For many, the idea of living in Las Vegas conjures images of 24/7 parties, gambling, drinking, and adult entertainment. But the more than 2 million people who call the Vegas Valley home know that the city is filled with culture, natural beauty, gourmet food, and amazing opportunities to build a family and live a wonderful life. This guide specifically focuses on relocating to Las Vegas proper, not including the Henderson and North Las Vegas areas.
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Ultimate Guide to Relocating to Las Vegas
Moving to Las Vegas (anywhere really) is exciting but also extremely stressful. Making your home in a new city can be a challenge when you aren’t familiar with the geography, the housing market, the neighborhoods, and the way of life. This guide will help make the move seamless for you and your family.
Real Estate Market in Vegas
Las Vegas is currently experiencing a Seller’s Market with less than a 2 month supply of homes available for purchase. This means that if you are serious about buying a home in Las Vegas, you’ll need to decide and act quickly when you find the perfect house.
According to Zillow, the median home value in Las Vegas is $218,600 with a median price of homes currently listed of $269,900. Las Vegas home values have increased by 10.6% over the past year, and it is expected that they will rise another 6.2% over the next year.
If you are looking to spend $350,000 or above, you’ll have an easier time finding the home of your dreams. Working with a good REALTOR and mortgage officer (in addition to getting a pre-approval so you can jump at the right time) has never been more important.
Sought-After Vegas Neighborhoods
When you are house hunting, it can be difficult narrowing down what part of a city you’d like to live in. Where you land will have to do with your budget, your willingness to travel for work, the type of amenities you are looking for and much more. A REALTOR can help you sort out the perfect neighborhood for your family, but you should go in with a rough idea of what’s out there.
With multiple master-planned communities, Vegas is full of beautiful options, and no matter where you decide to live, you are a short ride from the Las Vegas Strip, the airport, the beautiful Spring Mountains, and convenient roadways for your weekend getaways. Some of the amazing communities with Las Vegas are:
Summerlin
Summerlin is located in the West, just a few miles from beautiful Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Started in 1990, the community now houses approximately 100,000 Las Vegans over 35 square miles. It features two dozen public and private schools, nine golf courses, more than 150 parks, a state-of-the-art medical center and fine retail, entertainment, and dining. The median sales price in Summerlin is $258,750 and rises approximately 13% each year.
Mountain’s Edge
Mountain’s Edge is located in the Southwest and held the title of #1 Selling master planned community in the U.S. for four straight years. It was started in 2004 and houses more than 30,000 Las Vegans in 22 neighborhoods. Designed as a drought-tolerant community, it’s desert landscaping is stunning while conserving water. The average home price in Mountains Edge is $250,000 and while the prices have jumped significantly, homes don’t last long on the market.
Downtown Las Vegas
Downtown Las Vegas is the perfect spot for those who like to be in the center of it all. As the Downtown Project, led by Tony Hsieh (of Zappos fame), continues to grow, the city is looking to add 1,500 housing units by 2022. This will include multi-family housing units such as a 5 story building featuring retail space on the first floor, and loft-style communities.
It is expected for this Downtown growth to spread, including areas like the Arts District, Symphony Park (home of the Smith Center), and the Las Vegas Medical District which will soon feature UNLV’s medical school. Residents are walking distance to shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and the world-famous Fremont Street.
The Lakes
The Lakes was built from the mid 1980’s to the mid 1990’s around a man-made lake: Lake Sahara. Located just east of Summerlin South, it features multiple gated communities, single family homes, condominiums, and commercial space. The median home price is $349,950 and is expected to rise 5% in the next year.
Centennial Hills
Centennial Hills is located in the far northwest of Las Vegas and features older homes and new master-planned subdivisions. Moments from shopping, dining, hospitals, and approximately 20 minutes from Mt. Charleston, Centennial Hills is a great place to live and affords you more space for your money. The median home price is currently $290,765 and is expected to rise 6.1% in the next year.
