9 Safest Small Communities To Settle In Nevada

There are many things to consider when thinking about possible places to relocate to. The type of work in that area, as well as driving distances to points of interest, the weather, the general cost of living, and things of that nature, rank among the most thought-of considerations. For most people, the general safety of their community is of great interest and ranks high on their list of priorities. Nevada has long been a place that provides positive results in searches into many of these considerations. Let's take a look at some of the higher-ranked communities within the category of safety that should be considered when looking for a new place to live.

Boulder City

Thought of as one of the safest communities in Nevada, this lakeside town offers a quiet atmosphere with violent crime offences well below the national average. Within the past five years, crimes in the aggravated assault variety have been reported to be less than half of what the country reports on an annual basis. With a population of around 16,000, this desert gem will entice you with a quiet lifestyle while enthralling you with outdoor activities and water sports hosted on Lake Mead. Attractions in and around Boulder City include the famous Hoover Dam. This well-known infrastructural icon has been featured in numerous films and offers tours and hours of interesting informational tidbits. In fact, the town of Boulder City was formed particularly to house the people who spent years of their lives there building the dam.

Mesquite

Mesquite has a population of approximately 20,000 people and is located about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas on Interstate 15, adjacent to the Arizona state line. According to the police department's statistical data, the crime rate in Mesquite generally sits well below the national average as well as the annual average for the state of Nevada. This location profiles well as a relocation destination if safety is high on your priority list. Mesquite serves as the home to several palaces of indulgence and fun. The Virgin River Casino, Casablanca, and the Stateline Casino and Motel. The Eureka Casino and Resort is a very popular place offering several restaurants and a large Grand Canyon Ballroom for large events. The former Rising Star Sports Ranch has been redeveloped and reopened as a Holiday Inn Resort in Mesquite, offering lodging geared toward sports teams and group travel. If learning about pioneers and the local history is of interest to you, the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum has exhibits that aim to entertain and educate.

Gardnerville

Situated in the Carson Valley, this town of 6,200 offers one of the lowest tax burdens to its residents and is also known for its low crime rate. It is quiet, safe, cheap, and cheerful. Gardnerville has local saloon-style spots like Nevada Ugly and Buckaroos, both located along U.S. Highway 395. A short drive up the same interstate is the Overland Restaurant & Pub, a popular eatery offering the additional charm of its location being set against the beautiful backdrop of the Sierra Mountains. This famous mountain range, which is snow-capped for much of the year, offers a visual delight, no matter how many times you've seen it. The low rate of aggravated assault crimes makes Garderville a favorable option and rivals that of other retirement communities in Nevada.

Yerington

The town of Yerington is often considered one of the tighter-knit communities in the state of Nevada. It offers a low cost of living and is known to be a haven for retirees. The Walker River State Recreation Area and Rattlesnake Lanes are some of the attractions that Yerington is proud to feature. This charming Nevada community offers a mix of history with an artistic flair. A visit to The Lyon County Museum will delight history buffs, while some may want to explore their more artistic side with time spent at the Yerington Theatre for the Arts. Here, you can enjoy live performances, various art exhibits, and a pleasant wind-down session in their in-house café. For many who live there, they consider this location a community hub. For those willing to try their luck, local casinos like Dini's Lucky Club or Pioneer Crossing might be worth the challenge. You will find that Yerington offers a multitude of activities, melded with small-town charm.

Carlin

Carlin, Nevada, is one of the safest places to live in the state. Both the aggravated assault rate and the property crime rate are well below the national average, according to the local police department. This makes this sleepy 2,300-resident community a strong contender when it comes to peace of mind. Carlin has recently been recognized as entering the "new pioneering era." It is known to be the gateway to the world's largest gold mines. Mining was the primary vocational pursuit for those seeking to strike it rich in the early 1960s. This development of the area is commonly known as the Carlin Trend. During the peak of the prospecting years, it was known as where the train stops, and the gold rush begins. Carlin, Nevada, exudes small-town charm. Everything it does nods to its mining history, known as the Carlin Trend. Local watering troughs like The Peacock Lounge provide popular gathering spots, while historic churches, like Sacred Heart, and several in the Baptist and Methodist denominations, might be more your speed. The intriguing Carlin Chinese Gardens will offer a delightful escape. More attractions are offered slightly outside Carlin, but it serves as a convenient base near the world's largest gold mines and will always offer that classic Nevada small-town hospitality.

