Are you considering moving to Las Vegas, Nevada? If so, you’ll want to check out this article.
About Las Vegas
I have lived in Las Vegas for eight years now, and I still find it a lively and peaceful city.
It’s home to 2,839,000 people, but it’s mostly known for the famous Las Vegas Strip. It turns out that Las Vegas has much more to offer for everyday life than the nightlife it is best known for.
Las Vegas offers the advantages of a big city (lots of restaurants, shows, music venues, etc.) while maintaining a manageable and non-suppressive city atmosphere.
But, There Are Pros and Cons
Today, I’m sharing my personal list of the honest pros and cons of living in Las Vegas.
As you read this list, keep in mind that this is my personal list, and not everyone will feel the same way about living in Vegas.
With that said, let’s get down to business and consider the pros of living in Las Vegas.
#1. Inexpensive Living Costs
Living in Las Vegas, you will find many amenities for a city of this size and a relatively reasonable cost of living.
That can surprise some people because affordability may seem counterintuitive in a large city like Las Vegas, but hear me out.
Overall, the cost of living in Las Vegas is only 3% higher than the national average, which is surprising for a city of over half a million people.
There Are Plenty of Affordable Houses In Las Vegas
I currently rent a two-bedroom apartment and pay $1,400 a month.
However, the average home in Las Vegas is $364,000, which means that buying a house is really an option for me!
I mean, consider a city of similar size (population-wise) in Portland, Oregon, where the cost of living is 29% higher than the national average.
I can tell you from personal experience that Vegas is definitely an affordable place to live.
#2. Living in Las Vegas, There is Never A Shortage of Things To Do
One thing you quickly learn after moving to Las Vegas is that there’s never a shortage of things to do here, and plenty of places are open 24/7 on top of that!
You can catch a show at the Smith Center, listen to live music or try your luck at the casino. If you like to party, check out the Strip and Fremont Street.
Nightlife
There’s nothing quite like Las Vegas’ 24/7 nightlife.
Living in Las Vegas, you can enjoy a lot of nighttime activities. Have a spontaneous mini photo shoot and enjoy a signature drink like Whiskey Business or We’re All Mad Here at the multi-level bar, The Chandelier.
Relax with cocktails like famous Shrimp Cocktail, or order a custom drink from speakeasy mixologists in the laundry room.
At Vegas Atomic Liquors, the oldest freestanding bar, try a selection of craft beers that are constantly changing.
Attend a pool party or listen to local artists like The Chainsmokers and Diplo at XS Nightclub, one of Vegas’ best nightclubs.
At LGBTQ bar The Garden Las Vegas, you can attend a drag show with a garden patio and fountains.
Or have a Lava Letch or Bearded Clam at Frankie’s Tiki Room, an all-night Tiki bar.
Entertainment
Living in Las Vegas gives you access to world-class entertainment you won’t find anywhere else.
SkyJump 829 feet above the Strip or see the Las Vegas skyline from the observation deck at STRAT.
See the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens with a different show each season and a unique performance on Lunar New Year.
Or descend 203 feet on the Big Apple Coaster, the world’s first roller coaster with a 180-degree turn and dive maneuver.
Of course, entertainment in Las Vegas is not limited to the Strip!
Fly over downtown Las Vegas on the Slotzilla zipline, watch the world’s largest video screen with rotating displays at the Viva Vision light show, or listen to free live music at the Fremont Street Experience.
Swim with Golden Nugget pool sharks. You no need to worry, since the sharks are located in their aquarium next to the pool!
Work or walk on the backyard playground during the day, and have fun playing beer pong, Jenga, chess, and other outdoor games at Gold Spike in the evening.
Or stay until the end of October to see why Vegas is one of the best cities to celebrate Halloween in the United States.
Arts & Culture
While living in Las Vegas, enjoy dance, comedy, and musical performances with endless entertainment!
See acrobatic stunts, dancing, and more at Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas. See a Broadway show, the Las Vegas Philharmonic, the Nevada Ballet Theatre, and more at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
See live performances by the likes of Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, and Billy Eilish at T-Mobile Arena.
Laugh all night at Comedy Cellar Las Vegas, featuring such famous comedians as Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, and Jon Stewart.
Learn about organized crime and law enforcement by visiting the interactive crime lab, firearms simulator, and prohibition-related exhibits at the Mafia Museum.
Walk through the neon graveyard of former Las Vegas signs and watch them light up at sunset at the Neon Museum.
See the most iconic cars from movies like “Batman,” “Fast and Furious,” or “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and more at the Hollywood Car Museum.