The Job Market & Cost of Living
The cost of living in Las Vegas varies depending on your neighborhood and lifestyle. Home prices tend to be slightly above the U.S. average and insurance premiums tend to be higher in Las Vegas as does the price of gas. While Vegas may seem expensive compared to some cities and states across the U.S., when compared to areas that offer similar amenities and opportunities such as Los Angeles and New York, it’s relatively inexpensive. Vegas is comparable to major cities such as Phoenix, Miami, Anchorage, Dallas, and Knoxville.
The unemployment rate in Las Vegas is slightly above the country’s median (5% as compared to 4.5% unemployment and 8.9% unemployment and underemployment), however there are several booming industries.
- Tourism and Gaming: Hotels and casinos employee approximately 400,000 employees.
- Logistics: Currently employing 66,000 employees, Nevada is positioning itself to be a warehouse distribution hub.
- Manufacturing: 42,000 Nevadans work in printing, publishing, metals fabrication, and other manufacturing positions.
- Mining: The state’s mining industry controls more than 15,000 jobs in the state.
- Aerospace: With Nellis Air Force base just around the corner, 13,000 Nevadans are employed in this industry (both civilian and military).
Things to Do in Las Vegas
If you are looking for world-class entertainment, fine dining, nightlife, and the best people watching in the world, you are moving to the right place. While most locals don’t live on the Strip, Las Vegas Boulevard is less than 30 minutes from almost everywhere in the city.
You can catch a Broadway quality show, a live concert, or a sporting event (Hockey and Football are coming!) and enjoy a meal prepared by some of the best chefs in the world… and still sleep in your own bed the same night. The options are endless when you call Las Vegas home.
Family-Friendly Activities in Vegas
While Vegas may have the reputation of being a “Sin City,” it’s a surprisingly wonderful place to raise a family. Whether you spend the day on the strip enjoying the aquarium at Mandalay Bay, the Lion Habitat at the Mirage, or venture to Wet n Wild, Discovery Children’s Museum, or Springs Preserve, there are plenty of activities for the whole family.
If you enjoy the outdoors (with our without the kids), there is amazing natural beauty everywhere you look. Mount Charleston is less than an hour away and can provide a break from the summer heat. Parks can be found throughout Las Vegas and provide a safe environment for families to play, and Red Rock is known around the world for some of the best hiking, biking, and rock climbing.
Retirement Communities
Vegas is a hotspot for retirees looking to spend their golden years golfing, gambling, and enjoying life. Whether your idea of relaxing is a day on the green, a shopping spree, or a slot machine, Vegas has everything you could possibly want. There are several gorgeous communities for the 55+ crowd including:
Sun City Summerlin
The largest active adult community in Nevada, Sun City Summerlin features homes ranging from the high $100s to the high $800s, and you’re sure to find the right house for your lifestyle. Part of the Summerlin master-planned community, the development is walking distance to restaurants and shopping and just a few miles down the road from Red Rock Casino and Downtown Summerlin, a relatively new shopping and dining hub in the West.
Siena
Also located within Summerlin, this community surrounds an 18 hole championship golf course. There are two gated entrances and an on-guard duty. For those who like to relax at the spa, Sienna offers a 16,000 square-foot Health and Fitness center with a full service salon and day spa, wellness center and fitness center.
Spring Valley
Just two miles west of the Strip, Spring Valley is a residential district in southwest Las Vegas that attracts seniors because of its low crime rates and affordable housing. It includes Desert Breeze Park, one of the largest parks in Clark County, as well as the city’s official “Chinatown,” a huge hub for Asian businesses and cuisine.
Utilities
Setting up utilities at a new residence can be stressful if you don’t have a plan. Before you sit down to tackle this task, make sure that you have the address, move in date, your employment info, Driver’s License and Social Security card, and info from past utility services. Here are the local utility companies:
- Power: NV Energy
- Water: Las Vegas Valley Water District
- Gas: Southwest Gas
- Internet, Cable, Phone: Cox Communications, CenturyLink, or Direct TV
- Trash Removal: Republic Services
You have other options when it comes to your internet, cable and phone. If you enjoyed the service you received in the past, you may want to check and see if they are available in the Las Vegas area.
Las Vegas is a wonderful place to live whether you are young and single, married and raising a family, or looking to enjoy your retirement years. With beautiful scenery, amazing amenities, and a relatively low cost of living, you’ll be happy to call Las Vegas “home.”
