Edgemont is a neighborhood that many students find appealing for its proximity to the university. While it hosts some older residents, students looking for a peaceful place to live may appreciate the slower pace of life. It is also nearby to shops like Sprout's Farmer's Market and is designed for walking.

Grand View North is a neighborhood that sits just west of the university. It is home to lots of parks that are perfect for jogging and walking around. It is known for more upscale living so residents can expect a higher price tag than some other neighborhoods.

Grand View South is in a similar location to Grand View North, just a little further south as the name suggests. Again, it is relatively close to the university which provides easy access to classes. Grand View South is also known for its peaceful residents and upscale living. Many consider this to be one of the safest neighborhoods.

Little Rock Canyon is a neighborhood that sits north of BYU. Students may find it appealing because it is a young, thriving community that hosts lots of young adults. The average age is much lower than that of other neighborhoods. The downside is that it is further away than other neighborhoods.

Dining

Provo is quite diverse and offers a large selection of international restaurants to choose from. Many of these are in the downtown area. Some favorite restaurants include Black Sheep Café, Bombay House, K's Japanese Kitchen, and many more. Keeping in line with the international theme, another top restaurant in Provo is Tuscanos Brazilian Grill. Do not push aside American food completely, however, another favorite is a place called Communal Restaurant which serves contemporary American cuisine. Make sure you do not forget dessert; another popular spot for students is The Creamery which is an ice cream shop run by BYU.

Transportation

Provo has some parking woes so it may be in your best interest to look for alternative transportation when trying to get to campus. Walking, biking, or electric scooters are good options for students that live close enough to the university. The UVX bus service, a shuttle around campus and the surrounding areas are free for students with ID. Students also receive free UTA passes for other bus routes.

Parking

Provo has strict parking guidelines for residents and non-residents. The designated parking areas are Foothill Park, North Joaquin, Pleasant View, and University Garden. Foothill Park and University Garden require additional permits to park there. These can be acquired by going to their respective websites. People parking in areas that are not permitted, or parking without a permit, are subject to being towed or booted.

BYU students must buy parking permits through Brigham Young University to park on campus. These generally are semester-long permits that allow students to park in marked “Y” lots.

Safety

Provo is generally described as safe by its residents. As always, make sure to stay aware of your surroundings and always practice safety by taking precautions, especially at night or in unknown areas.

Students may be interested in downloading BYU's Virtual Safewalk app which allows university police to virtually “walk” them through areas and ensure their safety. Alongside this, students can also use in-person escort services from the university police. These services are available Fall and Winter semester from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., seven days a week, Spring and Summer from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., seven days a week.

Shopping

Much of Provo's best shopping can be found along Center Street which is home to unique boutiques and quirky shops. Alongside these shops, students can also find fun things to do like karaoke at Heart and Soul or making soap at the Soap Factory. Many students also love to take advantage of Provo's beautiful surroundings and go hiking on weekends.

The nearest grocery stores to the university and surrounding areas are Sprouts, Trader Joe's, and South End Market. Provo also holds farmers' markets on Thursdays from August through October.