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May. 14, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Nothing against move to Nevada

Economic woes don't seem to faze movers

By JENNIFER ROBISON
REVIEW-JOURNAL
VEGAS BOUND

United Van Lines ranked Nevada No. 2 in the nation for inbound business in 2007:

State, Inbound traffic
1. North Carolina, 61.6%
2. Nevada, 59.4%
3. Oregon, 58.4%
4. Alabama, 57.9%
5. South Carolina, 57.8%
6. South Dakota, 57.4%
7. Wyoming, 57.2%
8. Arizona, 55.8%
9. West Virginia, 55.7%
10. Tennessee, 55.1%

Source: United Van Lines

DESTINATION VEGAS

Las Vegas has slipped from its traditional spot at or near the top of U-Haul’s list of top destination cities among its clients in 2007, but the city still managed to place in the top 15:

1. Atlanta
2. Chicago
3. Orlando, Fla.
4. Philadelphia
5. Los Angeles
6. Baltimore
7. Detroit
8. Houston
9. Denver
10. Jacksonville, Fla.
11. Miami
12. St. Louis
13. Las Vegas
14. Portland, Ore.
15. Falls Church, Va.

Source: U-Haul

The Silver State's reputation as a haven of nonstop economic progress began sporting some tarnish in 2007.

Annual job growth in Nevada plunged from 6 percent in 2006 to 1 percent by late 2007. Unemployment jumped from 4 percent in late 2006 to 5.2 percent at the end of 2007 -- half a percent beyond the national average. Headlines in national publications trumpeted Nevada's nation-leading level of foreclosures and asked whether Las Vegas faces a serious bust on the Strip.

But those facts don't appear to have substantially suppressed relocation to Nevada last year.

First, a migration study from United Van Lines found that Nevada ranked No. 2 in the nation for its share of inbound moves in 2007. The moving company said 59.4 percent of the Nevada-related trips it made in 2007 were for clients moving to the state. Only North Carolina, with 61.6 percent inbound, fared better.

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    • And though Las Vegas no longer sits at or near the top of U-Haul's roster of top destinations among people moving more than 50 miles, the city still managed a respectable No. 13 on the 2007 list. Las Vegas finished ahead of New York City; San Francisco; Phoenix; Sacramento, Calif.; and Austin, Texas, among other big cities.

    Census statistics support the companies' findings that Nevada remained popular among transplanting Americans in 2007.

    After 19 years claiming No. 1 for population growth, Nevada dropped to No. 2 as Arizona surged in 2005, U.S. Census data revealed. By the 2006-07 measuring period, though, Nevada was back on top, with 2.9 percent population expansion. Arizona fell back to No. 2, with 2.8 percent growth.

    So why, despite its relatively sluggish economy, does Nevada continue to attract legions of migrants?

    United Van Lines and U-Haul didn't offer demographic details on clients by press time, but local economists cited several population segments likely to express continued interest in Nevada.

    Keith Schwer, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said people move long distances for two key reasons: economic opportunities and amenities.

    Economic opportunities could entail more jobs, higher-paying work or cheaper housing.

    Those moving for amenities include retirees seeking warmer weather, or people wanting to live closer to relatives.

    Schwer's research has found that new Las Vegans are largely younger and well-educated, which would indicate they're coming to the area mostly for career possibilities, he said. While parts of Nevada's economy struggle today, the state's sustained population increases suggest many new locals are considering economic prospects well into the future.

    "Someone might say, 'I'm better off moving, because things over the long run are likely to be better in Las Vegas than they are where I am,'" Schwer said.

    Brian Gordon, a principal in local research firm Applied Analysis, said another type of economic advantage could be buoying Nevada's population growth.

    The Silver State maintains a distinct edge over California, its top feeder market for residents, in cost of living, with lower taxes and more affordable housing.

    Also, job growth in the construction and gaming sectors might be flat, but other parts of Nevada's economy are humming, Gordon added -- for example, health care and education are thriving here. That leaves pockets of opportunity for thousands of prospective residents.

    In addition, though Clark County has fallen from its record levels of population expansion three years ago, it continues to collect a substantial set of new citizens, Gordon said. Three years ago, the Department of Motor Vehicles posted more than 90,000 drivers' license turn-ins in the county annually. Today, 70,000 to 75,000 residents hand in out-of-state licenses, still a major chunk of population.

    Both Schwer and Gordon said the megaresort boom poised to hit the Strip in 2009 with the opening of CityCenter could push population growth in Las Vegas back to its historic levels.

