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Far more than just the Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada, is a suburban dream in the Mojave Desert. The city is community-driven, family-oriented, and a hub for remote workers of all stripes. Las Vegas is also one of the fastest growing sports markets in the United States and is at the forefront of water conservation.
If you’re moving to Las Vegas and looking to take a deep dive into the facts and figures that define her, you’re in luck! This Las Vegas moving guide, brought to you by NSA Storage, is filled with useful and practical info! Read on to find out more and be fully prepared to enjoy your new life in Vegas once you arrive!
Entrepreneurs Love Las Vegas!
Vegas is a hub for entrepreneurs for several reasons, first of which is lower taxes. Nevada is also business-friendly, with strong privacy protections, a faster registration process, and a lower compliance burden. In short, the city is a place to start, scale, and network a new business with ease, and lets you keep more of your money when you do!
Here are a few more reasons to move to Las Vegas if you’re an entrepreneur:
- A built-in market that sees 40+ million visitors a year
- A word-class event and convention infrastructure
- Flexible zoning
- Lower labor and rent costs
- A very strong small business ecosystem
- A time zone that works for both coasts
- A mindset that accepts risk and doesn’t stigmatize failure
Lower Taxes are a Big Draw in Las Vegas
Saving money is big on everyone’s “to do” list these days, no question. In Las Vegas, and the entirety of Nevada, you’ll be pleased to know that there are no state income taxes. Not only that, but Las Vegas’ property taxes are some of the lowest in the country.
Now, you might think that Sin City collects taxes elsewhere to make up for the loss, but sales tax is 8.4%. That’s not much higher than the national average, which is about 7.5%. In short, more of your hard-earned money will stay in your bank account when you live in Las Vegas.
Outdoor Activities are Extremely Diverse around Vegas
You might think that, being in the desert, outdoor activity might be limited in Las Vegas. That couldn’t be further from the truth. With 300+ days of sunshine and proximity to some of the most spectacular settings in the country, outdoor activities are abundant!
Here are a few of the highlights and popular activities in The 702:
- Hiking
- Biking
- Rock climbing
- Off-roading
- Mountain biking
Golf is also very popular here, and you can hit the links year-round on 70+ courses! Day trips are also very popular thanks to Vegas being close to some amazing places, including:
- Lake Mead– 30 – 45 minutes away
- Hoover Dam– 45 minutes away
- Zion National Park– 2.5 hours away
- Grand Canyon National Park– 4 – 5 hours away
Lastly, snow skiing is popular here thanks to being close to the Spring Mountains, Markagunt Plateau, and Sierra Nevada. Very few major cities let you golf and ski within the same region!
Two of the best locations for these fantastic winter sports include:
- Mount Charleston (Lee Canyon)– 35 miles northwest of Las Vegas
- Brian Head Resort (Utah)- 200 miles away in Southern Utah
Top Tier Food City
You’ve likely heard of the phenomenal buffets you can enjoy in Las Vegas on the Strip. The truth is that the dining scene both on and off the Strip is top-tier. Vegas draws millions of folks from around the world, and their food is well represented! From fine dining to darn good dives, the city serves it all, and does it 24 hours a day!
Here are a few of the culinary highlights you’ll enjoy in The Entertainment Capital of the World:
- A wide range of fine dining restaurants
- Foods from around the world
- A strong Chinatown corridor
- Many celebrity chef restaurants
- A strong late-night dining culture
- An extensive restaurant choice outside the Strip
The Weather in Las Vegas is Fantastic
We’ve already mentioned that Vegas sees over 300 days a year of sunshine, more than many major cities. That’s one of the biggest reasons people move to Las Vegas, to escape the cold found in other places. The humidity here is also very low, mostly due to the fact that the city only sees 4 inches of rain a year.
It must be said, though, that it can get hot here, with temps in summer that can reach and even exceed 115°F! For some, that might be a dealbreaker, even with the air-conditioning on fill blast.
Here’s a quick look at the weather and climate you can expect when moving to Las Vegas:
- Spring- Pleasant days and even more pleasant nights make this the best time of year for many. Plus, the desert comes to life.
- Summer- Average highs between 105°F–110°F. Monsoons are possible late in the season.
- Fall- This is when Vegas really shines! Warm days, no rain, no humidity, and cool evenings make the city most livable.
- Winter- Cooler weather prevails but snow is very rare. Daytime temps hover between 55°F–65°F.
Las Vegas’s Cost of Living is Reasonable
With a cost of living index of approximately 92 / 100, Las Vegas is slightly lower than the national average. That makes it cheaper than San Diego or LA, and on par with Phoenix and Denver. Median home prices hover around $430,000, and the rent on a 2-bedroom apartment is about $1700.
Below are a few more cost of living tidbits about Las Vegas:
- Daily driving is affordable but car insurance is higher than average
- The average commute is 25 minutes
- Water costs are surprisingly controlled and moderate
- Fixed costs are manageable
- No taxes on groceries or prescription meds, a big savings
- Healthcare costs are slightly below the U.S. average
Sports are Booming In Las Vegas
Las Vegas has seen a rapid rise in credibility when it comes to professional sports. The city is a major boxing and UFC hub, and hosts big-name events throughout the year. With the addition of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, the city is now a legitimate sports city.
Here’s a list of the major sports teams in Vegas:
- Las Vegas Raiders (NFL)
- Vegas Golden Knights (NHL Stanley Cup champions)
- Las Vegas Aces (WNBA champions)
- Las Vegas Lights (soccer)
Magnificent Parks and Green Spaces
If there’s one aspect of Las Vegas that’s truly surprising it’s the number of parks and green spaces on offer. There are several quality parks and recreation areas both inside and out of the city. Let’s take a look at some of the best:
- Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs– One of the largest parks in the valley, it’s also the most scenic. With abundant lakes, trees, picnic areas, and trails, the park is perfect for fishing, hiking, and family outings.
- Sunset Park– This urban park features disc golf, picnic areas, and sports fields. It’s also popular for walking and biking on its many paths.
- Craig Ranch Regional Park– Another multi-use park, this one offers a skate park and splash pad for your little ones.
- Desert National Wildlife Refuge– One of the biggest wildlife refuges in the country, with mountain ranges, desert plains, and a variety of wildlife.
There are several major natural spaces nearby, also, including:
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area– Known for its magnificent (and tall) red sandstone formations. (20 – 30 minutes from the city.)
- Spring Mountains / Mount Charleston– Cool mountain air and pine forests are the big draw here. While hiking you’ll enjoy fall foliage and, surprisingly, snow. (About 45 minutes from the city.)
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area– This massive lake offers all the boating, fishing, and water activities you could wish for! (About 35 – 45 minutes from the city.)
Las Vegas also has a trail network that connects parks and neighborhoods and is constantly growing. That includes Wetlands Park Nature Preserve, where the birdwatching is phenomenal.
Let NSA Storage Help with Your Las Vegas Move
If you need self-storage units in Las Vegas to store your stuff, head to the nearest NSA Storage location. With over a dozen storage locations around Vegas, one is bound to be close to your new home. You can even reserve a Las Vegas storage unit online before you arrive, and it will be ready when you get here!
