Including North Las Vegas and Henderson!
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December 2008 Including North Las Vegas and Henderson! Las Vegas Relocation Guide TABLE OF CONTENTS Click on any topic below Introduction to Our City Why Southern Nevada? Las Vegas Cost of Living Employment Schools Libraries Hospitals Moving Tips Important Numbers Map of Las Vegas Valley Transportation Getting Involved Seniors What to Do in Las Vegas Golf Courses Hotels/Casinos/Websites Las Vegas Communities Shopping 1031 Exchange & Ticor Title Introduction to Our City Las Vegas and the Metropolitan Area he City of Las Vegas covers a land area of 84.272 square miles. In addi- T tion to Las Vegas, the city’s metropolitan region includes North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, Mesquite and a large number of unincorpo- rated communities. The downtown area of Las Vegas, known as Glitter Gulch, is characterized by long-established casinos. It is the site of the Fremont Street Experience, a renovation project completed in 1995, designed to revitalize the downtown area and attract more people to the street’s casinos. Covering a five-block stretch of Fremont Street, this section is a covered pedestrian mall where thousands of lights play out animated scenes overhead. In addition to the casinos and attractions downtown, more are located on The Strip, a 4.5-mile neon-lined portion of Las Vegas Boulevard, located slightly south of downtown. Some of the extravagant casinos on The Strip play on epic Hollywood themes, while others advertise attractions, such as an Egyptian pyramid, a medieval castle, or an erupting volcano. Ever-grander casinos open each year attracting patrons with such draws as replicas of New York City landmarks or roller- coasters atop towers. Outside the city lies Hoover Dam, a massive concrete dam that was completed in 1936 as part of a federally funded water works project. Population Statistics The population of Las Vegas increased markedly in recent decades, rising from 164,674 in 1980 to 258,295 in 1990. Increasingly, Las Vegas is home to people who have left California for Nevada. California migrants constitute about one-third of newcomers to Las Vegas and contribute to the growth in home construction, landscaping, residential security, and light manufacturing in the increasingly varied Vegas economy. The growth of the Las Vegas metropolitan region was the fastest in the nation in the 1990’s, increasing 83 percent between 1990 and 2000. The population of the region jumped from Month High Low 528,000 in 1980 to 853,000 in 1990. By 2008 the population reached January 57 34 2,048,700 and is projected to reach 2,151,200 by 2009. February 63 39 March 69 44 Climate April 78 51 May 88 60 While it is hot in the summer, Las Vegas has one of the best climates in the United States. Our summer heat is easier to deal with than the summer heat June 100 69 in most other places including parts of the midwest, east and south. Las Vegas July 106 76 enjoys a low annual humidity with 298 days of sunshine (85%) and a low August 103 74 average rainfall of just 4.05 inches. Since this is a “night-time” 24-hour city, September 95 66 the warm, dry summer nights are outstanding for visitors and locals. October 82 54 November 67 43 ² Listed to the right are the average daily high and low temperatures by month December 58 34 1 Las Vegas Average Temperatures Introduction to Our City Economy Las Vegas bills itself as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” with tourism, gaming, and entertainment representing a large portion of the city’s revenue. In addition to its renowned casinos, Las Vegas attracts visitors to its outdoor shows, including simulated volcanic eruptions, pirate duels on artificial lakes, laser cannon displays, and the beautiful water shows at the Bellagio. Indoor casi- no shows with world-famous entertainers, are also popular. Annual events include the National Finals Rodeo and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway which opened in 1996. The federal government is also a major presence in Las Vegas. Nellis Air Force Base is the city’s largest single employer. In addition, there are a number of military bases headquartered nearby, and a permanent nuclear waste site at Yucca Mountain has been approved. Las Vegas History Las Vegas was an important stop along the Old Spanish Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico and southern California for much of the 19th century. The oasis enabled Spanish traders to shorten their route to Los Angeles by cutting directly across the desert. Descriptions of the lush valley, made in 1829 and widely circulated, generated much interest. In 1844 explorer John C. Fremont camped in the Las Vegas Valley and described the fertile landscape in his journals. Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon Church) began an intermittent settlement of the Las Vegas Valley in 1855. This settlement served as a link to California and the Pacific Ocean. The coming of the railroad in 1905 stabilized the Las Vegas Valley, and an era of slow growth ensued. In the early 1900s Nevada passed laws allowing divorce after only six months’ residency in the state. By 1931 the requirement was reduced to six weeks, and Las Vegas gained a reputation as an easy place to get a divorce. Population growth accelerated in the 1930s with two innovations. In 1931 the Bureau of Reclamation started construction of Boulder (later Hoover) Dam on the nearby Colorado River. It was the largest dam in the world at that time. Dam construction brought job growth, city development, and major federal funds to Las Vegas. That same year, the State of Nevada legalized gambling, facilitating the modern era of Las Vegas, which began with the construction of the Flamingo Casino by gangster Bugsy Siegel in 1945. Other lavish casinos opened soon after, most of which were influenced or owned by criminals. Hotel and motel construction boomed after the war, with showy new casinos being built. A trend began toward huge resorts and family-oriented theme parks. Las Vegas is home to the largest hotel resort in the world with the building of the Palazzo. Las Vegas also lays claim to 9 of the 10 largest resort hotels in the world and growing larger every day. 2 Las Vegas Cost of Living WHY SOUTHERN NEVADA? More than the stereotypical flashing neon lights and slot machines —Southern Nevada is a fabulous place to work and live. • Low Cost of Living • Abundant job opportunities • Best economic growth in the United States • Average daily temperature 68 degrees with mostly sunny days Residents appreciate abundant recreational opportunities and numerous art venues--Southern Nevada has 61 golf courses, over 200 recreational areas, nearly 30 museums and more than 100 art centers and cultural organizations. Education is a top priority--the area is home to more than 341 schools and reports above average SAT/ACT scores. In addition, many state-of-the-art healthcare facilities are available. Southern Nevada is home to more places of worship per capita than any other in the nation. It’s no surprise that Southern Nevada leads the nation in population growth and receives recognition for its strong economy. • Las Vegas ranks #1 of the world’s most dynamic cities. (Newsweek International) • Las Vegas ranks 3rd in the State Business Tax Climate Index 2008. (Tax Foundation) • Boomtowns ‘07: Hottest Large Cities, Growing Your Business Ranks Las Vegas #1. (INC.com) • Nevada ranks #2 for Policy Environment for Entrepreneurship Across the Nation. (Small Business Survival Index 2007) • Nevada ranks as the state with the lowest risk of natural disaster. (USA Today) • Inc. Magazine ranked Las Vegas the #2 location in the country for doing business in America. • The National Policy Research Council and Expansion Managment ranked Las Vegas #1 in “Economic Development Hot Spots Study” The Southern Nevada lifestyle is truly among the best in the world--no wonder many are choosing to make it their home. 3 Las Vegas Cost of Living Composite Groceries Housing Utilities Transportation Health Index Care LAS VEGAS, NV 110.6 99 136.7 99.5 101.4 104.7 ALBUQUERQUE, NM 95.5 93.5 97.7 80.2 95.2 97.6 DENVER, CO 105.1 104.7 111.4 103.4 92.8 104.0 LOS ANGELES/LONG BEACH, CA 150.3 111.4 256.5 96.9 111.0 108.9 PHOENIX/MESA, AZ 101.6 103.8 101.0 94.7 98.7 99.0 RENO, NV 110.8 109.6 120.9 99.2 103.2 110.2 SAN DIEGO, CA 139.4 112.7 216.5 94.6 109.6 114.1 Composite Index: This measures living cost differences among all urban areas. The relative price levels for all participating areas, both metropolitan and non-metropolitan, equals 100, which is the national average. Each area’s index is read as a percentage of the average for all areas. Grocery Items: Includes meats, dairy products, produce, bakery products, tobacco, miscellaneous. Housing: Apartment rent for 950 sq. ft.; purchase price of 1800 sq. ft. house, monthly principal. Utilities: Three items: electrical power, other energy sources, telephone. Transportation: Includes commuter fare, auto maintenance, and gasoline. MAJOR TAX RATES IN NEVADA Corporate Income . none 1/2 Gal Gas Dozen Movies Milk Eggs Estate Fees. Based on value Gift/Inheritance . none Franchise . none Las Vegas, NV $2.53 $4.00 $1.99 $10.00 Incorporation Fees . Graduated fees Based on total shares Albuquerque, NM 2.59 3.80 2.19 9.00 Max. not to exceed $25,000 Intangible . none Denver, CO 2.50 3.95 2.49 9.25 Inventory .