When you think of Las Vegas, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of bright lights, bustling casinos, and extravagant shows. A common misconception is that Las Vegas is only a city for tourists, partiers, and gamblers.
Well, you might be surprised to find out that Las Vegas is one of the best places in America for families to call home.
Las Vegas Is Much More Than Just a Tourist Destination
While you might be raising an eyebrow right now, the truth is that living in Las Vegas has long been a winning bet for families. Keep reading to explore the 11 reasons why this is true.
Reasons Why Living In Las Vegas Is A Winning Bet For Families – Key Takeaways
• Las Vegas features safe, well-planned, and family-oriented neighborhoods.
• The Las Vegas area offers diverse educational options, from public schools to high-end private schools.
• Las Vegas has a large variety of excellent, family-friendly restaurants.
• The Greater Las Vegas Area offers numerous family-friendly entertainment options.
• The Las Vegas Metropolitan Area features numerous parks, recreational facilities, and outdoor spaces suitable for families.
• Las Vegas has top-notch sports and excellent youth sports leagues.
• Family-friendly community events in Las Vegas are commonly available.
• Las Vegas residents benefit from a mild winter climate, allowing for year-round outdoor activities.
• Las Vegas offers access to top-notch healthcare facilities and services.
• Significant areas of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, such as Henderson, are safer than the national average.
• Las Vegas’s economic growth and diversification provide long-term opportunities for families working in various sectors.
Now that you’ve seen the key takeaways, let’s get into the details and explore why living in Las Vegas is a winning bet for families.
1. The Las Vegas Area Has Many Beautiful Family-Friendly Neighborhoods
Again, while the typical picture of Las Vegas is a wild town full of tourists, partiers, and gamblers, this is far from the full truth. The city is, in fact, home to some of the best family-friendly neighborhoods and communities you’ll find in the United States.
Summerlin
A good example is the Summerlin master-planned community, which offers a fantastic quality of life to families. If you’re not familiar with Summerlin, it has incredible amenities, including over 250 parks and 150 miles of walking trails!
Moreover, it is home to excellent schools, including 11 nationally-recognized private schools. Summerlin is one of many reasons why the Las Vegas area is a winning bet for families. However, there are other excellent communities as well.
Other Communities
Green Valley in Henderson is one such community, and it offers a wide range of housing options and well-maintained parks, including Discovery Park.
Other noteworthy family-friendly areas include Providence, Aliante, Southern Highlands, and Mountains Edge, each of which has its own unique amenities.
Each of these neighborhoods has active communities. Regular events like seasonal festivals, farmers markets, and outdoor movie nights bring residents together, creating a welcoming environment for families.
2. Las Vegas Has Solid Educational Standards
Las Vegas offers a diverse range of schools that rival what you’d find in other major metropolitan areas across the United States.
CCSD
At the heart of Las Vegas’s education system is the Clark County School District (CCSD), which is the fifth-largest in the nation. CCSD provides a solid foundation for learning. For example, Las Vegas has a variety of magnet schools, each with its own specialized focus. Whether your child is a budding artist, a tech whiz, or a science enthusiast, there’s a program designed to nurture their talents.
Charter Schools
For families looking for alternatives, Las Vegas has a growing number of charter schools as well as highly-regarded private schools. And let’s not forget about higher education. With options like UNLV and the College of Southern Nevada, students can continue their academic journey right here in the city.
Inclusive Education
Additionally, Las Vegas offers inclusive education, from advanced placement courses to comprehensive special education programs. The city ensures that every student, regardless of their needs or abilities, has the opportunity to learn.
3. Las Vegas Has A Large Variety Of Family-Friendly Restaurants
Do you think Las Vegas restaurants are all high-roller steakhouses and celebrity chef hotspots? You might be surprised to find out that Las Vegas offers a plethora of family-friendly options.
To dine in a jungle setting, head to the Rainforest Cafe on Las Vegas Blvd. For Italian, check out Buddy V’s Ristorante, which is owned by the “Cake Boss” himself and offers a kids’ menu in a fun, family-friendly setting.
