How Do I Move Out of California?

Quality of Life: California vs. Nevada:

From my own personal experiences I would say this: First off getting from one part of town to the other is a breeze compared to LA and the Bay Area traffic! Second, our gas prices are cheaper, food costs are cheaper, less smog to deal with. These are a few things to consider. Our overall quality of life is a lot better when you just factor in those few things.

We are also very business friendly, meaning if you want to relocate a business, Nevada is open to that. We have less taxes than California, business as well as personal taxes. We have NO STATE INCOME TAXES! That right there should save you at least 13% from what you pay in California. If you're ready to learn how to move out of California, just reach out and I'll help guide your way.

Considerations Before Moving from California to Nevada:

While Nevada offers many advantages, weighing the pros and cons before moving out of California is essential. Here are some factors to consider:

• Climate: Nevada’s desert climate can be scorching, with summer temperatures often exceeding 100°F. Consider whether you can tolerate extreme heat, especially in the summer months. A/C is in all places you go to in Las Vegas.
• Job Market: Nevada’s job market, while growing, may not offer the same opportunities as California. Consider the availability of jobs in your specific field and the potential salary ranges.
• Cost of Living: While generally more affordable than California, some areas like Summerlin and Henderson are more expensive. Research the cost of housing, utilities, groceries, and other expenses in your target area to ensure they align with your budget.
• Quality of Life Issues: As someone that worked in Law Enforcement in Los Angeles, I know what crime can do to a community and to a city. Over the past few years things have gotten worse in California. Homelessness, riots, fires etc that affects your overall quality of life. Time in traffic to can have a negative affect as well. 

My Personal Story About Leaving California...

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I grew up there, and I went to school there. I wanted to leave LA in the mid 1990's as I started to see more traffic, spending hours a day in my car rather than at home, more crime, my quality of life was not as good as other cities I had visited. Taxes started going up, real estate was unaffordable by the mid 2000's and I just needed to re-invent my life.

In 2003, I took a risk. I made the decision that I want to move out of California. I left LA and moved out to Las Vegas. I started Real Estate school in 2003 and in 2004, I became a business owner and a full time Las Vegas Realtor. I'd love to chat with you and see what I can do to help you understand how to move out of California. What's your reason for leaving? If you want to move to Las Vegas, let's chat about it!

What is the Average Sales Price of a Home in Las Vegas?

As of July 2025, the average sales price is around $485,000.00 to $700,000.00+. It will also depend on the location of the home, size and features you are looking for. Summerlin and Henderson seem to be at a premium now. This means that home prices in these areas are going to be 20% higher than most of The Las Vegas Valley. If you are looking into these areas for a home, I would have a budget of at least $650,000.00+ and above.

That pricing point should get you a newer home that is at least 1,800 + square feet or bigger. As of July 2025, our inventory is up indicating that we are turning into a buyers market. The only draw back is home loan rates are still around 7% reducing some buyers purchasing power.  

If you are looking for a home that is around 1,500 square feet, budget around $485,000.00-550,000.00. Keep in mind, Las Vegas is very affordable compared to California! What you might pay for a condo in Los Angeles that’s 1,000 square feet for $800,000.00, that will get you a 2,500+ square foot home in Henderson or Summerlin with money left over!

What Type of Real Estate is Hot Right Now?

As of July 2025, we are in a buyers market with the only negative about our market is higher interest rates around 7%. Inventory over the past few months has gained more homes that are over priced and staying on the market longer than 30 days. Still, most homes are selling within 30 days of listing them on the MLS. 62% of homes are selling around 30 days or less. Homes that are over priced or not in high demand will stay on the market longer. 

New home construction is also seeing some issues. Builders are not building as many homes as they did after Covid. Several builders are now giving out incentives on standing inventory homes as well as dirt lot incentives. It's important that you hire a Realtor that has good relationships with the builders here in Las Vegas so that you get a great deal. 

Keep in mind that there are still a lot of home on the MLS resale market that need a lot of work, are not in good condition and or are over priced. Newer homes on the MLS do not last long on the market. Contact me today for more informaiton about current market pricing and conditions. 

As a California resident, you will have an advantage compared to Las Vegas residents since you are used to higher prices in your real estate market.

If you consider new home construction, use caution as it may take 8-12 months for a new home builder to build you a home. With interest rates going up, waiting that long to buy a brand new home may be a huge gamble. There are still plenty of homes for sale but some homes may require work or customization.

For me, I love Summerlin. Not only do I work here, I live here. Check out: www.summerlin.com for more information about the area. I love the area because everything is around you that you need without the traffic and congestion. Restaurants, shopping, casinos, great freeway access, outdoor activities and much more make Summerlin a family friendly part of town and just a great place to live and play.

If you are a Henderson person, Henderson is also good too. It is at the valley floor meaning that it’s 1,700 feet above sea level. Summerlin is around 3,000 feet above sea level. In Henderson, it tends to be hotter, more traffic and more population. If you are thinking of moving to Summerlin, call me today. Let's chat about that move!

How Long Will It Take Us to Find a Home?

Great question! It can take 20 minutes or a few months. It just depends on our timing and what's available. Make sure that you have your finances in place first before we start looking for a home. A proof of funds letter if you are paying cash or a pre-approval letter if you are financing your purchase. This helps me put in an offer right away without any delays. Escrow usually is around 30-35 days for financing and with a cash transaction I can usually close within 2 weeks.