Thinking About Moving to Las Vegas?

If you’re considering moving to Las Vegas there is so much more to this wonderful city than The Strip. Discover everything it has to offer.

Las Vegas is currently home to approximately 2.1 million residents and growing every minute. With the low cost of living, housing and no state income tax, it makes Southern Nevada a real winner. Currently, City Officials are busy planning and attracting new industries and jobs. We recently added Amazon, Google, Barclay Bank, two new sports teams, and they are working to attract the tech companies. The influx of residents are coming from California, Florida, Arizona, Washington and Utah, respectively. Here are more reasons to consider moving to Las Vegas.

The Climate

Even though it is extremely hot in the summer, Las Vegas has one of the best climates in the United States. Las Vegas is known for its “dry” heat days because it has very low relative humidity when compared to the rest of the country. Low humidity is not the only benefit; the temperature stays warm throughout the whole night, so for most of the year, everyone can enjoy a night out. The average low temperature is in January at 34 degrees and high in July at 106 degrees.

Taxes

If you purchase a home, the property tax is approximately 1%, there are no personal income taxes, no corporate income taxes, and no state income taxes. This definitely adds to the quality of life and is an incentive for businesses to move to Las Vegas.

Cost of Living

Las Vegas has had the country’s best economic growth over the past two decades. There are a wide variety of jobs and with the influx of companies moving corporate offices to Las Vegas, the opportunities keep growing. The median home is $300,000 which will afford you a 1500 square foot, 3 bedroom home in the most desirable neighborhoods in town.

According to the Cost of Living Index, with 100% being the average, Las Vegas ranks 105. This is slightly above the US average for a city that has so much to offer. For reference, Los Angeles has a ranking of 166, Denver 127, and Phoenix 99.

Communities

Las Vegas offers everything from single family homes, townhomes, condominiums, high-rise living and lofts. The city is mostly broken down into 5 quadrants: Summerlin (West), the Southwest, the Northwest, North Las Vegas and Green Valley which is in Henderson (Southeast). We have many master planned communities all over the city, some of which include Summerlin, Mountain’s Edge, Providence, Cliff’s Edge, Aliante, Inspirada, Green Valley Ranch, Anthem, and Southern Highlands. I have written another blog article that goes into more detail on each.

A master planned community has its own schools and places of worship as well as its own amenities such as parks, trails, sports courts, playgrounds, water parks, festivals, concerts, celebrations and activities. Generally if you live in a master planned community you will pay a monthly fee of around $50/month to be able to enjoy those things. In my opinion, its the only way to go!

Schools

Southern Nevada is also family-friendly. Education is a high priority and there are many schools in the valley. As of 2017, Clark County School District is the 6th largest school district in the country. Forbes consistently ranks the City of Henderson as one of the best and safest large cities in the United States to raise a family. Ironically, even though Las Vegas is known as “Sin City”, Southern Nevada is home to roughly the 20th highest ranked US city in places of worship per capita. As of 2015, there were about 2,800 residents per place of worship.

Outdoor Activities

Outside of the city lies Southern Nevada’s “hidden jewel” of outdoor scenery, trails, and attractions: Red Rock Canyon, Mount Charleston, Lee Canyon, the Valley of Fire, the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. You can enjoy boating, water skiing, snowboarding and skiing, horseback riding, cycling, mountain biking, and hiking, all within the vast desert surrounding Las Vegas.

Family Activities

Southern Nevada boasts 200 official recreational areas and 60 golf courses. The city has numerous outdoor activities for families. Master planned communities such as Summerlin have dozens of parks, miles of trails, swimming pools, sports courts, festivals, concerts, and celebrations.

Culture

Las Vegas is rich in culture and includes approximately 30 museums and more than 100 art centers and cultural organizations. A personal favorite of mine is The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. The Smith Center was launched in 2012 with a world class performing arts center that changed the face of the city.

Read about Las Vegas’ history.

Dining

Las Vegas is home to some of the finest dining with world class chefs in the entire nation. For fine dining, some of my personal favorites include Joel Robuchon, Le Cirque, Capital Grille, Spago and Picasso. Famous Chefs with restaurants in Las Vegas include Emeril Legasse, Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, Scott Conant, and Giada. Locals enjoy great italian at authentic restaurants Capo’s, Ferraro’s and Piero’s. Some other local favorites include Echo & Rig, Hash House A Go-Go, Yard Bird, Eat, and Peppermill.

Shopping

Its no secret that Las Vegas has some of the best shopping! The best places include The Forum Shops at Ceasars Palace, Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood, Grand Canal at The Venetian, The Bellagio, Crystals, and Fashion Show Mall.

Personal Note

What I love most about living in Las Vegas is the people, the entertainment, and the weather. Las Vegas is full of transplants from all over the country making it easy to meet people. The locals who grew up here are some of the nicest, most genuine people I have met. There is always something to do! From neighborhood festivities, to dining and shows on the strip, to outdoor adventures – Las Vegas never disappoints. I must say I love the weather! I moved to Las Vegas in 2002 from Denver. By June 1st, in 100 degree heat, I thought I would die. Today, I am cold at 70 degrees. You acclimate quickly to the heat and unless you work outdoors, the heat feels nice. Lastly, I love that so many people have dogs. I live in Summerlin (read more about Summerlin) and there are 230 parks and 160 miles of trails. It is one of the most glorious things to be able to walk your dog on a beautiful trail and let him play in the park with other dogs. Las Vegas is truly a place to call home!

Moving to Las Vegas

If you’re considering buying a home in Las Vegas, let Stacy Sheeley be your Real Estate guide. With more than 17 years in Las Vegas real estate, I have seen this city blossom into a world class city! I have the knowledge, passion and experience to help make all of your dreams come true! Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit Our Buyer’s Guide.