Las Vegas, otherwise known as “Sin City”, is a place that many may not think of as a place to call home. With its colorful history involving gangsters, gambling, and entertainment, Las Vegas is often thought of as a place to visit for the weekend to try and win a few bucks and to soak in the rich entertainment available. While this is definitely a feature that draws in tourism, this city offers so much more than hotels, casinos, and all-you-can-eat buffets.
Many Americans have chosen to build a life here, and despite the glitz and glam that Las Vegas has to offer, the cost of living here is relatively low. This city also has one of the fastest employment growth rates in the country, with most jobs being in the construction, retail, and hospitality sectors. For those of you who are considering moving here, we have compiled a guide of the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas to help make your decision easier!
Life in Las Vegas
Before we jump into the best places to live in Las Vegas, let’s first talk about what it’s like to live here. If you’ve visited before, you are probably most familiar with The Strip. This is the area that tourists typically spend most of their time in when visiting Las Vegas, but people that live here don’t spend a lot of their time in this area. This is simply due to the fact that everything the locals need can be found right in their neighborhood! You may still find yourself visiting The Strip when looking for a night out with friends, but for the most part, locals tend to save this area of town for entertaining out-of-town visitors.
With a population of over 650,000 that is always rising, Las Vegas is the second-fastest growing city in the United States. This is partially due to the vast amount of jobs that are available, and partially due to the amazing weather that this desert city is known for.
Weather
Perhaps one of the most well known features of Las Vegas, besides the gambling, is the weather. While most people probably associate Las Vegas with being a dry, hot desert, this is only partly true. The hottest months in the city are from June to September, where temperatures can soar up to 110℉ during the day, but the upside of the heat is that there is absolutely no humidity to be found here. The most important thing to remember during these summer months is to stay hydrated and to remember to wear sunscreen.
From March until May, and September until November, Las Vegas residents will all agree that the weather is ideal, and many will tell you that this is the reason why they moved there! Temperatures are typically in the 70s and 80s, although at night it is a good idea to wear a light jacket as the temperatures drop significantly once the sun goes down.
Winter in Las Vegas is considerably cooler than the summer, but nothing compared to winter in the Midwest. You will never have to use a shovel or invest in a heavy parka, as temperatures rarely dip below the mid-50s during the day.
Cost of Living
For such a big city, Las Vegas has a very reasonable cost of living with the average cost for a single person being around $825 per month (excluding rent), depending which neighborhood you live in. Housing and rent prices are also relatively low, with apartment rent starting at $750 per month, and single family homes starting around $150,000. One of the great things about living in Las Vegas is that residents here don’t have to pay personal income tax! For a breakdown of expenses typically incurred in Las Vegas, you can visit this website.
Living in the city that never sleeps can be exhausting, so it’s important to decide what you’re looking for in a neighborhood. To help, we have put together a list of neighborhoods that are some of the best areas of Las Vegas to live in.
Best Neighborhoods in Las Vegas for Families
Choosing the right house is one of the most important things when moving a family to a new city, but choosing the best neighborhood is essential. You want to make sure that the area is safe and family-friendly, with good schools and plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained. We have scouted out the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas for families to help make your search for the perfect home a bit more informed and a lot more simple.
Summerlin
Summerlin is a master-planned community in Las Vegas, meaning that it was specifically designed to be a large-scale residential neighborhood with plenty of amenities, schools, restaurants, and health care facilities. Summerlin is the largest master-planned community in the nation and features everything a family could ever want, including large yards, beautiful homes, plenty of parks and trails, and above-average public schools.
Having good schools available for your children is one of the main criteria when searching for the best places to live in Las Vegas, and Summerlin has an abundance of great schools, both private and public.
