Moving To Summerlin: An Upscale Las Vegas Community
If you’re planning on moving to Summerlin, it’s a master planned, upscale community with beautiful landscapes. It’s located on the west side of the valley, and is known for having good schools in Las Vegas, well maintained parks, and is in close proximity to Red Rock Canyon.
One of the things that distinguishes Summerlin is how intentionally the community has been developed. Rather than growing outward as a collection of unrelated subdivisions, residential areas, commercial centers, recreation, and community spaces have been planned together over several decades. That gives much of Summerlin a cohesive appearance and atmosphere that can feel noticeably different from older parts of the Las Vegas Valley.
It was developed around 1990 by the Howard Hughes Corporation, and is named after Jean Amelia Summerlin. It’s one of the most common landing spots for job relocators and families who want newer construction, and a higher standard of amenities.
Summerlin has also continued to expand rather than being developed during one particular building period. Someone moving here can therefore choose between neighborhoods that have been established for decades and areas where development is considerably newer.
This can make Summerlin appealing to relocators who like the overall community, but have very different preferences when it comes to the age, style, and surroundings of their home.
What to Expect When Moving To Summerlin
Home prices as well as gas prices run higher than most of the valley, but with your home you’re paying for planned green space, an extensive network of trails, and some of the top rated schools in Clark County.
Summerlin is organized into several distinct areas such as: Summerlin North, Summerlin South, and Summerlin West. They are each made up of its own smaller villages and neighborhoods with their own character. From established Summerlin neighborhoods like The Trails and Sun City Summerlin, to newer construction further west in areas like Redpoint and Stonebridge.
If you’re looking into Sun City, keep in mind that it’s age restricted to the 55 plus community. However, if you happen to fall under that category, it’s a beautiful place to plant yourself.
Amenities and Downtown Summerlin
Downtown Summerlin functions as the community’s retail and entertainment hub, with shopping, dining, and Red Rock Resort all in one walkable area. It’s also home to City National Arena, the practice facility for the Vegas Golden Knights, and Las Vegas Ballpark, home of the Las Vegas Aviators. For residents who want something more upscale and private, The Ridges is a guard gated enclave known for custom homes and some of the highest price points in the valley.
Beyond the major destinations, one of Summerlin’s advantages is the amount of everyday infrastructure spread throughout the community. Residents have access to numerous neighborhood shopping centers, grocery stores, restaurants, fitness facilities, medical offices, and other services without necessarily needing to travel into central Las Vegas for routine needs. Because these amenities are distributed throughout different parts of Summerlin, daily errands can often remain relatively close to home.
The community also has several golf courses, recreation facilities, community centers, and neighborhood gathering spaces that contribute to the lifestyle Summerlin is known for. Depending on the particular village or neighborhood, residents may have different combinations of nearby amenities, so this is another area where comparing individual sections of Summerlin can be important when deciding where to live.
Getting Around Summerlin Las Vegas
Commutes to the Strip or downtown Las Vegas typically run 25 to 40 minutes depending on where in Summerlin you land, and what time you’re driving. This is mostly using the 215 Beltway or Charleston Boulevard.
Being on the western edge of the valley, Summerlin also puts you closest to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which is a real perk if hiking or climbing is part of why you’re moving to this West side part of the Las Vegas valley.