Moving to Las Vegas? Sin City offers residents affordable living, world-class entertainment, and plenty of outdoor recreation. Here are 15 things to know about living in Las Vegas!
Live Affordably in Vegas
Living in Las Vegas can be affordable, mostly due to low taxes—including no state income tax! Because of the money tourists bring into the city, Las Vegas is the Entertainment Capital of the World and one of the best big cities to live in. Plus, with social security, withdrawals from retirement accounts, and public and private pensions also untaxed, many consider retiring in Las Vegas. Residents also pay 11% less for healthcare, adding to Las Vegas’s affordability. Residents also enjoy the reasonable Las Vegas property taxes that make it a great place to buy a home and one of the best cities for investing in Airbnb.
Work in a Thriving Job Market
This fast-growing city and the strong job market in Vegas have a lot to offer young professionals and other job seekers in the area. While you may think the only Las Vegas jobs are in the hospitality sector, its market is diverse across other industries like event planning, health or medicine, and information technology. There are also plenty of co-working spaces and work-from-home jobs in Las Vegas, making it one of the best cities for remote work. Plus, as an RV-friendly city, it’s an excellent option for digital nomads. Work for large employers like MGM Resorts International—and other Fortune 500 companies in Las Vegas, like hospitality company Las Vegas Sands, banking giant U.S. Bank, and technology leaders like Dell. Find a job at Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, the largest acute care facility in Las Vegas. Advance your career at innovation and technology company, Johnson Electric. Or discover your passion for gaming at International Game Technology.
Get Your Degree at Las Vegas Universities
There’s a variety of options when it comes to furthering your education in Las Vegas. Research your passion at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a top-tier research institution that achieved the highest status as a research university. Unlock your potential at College of Southern Nevada, a community college in with 70 academic programs like business and health sciences. Earn your nursing degree at Chamberlain University in as little as three years, or earn a master’s degree to become a family nurse or mental health nurse practitioner. Train in cosmetology, hair design, barbering, nail technology, and more at Expertise Cosmetology Institute. Choose a profession like a dental assistant, pharmacy technician, surgical technologist, and more at Nevada Career Institute. Or partner with local hospitals, facilities, and businesses while you train for a career in dentistry, veterinary, and electrical technology at Carrington College.
Use Vegas Public Transportation
While you still may want a car in this busy city, Las Vegas public transportation offers easy options for getting around heavy traffic. Hop on the Las Vegas Monorail for a quick way to get around the Las Vegas Strip. Make your way through Las Vegas attractions downtown on the Las Vegas shuttle, the Downtown Loop. Hop on The Deuce, the local bus service, to explore the rest of Vegas. If you prefer to drive, you’ll experience the traffic of a big city, but you’ll spend less time stuck in Las Vegas traffic than you would in other large cities, like Chicago or Los Angeles. And if you want to get out of town, there’s the North Las Vegas Airport and the Harry Reid International Airport, located five miles south of downtown, making international and national travel easier and more affordable.
Enjoy the Vegas Weather
With 294 days of sunshine, Las Vegas weather is often warm and dry, which allows residents year-round outdoor recreation! Hike, visit the tortoise habitat, or meet the “formerly wild burro” Jackson at Red Rock Canyon. Explore the 1.5 million-acre Lake Mead National Recreation Area, with swimming, boating, scuba diving, horseback riding, and more outdoor things to do in Las Vegas! Spot golden eagles, collared lizards, and tracks from mountain lions throughout all 1.6 million acres of Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Visit Mystic Falls Park at night to watch the laser light show complete with a waterfall. Relax while surrounded by lush vegetation, or enjoy activities like mountain biking, playing volleyball, and grilling out at Floyd Lamb Park, one of the best parks in Las Vegas. Or spend time in the Botanical Garden, Butterfly Habitat, Playground & Splash Pad, and more at Springs Preserve.
