Las Vegas Apartments and Rentals

If you are thinking of relocating to Las Vegas, you can choose from a wide selection of apartments and rentals in this exciting city in Nevada. The largest city in the state, Las Vegas is known as a major resort for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The major casino-resorts also feature world-class entertainers and extravagant shows. Located in a valley surrounded by mountains, the desert landscape gives the area a unique beauty. The metropolitan area includes the city of Las Vegas and its suburbs, as well as several independent towns, unincorporated towns operated in conjunction with Clark County, and unincorporated communities.

Las Vegas means The Meadows in Spanish. The area was named by a scout from a New Mexican trading party heading to Los Angeles in 1829 along the Old Spanish Trail. The party sought water from one of the Valley's natural artesian wells. Water from these wells created meadow areas, hence the name.

A popular stop on the pioneer trails west, the fledgling community later became a railroad town. The city itself was established in 1905 and incorporated in 1911. The legalization of gambling in 1931 set this small desert oasis on a whole new path. The first hotels and casinos were built in what is now Downtown Vegas, near where the Fremont Street Experience is today. In the late 1940s, several casino-hotels opened along the two-lane highway leading into Las Vegas from California. It eventually evolved into the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

Today, the city of Las Vegas has a population of just over a half million people. The metro area reported a total population of 1.9 million in the 2010 census. The city's primary economic driver is tourism, gaming and the convention industry. Nearby Nellis Air Force Base also has a significant impact, creating both government and civilian jobs and bringing families to the city.

People enjoy living in this vibrant, outdoor-oriented city in the desert. With 300 days of sunshine a year, there's always something to do. Popular neighborhoods are part of and surround this city, among them are Downtown, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, Paradise, Henderson and Spring Valley.

Tourism is the major driver of the Las Vegas economy and about a quarter of all jobs are gaming-related. Service businesses related to tourism, such as restaurants and retailers, are another major segment. The area's largest single employer is the Clark County School District. It is the country's fifth largest school district, serving the entire Las Vegas metropolitan area, as well as the more distant cities of Boulder, Laughlin and others. Nellis AFB is another major employer, with about 12,000 military and civilian employees.

Nevada State College in Henderson, founded in 2002, is the newest institution of higher learning in the city. It offers bachelor degrees in 24 areas of study. The College of Southern Nevada is a community college with three main campuses: Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson.

Of course, the city's most well known school is the University of Nevada Las Vegas, more commonly called UNLV. Its law school is the only one in the state. It offers 220 programs of study that can lead to bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees. However, what probably brings the school its widest name recognition is its basketball program, the third most winning team in Division 1.

The cost of living in Las Vegas is slightly above the U.S. average. The city's overall cost of living is 102.6, compared to the U.S. average of 100. On the plus side, Nevada's state and local taxes have consistently ranked among the lowest in the country for the past 30 years. The state collects no personal income tax and no corporate income tax.

Rental prices in Las Vegas range from highly affordable to the decidedly luxurious. The explosive growth of the area in the last decade ensures that potential residents have a wide selection of rental homes to choose from, including apartments, townhomes, condos and houses.

Las Vegas is most famous for its resort casinos and hotels. Over the last two decades many of the older structures have been replaced with "mega" resorts built around themes, such as pirates, the city of New York, or ancient Egypt. The resorts have become attractions in and of themselves with their fanciful décor and theme-based shows and events. Their showrooms host some of the world's most famous performers.

World class dining and shopping are other benefits of living in a top tourist city. Many of the resorts feature restaurants of top name chefs and well as upscale shopping malls. Las Vegas also boasts a premium outlet mall where you can get your fashionista on without busting your budget.

For outdoor fun, you can't beat nearby Lake Mead, a major draw for boaters and water-sports enthusiasts. Hoover Dam, built in the 1930s, created the lake. This wonder of modern engineering is a tourist attraction as well. The local mountains and canyons include walking and hiking trails for a close-to-nature experience.

The resorts and casinos bring the tourists to Las Vegas. The city also hosts numerous festivals and special events for locals and visitors alike.

One of the city's most popular and historic annual events is Helldorado Days. This cowboy-themed festival was held from 1934 until 1998, and then restarted in 2005. Today the event includes a parade, carnival and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo. The event is a fundraiser for local charities and run by the local chapter of the Elks.

Other events include: the World Archery Festival, the NASCAR Winston Cup Daimler/Chrysler 400, the Monster Jam World Finals, The Great Crafts Festival, the Clark County Fair and Rodeo, the Blue Sky International Film Festival, and the Stars, Cars & Guitars Motorhead Festival. Every month, you can find something fun to do around town.

If you are looking to make Las Vegas your new home, or just looking for a new home in Las Vegas, you can search for rental properties, including apartments and homes at Rent.com®.