Moving to Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada, has a reputation for being a city of nonstop partying and gambling — and yes, there’s a reason why it’s called Sin City (a reason very much related to non stop partying and gambling). But there’s much more to the area than what lies in the popular imagination — including a wide variety of tamer, family-friendly communities in the surrounding Las Vegas Valley.
For those considering moving to Las Vegas, we’ve gathered information and resources to help make the decision easier. We’ve also reached out to folks who live there to find out what they love about the city and what they think it could improve upon.
Oh, and we should mention – we're movers in Las Vegas, so reach out if you're looking to move!
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A Brief Overview of Las Vegas
Las Vegas was founded by ranchers and railroad workers in the early 1900s, but it was mobsters such as Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky who shaped it into the casino- and nightclub-filled town that draws millions of visitors each year.
If you’ve never been to Las Vegas, you’re at least familiar with the oft-publicized Las Vegas Strip, with its rows of casinos, hotels, and other forms of entertainment. But the larger metropolitan area, called Las Vegas Valley, spans 600 square miles and consists of the three largest cities in Nevada: Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson.
The Cost of Living in Las Vegas
According to Numbeo, it costs a four-person family around $3,440 a month to live in Las Vegas (excluding housing). Expenses for a single person run around $978 a month (excluding housing).
When it comes to renting, apartments tend to range from $1,400 to 2,000 per month, depending, of course, on which part of town you want to live in. And if you’re interested in buying a home, the median monthly cost for homeowners with a mortgage is $1,630.
Oh, and there’s no sales tax in Nevada!interactive crime map
The Las Vegas Job Market
Due to the abundance of hotels, resorts, casinos, restaurants, bars, and tourist attractions, job seekers can find plenty of opportunities within the hospitality industry.
And, according to the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, technology, global trade, health care, logistics, manufacturing, and financial services are also thriving at the moment.
The median household income in Las Vegas is around $61,356 per year.
Getting Around Las Vegas
Although taxis are actually still the most popular form of transportation in Las Vegas, many locals use ride-sharing options such as Uber and Lyft, or drive their own cars.
The Strip also boasts a monorail system, which has seven stops in the area, and the Deuce, which is operated by the Regional Transportation Committee and runs throughout town.
Las Vegas Crime
As with any major American city, crime is a factor, but crime rates vary based on which part of town you live in.
This interacive crime map is a handy resource for determining the level of safety in particular areas.
Where to Live in Las Vegas: The Best Neighborhoods for You
Living in (or around) this city that never sleeps can be exhausting, so it’s important to decide what, exactly, you’re looking for in a neighborhood. To help, we’ve compiled a list of areas that are conducive to a range of different lifestyles.
18b
Founded in 1998 to encourage the fledgling Las Vegas arts scene, the 18b has grown beyond the original 18-block area for which it was named. Not only is there a nice mix of vintage clothing boutiques, art galleries, salons, antique stores, and restaurants, but the neighborhood also offers plenty of nice places to live.
Seven Hills
Seven Hills is an upscale planned community located just south of Las Vegas, in Henderson, Nevada. There are around several thousand homes and condos, as well as the Rio Secco championship-level golf course, tennis courts, playgrounds, parks, and walking paths that include beautiful views of the city.
Mount Charleston
If you’re looking for quiet and seclusion, the 45-minute drive to the Mount Charleston neighborhood is totally worth it. Unlike the never-ending dry heat of Las Vegas, Mount Charleston can get about 30 degrees cooler — and you can experience all four seasons there since it’s on a mountain.
The Scotch 80s
Nicolas Cage lives here, and that’s all you need to know. OK, maybe that’s not enough, but it’s a good start, right?
The Scotch 80s is a gated community that has a small-town feel despite being minutes from all the glitz of the Strip. Due to its mix of old charm and new amenities, several celebrities and business moguls live in the area. It’s not for everyone, but if you can afford it, you might just find your dream home there.
Schools in Las Vegas
If you have kids, we know you want what’s best for them. So, let’s chat about the schools in Las Vegas to help you figure out which school is right for your little ones.
While Las Vegas is a huge city, there are a small number of public school districts (two, to be exact). The Clark County School District is one of them, and it contains over 370 public schools. Reports show that the school district scores for student reading and math proficiency are lower than the average for public schools across the state.
The graduation rate in this school district is 86%, a number that has risen significantly over the past five years.
What Is Las Vegas Like Beyond the Strip?
Anyone can find the Las Vegas Strip, but for residents, or visitors who’d like to explore what else the city has to offer, here are a few less-obvious places to check out.
The Park, a new dining and entertainment district within the city, has something for everyone — even hockey fans. One Vegas sports team, the Golden Knights, plays its home games at the T-Mobile Arena in The Park. Football fans may want to check out Allegiant Stadium, the new home of the Las Vegas Raiders.
If you’re looking for some culture, The ARIA Fine Art Collection includes terrific sculptures, paintings, and large-scale installations, and The Laundry Room, Classic Jewel, Velveteen Rabbit, and The Griffin are all laid-back spots where you can find great cocktails and great live music.
And for those who would like to get away from the gaming tables and enjoy the outdoors for a while, Lake Las Vegas is just 40 minutes away, in Henderson.
Red Rock Canyon, in Summerlin, offers horseback riding, bouldering, hiking, mountain climbing, and more.
The Pros and Cons of Las Vegas
We asked residents what they love about Las Vegas and what they think could be improved upon.
Kristin David Ownby, who once lived and worked in the Summerlin area but has since moved, said the people are very welcoming and that the local parks are amazing. “I miss them daily,” she said. “I also loved the weather, but it’s not for everyone.”
Ben Morse — who moved to Henderson in early 2018 — offered a different take on the climate, saying that the area’s dry heat, which often reaches 110 degrees, takes a lot of getting used to.
He enjoys living in Henderson, though — particularly for the variety it offers: “The number-one thing is that you've got the Strip, which, of course, has all the entertainment, but you also have art, you've got shows, you can go to museums…”
One drawback he notes, however, is the city’s lack of public transportation. “There are buses,” Morse said, “but they're very few and far between. The cost of living is very reasonable, though.”
Las Vegas Information Guides
Still wondering whether to move to Las Vegas? Here are some additional guides to help you make the decision.
The Best Neighborhoods in Las Vegas
The Five Best Places to Live in Las Vegas
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