If you’re in the mood for casual fare, Las Vegas also has some great options available. These include quick-service burger joints, cafes, buffets, smoothie shops, food trucks, and more. The city has options that cater to practically every preference.
4. Las Vegas Offers Many Family-Friendly Entertainment Options
Although well known for its casinos and nightclubs, Las Vegas offers numerous entertainment options suitable for families.
Museums and More
One example is the DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, a three-story hub of interactive exhibits.
Another is Springs Preserve, which features the Nevada State Museum, botanical gardens, walking paths, and events.
Animals Lovers
For animal lovers, the Lion Habitat Ranch is home to lions, tortoises, ostriches, parrots, and more.
Family-Friendly Shows
Las Vegas also has family-friendly shows like the Tournament of Kings, as well as other attractions, such as:
Rides at the Adventuredome and seasonal events like the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village.
Even on the Strip, hotels and venues increasingly cater to families with kid-friendly amenities and activities. This shift reflects the growing number of tourists who bring their children to Las Vegas, creating a strong incentive for the city to provide family-friendly options.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, pure entertainment, or fun educational experiences, Las Vegas has it all. With such diverse options available year-round, families living in or visiting Las Vegas will find plenty of exciting things to do together.
5. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Area Features Numerous Parks, Recreational Facilities, and Outdoor Spaces
While Las Vegas has an arid climate, the city and its surrounding areas are surprisingly green in certain areas. This is thanks to the Colorado River Basin, which the city relies on for its daily water supply.
Note: The city of Las Vegas has water policies that impact how homeowners grow their lawns. This is worth keeping in mind before buying. The good news is that many homeowners have embraced beautiful xeriscaping to create stunning, water-efficient landscapes.
With that said, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area has an impressive variety of public parks, green spaces, and recreational areas. The city’s policy toward water conservation and green space management is proactive and forward-thinking. The city maintains over 100 parks, pools, and recreational facilities.
City Parks
A good example is Sunset Park, which is about 324 acres and features a lake for fishing, walking trails, picnic areas, a dog park, sports facilities, and more.
Then, there is Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, an amazing 680-acre park with lakes, picnic areas, and historic buildings.
Another fantastic park is Centennial Hills Park, which features an Amphitheatre, picnic areas, water play areas, a dog park, sports courts, sports fields, and more.
Natural Areas
If you love outdoor recreation, you’ll be able to find it at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead, both of which offer breathtaking natural beauty within fairly close proximity to the city. If you haven’t visited the Las Vegas area yet, Red Rock Canyon is about a 20-minute drive from Las Vegas, and Lake Mead is about 30 minutes away.
Red Rock Canyon features a 13-mile scenic drive, many miles of hiking trails, rock climbing opportunities, and a visitor center. It’s known for its striking red rock formations and a diverse desert ecosystem.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, meanwhile, offers a variety of water-based activities, including boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking.
6. Las Vegas Has Top-Notch Sports Teams and Youth Leagues
In addition to parks, recreational facilities, and casual sports, Las Vegas has a strong professional sports scene. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders and Vegas Golden Knights are located right here in the city.
If you haven’t been, Allegiant Stadium, home to the Raiders, is definitely worth visiting. It’s a fully enclosed and climate-controlled facility with a capacity of approximately 65,000 people. It not only hosts NFL games but also major concerts and special sporting events. T-Mobile Arena, where the Golden Knights play, generally has an electric atmosphere for hockey fans. Both stadiums are incredible.
Even more, Las Vegas has an impressive network of youth sports leagues and programs. From soccer fields to ice rinks, the city offers a diverse array of sports opportunities for kids of various ages and skill levels.
7. Family-Oriented Community Events Are Common In Las Vegas
There are many reasons why living in Las Vegas is a winning bet for families. Community is one of them. The city’s residents undoubtedly know how to bring families together with style, flair, and a diverse array of events throughout the year.
