Poll: Non-residents would like to live in Las Vegas

Justin M. Bowen

The Las Vegas Strip from the top of the Stratosphere.

Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 | 4:17 p.m.

If given a choice, a large number of Americans would like to call Las Vegas home.

That’s according to a recent Harris Interactive poll, which put Las Vegas at No. 8 in a list of cities that people would most like to live in or near.

No. 1 was New York, which has topped the list almost every year since 1997. Denver and San Francisco tied at No. 2, followed by San Diego, Seattle, Chicago and Boston. After Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., and Dallas rounded out the Top 10.

Phoenix, which was No. 8 last year, didn't appear on this year’s list.

The poll also asked respondents which state they would choose to live in. California was No. 1, followed by Florida, Hawaii, Texas, Colorado and Arizona. Nevada didn't appear on that list.

For both parts of the survey, respondents couldn't choose the city or state where they currently live.

In its analysis of the results, Harris noted that the most popular states and cities where large numbers of people would like to live were those that attract tourists and businesses. Climate also seems to be a factor, with most states and cities at the top having warm climates, the research firm said.

Harris also pointed out that California remained at the top of the list despite its budget problems.

According to its methodology, Harris surveyed 2,984 adults online between Aug. 10 and Aug. 18. It accounted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and income in its calculations to bring the numbers into proportion with the actual population.

Discussion: 14 comments so far…

By buzzdemming

10/12/09 at 5:16 p.m.

Suggest removal

OK come quick and buy my house, I'm ready to bug out
By revtomperl

10/12/09 at 5:19 p.m.

Suggest removal

They can have it! Turn the city over to the thundering masses!
By dipstick

10/12/09 at 5:22 p.m.

Suggest removal

its a nice place to visit but......
By sierramadre44

10/12/09 at 6:08 p.m.

Suggest removal

I personally love living in Las Vegas. I am surprised it is not number one on the list. It is a way better city that New York, Denver or San Francisco IMO.
By 2zero

10/12/09 at 6:08 p.m.

Comment removed by staff.
By VegasVegas

10/12/09 at 6:42 p.m.

Suggest removal

So 2,984 people were surveyed and therefore we can assume "a large number of Americans"...lol.

I'd like to see the poll of people who moved here and things ended up much different than what they envisioned...
By sincityguy

10/12/09 at 7:03 p.m.

Suggest removal

Yup!

The grass is always greener!

'Til you've moved here and stepped into a few cow pies!
By MeganEdwards

10/12/09 at 7:08 p.m.

Suggest removal

I love living in Las Vegas. It's captivated me ever since I arrived in 1999. I love visiting other cities, and I can't say I wouldn't love living in San Francisco or New York, too, but there's no place like Vegas.
By Mike123

10/12/09 at 8:28 p.m.

Suggest removal

This poll is retarded in so may ways

...where do I start?
By westvegas

10/12/09 at 9:30 p.m.

Suggest removal

Dallas made the list? The Dallas that is in Texas? Those folks must really get out and see the world.
By skerlahdee

10/12/09 at 10:28 p.m.

Suggest removal

The "Dumbest Cities" results hadn't come out yet when this survey was taken.
By environprotector

10/13/09 at 10:01 a.m.

Suggest removal

The only reason to reside in Las Vegas is if you work at UNLV, or in the gaming business. Sorry folks that's all we got right now..and " All we got right now " is outta town... If we get the bullet train then perhaps things might change.
By tdoma

10/13/09 at 3:10 p.m.

Suggest removal

I love it here, glad to see others want to come... maybe to replace all you negative folks LOl
By ucsb1990

10/14/09 at 6:16 a.m.

Suggest removal

I'm amazed that Las Vegas is ahead of beautiful central California cities like Santa Barbara or Monterey.