1. First steps before moving to Nevada
Find a reliable moving company, truck rental or moving container
For your move to Nevada, you will need to hire a reliable moving company or take on the move yourself. To find the best moving company in Nevada, look for helpful reviews, a professional-looking website, and years of experience.
Planning a move to Nevada? Take a look at our selection of:
Finding a job
As of September 2023, Nevada has an unemployment rate of 5.4%, which is the same rate as last month, August 2023.
Jobs that are often in high demand are cashier, store manager, warehouse worker, teacher, and cook.
Finding a job in Nevada is easier if you search online for job openings. Popular websites for this include LinkedIn, Indeed, and SimplyHired.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Oct 2023)
Getting there
Below are some travel options to get to Nevada from different parts of the country include:
Flying: Flying is the most convenient way to move to Nevada. Book a flight from your departure city to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, depending on your destination within Nevada.
Train: You can also take the train with Amtrak as an alternative.
Bus: If you want another way to travel, Nevada cities have bus services like Greyhound, and Flixbus, that can get you there.
If you are flying and require assistance with moving your belongings, you can explore options provided by reputable moving companies.
Must dos before your arrival
Moving to Nevada may be exciting and will challenge you in many ways. By knowing these things beforehand, you will be better prepared for your new life in the city.
- If you are moving to Nevada permanently, and you receive a lot of mail (excluding packages), you may want to sign up with USPS’s mail forwarding service. Mail forwarding allows your mail to be redirected to the right address for a given period of time. The fee for regular mail forwarding is only a little over a dollar for 6 months. If you want to extend the service, you will have to pay around $20 for 6 months more. You can begin your mail forwarding process by signing up on USPS’s website or directly at your local Post Office.
- Moving to a new place is an opportunity to start afresh. If you’re moving to Nevada, selling or donating the items you won’t need will go a long way in making your move easier. You can sell your old household items and personal possessions, and anything that will not be useful. Pick out the items that will not be useful for you in Nevada, then decide if you want to sell them on websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace or donate them to a non-profit organization.
2. Upon your arrival in Nevada
Must dos right upon your arrival
- Get familiar with your neighborhood, and make sure to take note of the important emergency numbers.
- If you roam around the city for work or just simply checking on it, it would be great to purchase a daily pass to save money.
- Locate the essential facilities like the nearest hospital, police station, and fire department for your safety and in case of emergency.
You can easily get around in Nevada. There are several options available.
- Nevada Taxicab Authority – For affordable taxi services.
- Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada – You can find the public transport options and schedules with RTC.
Exchanging your driver’s license
Once you move to Nevada and establish residency, you must transfer your out-of-state driver’s license within 30 days. In order to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license, you’ll need to visit a Nevada DMV office in person with the required documents. You will also have to surrender your out-of-state license. You also need to complete and submit your required Application for Driving Privileges or ID Card (Form DMV 002E).
Register your vehicle
If you have just moved to Nevada, you’ll have to register your out-of-state vehicle with the NV DMV within 30 days of becoming a resident. Failure to do so might result in penalties and additional charges. Here are the steps in registering your car in Nevada:
- Visit your local DMV office in person, submit the required paperwork, and submit the registration fee. However, before you apply, you need to obtain a Nevada Evidence of Insurance Card and a vehicle inspection report. You can also easily register your vehicle online.
Change your address
Along with mail forwarding, you will also have to update your new address with the concerned authorities in Nevada, like the DMV. To exercise your right to vote in Nevada, you can register to vote online, by mail or in person.
To register by mail or in person, you need to fill out the NV Secretary of State’s voter registration form and mail or bring it to your local DMV or county clerk or registrar.
Changing your address with your employer, bank, doctor, insurer, and service providers so that you can avoid any complications further down the road.
Setting up a bank account
Obtaining a bank account in Nevada is a straightforward process. You only need to present a copy of your valid state or government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. The bank with most branches in Nevada for easy access is Wells Fargo. Nevada’s residents has access to a whopping 95 offices of Wells Fargo in the state.
Getting health insurance
Getting health insurance is an excellent way to get peace of mind when it comes to your health. With health insurance, you will not have to worry about spending a ton of money in case of a health-related emergency. The state of Nevada proposes a website to help you with your health insurance search. Simply choose Nevada as your state and create an account.
|
Type of healthcare |
Cost |
|
Employer-sponsored health insurance |
$123.33 |
|
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance |
$643.00 |
|
Gym |
$24.89 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Oct 2023)
3. Best places to live in Nevada
If you are a couple, you might want to consider living in Incline Village. It offers a dense suburban feel, a thriving nightlife, a diverse culture, and a lot of amenities. It is good in terms of commute, weather, and safety.