Learn more about prehistoric life, Egyptian treasures, and geology at the Las Vegas Museum of Natural History.
Or take a flashlight tour and tell ghost stories at the Zack Bagans Haunted House Museum.
Festivals
No wonder this energetic city knows how to throw a good festival in Las Vegas!
While living in Las Vegas, enjoy good music at Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), a huge playground with incredible lighted stages, rides, LED art installations, and all kinds of performers, dancers, stilt walkers, aerial gymnasts, and more.
Sample top-notch food from some of the world’s best chefs, as well as wines and spirits, at the Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival.
Listen to your favorite hits at the iHeartRadio Music Festival from big names like Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, and Journey.
Celebrate Italian culture and traditions through food, music, art, rides, and games at the San Gennaro Festival.
Enjoy watching entertainment, visiting Craftsman Alley, and celebrating diversity at the PRIDE Festival in Las Vegas.
Listen to rockabilly and 50’s music, and be sure to attend a car show, tattoo parlor, fashion show, and even a wedding at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend.
Release lanterns with personal messages and intentions while communicating over food and music at the RiSE Lantern Festival, the largest in the world.
Experience music, art, self-expression, comedy, food, and more at the Life are Beautiful Festival.
Entertainment For The Whole Family
Sin City is not just a playground for adults. Living in Las Vegas, there’s plenty for kids to do, too!
Immerse the whole family in the tale of King Arthur as you compete in duels and tournaments at the King’s Tournament.
Watch large collection of animals at the Shark Reef Aquarium.
Dress up with authentic props and costumes from the Marvel Avengers movies, as seen in Marvel Avengers STATION Ride Canyon Blaster, Sand Pirates, and other Las Vegas attractions for kids at Adventuredome.
Explore the DISCOVERY Children’s Museum exhibits, including a life-size castle from medieval times, a pirate ship, a mini-city, and more.
Take a hike, visit a turtle habitat, or meet “former wild donkey” Jackson at Red Rock Canyon.
Visit the 1.5 million-acre Lake Mead National Recreation Area for horseback riding, swimming, boating, snorkeling, and more.
You should also visit Mystic Falls Park at night for a laser waterfall show.
Relax at Floyd Lamb Park, surrounded by lush vegetation, which is one of the best parks in Las Vegas.
Or spend time at the Botanical Gardens, which features a butterfly habitat, playground and playground, and the Springs Preserve.
#3. Soft Weather
One of my personal favorite things about living in Las Vegas is that I get to wear shorts and t-shirts throughout most of the year.
Winter weather is especially nice and provides a great opportunity to enjoy the awesome outdoors nearby.
We moved from Seattle, where winters were particularly rainy and gray, so the joy of a mild winter has not escaped me.
But mind you, one thing that has surprised me the most since moving to Las Vegas is how windy it is here! Spring, fall and winter are surprisingly windy, so become prepared for that.
#4. The Food Scene
The food in Las Vegas is surprisingly good, perhaps one of the best for a city of this size.
Thanks in large part to Las Vegas’ tourist hub, the Strip, where world-class restaurants are on every block. Living in Las Vegas gives you access to the cuisine of the world.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to celebrity chefs, Las Vegas restaurants are a foodie’s paradise!
Try unique breakfast dishes like S’mores pancakes and Churro waffles at Griddlecakes.
Enjoy Spanish-inspired dishes at one of the best brunches in Las Vegas, like the breakfast empanada or the Tinga chicken omelet at Makers & Finders.
Have a bowl of Shoyu ramen or pork brisket at Monta Ramen.
Try the short rib fried rice or Pad Ki Mou noodles at Le Thai. Try classic Las Vegas dishes at Bacchanal Buffet, the largest buffet in Las Vegas.
Try reimagined Italian dishes like spicy pork pizza or rigatoni bolognese at one of Las Vegas’ best restaurants, La Strega.
Or indulge in original flavors of funnel cakes like Bacon Me Crazy and Billion Dollar Banana at Braud’s Funnel Cake Cafe.
#5. There Is No State Income Tax In Las Vegas
There are only nine states in America without an income tax, and Nevada is one of them, so your take-home pay will be slightly higher than if you lived in a state with an income tax.
Nevada’s sales tax is 4.6%, combined with Clark County’s 3.78% sales tax, which means you will pay 8.38% while living in Vegas.
#6. Las Vegas Has Reasonable Property Taxes
Las Vegas has reasonable property taxes, making it a reasonable place to shop for a home.
