living in las vegas

Things To Consider About Moving Out Of State

Posted by New Home Resource on March 18, 2016 in

Last week, we shared some helpful tips and contact information for those who are moving to Las Vegas from other cities. But that got us to thinking, perhaps we should back-up that train a stop, and discuss some of the things you should consider BEFORE making that big move.

Moving is big business. It’s estimated that about 40 million people in the U.S. move each year, and more than 7.6 million of them are moving to another state. Because of the proximity of Las Vegas, and the fact that it’s a top Sunbelt destination, we may perhaps have a higher percentage of those out-of-state moves than other places – considering our weather, recreation and entertainment, services, and all the conveniences offered in a major metropolitan area.

For those who choose to move to Southern Nevada to be near family or for work opportunities, those two factors will most certainly weigh heavier on the “Pro” reasons to come to Las Vegas, of course.

But if you’re simply trying to decide between one of several different cities to start out in life, find a new start, or in search of a place to wind down after a long career – here is a list of things to consider when comparing one city/state to another. (Because every little bit helps, right?)

1. Where Will You Live?

Whether you plan to rent or buy a home, there are resources that can help give you a fair idea of the cost of the housing market where you choose to move. Check around online at websites like Zillow.com or Realtor.com – as they can both offer some information about both the rental and buying markets. But don’t depend on them as your sole source of information. (And by the way, just beware of the numerous scam listings for both on Craigslist.org.) Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or the website for the city you’re interested in learning about – because they will often have “Moving to …..?” packages they can send to you that include a great deal of helpful information.

Of course, if buying a home is at the top of your list, it makes sense to find an experienced and reputable Realtor® in that city that you can work and communicate with. They’ll be able to help you pinpoint the most important features about your home and the area you wish to live, and as your ‘boots-on-the-ground,’ their assistance can be invaluable.

2. Where Will You Work?

Sometimes the job is what brings you to a new city. Sometimes knowing friends, family, or associates in an area will help you find employment more quickly when you move. But if you’re starting from scratch, research the types of jobs that are available in your field online at places like Indeed.com, or Monster.com – or any number of job-seeking/job-placement websites. It used to be that scanning the Want Ads in the local newspaper was the method to get a feel for employment in another area; but with the move to digital and the efficiency that offers to employers – your best bet is going to be starting with your search through the internet.

That’s not to say that once you arrive, it should still all be done “online.” Quite the contrary, employers are impressed with those who make the effort to present themselves in person for many positions – especially small businesses (of which there are many in Southern Nevada – because we’re not all about huge hotels and casinos, you know!).

3. Weather and Location.

Most people have a pretty good idea if they want to head for a place where the sun shines all the time, or where they can experience the four seasons. What they often fail to consider, though, is the proximity to those “life conveniences” that you’re used to, but may not be available in some places.

For example, if you’re in Las Vegas – the convenience of a major international airport within 30 minutes of virtually any point in the valley is something you get used to quickly – whether you’re the one traveling, or you’re picking up friends and family at the airport. On the other hand, if you’re used to that convenience and move to Vermont, you may not realize you’re going to be a 3-hour drive (one-way) to the Boston airport. The same thing applies to shopping, culture, entertainment, and many other everyday things that you may take for granted now, but might be giving up in your new city. A list of what you can – and can’t – live without can be very helpful in narrowing down your choices.

Those three things are only the beginning, of course. There’s also a need to give serious consideration to several other circumstances – some may affect your life, some may not– but could in the future, and some may not matter at all. But that list continues with such topics as:

• Taxes. State income tax can take a huge chunk of your income (except in places like Las Vegas, since Nevada has no state income tax at all!). Be sure to add this to your financial considerations.

• Quality Health Care. With the changing health care climate in the country, this has become a more important issue than ever before for many people. Don’t simply assume you’ll have easy access to the care you need – confirm it. (By the way, Las Vegas has many – and some of the best – hospitals and health care providers in the country – and resources are growing all the time.)