If you are a family, you might want to consider Paradise Hills. Paradise Hills offers good housing facilities, some above average public schools, parks, coffee shops, and it’s a suitable place to raise a family.
If you are single, you should consider moving to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is an entertainment hub, a lot of opportunities along with a thriving nightlife. You’ll find some of the best bars, coffee shops and restaurants here.
Setting up home services
Setting up essential home services like electricity, water, and internet in Nevada is a straightforward process.
- The Public Utilities Commission is responsible for regulating electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in Nevada. You can visit their website and search for electricity, water, and gas providers and even reach out to them if you have any inquiry.
- The best internet providers in Nevada will have bundling options, various speeds, and multiple package options at reasonable prices.
Should you rent or buy?
The average Nevada home value is $418,856, decreased by 6.6% from 2022. Nevada’s price per square foot to buy an apartment outside the center is $261.00.
Finding an apartment for rent in Nevada is easy, utilize websites like Zillow, Apartmentguide, and Apartments.com. When seeking a house, these websites—Zillow, Realtor, and Century21—will assist you in your search for a home in Nevada.
Cost of rent in Nevada
|
Area/Neighborhood |
1-bed apartment |
3-bed apartment |
|
Las Vegas (Outside of Center) |
$1,319.78 |
$2,199.68 |
Cost of buying a property in Nevada
|
Area/Neighborhood |
Average home price |
|
Las Vegas |
$418,856 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & Zillow (Oct 2023)
Consider getting home insurance
Getting home insurance is essential, whichever state you are residing in. It is a financial protection that will cover for your expenses if a natural disaster damages your home. Houses in Nevada can be susceptible to damage from threats like flooding and earthquakes. Some other common natural disasters in Nevada include severe storms and wildfires. Therefore, getting home insurance will prove to be valuable.
4. Cost of living in Nevada
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$1,319.78 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($59.73 multiplied by 4) |
$238.92 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$189.68 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$85.69 |
|
Transit pass |
$32.50 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$84.20 |
|
Gym membership |
$24.89 |
|
Total |
$1,975.66 |
5. The weather in Nevada
On average, there are 252 sunny days per year in Nevada. The highest temperature in summer is 96° and the winter low is 27 degrees. Nevada averages 22 inches of snow per year and 8 inches of rain. Nevada is the driest state in the US, and summers in Nevada are extremely dry and hot. You can expect to experience extreme variation in temperatures from summers to winters. Winters in Nevada are cold and dry. Most days are pleasant. On the other hand, fall in Nevada is delightful and breathtaking.
6. What to do as a local in Nevada
After you are done settling into your new home in Nevada, you will want to familiarize yourself with the state and all its attractions. Some of the most popular activities and locations in Nevada include:
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area – Located just outside downtown Vegas, the place offers a stunning view, hiking trails and plenty to see.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area – It’s the largest recreational area in the US where you can enjoy various activities such as boating, hiking, swimming, cycling, and camping.
Fountains of Bellagio – You don’t want to miss the famous and amazing fountain show here.
Some common grocery stores in Nevada are: Trader Joe’s, WinCo Foods and Whole Foods Market.
The two most popular big chain stores are Walmart and Costco.
Must-visit food places in Nevada are The Griddle and Luciano’s.
Visit the popular cities in Nevada: Henderson, Carson City, Las Vegas, and Reno.
7. Fun facts about Nevada
- Fun Fact #1: Nevada is the driest state in the US.
- Fun Fact #2: In Spanish, Nevada means ‘Snow Covered’.
- Fun Fact #3: Lake Tahoe, in Nevada, is the third-deepest lake in the U.S.
Conclusion
Nevada is home to stunning natural landscapes, including the iconic Las Vegas Strip, Lake Tahoe, the Red Rock Canyon, and Great Basin National Park. Locals can enjoy activities like rock climbing, hiking, skiing, and water sports. It has the famous Las Vegas which is the entertainment capital of the world, offering world-class shows, concerts, casinos, and dining experiences. You’ll also find cultural events, museums, and art galleries throughout the state.
While moving to Nevada has its pros and cons, checking the cost of living is essential to making sure you will live comfortably in this city and call it home. It’s a good idea to research specific neighborhoods within the state and consider your priorities to determine if Nevada is the right fit for you and your family.
Need a trusted moving company for the area? Discover the 5 best movers in Nevada.