Explore the Iconic Las Vegas Strip
Possibly one of the most iconic sites to see is the Las Vegas Strip, thanks to world-class entertainment that you won’t find anywhere else. Leap 829 feet above the Strip with Skyjump or take in the Las Vegas skyline from the observation deck at The STRAT. Cruise down the Grand Canal on an outdoor or indoor Venetian Gondola Ride. Get another view of the city from 46 stories up in the replica Eiffel Tower. Admire the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden which covers 14,000 square feet and offers different shows for each season. Witness the Fountains of Bellagio, a free aquatic show running every 15-30 minutes depending on the time of day. Drop 203 feet on The Big Apple Coaster, the world’s first roller coaster with a 180-degree “heartline” twist and dive maneuver. Or check out the many other events happening on The Strip!
Unwind in Downtown Las Vegas
Fun things to do in Las Vegas aren’t limited to the Strip! Downtown Las Vegas is its own hotspot with endless options for shopping, dining, entertainment, and more. Kick back and relax at Downtown Container Park, an open-air shopping center filled with boutiques, a stage for free concerts and movies, and an interactive playground and treehouse. Fly over downtown on the SlotZilla zipline, stop by the Viva Vision Light Show—the largest video screen in the world with rotating visual displays—or listen to free live music in Vegas all at Fremont Street Experience. Swim with sharks at the Golden Nugget Pool. Or enjoy other fun Las Vegas activities like working or hanging out at Gold Spike,a Las Vegas hidden gem with a backyard playground and oversized outdoor games like beer pong, Jenga, chess, and more.
Join the Fun at Las Vegas Festivals
It’s no surprise this energetic city knows how to put on a good festival. Groove to some good tunes at the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), an oversized playground with incredible lit-up stages, rides, LED art installations, and all sorts of performers, dancers, stilters, aerialists, and more. Taste upscale dishes from the world’s best chefs, along with wine and spirits, at the Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival. Hear your favorite hits at iHeartRadio Music Festival from big-name artists like Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, and Journey. Celebrate Italian culture and traditions with food, music, art, rides, and games at the San Gennaro Feast. Have fun watching programmed entertainment, playing Pride Family Bingo, and celebrating diversity at the Las Vegas PRIDE Festival. Listen to Rockabilly music from artists around the world and be sure to visit the classic car show, tattoo room, fashion show, and even weddings at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend. Release lanterns with personalized messages and intentions while socializing over food and music sets at RiSE Lantern Festival—the largest lantern release in the world. Or appreciate experiences in music, art, self-expression, comedy, food, and more at Life is Beautiful.
Learn Something New at Vegas Museums
Museums in Las Vegas offer as much entertainment as they do education! Learn about organized crime and law enforcement with an interactive crime lab, firearm training simulator, and exhibits on prohibition and iconic mobsters at The Mob Museum—be sure to visit the hidden speakeasy and distillery in the basement, too! For something unique, tour the Neon Boneyard of retired Las Vegas signs and see them illuminated at sunset at the Neon Museum. Find iconic cars from films like The Fast and the Furious, Batman, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and more at the Hollywood Cars Museum. Travel back in time through over 250 artifacts as well as imitations of the ship’s famous rooms at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit. Soak up information with exhibits on prehistoric life, Egyptian treasures, and geology at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. Brave a flashlight ghost tour, explore over 30 rooms filled with haunted artifacts, and listen to ghost stories at Zak Bagans’ The Haunted House Museum. Or check out the world’s largest pinball machine collection, play games, and buy restored pinball machines at the Pinball Hall of Fame.
Find Activities for the Whole Family
“Sin City” isn’t just a playground for adults—there are plenty of family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas too! Immerse your family in the tale of King Arthur—complete with duels and knights riding horses—at the Tournament of Kings dinner and show experience. Play over 200 arcade games like World’s Biggest Pac-Man, Mega Stacker, and Smash Air Hockey at Fun Dungeon. Observe more than 2,000 animals at Shark Reef Aquarium, including sharks, green sea turtles, piranha, and a Komodo dragon. Ride on the Canyon Blaster, Sand Pirates, and other Las Vegas attractions for kids at The Adventuredome. Explore exhibits at DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, including a life-size pirate ship, medieval castle, mini city, and a 70-foot tower with 12 levels of climbing structures. Watch a movie like The Secret Life of Pets and Luca under the Las Vegas night sky at the Oasis Cinema Club.
