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Las Vegas, Henderson or North Las Vegas — Where Should You Live?

By U.S. News & World Report

Las Vegas does not have the endless suburban options of a more traditional metropolis, but there are two other cities in the Vegas Valley — Henderson and North Las Vegas — that homebuyers may want to explore. While there aren’t considerable differences in laws or taxes between the burgs, each still offers something unique.

To help you decide which town you want to call home, U.S. News spoke with some of Las Vegas’ top real estate agents, as identified by Agent Explore, a real estate technology company (and U.S. News partner), to get their expert opinions on each municipality.

Henderson — Family-Friendly

If the thought of living in Sin City makes you uncomfortable, consider Henderson. Located southeast of Las Vegas, Henderson draws families with its low crime and good schools.

[Read: 4 Things to Know Before Buying a Midcentury Modern Las Vegas Home.]

Laura Harbison, broker and salesperson with Realty Executives of Southern Nevada, decided to live in Henderson in part because of the schools. “I have seven kids, so a lot of my concern was narrowing down which handful of schools would be good,” she says. She adds that residents can take advantage of the city’s many family events and community centers.

Potential buyers may be concerned that Henderson is too far from the Strip, but even if you are a bit farther from nightlife, you may be closer to other important destinations. Harbison says buyers often decide to live in Henderson because “they like the proximity and ease of getting to the airport.”

In addition to being family-friendly and easily accessible, Henderson is “a very pretty city,” according to Harbison. There are many tree-lined streets and beautification projects that make the area feel less like the desert. For buyers who decide on Henderson, “it feels more like a hometown to them than Las Vegas does,” she says.

North Las Vegas — a Good Value

According to Tania Michaels, Realtor and team owner with Keller Williams Realty, decisions to purchase a home in North Las Vegas are “mostly price-driven.” You’re able to purchase a larger house with more features for less money north of the Strip.

[Read: 5 Tips for Buying an Affordable Las Vegas Home.]

Many buyers decide to purchase a home in North Las Vegas because of the planned community Aliante. Another planned community, which is one of the most popular and largest planned communities in the Valley, is Summerlin on the west side of Las Vegas, but Michaels notes, “The way [Aliante] looks right now, it rivals Summerlin and is a much better price.”

Michaels also says Aliante is one of the best places in the Valley to buy a new single-story home with a three-car garage. “People love them. They are 2,500 square feet with big lots and RV parking, in a gated, master-planned community, next to a park that is gorgeous, and within minutes of the freeway,” she explains.

Like Henderson, North Las Vegas is farther from the city center, but I-215 makes it relatively easy to travel across town. North Las Vegas may not have the lush greenery of Henderson, but there is plenty of wide open space. “You go out there, and you can really appreciate the desert,” Michaels says.

Las Vegas — Something for Everyone

High-rises, midcentury modern homes and planned communities — Las Vegas offers a home for every lifestyle, and pretty much every ZIP code in Las Vegas is a short drive from the Strip. Compared to the rest of the Valley, downtown Las Vegas in particular provides the most dining and entertainment options within walking distance (unless you buy a condo on the Strip).

[Read: 4 Tips for Buying a Home in Downtown Las Vegas.]

Summerlin is very popular with buyers currently, according to Enzo Varela, broker with Precision Realty, in part because of the recent completion of Downtown Summerlin, an outdoor shopping center. “You can be in your own little bubble and not have to leave. You have everything you need, including major shopping, and people think the schools are nicer,” Varela says.

Another offering unique to Las Vegas is classic architecture and original Vegas neighborhoods. “Within the city, there are the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s homes that are getting quite popular with newer buyers. There is this old charm that you definitely won’t find in Summerlin. You may find it in Henderson, but it won’t be the same setup,” Varela says.

Ultimately, experts agree that picking the best location starts with understanding what you need. For example, do you have to be close to the airport and a great public school, or is being near a casino most important? After you have a list of your must-haves, share them with your agent.

“It may sound like a good idea to be in Summerlin, but if most of your activities are towards Henderson, then maybe you should be in Henderson,” Varela says. “I try to gear people towards being more logical. Make a decision based on what you actually use.”

Looking for a real estate agent in Las Vegas? U.S. News’ Find an Agent tool can match you with the person who’s most qualified for the job.

More from U.S. News

4 Under-the-Radar Neighborhoods in Las Vegas

4 Things to Consider Before Buying a Las Vegas Condo

A First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide to Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Henderson or North Las Vegas — Where Should You Live? originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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