloomington Hills to the south and Bloomington Hills North just above. Both areas have their own parks and are connected by the St. George Golf Club and Bloomington Hills Drive. This neighborhood is near hiking and biking trails and plenty of ways to enjoy nature. Bloomington Hills attracts a diverse mix of retirees, families and professionals living next to each other. “Bloomington Hills is a peaceful area where people take good care of their properties. It has a great mix of housing styles and a stable market. The community is in a great location, and the golf course is lovely. There are lots of decks on the golf course, and the homes have views of the greens and the surrounding landscape,” says Vicky Wiley, a real estate agent with Realty Absolute and 17 years of experience. The community doesn’t have retail stores or eateries, but plenty are nearby. Just to the east of Bloomington Hills South, Royal Thai Cuisine Express makes Southeast Asian dishes in an exhibition kitchen so guests can watch the chefs. Across the parking lot, Snelgrove Ice Cream makes delicious confections from nearly century-old family recipes. Just above the neighborhood, the Asian Market Company has been serving Southern Utah for over a decade. The store carries specialty ingredients from China, Vietnam, India and a half-dozen other countries. Harmons Neighborhood Grocer is 3.5 miles north of Bloomington Hills. The regional chain provides locals with fresh produce, pantry items and household goods. Just over five miles away, the Shoppes at Zion and Red Cliffs Mall offer a variety of retailers, restaurants and entertainment options.     St. George Golf Club is a 7,200-yard 18-hole municipal course in the center of Bloomington Hills. Winding through the Ft. Pearce Wash, the course has traditional greens and has been part of the St. George community for over 30 years. Bloomington Hills Park is known locally as ‘Circle Park’ thanks to its round shape. It’s in the neighborhood’s southern portion and has a playground, picnic shelter and open spaces. Bloomington Hills Park North, on the other hand, is often called ‘Long Park’ due to its half-mile length. It covers 10 acres and has a walking trail that splits into two loops. It’s also a hub for several trails running along the Virgin River. White Dome Nature Preserve lies four miles south of the neighborhood. The 800-acre wilderness reserve is open year-round and is home to the dwarf bear poppy, an endangered plant only found in Washington County. Five miles of hiking trails snake through the desert and are designed to show off the unique flowers in its natural environment. There's also the Bloomington Hills Duck Pond, a popular wildlife-watching spot.  The Bloomington Hills development began in the 1980s, and homes are still being built today. This gives the area a unique blend of housing styles, including traditional and updated ranch-style dwellings and contemporary designs. The houses were built in the hills for spectacular views of the course and Southern Utah’s red sandstone hills, towering mountains and desert landscapes. Manicured lawns and mature landscaping line the gently curving streets and cul-de-sacs. There aren’t many houses for sale at one time in the community, so buying here can take some planning. Homes sell for a median price of $540,000 after 43 days on the market. Ranch-style dwellings sell from $475,000 to $650,000, while contemporary designs range from $775,000 to $1 million.   Niche B-plus-rated Bloomington Hills Elementary believes in educating the entire child and provides hands-on learning, art courses and a dedicated social skills program. A-minus Sunrise Ridge Intermediate uses evidence-based grading instead of traditional letter grades. The one-through-four scale shows if students are mastering core concepts and provides more feedback from teachers. A-minus Desert Hills Middle opened in 2007 and operates the Thunder Gazette, a monthly newspaper produced by its journalism class. A-minus Desert Hills High is a top ten Utah high school for athletes, according to Niche. It offers soccer, golf, tennis and swimming teams, alongside a dozen more.   The neighborhood has a network of gently winding streets in each section and is connected by Bloomington Hills Drive. River Road borders one edge of the area, and Interstate 15 is easily accessible using East Brigham Road. This is a car-dependent area where nearly 70% of commuters travel less than 15 minutes one way daily to work in St. George or Washington. The neighborhood has no public transportation, and the only bike lanes are around Bloomington Hills North Park. Walking can be problematic in the subdivisions due to sporadic sidewalks. The community is 3.6 miles from St. George Regional Hospital-River Road and seven miles from the St. George Regional Airport.   Bloomington Hills is at risk of wildfires and extreme heat. The two can occur together, with severe temperatures sometimes igniting blazes, but they can also happen separately. To protect against wildfires, the city ensures buildings are up to current construction standards, flammable materials are kept away from houses and water reserves are kept above a minimum level. To escape extreme heat, residents are encouraged to carry water for hydration and to seek shade or shelter during the hottest parts of the day.

