Welcome to the Pioneer Neighborhoods

Here is what some are saying about the Pioneer Neighborhoods

Trees! It is all about the trees. My husband and I originally moved to the Joaquin area of Provo because it was close to my husband’s job at BYU. We rented for a few years, moving each time our family grew. When we felt ready to buy a house we looked in several communities but we could not leave the mature trees. We liked how the trees lined the parking strips making everything cooler in the summer. We noticed how the neighbors with great trees had much cooler houses. One summer they measured the difference…10 degrees! On average it was 10 degrees cooler on Center street in Provo compared to Provo’s temperature on the news. Plus it is nice to go on a walk in the shade and beauty of the trees. All day I see people that work in downtown Provo, or at BYU, jog and walk through the neighborhood. I see people look at the different trees and the classic architecture of the houses in Provo’s historic district.

My husband eventually quit working for BYU, but his new job, as it was located just off of Center Street, cut his 6 block commute in half to 3 blocks. It has been great only filling up the gas tank to travel and do big grocery trips. We can walk to 2 different grocery stores, my favorite ethnic food stop, several restaurants, the Provo City Library, doctor’s offices and various other shops and book stores. We often get season passes at the water park and walk there, with my biggest children riding their bikes with friends. We can also walk to several cultural centers, the Covey Center, BYU, many art galleries, 2 theater companies and the Provo Tabernacle. Plus there are so many fun activities in the area: story time at the library, 4th of July Parade, Farmers Market, all the Festivals and gallery strolls on Center Street and in Provo’s Business District.

In the mornings and evenings friends and I walk up to Rock Canyon or Slide Canyon or Slade Canyon. We access the Shoreline Trail, or wander through the neighborhoods. It is also nice to walk to school at Farrer Elementary for school and to Memorial park for a picnic. I can hardly wait to start walking just down the street to the new Joaquin Park that will be located at 400 E and 400 N. Centrally located, great trees, classic architecture, lots of culture, community involvement and easy access to things a family needs, that is why we have lived in Joaquin Neighborhood for over 10 years.

 

Celeste and Michael Kennard

Less IS More! Mies Van Der Rohe adopted this phrase to describe his style of architecture. We use this term to describe why we love living in a Historic Downtown Neighborhood. We spend less on gas by living within easy walking and biking distance to work, schools, shopping, restaurants, parks, river trail, library, post office, cultural events, government buildings, medical just to name a few of the plethora of amenities within a two mile range of our house. Our one car is rarely used. We live in a smaller, very functional, home with mature trees allowing us to spend less on utilities and maintenance. When we moved into our neighborhood eight years ago we had no idea what a treasure we had found. Living smaller has added richness to our lives. Living in our very walkable community is my favorite thing about living in Downtown Provo.

 

Scott Bingham

We have lived in the Joaquin Neighborhood for almost ten years. We love the neighborhood for its historic and comfortable older homes. Our home is a seventy-nine year-old brick home with a steep roof, half-timbered facade, multi-paned, leaded glass windows, and low gabled, rounded front entry, typical of the Tudor Revival style. Many homes in the area have special details like these that help improve the lifestyles of the occupants. The neighborhood is comfortable, with a wide variety of residents. Living here helps us express our values of history and friendship. We also felt it was important to buy a home that didn't cause or prompt urban sprawl.

We moved to the neighborhood at the perfect time. There was a sense of renewal and many homes have since been renovated and yards beautified. We enjoy the proximity to the BYU campus, the Provo City Library, and the delicious restaurants and shops in downtown Provo. Our children climb trees, which line the streets and were planted many decades ago. They have formed lasting friendships with other children in the area as they have adventured and played. This is the perfect place to raise a family, in a home that expresses personality and values, in a neighborhood with a historic soul.

 

Sara Wall