Moving to Las Vegas
Las Vegas Moving Checklist
Everything you need to do before you move, in your first two weeks, and as you settle in. Each item links to a detailed guide with the actual numbers and steps. Use this as your running list from the day you decide to move through your first 90 days in the valley.
Updated July 2026.
Before You Move
Do this research before you sign a lease, hire a mover, or put down a deposit. The valley is large and the differences between neighborhoods are real. Moving costs, tax savings, and housing values all vary enough to materially affect your budget.
- Understand the real cost of living in Las Vegas
Rent, summer electric bills, groceries, and a household budget by income level.
- Compare neighborhoods to find where you will actually live
Henderson, Summerlin, Centennial Hills, Green Valley, and Aliante ranked by safety data.
- Read the Henderson neighborhood guide if you are coming from Southern California
The most popular landing spot for California transplants. HOA reality, price tiers, and school zones.
- Calculate your Nevada tax savings
No state income tax saves most households $5,000 to $12,000 per year, but you must establish genuine Nevada residency.
- Decide whether to rent or buy
The Las Vegas housing market is cyclical. Run the numbers before committing.
- Hire a moving company carefully
Verify USDOT numbers, get a binding estimate in writing, and never pay a large upfront deposit. The hostage load scam is real.
- Plan your move for October through March if possible
Summer moves in 110 degree heat cost more, take longer, and risk heat damage to wax-based items and medications.
- Research CCSD schools before choosing a neighborhood
Your address determines your zoned public school. The range between best and worst CCSD schools is wide.
- If moving from California, read the full California-to-Las Vegas guide
Tax residency rules, first-month settling costs, the cultural adjustment, and what California money actually buys in Las Vegas.
Your First Two Weeks
The 30-day clock for your driver's license starts the moment you establish Nevada residency, not when you finish unpacking. Set up utilities before you arrive so service is active on move-in day. These tasks build on each other: your utility bill becomes one of your two required proofs of residency for the DMV.
- Set up NV Energy (electric) before your move-in date
Go to nvenergy.com and schedule service to start on your move-in day. Budget $180 to $300 per month for a 2,000 sq ft home in summer.
- Set up SW Gas (natural gas) if your home has gas appliances
If the gas was shut off at the meter, a technician visit is required. Book this during business hours.
- Set up water service for your specific district
LVVWD serves most of unincorporated Las Vegas. Henderson and North Las Vegas have separate city utilities. Trash is usually bundled with water.
- Set up internet: Cox or T-Mobile Home Internet
Cox dominates the valley but T-Mobile Home Internet at $50 to $60 per month is a legitimate lower-cost option in well-covered areas.
- Get your Nevada driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency
You need your out-of-state license, Social Security proof, and two Nevada residency documents. Everyone must pass the 25-question written test. Get a Real ID to use your license at TSA.
- Choose the right DMV location and go Tuesday or Wednesday morning
The Henderson DMV on Stephanie Street consistently has the shortest wait times in the valley.
- Register your vehicle in Nevada within 60 days
Clark County requires a smog check as part of the registration process. Handle the driver's license first; it comes up more often.
- Forward your mail through USPS
Do this at usps.com. It forwards mail for a year and serves as a proof-of-address document.
- Update your address with all banks, credit cards, and financial accounts
For California transplants: California residency auditors pay close attention to where banking activity is concentrated.
- Register to vote in Nevada
Nevada has same-day registration. Voter registration is a key piece of domicile evidence for tax purposes.
- If coming from California, notify the Franchise Tax Board
File a part-year California return for the year you move. California audits people who claim to have moved but maintain CA ties.
Settling In
Once the administrative paperwork is done, the focus shifts to finding your footing in the valley. Healthcare access, school enrollment, and understanding your neighborhood take time. Start on these early; wait times for new patients at doctors and specialists can run several weeks.
- Find a primary care doctor who is accepting new patients
The valley has grown faster than its medical infrastructure. Establish care before you need it.
- Find a dentist in Las Vegas
UNLV's dental school clinic offers reduced-cost care for those willing to work with supervised students.
- Know your urgent care options for non-emergency situations
Urgent care is often faster and cheaper than an ER for most non-life-threatening situations.
- Update your health insurance for Nevada
Kaiser Permanente has no Nevada network. If you had Kaiser in California, plan your insurance transition before your move date.
- Enroll kids in their CCSD zoned school
Use the CCSD School Zone Finder online. You need two proofs of Nevada residency plus the child's birth certificate and immunization records.
- Research magnet school options if you have school-age children
Magnet schools like A-Tech and the Academy for Individualized Study have admissions processes and competitive spots. Research deadlines early.
- Explore private school options if public schools are not the right fit
Las Vegas private schools run $8,000 to $18,000 per year, less than comparable California private schools.
- Find youth sports leagues and after-school programs
The valley has a wide range of recreational leagues. Getting kids involved early helps families find their community.
- Read your specific neighborhood's safety and character guide
Henderson, Summerlin, Spring Valley, Centennial Hills, Green Valley, and North Las Vegas each have distinct profiles.
- Understand HOA rules if you live in a managed community
Most Henderson and Summerlin communities have HOAs. Rules on landscaping, parking, and exterior modifications are often strict.
- Prepare for summer electric bills before May
NV Energy peak hours run 3 PM to 8 PM from May through October. Pre-cooling before 3 PM and running appliances after 8 PM meaningfully reduces bills.
- Learn the freeway system before you need it
The 215 Beltway, the I-15, and the US-95 are your main arteries. Traffic flows at 75 to 85 mph on most stretches.