Guide to Living in Las Vegas
Known as Sin City and the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas is one of the most famous and iconic locations in the whole of the United States. Filled with crazy casinos, elegant hotels, and non-stop lights, action, and entertainment, it’s a completely unique place that draws in millions of visitors from all over the globe every single year.
But what about living in Las Vegas? What is it like living in Las Vegas and is Las Vegas a good place to live compared to other cities? Well, there are a lot of people interested in moving to Las Vegas or relocating to Las Vegas from other places around the US, but many aren’t sure if it’s the right move for them. This guide will cover all you need to know about living in Las Vegas to help you decide.
Living in Las Vegas: The Basics
A Brief Overview of Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a special city with a lot of history. These days, it’s best known for its fancy casinos and bright lights, but it was founded as a simple ranching town back in the early 20th century.
The arrival of local gangsters like Bugsy Siegel helped the city’s casino and nightlife culture grow over time, and many people are now familiar with the sights and sounds of the iconic Strip, with Vegas being one of the most-visited cities in all of America.
The Cost of Living in Las Vegas
One of the big factors on your mind, if you’re considering moving to Las Vegas, is probably the cost. Well, it’s actually not all that expensive to live in Vegas. Statistics show that rental rates range from around $750 up to $1,750, and home prices are relatively reasonable.
There is no sales tax to worry about in Vegas, and average monthly living costs are close to $3,000 for a family of four or $800 for a single person.
The Las Vegas Job Market
Of course, if you’re thinking about relocating to Las Vegas, you’ll need to think about where to work and how to earn money. Fortunately, there are a lot of job opportunities here, especially in the hospitality sector, with tons of hotels, restaurants, casinos, and bars.
Other big industries in the Vegas area include tech, healthcare, manufacture, and finance, with average salaries of $3,000. Plus, there are many people starting new businesses in Las Vegas too, and a property management company can help you find the perfect working locations at the best rates.
Transportation in Las Vegas
Owning your own car can be a benefit in Vegas, just like in any other city, but many people rely on taxis and ride share services like Uber and Lyft to get around. There’s a monorail system along the Strip too, as well as bus services.
Crime
Another concern for people thinking about moving to Las Vegas is crime. Crimes of all kinds do occur in and around Vegas, but this is true of the vast majority of big US cities, and you can carry out research to find the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas for safety and families.
What to Do in Las Vegas: Culture and Nightlife
Culture Beyond the Strip
When moving to Las Vegas Nevada, it’s important to note that there’s much more to this city than meets the eye, and there are many surprising reasons to move to Las Vegas beyond the obvious attractions of hotels and casinos like the Luxor and MGM Grand.
The city has its own professional sports teams, like the Golden Knights, who play at the T-Mobile Arena in the NHL. Locals also love flocking to places like The Park, which is a lively dining and entertainment district, filled with top eateries.
Culture: Art and Music Suggestions
If you ever get tired of playing slots or have little interest in the typical casino and hotel life of Las Vegas, you’ll be happy to know that the city also boasts a superb selection of galleries and music venues too.
Head to the ARIA Fine Art Collection to peruse some stunning sculptures and paintings throughout the year, or visit local hotspots like Velveteen Rabbit or The Griffin to hear the best in local and touring music.
Getting Outdoors
One of the best reasons to move to Las Vegas is its close proximity to so many amazing outdoor attractions and natural places.
You can take a short drive out to Lake Las Vegas, for example, for scenic walks and boating experiences, or visit Red Rock Canyon for bouldering, hiking, climbing, and other outdoor activities.
Sports
In the past, Las Vegas was one of the few big cities that were left out of the big sporting leagues and didn’t have any major teams to speak of. So is Las Vegas a good place to live for sports fans? Well, thanks to some recent developments, it absolutely is!
Nowadays, the city boasts its own NHL team (the aforementioned Golden Knights) and, in 2020, celebrated the arrival of its first NFL team: the Las Vegas Raiders. Many big boxing bouts and UFC events happen in Vegas too, along with basketball and baseball games at various levels.
Pros of Living in Las Vegas
So Many National Parks Close By
If you love the great outdoors, you should definitely consider relocating to Las Vegas. There are many amazing national parks just a short drive away, including Red Rock Canyon, Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, the Mojave National Preserve, and others.
Traffic and Parking
Despite being such a big and popular city, Las Vegas is surprisingly easy to get around. If you’re used to driving in a big city like Los Angeles or New York, you’ll be blown away by the simplicity of Vegas’ road system, with relatively low amounts of traffic and really easy parking as well.
The City is Fairly Diverse
Las Vegas has a lot of diversity and is the sort of place where anyone can be made to feel welcome. The city brings in visitors and permanent arrivals from all over the globe, with people of all races, orientations, and backgrounds here, and it’s a very open, accessible, and progressive city for the most part, so it’s a good place to start a family and feels right at home.
Great Weather Most of the Year
Thanks to its prime location in the heart of Nevada, Las Vegas enjoys wonderful weather conditions for much of the year. If you ever wondered “What is it like living in Las Vegas?” then just imagine lots of warmth, sunshine, and very low amounts of rain. The heat can get a little too much in the middle of summer, but there are always air-conditioned buildings to cool off in.
Always Something to Do 24/7
Another of the many reasons to move to Las Vegas is the fact that this city offers something for everyone at any time of day or night. It’s a city that doesn’t really have an “off” switch. There are always things going on, from the round-the-clock casinos to live entertainment, comedy, music, magic, restaurants, bars, nightlife, museums, excursions, adventures, and more.
Great Residential Neighborhoods & Suburbs
There’s no need to live right in the heart of the city when moving to Las Vegas. The city offers a lot of great residential areas out in the suburbs, with easy access to the downtown areas for work and entertainment, but more quiet and relaxed conditions that will help you relax and feel more at peace, away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip.
Cons of Living in Las Vegas
Summer
One of the big cons of living in Las Vegas is dealing with the summer. The heat can be very oppressive, and a lot of tourists inevitably descend on the city in the summer months too, so this can be a tough and tiring time of year, but if you know the area well, you can avoid the crowds, and a good AC system can help you battle the heat too.
No Public Transportation
Many people worry about what is it like living in Las Vegas without a car, and the truth is that it can be difficult because the city doesn’t have a great public transportation network. There are some buses to help you get around the downtown areas, and most people use taxis and Ubers, but there isn’t a good subway or light rail system here like you might find in New York or San Francisco.
Scorpion Infestation
Is Las Vegas a good place to live if you don’t like creepy crawlies and critters in your home? Not necessarily. The surrounding desert is home to a lot of different scorpions, with 25 different species commonly found in the Las Vegas area, and they can find their way into homes and workplaces, causing fear and havoc among the locals.
Desert Can Age You
Another downside of living in such a dry and hot place as Las Vegas is that it can actually speed up the aging process of your skin. Dry conditions make it hard for skin to remain supple and soft, and many Vegas locals find that they have to make use of more advanced skin creams and lotions to avoid wrinkles and dryness.