• Education. If there’s the slightest chance you may want to continue your education now or in the future, be sure to look into universities and college opportunities nearby. A quick look at each city’s Wikipedia page can be helpful to show what schools are available. (Las Vegas is the home of UNLV, CSN, and Nevada State College, along with a number of special trade schools from Touro University to Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.)

• Transportation. Moving to an urban area? Then do you really need the expense of a vehicle? (Given Uber and Lyft and other options available these days.) On the other hand, the West is a bit of a different animal. Planned and developed during the heyday of the U.S. automobile, contrary to what people think – you can’t just pick up a friend at the Reno airport when you live in Las Vegas. Things are a bit more spread out here, and the public transportation that’s so available in the East isn’t really on display out West. So plan accordingly.

We figure that should be enough to get you started. A move is a big thing – and exciting time – and fills the future with unlimited possibilities. And if Las Vegas should become your moving-destination-of-choice, know that the crew at New Home Resource is here to help you find just the right new or resale home for your family’s needs. We love this place – and we’ll be happy to show you why!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Things To Love About Living in Las Vegas

Posted by New Home Resource on August 31, 2015 in

For those who have lived in Las Vegas for longer than, oh, say 15 minutes, you’ve probably heard the question before from your friends and family: “So, which hotel do you live in?” Sigh.

Hard to believe, but we still hear it today (even though you have to admit our housing industry did happen to make a lot of headlines over the past few years . . . let’s put 2+2 together, folks!). Then again, for many of us, living in Las Vegas is a little bit like a best-kept secret . So it’s not altogether bad that we still hold a few of those secrets close and choose to share them only with those we’d like to actually become our neighbors here in Southern Nevada.

So, at the risk of word getting out, we’d like to list a few of our favorite things about living in Las Vegas. Such as:

How’s the Weather?

We don’t even have to look out the window to see what the weather’s like. Because we can just make the assumption pretty much every day of the year it’s going to be sunny with blue skies. Perhaps what we like the best about this part is that here in Las Vegas, you don’t have to plan your day around the weather. Wherever you wanted to go, whatever you were planning to do today – go for it! Because 99 times out of 100, it’s going to be gorgeous outside.

We Really Do Live Like Normal People.

We have great schools, and excellent sports programs for virtually every age group. We enjoy world-class shopping (okay, that one might be a Vegas exclusive). Our city is filled with top industrial and business organizations where diverse employment opportunities are available. (In fact, we’ve got it a lot better here than many other cities, when you think about it.) We’re a community that gives back to our people – through multiple volunteer organizations. There’s probably not a church that isn’t represented in Las Vegas (or if there is, we’d be surprised). Some of the finest dining opportunities in the world are right in our back yard (for those special occasions). And speaking for those of us with pets – we really appreciate fact that the environment means the lack of fleas and ticks! (as well as many other insects that can really ‘bug’ you in other cities.).

There’s Never A Reason To Be Bored

If you’re in Las Vegas – either as a visitor or a resident – that weather we mentioned above? It means that you can find things to do and activities to enjoy in virtually every genre of relaxation, culture, or adventure. Naturally, the first thing one thinks of is wealth of entertainment options ranging from small clubs to major hotel stages, and on to stadium-size venues. Music, magic, comedy, drama, Broadway productions – we have it all right here. (You know, the place most other people dream about traveling to for such things!) And that doesn’t even touch on the art exhibitions and traveling cultural events; the world-class meal experiences; the thrill rides; the local outdoor recreation (such as Lake Mead, Red Rock, and Mt. Charleston); major events (NASCAR and NFR, anyone?) and engineering landmarks like Hoover Dam (along with, some might say, a few of our more creative hotels). Add in some world-class championship golf courses, and you’ve got the makings for – well – a real live city. Right here in Nevada.

Of course, those are only the very tip of the iceberg as to what makes living in Las Vegas desirable to so many. There are books written about all that the Las Vegas lifestyle has to offer that are sure to include your favorite activities. But even so, there’s always something new on the horizon – creativity is never in short supply in this town. But whatever your reasons are for living in Las Vegas, one thing is for sure: You’re never going to have an excuse to be bored!