The state of Utah is perhaps one of the most misunderstood - or misrepresented - states in the union. Many people, when they DO think of Utah - see a vast rocky (and salty) desert; a place with a strong economy and low unemployment, but a place, perhaps, where too much fun is frowned upon. Interestingly, it is the diversity of Utah's geography that makes it such an exciting and economically bustling place, and such a great place to live.

While Utah is perhaps best known for its flat, salty landscape, it is in fact home to a variety of geographic regions, including lush green forests, canyons, river valleys, and snow-capped mountains. Utah's diverse and breath-taking terrain has made it a popular destination for a variety of outdoor enthusiasts, particularly the adventurous ones. While the "Beehive State" does offer a range of peaceful pursuits, like fishing, sailing, and hiking, its rugged terrain provides the perfect environment for adventure sports like back country skiing & hiking, snowboarding, extreme mountain-biking, whitewater rafting, and more. Utah's reputation as an outdoor sports Mecca has helped to make tourism one of the state's major industries.

This booming tourism industry, mostly focused in Southern Utah, is just one of the factors contributing to Utah's solid economy. Eastern Utah has a substantial petroleum refining industry, and geologists recently discovered a major oil deposit - possibly as much as 1 billion barrels - in the center of the state. And Utah is no stranger to phenomenal resource extraction: the Bingham Canyon Mine, just south of Salt Lake City, is the largest artificial excavation in the world, and has produced 17 million tons of copper and 23 million ounces of gold, in addition to sizable quantities of silver. Many Utahns realize, however, that these resources do not last forever, and look to other ways in which their landscape might drive the economy.

For many years now, Utah's canyons and river valleys have provided a colorful backdrop for some of America's favorite films. The now famous Sundance Film Festival (that's right, it's held in Utah!) was first begun as a way to entice more filmmakers to the state. Since that time, Utah has played host to such celluloid gems as Independence Day, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, National Lampoon's Vacation, and parts of the recent Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy.

Utah's story is not about 'reinvention' or 'revitalization', it's about discovery; and more and more people are making this discovery everyday. Utah's stable economy and low rate of unemployment make it a great place for couples, and young people just starting out in life. The excellent schools, the young population, and the great value and variety in Utah real estate make it a perfect place for families.