Traffic is better than most of the rest of the valley and Utah County. (Not as much on the west side of SLC but it still moves pretty well)
Stores and amenities are solid and relatively close.
Homes generally have architectural character and haven't followed a cookie cutter pattern.
Downtown is clean and well kept.
Liberty and Sugarhouse parks are big, well maintained, and generally family friendly. Hogle Zoo is a great zoo and has made solid investments in the last several years to improve.
Great Libraries.
Quick access to hiking, boating, skiing, rock climbing, great cycling, etc.

If I could move my family back to Utah the east side of SLC would be ground zero for our home search.