You have built the Florida life. Now the mountain is calling. Here is everything you need to know — written by a luxury specialist who lives and works in both markets every single day.
It is not a coincidence. South Florida’s high-net-worth community has been quietly discovering Park City and Deer Valley for years — and the reasons are both practical and deeply personal.
The tax story is compelling. Florida has no state income tax. Utah has a flat 4.65% state income tax — among the lowest in the country. For buyers already optimized on the Florida side, Utah is a straightforward, low-friction second home market with no surprise tax exposure.
The lifestyle contrast is the real draw. After years of ocean, heat, and humidity, the mountain environment offers something fundamentally different — crisp air, world-class powder, dramatic peaks, and a pace of life that genuinely restores. Many Florida buyers describe their first Park City winter as transformative. The summer and fall seasons are equally extraordinary — hiking, mountain biking, golf, and wildflower meadows at altitude.
The investment case is strong. Utah has been awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games, with events centered in the Park City region. Demand, infrastructure, and international visibility are on a long upward trajectory. Florida buyers purchasing now are ahead of that curve.
Florida buyers already understand lifestyle-driven real estate. Park City and Deer Valley are not a compromise — they are a complement. Two exceptional markets, one extraordinary life.
Both destinations are world-class — but they attract different buyer personalities. Understanding the distinction helps you focus your search from day one.
Deer Valley is ski-only, no snowboards, and that is intentional. It is quieter, more curated, and commands the highest price per square foot in the Utah market. The Four Seasons Resort and Residences is achieving $3,000+ per square foot.
Park City offers the full mountain lifestyle — Old Town’s walkable restaurants and galleries, private club communities, golf, and access to both Park City Mountain and Deer Valley resorts.
The choice between Park City and Deer Valley often comes down to one question: is your priority the on-mountain ski experience, or the broader community lifestyle? There is no wrong answer — and a conversation with someone active in both areas will clarify it quickly.
These are the communities that consistently attract discerning buyers relocating or purchasing second homes from South Florida — each for very specific reasons.
The closest equivalent to a Boca Raton or Palm Beach country club community — private, amenity-rich, and socially active. Florida buyers feel immediately at home here. Multiple golf courses, ski access, clubhouse dining, and a strong full-time resident base.
For buyers who want the best of the best on-mountain. Ski directly from your door. The expansion of Deer Valley is adding significant new terrain and luxury development — values here have a strong structural tailwind heading into 2034.
One of the most exclusive gated communities in the Park City area. A single Tom Fazio golf course, limited homes, and a membership that prizes privacy above all. Appeals strongly to Florida buyers who value discretion.
Talisker Club is a broad private luxury club with multiple neighborhoods including Tuhaye — the golf-focused community set along the Jordanelle Reservoir with a Mark O’Meara-designed course. Together they offer a refined dual-amenity lifestyle that appeals strongly to Florida buyers who love golf at home and want ski access in Utah.
Marcella Mountain is the ski-focused community positioned along Deer Valley’s new East Village (formerly Mayflower Mountain Resort). Marcella also includes a golf community called Marcella at Jordanelle Ridge. Among the most anticipated new luxury developments in the region — drawing strong interest from Florida buyers ahead of the 2034 Olympics.
For the Florida buyer who loves the outdoors beyond skiing. Victory Ranch sits along a private stretch of the Provo River with fly fishing, equestrian facilities, Nordic skiing, and an ethos of genuine mountain living. Deeply appealing to active, nature-oriented buyers.
For buyers who want to walk to restaurants, galleries, and the ski lifts. Old Town has a walkability and energy that reminds many Florida buyers of their favorite coastal towns — with a mountain backdrop. Strong short-term rental potential as well.
Buying in Utah is straightforward — but there are a few things the Florida buyer should understand going in.
Florida buyers often ask: does owning in Utah affect my Florida domicile? The answer is generally no — as long as Florida remains your primary residence. Key factors:
Always consult your CPA or tax attorney for guidance specific to your situation. As a licensed attorney, Mimi understands these nuances and can connect you with trusted advisors in both states.
Buying in Park City or Deer Valley from Florida is simpler than most buyers expect. Here is exactly how it works when you work with a dual-market specialist.
The entire process — from first conversation to keys in hand — typically takes 45–90 days for a completed home purchase. Custom lot purchases close faster; the build timeline begins after.
The window of optimal entry in Park City and Deer Valley is narrowing for several converging reasons.
The Olympic Effect is already pricing in. The 2034 Winter Games are 8 years away — but sophisticated buyers are not waiting for 2033 to act. Properties in the Park City region are being acquired now by buyers who understand that Olympic infrastructure investment, global media exposure, and international buyer influx will put sustained upward pressure on values for the next decade.
Deer Valley’s expansion is transformational. The resort is doubling its skiable terrain — adding lifts, runs, and on-mountain development that will fundamentally elevate the destination’s global profile. Properties acquired before the expansion completes will benefit from that rising tide.
Custom lot inventory is limited. Florida buyers who want to build their dream mountain home are competing for a finite supply of premier lots in Promontory, Glenwild, and Deer Valley. The best lots are being absorbed. Buyers who act with intention now will have significantly more selection than those who wait.
Most agents know one market. Mimi Mangines is actively licensed, selling, and advising clients in both South Florida and Park City — simultaneously. That dual-market fluency is not a marketing claim. It is a daily reality that gives her clients a genuine edge.
As a licensed attorney with 15+ years of luxury real estate experience, Mimi brings legal precision to every contract, every negotiation, and every closing — in both states.
Let’s have a conversation. No pressure — just expert guidance from someone who knows both markets inside and out.
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