Elementary schools located in Summerlin:
- Shelley Berkley Elementary School
- John W. Bonner Elementary School
- Roger M. Bryan Elementary School
- Linda Rankin Givens Elementary School
- John & Judy Goolsby Elementary School
- William R. Lummis Elementary School
- D’vorre & Hal Ober Elementary School
- Ethel W. Staton Elementary School
Middle schools located in Summerlin:
- Ernest Becker Middle School
- Victoria Fertitta Middle School
- Sig Rogich Middle School
High schools located in Summerlin:
- Palo Verde High School
- West Career And Technical Academy (magnet school)
Private schools located in Summerlin:
- The Adelson Educational Campus (K-12; Jewish)
- Alexander Dawson School (K-8; Secular)
- Bishop Gorman High School (9-12; Catholic)
- Faith Lutheran Academy (K-5; Lutheran)
- Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School (6-12; Lutheran)
- The Meadows School (K-12; Secular)
In addition to all of these great schools, Summerlin is home to a wide variety of parks with a ton of activities for kids and adults alike, with everything from dog parks and soccer fields to splash pads and skate parks. Downtown Summerlin has a wide variety of retailers and a movie theater, and is also where the Las Vegas Ballpark and City National Arena are located.
Summerlin was designed specifically to provide an excellent living experience for its residents while still being close to downtown and The Strip, making this community an ideal place for people to raise their families.
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Southwest Las Vegas
Southwest Las Vegas is one of the most popular choices for families to live in Las Vegas due to the low prices of real estate compared to some of the more expensive neighboring communities. This area of Las Vegas is less developed than some of the other areas, but is still home to several great communities including:
- Green Valley
- Anthem
- Southern Highlands
- Seven Hills
Most of these communities are fairly new and are not fully populated yet, making this one of the best areas in Las Vegas to live in. Located only a 15 minute drive from The Strip, this area is a prime location for people that want to be close to the city while still being able to live in a safe community that is great for families.
There is always something going on in this area of Las Vegas, with events happening pretty regularly in the community. Additionally, there are plenty of museums, parks, galleries, and restaurants to visit, as well as beautiful natural parks with hiking trails that are located only a short drive away.
Southwest Las Vegas is also home to many great schools that offer above average education to those that attend them.
Elementary schools in Southwest Las Vegas include:
- Jan Jones Blackhurst Elementary
- William V Wright Elementary
- Aldeane Comito Ries Elementary
- Frias Elementary
Middle and High Schools in Southwest Las Vegas include:
- Liberty High School
- Tarkanian Middle School
- Doral Academy Charter School
Private schools in Southwest Las Vegas include:
- Southern Highlands Preparatory School (K-8; Secular)
- Good Samaritan Christian Academy (K-5; Christian)
- Best Neighborhoods in Las Vegas for Young Professionals
With a multitude of job opportunities in not only the retail and hospitality sector, but also in the technology, medical, and education sectors, it’s no wonder why so many young professionals are looking to relocate to Las Vegas. That, paired with the low cost of rent, is something that is drawing in many new residents every year. We have outlined some of the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas for young professionals in more detail below to help make your search easier.
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Downtown
Not only is Downtown Las Vegas great for young professionals, it’s also one of the best places to live in Las Vegas for people who like to be amid the hustle and bustle of the city. Not to be confused with The Strip, Downtown Las Vegas is home to the famous Fremont Street, as well as the Arts District. Along with being full of things to do and people to see, housing options are in abundance and are relatively cheap to own or rent! The Downtown neighborhood is full of budget-friendly apartments, luxurious condos, and modern houses, so finding something that suits your lifestyle will not be hard.
If your career is in the technology field, then you are in luck, as Downtown Las Vegas is the hub of many tech start-up companies. If you're moving out here as an engineer, the possibilities are endless. After all, someone has to keep those casino games and amusement rides running!
One of the most appealing features of the Downtown area is the huge amount of things to do and places to eat. On any given night of the week, there are local bands playing free concerts right on Fremont Street, coupled with the amazing Viva Vision Light Show. If you’re a fan of dazzling lights and insane optical and auditory experiences, you will definitely not be disappointed with the beautiful light show that takes place here every night.
