Living in Las Vegas
I’ve lived here since I was five, so let me tell you what it’s really like to call this valley home, from taxes and weather to getting around and where we play.
People still picture Las Vegas as four miles of neon and nothing else. The Strip is the part visitors see, but the rest of us live in a real city of neighborhoods, parks, trailheads, and school pickup lines that happens to sit next to the most famous boulevard in the world.
I’ve watched this valley grow from a small desert town into one of the fastest growing metros in the country. Below is the honest local rundown I give friends who are thinking about moving here, the good and the parts you should plan for.
Why People Move to Las Vegas
The reasons I hear most, over and over. Swipe through them.
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Taxes and Cost of Living
The tax picture is the headline. Here’s the current lay of the land.
Nevada has no personal state income tax, no state estate tax, and no inheritance tax. The state leans on sales and gaming taxes instead, so the trade off shows up at the register, not on your paycheck. Cost of living overall tends to run above the national average but well below California and other coastal metros, which is exactly why so many of my clients arrive from the West Coast.
One planning note: Nevada does charge an annual vehicle governmental services tax based on your car’s value, and utilities climb in summer when the air conditioning runs. Neither is a dealbreaker, but budget for both so nothing surprises you in month one.
What the Weather Is Actually Like
Yes it gets hot. Here’s the real seasonal rhythm.
We sit around 2,000 feet in the Mojave Desert, so the air is dry and the sun shows up almost every day of the year.
Summer is the price of admission. From roughly late June through mid September, afternoon highs regularly top 100 degrees, with July averaging around 104, and can push past 110 in a heat wave. So life shifts to early mornings, evenings, and anywhere with a pool. But dry heat behaves differently than humidity, and the other three seasons are why people stay. Fall and spring are close to perfect. Winters are mild, with daytime highs often in the 50s and 60s, overnight lows near freezing, and only a rare dusting of valley snow, though the mountains above town get plenty.
Getting Around
How you actually move through the valley. Swipe through the options.
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The Outdoors Nobody Expects
Real mountains, water, and red rock, all within an easy drive. Swipe through my go-tos.
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A Real Sports Town Now
In just a few years we went from no major league teams to a full lineup.
Raiders (NFL)
The Raiders play at Allegiant Stadium just off the Strip, the sleek black dome you see landing at the airport. It also hosts the biggest concerts and events.
Golden Knights (NHL)
Our first major league team, and already Stanley Cup champions in 2023. Home ice is T-Mobile Arena, and game nights downtown at The Fortress are a scene.
Las Vegas Aces (WNBA)
Three time WNBA champions, in 2022, 2023, and 2025, and one of the most exciting tickets in town. They play at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay.
Athletics (MLB)
Major League Baseball is coming. The Athletics broke ground on their new ballpark on the former Tropicana site on the Strip, targeting a 2028 opening.
And once a year the Strip becomes a racetrack: the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix runs right down Las Vegas Boulevard each November (the race is contracted through at least 2027), plus the valley is loaded with golf if that’s your sport.
Thinking About Moving Here?
Get on my Las Vegas insider list. I’ll send you what it’s really like to live in each area, new communities as they open, and homes that fit what you’re looking for.
People come for the taxes and the weather, but they stay for the mountains, the water, and how easy it is to build a real life here.
Where People Actually Live
The valley is really a set of cities and master planned communities.
Most of the daily living happens away from the Strip, across Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City, and inside big master planned communities like Summerlin, Green Valley, and Aliante. Each area has its own feel, commute, and pace, so the right fit really depends on how you want your day to go.
The best way to get a feel for it is to browse the areas one at a time, then look at what’s actually on the market. Start with my Las Vegas communities and neighborhoods guide, and when you’re ready to make a move, walk through buying a home in Las Vegas step by step.
Book a Las Vegas Experience
Get a feel for the outdoors above, plus shows and tours around the valley, before your next trip out.
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Common Questions About Living Here
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Does Nevada really have no state income tax?
Yes. Nevada is one of the few states with no personal state income tax, and there’s no state estate or inheritance tax either. The state funds itself largely through sales tax and gaming revenue, so you’ll notice it more at the register than on your paycheck.
How hot does it really get in the summer?
From about late June through mid September, afternoon highs regularly top 100 degrees, averaging around 104 in July, and can push past 110 in a heat wave. It’s a dry heat, which many people find more tolerable than humidity, and life simply shifts to early mornings, evenings, and the pool. The other three seasons are genuinely beautiful.
Is Las Vegas only the Strip?
Not at all. The Strip is a small resort corridor. The rest of the valley is everyday neighborhoods, parks, shopping, and master planned communities across Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Boulder City. Most residents only go to the Strip when friends are in town.
What’s the airport situation?
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly McCarran, sits just minutes from the Strip and set a record with 58.4 million passengers in 2024. You can fly nonstop to most major cities, which makes both work travel and visits from family easy.
Do I need a car to live here?
For most of the valley, yes. There are RTC buses, the Deuce along the Strip, the Monorail, and the underground Loop, but the metro is spread out and freeway based. Once you learn the I-15 and the 215 Beltway, most trips are 20 to 30 minutes.
What do I do first when I move to Nevada?
Transfer your driver’s license and register your vehicles at the Nevada DMV within the required window, and book those appointments early because walk-in waits are long. After that it’s the usual utilities, and I’m always happy to share the local contacts I trust.
Ready to Call Las Vegas Home?
Whether you're a year out or ready now, I'll help you find the right area, understand the move, and land somewhere that fits your life. Let's talk about what you're looking for.
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Lori Ballen
I've lived in Las Vegas since I was five years old. I've watched this valley grow from a small town into what it is now, and I've built my career in real estate here. If you're thinking about moving to Las Vegas and want a local in your corner, reach out anytime at lori@loriballen.com.
702-604-7739