Five miles from downtown St. George, the Virgin River Valley’s natural beauty attracts residents to the tranquil community of Bloomington Ranches. The neighborhood offers large lots and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and red rock formations. Located near St. George’s southern border, the neighborhood is home to the Man O War Bridge, the only river crossing in the area. This bedroom community lies close to several golf courses, including a private members course in the adjacent Bloomington Country Club neighborhood. Bloomington Ranches began expanding in the 1980s, and homes are still being built today. “Bloomington Ranch is a desirable residential area with easy access to Interstate 15. It’s great for outdoor enthusiasts and has lots of hiking trails and nearby parks. And residents can have horses there,” says Malissa Kelsch, a real estate agent with Think Realty with nearly 20 years of experience. Near miles of undeveloped land, Bloomington Ranches is a suburban enclave within the St. George city limits.   There are only a handful of restaurants in the neighborhood, but places like Peppers Cantina and Tiki Island give hungry locals delicious options. Tiki Island Restaurant offers a refreshing and tasty take on Hawaiian cuisine with rice noodle bowls and traditional roast pork. Peppers Cantina is a Mexican eatery making everything from scratch, from the chips and salsa to the hand-rolled tamales. Walmart sits at the northern edge of Bloomington Ranches and provides locals with groceries and household goods. Two miles away in Atkinville, Smith’s Marketplace has fresh produce and pantry items. The Shoppes at Zion and the Shops at Green Gate Village are less than six miles away, and each has numerous retailers, eateries and entertainment options. The Shops at Green Gate Village even have a historic general store called Judd’s, the oldest operating business in St. George.   Bloomington Park sits at the western edge of Bloomington Ranches and covers 27 acres. There are softball fields, a covered playground and a lighted basketball court. A disc golf course and walking trails round out the green space’s offerings. Bloomington Aspiration Trail began in 2014 when two people began hand-clearing a two-mile path in Utah’s red sandstone hills. Today, that trail has become a connected network with extender loops of up to three-quarters of a mile. Across the river in the Bloomington Country Club subdivision, Bloomington Petroglyph Park is a micro-site preserving ancient rock drawings made by the area’s Native Americans centuries ago. The large boulder is decorated with human and animal figures, and guests can approach the carvings for pictures. Bloomington Ranches is also 37 miles from Zion National Park, a massive preserve with hiking trails, archeological sites and camping opportunities.   One of the most distinct features of Bloomington Ranches is its large lots, many of which are an acre or more. This extra space makes room for well-maintained lawns, landscaping, and some estate-style homes with up to seven bedrooms. There are also traditional ranch-styles and some newer contemporary designs. “Bloomington Ranches is an older community, but it’s up-and-coming again because it has great access to everything, and there are fewer restrictions than in the rest of St. George. People can have horses and ATVs in the Ranches. There’s more elbow room. People like it for the outdoor elements, and it’s a more carefree lifestyle,” says Julie Millett, a Realtor with eXp Realty with nearly a decade of experience. The neighborhood has no overarching homeowner's association, but specific subdivisions have their own HOAs. Homes sell for a median price of $685,000 after 36 days on the market. Ranch-style homes sell for between $500,000 and $1 million, while traditional and contemporary estates begin around $1.3 million and continue to nearly $2 million.  Niche B-plus-rated Bloomington Elementary operates a dual language immersion program for students to learn in English and Mandarin. B-minus Tonaquint Intermediate holds an annual Dream Week where students meet local professionals and explore potential careers. B-rated Dixie Middle hosts driving certification courses for students 15 and older, while B-rated Dixie High is ranked as Utah’s seventh-best school for athletes, according to Niche.   The community is bordered by Interstate 15 and is easily accessible, thanks to its position just off Exit 4. Its other main thoroughfares include Man O War and Pioneer Roads. The only bus stop in the neighborhood is by Walmart, and there are no designated bike lanes, although cyclists still use the residential streets. Sidewalks run through many of the subdivisions. The neighborhood is five miles from the St. George Regional Hospital-River Road and 11 miles from the St. George Regional Airport.   Bloomington Ranches is at risk of wildfires and flash floods. Wildfires are fast-moving blazes spurred by high winds and extreme temperatures. Flash flooding occurs when heavy rain falls over a short period, causing walls of fast-moving water that can push cars off roadways. To combat these natural disasters, the city ensures buildings are up to current construction codes, flammable debris is kept away from houses and water reserves are kept at their required minimum.

