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Thinking about moving to Las Vegas? Well, why not! Yes, I understand that making the transition from the East Coast to the West Coast is a big deal. Especially when you decide to replace a city like New York. However, if you thought about it properly this can be a very valuable experience and a fresh start that you need.

Las Vegas city panorama
Las Vegas city skyline panorama

But, before you get run over by the excitement, and embark on this voyage to Las Vegas, Nevada, take a moment to read this article and gather some useful and practical information. There are a lot of things to consider before you pack your first box. Let’s get going!

Climate Change Is A Big Deal!

I’m sure that you all know that Nevada has one of the hottest climates in the US.

The summer is very long, unbearably hot from time to time (sometimes the temperature can reach 100 degrees), wet, and muggy. This is something that you definitely need to think about when moving in from NYC’s cold climate. And on top of that, you have a very cold and windy winter (thanks to the desert landscape), that luckily for you, is much shorter than in NYC.

Why am I telling you this? Well because spending a summer in NYC and Nevada are two completely different things. If you thought staying hydrated and cool in NYC was a big problem, then Las Vegas is not your cup of tea, unfortunately, not even as a vacation destination.

Now imagine the process of long-distance moving in a hot climate such as Nevada has? It can be a living hell, literally. Therefore, you should forget about DIY-ing this, and contact our professionals that will explain to you the whole process and how long it will take.

No matter what, make the effort to plan your relocation during the winter in Nevada.

Wildlife In Nevada Can Be Dangerous

Don’t forget that Las Vegas is in the middle of the desert and that the wildlife there is very opposite to what you are used to seeing. Nevada is home to a lot of venomous snakes, spiders, scorpions, coyotes, bears, mountain lions, etc. Luckily, chances are very low that you will come across them in urban areas, however, you can never know.

So when moving to Las Vegas, pack your comfortable and protective shoes, just in case you stumble upon some unfriendly animal. Oh, and don’t roam around as you would normally do, this isn’t a NYC.

Quality Of Life

Yosemite national park
Rock formation in Yosemite national park in Nevada

You might be concerned that you’ll need to completely change your lifestyle when you move to Las Vegas, but that isn’t the case at all. Did you know that Las Vegas is among the few cities that can match NYC’s energy and nightlife? Don’t worry you will have plenty of things to do and visit.

National parks and monuments like Joshua Tree, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon can become your regular playground considering they are just a few hours of drive away from Las Vegas. They doesn’t call it the Entertainment Capital of the World in vain, this city is a home of great festivals, concerts, and events throughout the year, just make sure to check the annual calendar and not miss out on something you would love to see.

Now let’s talk about a much more important thing and that is money. You might be surprised when I tell you that Nevada is a state that can be quite pricy for living.  Not everyone can afford to move here, considering they have a 7 percent higher cost of living than that of the national average. So, before you even think about it is vital to start searching for a secure and concrete income.

What jobs are most common in Las Vegas?

Logically, the largest industries in Las Vegas are tourism and gaming. However, if you aren’t thrilled about getting a job in hospitality industry you can search for a job in the business and finances field, airspace and defense, healthcare, technology industry, or police department (one of the largest in the US). The highest-paying careers in Las Vegas are currently in transportation, marketing, and computer and information systems.

What salary do you need to live in Las Vegas?

The cost of living in Las Vegas is slightly above the national average, but considerably lower than in NYC. Transportation and housing are on top of the list of expenses.  This means that you will need to find a job that will provide you with a salary that is at least $60,000. Considering their median hourly wage is $18 that is possible and manageable but it requires hard work.

Keep in mind that jobs in housekeeping, restaurant, and valet are less paid than financial bankers, brokers, healthcare workers, and engineers. But the good thing is that residents of Nevada do not pay state, personal, business, or corporate income, only federal.

Real estate market in Las Vegas

The real estate market is on rising in the whole of Nevada, not just in Las Vegas. The city has 51 neighborhoods and prices can vary significantly. But this shouldn’t discourage you from moving to Las Vegas, the real estate prices are still pretty lower than in most neighborhoods in NYC.

The median sales price for a single-family home in Las Vegas is $475,000, depending on the neighborhood, you may have to pay more. The rental prices in Las Vegas are also increasing, but the median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is around $1,400 which is a good price.

Compared to NYC, you will get excellent living opportunities, in a great neighborhood, with far more space, for a lot lower prices.

Transportation

Since Las Vegas is popular among tourists all year round, traffic can become jammed quite easily. The worst thing is that moving to Las Vegas and not owning a car is a very bad idea. Las Vegas doesn’t have the best public transportation system, it can take you up to 50 minutes to commute to a workplace and the same amount of time on your way back home. What a complete waste of time!

Moreover, the city is insanely large. I’m talking about the area of 7,900 square miles, in the desert. yes, you need a car here. The very important information you need to know is that owning a car in Las Vegas will cost you a fortune, compared to some other cities.  The gas prices are higher, as well as car insurance prices (it can go up to $3,000).

Is Moving To Las Vegas A Good Idea After All?

There are some things that you will love about Las Vegas and some will annoy you or even make you rethink the decision. As I said the climate is one of them, considering this is not a place for people who aren’t enthusiastic about long summer and high heat. You should also embrace the fact that crime rates in Las Vegas are higher than in NYC (surprised?).

But all in all, if you need a change and you have a great job opportunity moving to Las Vegas is a great thing to do. This city has a lot to offer, it evolves constantly, and you will never get bored when living here. Most people think that Las Vegas is all about the casinos and hotels. This ain’t true, here you’ll find plenty of lights, great restaurants and bars, world-famous shows that you can only see in Las Vegas, and kind and friendly locals.

If this sounds like a place you can call home, pack your bags and schedule your interstate relocation today!