Thinking about retiring in Utah? We really do offer special places to settle down and enjoy your next chapter. If you're considering building new or remodeling an existing home for aging in place, we collected some of the best places to do just that.
In this blog, we're exploring the top five places to retire in Utah and what makes each community unique. You’ll also find insight into building a custom home or remodeling for accessibility.
Here's a peek at the top 5 places to retire in Utah:
Draper: Balanced Living with Room to Grow
Holladay: Character and Community in Every Corner
South Jordan: Big-City Convenience with a Suburban Feel
Herriman: A Slower Pace with Sweeping Views
Cottonwood Heights: For the Mountain Enthusiast
Draper appeals to the suburbanites and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Located at the south end of the Salt Lake Valley, it’s close enough to downtown Salt Lake City for regular visits, yet far enough to enjoy a slower pace and cleaner air. The community has a strong emphasis on wellness, with access to miles of hiking and biking trails, including the popular Corner Canyon network.
There’s also a growing number of senior-friendly recreational programs, healthcare clinics, and shopping areas tailored to everyday needs.
If you’re interested in designing your forever home from the ground up, Draper offers excellent potential! Several newer communities still have available lots, many with stunning mountain or valley views.
Here, you can design a home with one-level living, no-step entries, and integrated home automation systems that are perfect for comfort and long-term accessibility. Because of Draper’s modern infrastructure and development-friendly zoning in some areas, homeowners have more flexibility to create their ideal layout.
Existing homes in Draper often include unfinished basements, flex rooms, or bonus lofts that can be reimagined to suit evolving lifestyle needs. Convert a spare room into an office or a basement into a private guest suite. Any way you choose to go, there’s room to grow.
Many homes were built in the early 2000s and are due for updates, offering the perfect canvas for refreshed finishes, walk-in showers, wider doorways, or better lighting to support aging in place.
Holladay is a charming, historic suburb filled with mature trees, spacious lots, and homes full of personality. Unlike more uniform planned communities, Holladay has a distinctly eclectic feel, with homes ranging from mid-century moderns to stately Colonials.
The area’s aesthetic appeal is matched by its strong sense of community, with regular neighborhood events, a thriving local arts scene, and boutique shops that support a slower, more intentional lifestyle.
Many of Holladay’s homes were built long before aging-in-place features were common, which makes remodeling for long-term safety and comfort a necessity.
Homeowners frequently update these properties with wider hallways, larger door thresholds, main-floor primary suites, and smart lighting. At the same time, original features like stone fireplaces, hardwood floors, and custom millwork can be preserved and elevated.
The result is a home that supports longevity without losing its charm.
Although it has a quaint feel, Holladay is only a short drive from downtown Salt Lake City, major hospitals, and the University of Utah’s healthcare system. This access to high-quality care is a major advantage for retirees.
The town also has a surprisingly walkable center, complete with restaurants, a seasonal farmers market, and even small venues for live music and performances.
South Jordan offers a rare combination: easy access to Salt Lake City, stunning views of the Oquirrh Mountains, and a growing community feel that still values space and nature.
It’s home to scenic golf courses, walking trails, and parks, with top-tier healthcare and shopping all close by. For retirees who want to stay plugged in to city life without living in the city, South Jordan hits a sweet spot.
Many homes in South Jordan were built in the early 2000s, meaning they're in great shape, but not always designed with aging in place in mind. But, with a remodeler who's experienced in upgrades that focus on both form and function, creating a home that'll serve you well into the future is absolutely doable.
In South Jordan, it’s easy to build your community, take part in the local culture, and enjoy what the natural environment has to offer. And with smart design choices and expert craftsmanship, your remodeled home can grow right alongside you.
Herriman is ideal for retirees looking to leave behind the noise and density of more urbanized areas. The town has a laid-back atmosphere, stunning views of the Oquirrh Mountains, and larger lot sizes that invite a more private lifestyle. Many homes have spacious yards and quiet streets, making this a perfect place for those who enjoy a little solitude, hobbies, or spending time outdoors.
One of Herriman’s biggest advantages is land availability.
Many lots are still open for development, allowing you to design a custom home that meets your needs right from move-in day rather than going through the remodeling process. Aside from aging-in-place features, you can opt for open layouts with separate guest quarters, large garages for hobbies or RVs, and covered patios for year-round mountain views.
If you’re buying an existing home, many are just 10–15 years old, offering solid bones, but can also come with dated finishes. That’s a sweet spot for remodeling.
You can add insulated garages, update flooring, add an outdoor living space, or modify the floor plan for main-floor living. Herriman’s homes are often larger, giving you the flexibility to adjust space as your needs change.
Cottonwood Heights is a dream for retirees who still crave adventure. Tucked near Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, it’s one of the most scenic places to live in the Salt Lake Valley. You’ll find quick access to ski resorts, hiking trails, fly fishing spots, and mountain drives.
Even if you’re no longer hitting the slopes, simply waking up to snowcapped peaks can feel like an adventure right in your own backyard.
New custom homes in Cottonwood Heights are often designed with the climate and topography in mind. That means larger windows to capture views, high-efficiency insulation for snowy winters, and materials that handle freeze-thaw cycles with ease.
If you’re building here, it’s worth investing in heated driveways, walk-in mudrooms, wellness spaces to endure extended time indoors, and indoor-outdoor transition spaces that connect you to the landscape when the weather's right.
Many of the area’s homes were built in the '70s and '80s and can benefit from thoughtful upgrades. Popular projects include radiant heat flooring, new windows to improve energy performance, or reworking awkward stair-heavy layouts into safer, single-level alternatives, like a first-floor primary suite addition.
Your retirement-ready home should be as forward-thinking as you are. At Marshall Homes, we specialize in designing and remodeling homes that support aging in place with style, safety, comfort, and purpose.
From wide hallways and curbless showers to multi-generational layouts and future-ready details, our team brings years of experience creating homes that blend elegance with accessibility. We take a personalized, thoughtful approach, helping you plan for what’s next without giving up what makes a house feel like home.
Let’s create a space where your next chapter can unfold with ease and the comfort you deserve. Reach out to us to talk about your custom home or remodel in the Salt Lake County area.