    "The outlook remains positive," Gordon said. "New hotel-casinos will continue to demand employees, and Las Vegas in general remains one of the fastest-growing economies in terms of population. Certainly, the employment sector is going through a period of correction, but the overall base of population continues to expand."

    Contact reporter Jennifer Robison at jrobison@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4512.



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    CAS127 wrote on May 15, 2008 10:33 AM: "Both Schwer and Gordon said the megaresort boom poised to hit the Strip in 2009 with the opening of CityCenter could push population growth in Las Vegas back to its historic levels."

    Yep, supply necessarily implies demand - just like in residential housing.

    Let's ask those tens of thousands of foreclosed homeowners.


    rb wrote on May 14, 2008 08:45 PM: You know all of these articles seem to think that the projects like City Center are going to save the economy here. The fact that most of the jobs created there will be filled with current employees never seems to appear. Just a bunch of grandstanding if you ask me. Funny, I have a collection on my credit report and CANNOT get hired at any casino now. That is the new Vegas that no one is willing to write about.


    Steve T wrote on May 14, 2008 05:22 PM: There is always someone with sour grapes...either try to improve the place by volunteering, starting a new business that creates the kind of jobs you think the town needs, donate time and money to the zoo, or get out and go somewhere else where you can make the kind of living you think you can make. But believe me, there are more people in this town with a high school education that can support a family than most places have. It's not perfect here, but if you aren't part of the solution then you are part of the problem.


    Whateverusaydear wrote on May 14, 2008 04:54 PM: Jack,

    I'm not talking about high school diplomas or GEDs. I'm referring to college degrees and post high school education. There are plenty of people with them; either by earning them at UNLV or more frequently having college from other states such as New York and Michigan. I've worked in different casinos for years and encountered them (sometimes working and going concurrently to UNLV); what's wrong with that? You may be looking at porters, maids or other casino service positions (this is not a criticism of any honest job), but I did refer to management or administrative positions. It's not a rarity in the casino industry, and I'm not referring to illegal immigration.

    Bill, I can sympathize with you, however, I've been here for decades. The current housing crisis is due in great part to the rampant speculation by investors and the huge number of liar loans granted in the last handful of years, around after 2003, that contributed to the unrealistic prices for housing. Be patient and read the readers' comments on the subject of real estate in LV and you'll get a good idea how recent the housing problem here.

    Also be aware that in spite of some recent articles about reaching the bottom in LV, research the readers' comments about the price of housing here. I wouldn't be in a hurry to buy a house now since there is IMHO a way to go for prices to continue to drop.


    Ernest Worrell wrote on May 14, 2008 03:11 PM: If you like your law enforcement personnel able to do their job, then you will like Nevada. Our cops can take some low life, dirt bag out, and not worry about some second guess wusses who don't know jack about criminal justice. If you like second guesses, liberals that don't mind high crime and criminals on the streets, move to California.


    Bill wrote on May 14, 2008 02:20 PM: Recently relocated here from Michigan and have been disappointed in the types of jobs available. Seems everyone pays $10 hr, which is fine if housing costs weren't so high. That has been my biggest shock, cost of housing.


    Jack wrote on May 14, 2008 02:06 PM: Paul, please, what do you do? mow lawns, just because you dont make 100k, dont be envious and angry because you make $6 per hour. you could make more if you knew how to read a drink recipe.


    2zero wrote on May 14, 2008 02:00 PM: "what happens here stays here"....

    "vegas now"...

    "a sucker born every minute"!


    paul wrote on May 14, 2008 01:53 PM: Wow. If you live here and whine, move or shut up. Seriously, if the only reason you're here is because you make 100,000 a year to pour drinks, it doesn't exactly make you the country's moral center does it? Your helping people get drunk and you're greedy.

    Tell me again about those repulsive morally bankrupt people.

    Yeah thought so. Add "greedy' to "morally bankrupt" and "narcistic" and it looks like you fit right in, whether you admit it or not. It's cute you think you're above something you're actually swimming in.


    Jack wrote on May 14, 2008 01:20 PM: "There is a lot of educated people in the casino industry"?? if having a high school diploma is educated i guess you are right. This is the last chance place for most people, many people move here because they cant make it in their home town, and try to give a go here. nothing is wrong with that, trying to better oneself, but to have the delirium to even think that half of the majority of the people that live here is educated is a joke. Please to elect a governor, who alledgedly sexually harrassed a woman, and now is separated from his wife, and ceremoniously elect a former mob lawyer as mayor directly states the character of the people that lives here. Morally bankrupt, narcistic, and directly infers a lower than average I.Q.

    Please, if i didnt make 100,000+ a year pouring drinks, i would have left this god forsaken town.


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