Founded in 1861 as a cotton mission, St. George is now the largest city in Southern Utah. Its downtown is a walkable historic district offering residents numerous shopping and dining options, public art installations and views of distant mountains. “St. George has a small-town feel, but it’s one of the fastest growing towns in America. I grew up there when there was only one stoplight downtown. The city’s been investing in it, so it’s a charming spot with lots of restaurants and shopping and an old, converted movie theatre,” says Malissa Kelsch, a real estate agent with Think Realty with 18 years of experience. The seat of Washington County, St. George is surrounded by hills of vibrant red rock and close to several state and national parks. Downtown is also near Utah Tech University and has a moderate noise level from foot and vehicular traffic. Ancestor Square is a charming collection of restored shops, galleries and restaurants, like George’s Corner Restaurant & Pub, in the center of downtown. Other nearby dining options include Bear Paw Cafe and Farmstead. Bear Paw Cafe has been making waffles, crepes and omelets from the founder’s original recipes since 1995. Farmstead is a European-style bakery making delicate pastries and hearty sandwiches. It has a large patio for guests to enjoy a chai and some people-watching. One block away, The Shops at Green Gate Village are a residential and commercial space with a historic general store, a book bungalow and a classic barbershop. The St. George Opera House sits next to the St. George Art Museum on East 200 N Street. The opera house was built in 1875 and is now a black-box theatre. The art museum now holds rotating and permanent exhibitions but was built to house sugar beets in the 1930s. To feed the body after the eyes, Smith’s grocery store is a half-mile from downtown and has a pharmacy in addition to pantry staples and produce. The city maintains over 20 parks and 60 miles of paved trails, and green spaces of various sizes are all around downtown. Town Square Park is near the center of downtown and has a prominent water feature, a splash pad and a functioning antique carousel. Slightly outside the neighborhood, Vernon Worthen Park invites guests to play on one of four pickleball courts, the playground or the disc golf course. Pioneer Park is just north of downtown and covers 52 acres of rustic landscape. Visitors can climb the red sandstone hills, visit a pioneer-era cabin or rest at one of the trellised pavilions. Downtown is also 33 miles from Zion National Park, a massive preserve with multi-use trails, archeological sites and stunning scenery. “Downtown is within 45 minutes of Snow Canyon State Park and Zion National Park, and there’s lots of hiking. It’s an outdoor enthusiast's mecca, and the Ironman 70.3 North American Championship put us on an international stage,” says Kelsch. Homebuyers won’t find rows of houses in the more commercial downtown district despite the area being primarily residential until the early 1900s. In the 1930s, many homes were torn down, and new commercial buildings were put up instead. The businesses remain, and a limited number of condos and townhouses have risen to replace more traditional houses. “St. George is unique. Its downtown is older than most of the region, and the houses are generally from the 1960s and ‘70s. They might need a bit of work, but people gravitate to the combination of a lower price point and an older style of home,” says Cody Steck, a Realtor with Real Broker and a decade of experience. The remaining single-family dwellings were built close to the streets to allow for a large backyard and vegetable garden. Today, citizens are encouraged to save water by replacing traditional lawns with eco-friendly landscaping. Townhouses sell for between $300,000 and $400,000, while older homes start around $275,000 and continue to $400,000. Niche B-plus-rated Heritage Elementary operates the Radiant Roadrunner program for kindergarten through fifth grade students to earn medals for leadership and academics. During its annual Dream Week, B-minus Tonaquint Intermediate helps children meet local professionals in career fields they're interested in. B-rated Dixie Middle’s new building was completed in 2014, and the school provides driving certification courses for students 15 and older. B-rated Dixie High is ranked as the seventh-best Utah school for athletes by Niche. It has over a dozen sports, including swimming, golf and soccer. Getting around the compact downtown area is designed to be as simple as possible. Wide roads and sidewalks allow people to enjoy an afternoon on foot or bike comfortably. At the same time, several bus routes run through the neighborhood to take locals throughout the city, including the two miles to the Innovation Medical Group St. George Medical Center or the 12 miles to the St. George Regional Airport. Driving throughout the city and region is made more accessible by nearby major roadways like the Red Hills Parkway, Bluff Street and Interstate 15. The striking white stone St. George Utah Temple was completed in 1877, making it the first LDS temple in Utah and the third in the nation. It still holds regular services and has become an important local landmark. Guests are welcome to tour the temple grounds and visitor’s center but are asked not to enter the church itself. Another important site for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Brigham Young Winter Home and Office. President Young lived in the two-story home in the winter months from 1870 to 1877. LDS missionaries give house tours throughout the week, although appointments should be confirmed by phone beforehand. All of Southern Utah is at risk of wildfires, and St. George is no exception. The town works to protect its citizens by ensuring buildings meet current construction codes, flammable debris is removed from around them and water reserves are kept at the proper levels.