West Wendover

Sharing a border with Utah, West Wendover has recorded low property crimes regularly and a decline in violent crimes over recent years, making it one of the safer small communities in the state of Nevada. A major nearby aviation stop is the Historic Wendover Airfield Museum in Wendover, Utah—just across the border from West Wendover. This is where the Enola Gay conducted its historic training runs. West Wendover, Nevada, offers a mix of casinos and unique natural sights. Key attractions include the famous Bonneville Salt Flats just over the border, where motorcycle and car racing are common sights. Another famous landmark is the giant cowboy statue named Wendover Will. The Peppermill Hotel & Casino enjoys a particular popularity among visitors and residents alike and offers hours of distracting delight.

Incline Village

On the north shore of Lake Tahoe sits the highly regarded community of Incline Village. It enjoys low crime rates and a high quality of life, and remains a desirable location for those reasons despite a relatively higher cost of living. Why are people willing to pay more to live here? It's due to the much sought-after lifestyle residents enjoy here year-round. Diamond-Peak Ski Resort is a big draw to those who enjoy sliding down the slopes. And if opulence is your thing, a visit to the Grand Lodge Casino at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe will clue you in to its immense popularity. The spectacular views from numerous locations don't hurt, either.

Ely

This desert oasis is a safe, desirable destination for travellers and those looking to relocate alike. It happily sports a consistently lower crime rate than the national average, adding to its lore as a desirable destination for people of all walks of life. This diverse community is filled with a multitude of outdoor adventures waiting to happen. Great Basin National Park is a major regional draw, located near Baker, Nevada (about an hour’s drive from Ely). Ely represents a highly-rated option for those looking for a tight-knit community, as well. It offers everything needed for anyone looking for a safe and tranquil home base. Ely’s historic rail heritage is showcased at the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, while Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park preserves six beehive-shaped ovens from the 1870s. Perhaps exploring Garnet Hill for gemstones is something that might help you tap into your exploratory side. Ely also exudes an artistic atmosphere and features a vibrant Main Street. Those factors, coupled with a relatively low cost of living and great schools, make this town a year-round haven of tranquillity and fun.

Fallon

The town of Fallon enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the state of Nevada. Even if you think that you don't know much about Fallon, you may have heard about one particular point of interest there: Naval Air Station Fallon, a U.S. Navy installation and a major tactical aviation training center located just southeast of the city. For those not feeling the need for speed, Fallon offers other fun distractions. Fallon’s diverse history and American Indian heritage are on full display at the Churchill County Museum & Archives. This Fallon staple houses a collection of authentic tule duck decoys, which represent Nevada’s official state artifact. For those interested in natural art, a hike up to Grimes Point Archaeological Area will give you the opportunity to view dozens of petroglyphs, which are ancient images carved into rock surfaces, and are created by removing the darker outer layer, called patina, to reveal the lighter rock underneath, creating a unique piece of art embedded in a natural location.

Why Nevada’s Safe Towns Stand Out

Safety is important. But, so is fun and beauty. These considerations are all accounted for should you plan to visit or relocate to any of these Nevada locations. People consider relocating to Nevada for its tax-friendly environment, which includes an enviable lack of state income tax. The variety of job opportunities in sectors like tech, healthcare, and hospitality also offers attractive vocational options. Additional reasons can include a business-friendly climate, countless options for outdoor recreation, and a generally more affordable cost of living compared to some other states across the western US. All in all, there is so much waiting for you in friendly, safe Nevada.