If you’re searching for long-term gains, Vegas also ranks among the most effective US cities to speculate in land and is one of the most effective cities for investing in Airbnb.
The median price of a city house is $184,900, which is sort of the image of the national average.
That affordability makes Vegas one of the simplest large cities for first-time home buyers!
#7. Living In Las Vegas, You Will Not Overpay For Rent
Las Vegas is one of America’s fastest-growing metros.
If you wish to require advantage of this thriving economy without committing your future to a particular neighborhood, renting in Vegas is also the simplest bet for you!
The median monthly rent in an urban center is $985, which is sort of on par with the national average, which suggests you won’t break the bank while experiencing the various areas and lifestyles of Las Vegas!
#8. Work In Las Vegas
As a fast-growing city with a robust job market, Las Vegas has much to offer job seekers.
While most jobs in Las Vegas are in the tourism and hospitality industries, residents can find jobs in industries ranging from healthcare to information technology.
Sin City also has plenty of co-working spaces and work-at-home options, making it one of the best cities for remote work.
#9. Education In Las Vegas
When it comes to continuing your education in Las Vegas, there are all kinds of opportunities!
Explore your passion at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, which has earned the highest status as a research university, according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
You can unlock your potential through 70 academic programs, such as business and health sciences, at the College of Southern Nevada.
Get your nursing degree from Chamberlain University in just three years.
Study cosmetology, hair design, hairdressing, nail technology, and more at the Expert Cosmetology Institute.
Choose careers as a dental assistant, surgical technologist, pharmacy technician, and more at the Nevada Career Institute.
Or partner with local hospitals, facilities, and businesses as you prepare for your medical career at Carrington College.
#10. Availability of Outdoor Recreation
If you’re an adventurer, you’ll have no trouble enjoying everyday life in Las Vegas.
You’ll have plenty of great places to choose from, from, Lake Mead, Red Rock, Mount Charleston, the Valley of Fire, and the Colorado River, just to name a few.
What’s more, there are several national parks in the vicinity, and Bryce Canyon and Zion are only two hours away!
If you don’t want to drive, there are also plenty of great local trails and parks within the city limits.
Valley of Fire State Park
45-minute drive northeast of Las Vegas is Red Rocks Mecca, aptly named Valley of Fire. Thanks to numerous family hikes, petroglyphs, well-marked trails, and wildlife, we were in dessert heaven.
Lake Mead Recreation Area
Lake Mead is a great vacation spot near Las Vegas.
Lake Mead is a boating and hiking paradise, making it one of the best outdoor activities in Las Vegas.
With winding roads and ecology, scenic red rocks, and views of the Muddy Mountains, a trip through Lake Mead National Recreation Area will be a beautiful scenic day.
The Hoover Dam
Just 30 minutes from Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is a must-see.
It’s a feat of engineering that amazed me, especially considering the time period in which it was built.
Clark County Wetlands Park
Clark County Wetlands Park is Las Vegas’ best-kept secret for families who love nature.
From the first-class nature center with several interactive displays to the well-marked trails and FREE admission, we’ve been big fans.
Springs Preserve
With events held year-round, including weekend workshops, live animal exhibits, and camps for children during school vacations, the preserve is a hit with families.
Visit the Nature Exchange, where visitors can bring nature treasures they find while exploring to exchange for points and treasures discovered by other visitors.
#11. Shopping In Las Vegas
There’s no better place to shop than at the Las Vegas Strip malls. Explore more than 250 stores at the largest mall on the Strip, Fashion Show Mall.
Indulge in luxury brands such as Gucci, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, and Versace at the Forum stores at Caesars Palace.
Stroll along the canal, waterfall, and garden while shopping at the Venetian-inspired Grand Canal stores.
Find deals from a variety of retailers, from Aeropostale to Prada, at premium Las Vegas North and South outlets.
Look for clothing, art, beauty products, and more at Miracle Mile stores.
On Saturday, the Arts District offers art, vintage items, boutique goods, and more.
Or relax and unwind at Downtown Container Park, an outdoor mall with boutiques, entertainment, and an interactive playground.
#12. The Traffic Is Not That Bad
I can safely say that the traffic in Vegas is not that bad, considering the nightmarish traffic jams in other cities I’ve lived in.
A trip through the city rarely takes more than 30-45 minutes, which is hardly worth mentioning.
#13. Airport
Did you know that Las Vegas is served by six airports? Including McCarran International Airport, the 7th busiest airport in America.
Since I travel a lot for work, having an efficient international airport within the city limits was not an issue for me, and luckily Las Vegas provided one.
