What Is It Really Like Living In Nevada
Growing Up in Elko
• I was born in Elko, Nevada and graduated from Elko High School in 1988. Growing up in Elko was nice, there were around 10,000 people living there. We had one high school, and everyone knew each other. I walked to school everyday and walked home for lunch!
• We would walk one street over to sit and watch the parade during 4th of July It was fun seeing people you know at the grocery store or eating out at a Basque restaurant!
Transition to Las Vegas
• I moved to Las Vegas to attend college at UNLV. When I first moved to Las Vegas my main ideas of the city focused on the Las Vegas strip and living in the big city. It felt scary and I imagined a lot of crime and problems. I was surprised to find that Las Vegas and Henderson have small communities within neighborhoods, and you can have the same small-town feel!
Comparing Lifestyle – Elko vs. Las Vegas
• The day-to-day life in Elko and Las Vegas is similar. You go to work and focus on family. Both Cities offer beautiful recreation. Elko has the beautiful Ruby Mountains with hiking, fishing and off roading.
• Las Vegas has Lake Mead recreation area with boating and Red Rock Canyon nearby for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
• What I love about Las Vegas and Henderson is that are so many great amenities. The Las Vegas Strip offers world class restaurants and shows.
Cost of Living in Both Cities
• Elko has seen more new home construction over the 5 years, which has helped to increase the supply and keep pricing affordable. Both Elko and Las Vegas homes values have gone up significantly over the last 5 years. The average sale price is right around $400,000 which is slightly higher than Elko.
Job Opportunities and Economy
• Elko’s industry is based heavily on gold mining, and the city is considered the capital of Nevada’s gold belt. I worked at the Gold mine one summer during college. It was great money and that summer I saved enough money to buy a car!
• Las Vegas industry is based heavily on gaming. There is no state income tax in Nevada as the state collects most of it’s revenue from gaming.
Cultural and Recreational Aspects
• Elko has a rich culture including the annual National Basque Festival and several Basque Restaurants like The Star and Toki Ona. If you have never has Basque food, you must try it!
• Elko also has the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering that is held every year celebrating the rural west.
• Las Vegas has many ways to enjoy the culture including Park West Fine Art Museum and Gallery in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace, the Downtown Arts District and the Clark County Museum in Henderson.
Pros and Cons
• I loved growing up in Elko and I still have family there, so I go back several times a year. Elko will always hold a special place in my heart.
• I feel blessed to now live in Henderson. My family enjoys the many restaurants, movie theatres and shops.
