With resorts, casinos, fabulous shows, and prime shopping venues, Las Vegas excitement draws visitors from around the world. But it's not just a big adult playground. If you keep family safety in mind as you tour Las Vegas homes for sale, you'll find the perfect Vegas neighborhood to live, work, and raise your family. 

Our real estate agents believe there's a Vegas neighborhood with a family-safe environment that's right for you. To assist you in evaluating a community before you make a commitment, we offer "6 Ways to Tell If Your New Las Vegas Neighborhood is Safe."

1. Do the Research
   It's important to check out a neighborhood before you decide. You'll find a lot of information websites. While some offer only state, county, or city statistics, others provide critical data specific to individual neighborhoods.
   
   • Neighborhoodscout.com has neighborhood crime stats, demographics, and other information. The site also has a list of the 10 Safest Neighborhoods in Las Vegas.
   • AARP Livability Index gives you a neighborhood livability score based on your zip code. It breaks down the final score with ratings on traffic safety, environmental exposures, healthcare access, and other issues.
   • The Department of Justice National Sex Offender Website lets you search to determine if sex offenders live in a neighborhood.
   
   
2. Visit the Neighborhood
   There's nothing like experiencing a neighborhood first-hand. Drive around and if you feel safe enough to get out of the car, that's a good beginning. Take a walk. Do you see children playing? Are adults just hanging out? Do you hear loud noises, traffic sounds, or sirens? Do you smell pollutants in the air?
   
   You must know if you'll feel safe at home after the sun goes down so do a drive-through at night as well. Are the streets well lit? Are kids and adults hanging out in the dark? Do you hear sirens? Do you still feel safe?
   
   
3. Talk to neighbors
   Neighbors always have stories to tell. If you've found a home you love, be bold enough to knock on the neighbor's door. Ask how they feel about the neighborhood. Do they participate in community activities? if they have children where do they play? Whatever the neighbors say, it will give you insight into safety.
   
   
4. Check out the local schools
   Try visiting a local school during class, recess, or lunch. You'll get a chance to see how the neighbor kids interact with one another. If you take your children, they'll be able to tell you if they feel welcome and safe. Check out the building, playground, and other areas for safety issues.
   
   
5. Look for children playing outside
   When residents feel a neighborhood is safe, they're not afraid to let their children play outside. If parents are concerned about traffic, crime rates, or even safety threats from other children, you may notice that the children never leave their yards and if they do they're closely supervised.
   
   
6. Check out the neighborhood vacancy rate
   Vacant homes and commercial buildings tell a story about a neighborhood. Empty homes can be a red flag for several reasons. They become magnets that draw local children inside. A number of empty homes or occupied homes for sale, means residents are moving away for some reason. Empty stores can mean neighborhood economic difficulties or crime problems. The AARP Livability index provides neighborhood vacancy rates.

If you're thinking about buying a home in Las Vegas, we can help. Contact Wardley Real Estate today to get your home search started.