You don't have to be a Mormon to understand why Brigham Young chose Salt Lake City as the end of his long journey, and you definitely don't have to be a Mormon to be welcome in this thriving city of 181,000. Salt Lake City residents greet everyone with open arms, whether they're arriving from downtown Toronto real estate or a neighboring town in Summit County. Just like with any city, though, you'll want to brush up on the real estate market before you make any big decisions. Our Salt Lake City real estate guide is the perfect place to start.

Financial concerns usually top the new home buyer's list of concerns, so let's get that out of the way first. The cost of living in Salt Lake City is around 93, which is seven points lower than the national average. Anyone coming from a small town will probably find it expensive, but if you've owned St. Lawrence Market condos in Toronto it will probably seem refreshingly cheap. Average combined house and condo values are around $240,000, which, as you would expect, is a little more expensive than the average for Utah, because the state is largely rural.

A rural feel is something you should expect from Salt Lake City, for although the population of the metro area exceeds one million people and there are high-rise apartment buildings not unlike Square One condominiums, the vastness of the Utah landscape means that the city has a low population density. Even the three surrounding mountain ranges don't make the city feel hemmed in; they just give the average homeowner a majestic backyard view.

Mountain views aren't the only selling point to Salt Lake real estate, though. The city also has a stunning array of architecture to display for you. Towering Latter Day Saints temples, onion-domed meeting halls, sparking high rises, imposing old courthouses, and elegant historic homes are all part of the Salt Lake skyline, making it a refreshing change from largely suburban Paris, Ontario real estate. Intriguing architectural styles aren't solely found in public buildings, either. You're just as likely to find yourself drawn to an imposing Gothic apartment building or a quaint Second World War era cottage.

You'll find groupings of particular home styles in certain neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, just like you would in the Toronto district of Leslieville. Lofts and conversions are clustered around the combined commercial/residential area known as Sugar House, for example, while WW2 bungalows are popular in the Rose Park neighborhood. Federal Heights and Capitol Hill tend to be more expensive than Glendale or Foothill. The best way to choose between Salt Lake's many beautiful neighborhoods is make note of your home style preferences and budget and consult with a local real estate agent.