This past summer in Texas was so brutal, I vowed I would never spend another summer here. I have been looking at many areas of the U.S. for a good place to spend most of the summer. I plan on renting a vacation home or condo on a monthly basis. I have found what appear to be some real bargains in the Park City area, I suppose because it is the off-season there. I was hoping that a Park City native (or anyone else) might be able to answer some questions for me.

1. How is the weather in Park City in July and August?
2. Is the cost of living extremely high (speaking mainly of food, restaurants, clothing, recreation, etc.)?
3. How bad are the mosquitoes in the summer? Can you sit on a patio in the evenings?
4. Are there any large bookstores (B&N, Borders, Books-A-Million)?
5. Are there relatively easy hiking areas or is it all up and down hills?
6. Are residents friendly to tourists?
7. Is there a good emergency medical facility in town?
8. Will the altitude bother me?
I am a 62 year old male in fairly good health. My wife is 59 and in better health (as usual).
Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me.

I can't answer all of your questions, but here's what I do know.

Weather in July/August would be just about perfect. It rarely gets above 80 during the day and below 50 at night. Residents I've met are all very friendly.

There are no large bookstores in town.

There are urgent care clinics in Park City, but the closest full service hospital and trauma/emergency room is in Salt Lake City about 40-45 minutes away.

"Will the altitude bother me?" Everyone reacts differently, so there's no way to say how you'll do. You'll probably acclimate within a few days, but you should take it easy and stay hydrated to start.

rlbcastro,

There are many people who make Park City their summer home, folks from back East, AZ and other places really HOT & HUMID in the summer.

I live here and love it. Summer is paradise. July & August are usually in the 80's, sometimes higher, but very low humidity. Mid-July to mid-Sept is our "monsoon" weather, with afternoon (and sometimes other times of the day) thunderstorms that usually pass very quickly.

Endless outdoor activities. Hiking is mostly lots of elevation gain/loss, but there are a few easy trails. Have no idea if the elevation might bother you, but most people acclimate in a day or two, maybe a few days at most. Elevation in town is about 6,800 ft. Hikes go up MUCH higher, just depends on what you want.

Cost of living is high for restaurants, but there is a wide variety of prices. Plus, summer = 2fers! Just check the local paper for the off season deals. I almost never go out during ski season, just the other 3 seasons!

No large bookstores in town. A very special little bookstore on Main St. called "Dolly's Bookstore" complete with resident cat. Plenty of the major chains in SLC - where they belong!

Tanger Outlet Stores at Kimball Jct. if you like that type of thing.

Just opened our own hospital at Quinn's Jct. east of town at the intersection of Ut Hwy 40 and St. Hwy 228. Small hospital specializing in athletic injury repairs, babies, no trama center.

Residents are VERY friendly and helpful.

We have basically no mosquitos, just a few during a short period early each summer. Hardly need bug spray. Sitting outside in the summer is heaven. I'm out on my patio every night with a glass of wine until dark, which in the summer isn't until 10:00 pm!

Check out www.parkcityinfo.com

Welcome to Park City, but you must have a dog and do at least one sport seriously!

Thank you very much. You have answered all of my questions and it sounds like it would be a great place for us. I'd better get busy. I imagine things "book up" fairly quickly.

There are thousands of condos. Let me know which complex you are considering and I can tell you if it's in a good location!

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We stumbled on "Dolly's" when we were in Park City for skiing -- on a night that it was snowing lightly and it was everything you could hope for in a ski vacation. Dolly's is a really special place. The kind of place you want to buy something just to make sure they stay in business!

In addition to everything said above, there are wonderful areas to explore beyond Park City as well if you are there for the summer. I love the drive to Mirror Lake and that is a beautiful one hour walk on level ground. Fishing and golf are two other activities I pursue there.... and the restaurants are fantastic and IMO a great bargain in the summer and low seasons. As Dayle says, the dining coupons or 2fers make fantastic culinary adventures affordable. For me, coming from San Diego, there are a few days a bit warm for my liking but it would be quite a respite and delightful compared to the hot and humid weather of most other areas of the country in the summer.