Shop at Unique & Luxurious Malls
There’s no better place to shop than Las Vegas malls. With more than 250 retailers at the largest shopping destination on the Strip, the Fashion Show Mall has something for the whole family. Treat yourself to luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Versace, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, and Gucci at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Walk along a canal, waterfall, and garden while you shop at Venetian-inspired Grand Canal Shoppes. Find deals from a variety of retailers, ranging from Aeropostale to Prada, at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets North and South. Hunt for apparel, art, beauty products, and more at Miracle Mile Shops with over a mile of stores—as well as entertainment options, if you need a break from your shopping spree. Do your small business Saturday shopping in the Arts District for art, vintage items, boutique goods, and more.
Check Out the Endless Entertainment
Las Vegas is called the Entertainment Capital of the World for good reason. Marvel at the feats of acrobatics, dance, and more at a Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas show, or head to Circus Circus Las Vegas, the world’s largest permanent circus. Watch a Broadway show, the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Nevada Ballet Theatre, and more at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. See artists like Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, and Billie Eilish perform live at the T-Mobile Arena. Laugh all night at Las Vegas comedy clubs like the Comedy Cellar Las Vegas, where iconic comedians like Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, and Jon Stewart have performed or got their start in comedy. Take advantage of being a local and become a seat filler to receive free or discounted tickets to events in Las Vegas. Or find plenty of opportunities to see your favorite artists like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry with Las Vegas residencies.
Watch Thrilling Las Vegas Sports
With a wide range of pro sports and other spectator events, sports lovers are bound to feel right at home in Vegas. Cheer on the Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) at T-Mobile Arena, who have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs multiple times and have been finalists even though the team was only formed in 2017. Root for the Las Vegas Aces (WNBA) at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Head to the Las Vegas Ballpark to watch the Las Vegas Aviators (MiLB) knock it out of the park. Enjoy a Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) football game at air-conditioned Allegiant Stadium. Camp out to watch NASCAR, NHRA, and other racing series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Tailgate at a UNLV Rebels football (NCAA) game, where 46 players have gone on to be drafted into the NFL.
Eat at Top-Rated Restaurants in Las Vegas
From Michelin-starred restaurants to resident celebrity chefs, Las Vegas dining is a foodie’s paradise! Munch on the best breakfast in Vegas with items like Churro Waffles and S’Mores Pancakes at Griddlecakes. Enjoy Latin-inspired dishes for some of the best brunch in Las Vegas like a Breakfast Empanada Skillet or Chicken Tinga Omelet at Makers & Finders. Dig into Shoyu Ramen or Pork Belly Bowl at Monta Ramen. Chow down on Short Rib Fried Rice or Pad Kee Mow at Le Thai. Experience a Las Vegas classic and eat at Bacchanal Buffet, the biggest buffet in Las Vegas. Savor reimagined Italian dishes like the Spicy Pig Pizza or Rigatoni Bolognese at one of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, La Strega. Or indulge in creative funnel cake flavors like Billion Dollar Banana and Bacon Me Crazy at Braud’s Funnel Cake Cafe.
Enjoy the Vegas Nightlife Scene
Nothing quite compares to Las Vegas nightlife. Take a spontaneous mini photoshoot and enjoy a signature drink like Smooth Operator or Finishing School at multi-level bar The Chandelier. Unwind at a Las Vegas speakeasy with cocktails like the Boot Bouncer, or ask for a custom drink from the mixologists at The Laundry Room. Sip on a craft beer from a rotating tap list at Vegas’ oldest freestanding bar, Atomic Liquors. Attend a pool party or listen to resident artists like The Chainsmokers and Diplo at XS Nightclub, one of the best Vegas nightclubs. Catch a drag show—complete with a garden patio and water fountains—at LGBTQ bar The Garden Las Vegas. Or drink a Lava Letch or Bearded Clam from a 24/7 tiki bar at Frankie’s Tiki Room.
***
Moving to Las Vegas? Extra Space Storage has self storage facilities throughout Sin City to make moving as seamless as possible. Find self storage near you!