Downtown Las Vegas is also home to a wide array of amazing restaurants, including favorites such as:
- Project BBQ LV (Barbecue, American)
- Barry’s Downtown Prime (Steak, Seafood)
- Whiskey Licker Up (Pub, American)
- Red Asian Cuisine (Sushi, Japanese)
- Cadillac Mexican Grill (Mexican)
- Grotto Ristorante (Italian)
The Downtown neighborhood is one of the best places to live in Las Vegas if you’re looking for a fast-paced lifestyle that is never dull and is full of amazing opportunities to experience the culture of Las Vegas.
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Rancho Charleston
Rancho Charleston is one of those neighborhoods that appeal to everyone--young professionals, families, and retirees--because it’s so close to everything in Las Vegas. Downtown is less than a 10 minute drive, the airport is only 15 minutes away, and Springs Preserve, which is home to over 180 acres of nature trails, is less than 10 minutes away. This neighborhood is truly at the epicenter of all things to see and do in Las Vegas, while still maintaining a community vibe.
Housing prices in Rancho Charleston are very affordable for those looking to buy their first home, and are a bit bigger than the houses you will find in the Downtown neighborhood with a lot more yard space. If you happen to start a family in the future, you won’t need to consider relocating, as Rancho Charleston offers some great schools, parks, and many activities that can be done as a family.
There are also a lot of things to do without a family in Rancho Charleston to keep you entertained on the days you’re off from work. Meadows Mall is a hot spot for shoppers, and is an indoor mall with over 100 stores, including Macy’s, Express, and Victoria’s Secret. Or maybe you’d rather hit up the Palace Station Hotel and Casino and try to win a few dollars, catch a movie in the theater, or meet up with some friends for drinks at one of the bars. If you want to get a bite to eat, there are a ton of great restaurants around, including The Omelet House, Osaka Japanese Bistro, and Broadway Pizzeria.
If you enjoy being in a smaller community with the same access to all of the things that Las Vegas has to offer, then Rancho Charleston is one of the best places to live in Las Vegas for you!
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Up-and-coming Neighborhoods in Las Vegas
The Arts District
If you are looking to live in a bohemian-style neighborhood that is up-and-coming, then this is the place you will want to start searching for your next home. The Arts District is located between The Strip and Downtown Las Vegas and has many affordable condos in the center of the neighborhood, as well as luxury condos for those with a larger budget. If you travel to the outskirts of this neighborhood, you’ll be able to find bigger homes for very reasonable prices, as well as a sizable amount of fixer uppers that are very inexpensive.
The Arts District is home to all sorts of vintage clothing shops, coffee shops, and craft cocktail bars. It should come as no surprise that this up-and-coming neighborhood is also brimming with art galleries. Some of the best places to go in the Arts District include:
Art Galleries
- Art Square
- The Arts Factory
- 17 Moons Art Studio
- Wonderland Gallery
Coffee Shops
- Blacktop Coffee
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters
- The Wheelhouse
- Blue Bottle Coffee
Bars and Restaurants
- Velveteen Rabbit
- Artifice
- Rebar
- Mingo Kitchen and Lounge
- Tacos Huevos
Living in the Arts District can sometimes make you forget that you are even in Las Vegas, even though it is so close to all of the excitement. There are no casinos or neon signs here, and theater performances are lacking the sequins and glitter you will find on The Strip, instead opting for artistic theater performances.
Many locals visit this area to decompress from the fast pace of the other popular districts, although this area is still largely unknown to tourists. So if you’re looking to live in a place that hasn’t been invaded by the tourists, but is still modern and trendy and is close to everything, then the Arts District might be one of the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas for you to live in.
At the end of the day, Las Vegas is a city that is largely misunderstood by people that don’t live there, being mistaken for a party city that “never sleeps”. In reality, Las Vegas is just like any other city, with many great neighborhoods for families, affordable housing in the suburbs and downtown area, and a ton of job opportunities. The only difference here is that you will never have to pay personal income tax, and you can enjoy beautiful, warm weather all year round. So, here’s hoping that this guide to the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas has given you all of the knowledge and information needed to help you make the decision to relocate and call Las Vegas home!
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