From seasonal celebrations to cultural festivals and art shows to outdoor concerts, families can find something to enjoy. Beyond the festivals and large special events, Las Vegas’s communities also hold smaller-scale events, including farmers’ markets and trade shows.
Additionally, the city’s libraries, museums, and parks offer ongoing programs, activities, and volunteer opportunities.
8. Las Vegas Residents Benefit From A Mild Winter Climate
Another reason so many people want to move to Las Vegas is the climate. On the surface, you wouldn’t think so. The city is located in a desert, after all. Fortunately, Las Vegas is one of the least humid cities in the United States, which makes the climate much more pleasant than one would expect. Dry heat generally feels less oppressive than humid heat, so even in the summer, people can still enjoy being outside.
Low humidity wouldn’t matter, of course, without Lake Mead, which supplies the city and makes owning a pool and enjoying water-based recreation possible.
Another advantage of living in Las Vegas is its mild winter climate. You can go hiking at Red Rock Canyon in January or tee off at one of the city’s 50+ golf courses in the middle of February. At the same time, if you want a proper winter experience, Mount Charleston and Lee Canyon are a reasonably short drive from the city—about an hour away.
While residents of other cities further north often lock themselves inside during the winter to escape the cold and snow, in Las Vegas, winter isn’t a time to hibernate. It’s a time to get outside, making it an ideal place for families who love an active, outdoor lifestyle all year long.
9. Las Vegas Provides Ample Family Doctors, Dentists, and Pediatricians
Families looking to move to Las Vegas will be happy to know that the city offers the essential services they need to build a comfortable life. Beyond the entertainment and outdoor attractions, Las Vegas provides a comprehensive variety of family doctors, pediatricians, and dentists. This means you can find quality medical care for your whole family without having to travel far from home.
Should more specialized care be needed, Las Vegas has large medical facilities, including Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, and Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center.
Las Vegas is also embracing the future of healthcare with telemedicine options and innovative programs like Get Healthy Clark County. The city is committed to continually improving its healthcare landscape.
10. Parts Of The Las Vegas Area Are Safer Than The National Average
In the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, many family-friendly neighborhoods offer a secure environment that compares favorably with other communities across the nation. This is despite the high volume of tourist traffic the city experiences year-round.
While the perception might be that a city with so many tourists is crime-ridden, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area actually offers several surprisingly quiet and safe residential areas. A great example is Henderson, which consistently ranks as one of the safer cities in Nevada, with crime rates lower than the national average.
However, Henderson isn’t the only safe area in the Las Vegas Metropolitan. Communities like Summerlin and Southern Highlands are also known for their low crime rates and family-friendly atmospheres.
Las Vegas takes school safety seriously, too. The Clark County School District has its own dedicated police force, and programs like SafeVoice Nevada provide students with a confidential way to report safety concerns.
11. Las Vegas’s Economic Growth Provides Long-Term Opportunities to Families
Lastly, Las Vegas is experiencing significant economic growth and diversification. While tourism remains a cornerstone of the city’s economy, new opportunities are emerging in its technology, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.
Today, career options extend far beyond the casino floor, especially as major tech companies move in and the Downtown Las Vegas Innovation District fosters a Silicon Valley vibe. The healthcare sector is booming, too, thanks to cutting-edge facilities like the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
Las Vegas’s community leadership is thinking long-term, with a growing emphasis on STEM education, vocational training in schools, and more. The goal is to prepare the next generation for high-tech careers and entrepreneurship, ensuring that today’s children will have a bright future in their hometown.
Find Single Family Homes In Las Vegas With The Real Estate Guy
We understand that families want to know more about Las Vegas before betting on a move. We hope this post addresses common questions and concerns you may have about family life in the city.
If you have any questions about buying a home in Las Vegas, we’re here to help. With some guidance from our team, we can help you find the perfect neighborhood that fits your family’s needs and lifestyle.
Ready to explore the family-friendly side of Las Vegas? Contact The Real Estate Guy to learn more about making Las Vegas your new home!
