St George and the surrounding communities have been overrun and overbuilt, in my opinion. I was raised in this area and it has been hard for me to watch these communities grow. That said, the area still offers spectacular scenery, wonderful recreational opportunities and mild winters.

Zion National Park, Lake Powell and Grand Canyon are just short drives away. Some of Utah's most impressive state parks are even closer, including Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow and Quail Lake. And there is golf, for you flabby types.

The mountain areas north of St George still offer great potential for family-oriented recreational property, away from the cookie-cutter properties around Pine Valley and on Kolob.