Discover Why Boulder City is a Top Choice for Relocation
If you’re planning on relocating to the Las Vegas area but you’re not sure what location to set your sights on, consider buying a home in Boulder City, NV. This particular community offers a small-town charm along with a rich history related to the Hoover Dam, which effectively placed this city on the map. On top of this, many homes for sale in Boulder City have fabulous lake views, and with just a quick drive, residents can enjoy boating, fishing, and other lake activities all year-round.
Located about 40 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Boulder City sits far enough away to escape the crowds, daily hustle and bustle, and bright lights, yet close enough to easily head out to the Strip for dinner and a show.
It’s also worth mentioning that although Boulder City caters to a wide age range, you’ll find that with its relaxing slow pace, home affordability factor, and no state income tax, it turns out to be a perfect location for those who are retired.
If this area of Las Vegas has caught your attention, then dive into the three sections below that cover interesting historical facts, amenities in the area, and, of course, information on Boulder City real estate.
Boulder City’s Rich History – The Making of an Iconic Nevada Community
This city has a history unlike any other location in the Las Vegas area, so it’s worth briefly covering. Its story starts with the fact that the Colorado River, which had flowed uninterrupted for years, was unpredictable, often causing flooding that damaged nearby farmlands. Because of this, the Boulder Canyon Project Act of 1928 approved the construction of a dam, which began in 1931. This dam would not only control the flooding but would also provide much-needed electricity to the Western states. Eventually, it was dubbed The Hoover Dam, named after Herbert Hoover and his role in the project.
The project was run and paid for by the federal government which built an entire city from scratch to house the workers; the area took on the name Boulder City. They constructed homes, as well as built stores, a gas station, and so on.
Building the dam was such a vast project that the government felt the need to carefully control the workers to keep things on track. The tight rein they placed on the workers included no gambling or alcohol. They were able to enforce these laws by declaring the city a federal reservation, where state laws wouldn’t apply, similar to how an Indian reservation operates.
This enabled them to outlaw casinos and bars within Boulder City. They even went as far as controlling who could enter and leave the city gates. Even though the government’s control tactics seemed a bit extreme, it resulted in the dam’s construction being completed in 1936, two years ahead of schedule.
After the Hoover Dam was fully functional, the government had planned on demolishing the city. However, the residents loved this new area to the point where they felt compelled to offer to purchase their homes from the government.
Years later, in 1960, Boulder City was incorporated and was no longer government-owned and operated. The city continued to grow and flourish, while sticking to some of its traditional values and original laws, such as a ban on gambling, which the locals seem to appreciate.
A Look at Boulder City’s Amenities and Local Activities
The most well-known element of Boulder City is, of course, the Hoover Dam. Those who live in the area frequently visit this historical icon, and often bring their guests from out of town for a tour.
The dam is gigantic and breathtaking in person, and it offers several interesting museums that cover its origins and construction. The best part of the Hoover Dam would be the fantastic views that are seen while walking or driving over the dam itself. It’s also worth visiting the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge that sits right alongside the dam, which provides one of the best overhead views.
Now, let’s talk about the amenity that home buyers are most attracted to within Boulder City, which is directly related to the dam, and that would be Lake Mead.
Lake Mead – Providing Residents with Outdoor Recreation and Scenic Views
The Boulder City real estate market is known for its relation to Lake Mead, and that’s because many homes in the area have a beautiful lake view. On top of this, there’s a wide variety of recreational water sports and leisurely activities that can be experienced year-round with Lake Mead in the vicinity.
I’d like to mention that those who live in the area recommend that new residents visit the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. You’ll find that it’s a great place to start your adventure, complete with a visitor center where you can get a few recommendations and grab a map or brochure. The visitor’s center even houses a museum and gift shop that’s worth checking out.
Before we move forward, if you would like insider information, know that you can always reach out to me, Leslie Hoke, at Homes By Leslie. I’m a longtime Las Vegas resident and realtor who can fill you in on the area’s amenities. This can help provide you with a better idea if Boulder City is a good fit when it comes to your relocation goals.
Enjoy a Day on the Lake with Friends and Family
If you buy a house in Boulder City and also appreciate going out on a boat often, then you’re really going to value living here. Even if you don’t own a boat, you can still set sail on Lake Mead by simply renting one. There are boats available for every personality and speed preference, such as pontoon boats, fishing boats, small boats, as well as large houseboats.
Do you enjoy canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding? If so, you’ll also find rentals for those, too. In addition to all this, there are Lake Mead cruises available which include scenic dinner cruises, a three-level Mississippi paddle wheelership, as well as private charter tours.
Future residents of Boulder City who love to cast a reel, you’ll soon realize that Lake Mead is a hot spot for year-round fishing. Locals frequently catch striped bass, rainbow trout, sunfish, and others. Those who are more into watching the fish swim about can grab their scuba gear and head over to North Boulder Beach on Lake Mead, Gypsum Reefs-Virgin Basin, and Cathedral Cove, which provide a range of depths and submerge sites for beginners and advanced divers.
If you enjoy living near the water, but you’re not sure you want to buy a home in Boulder City, I recommend exploring real estate within the three Las Vegas lakefront communities below:
For those who are campers at heart, know that the locals often spend a few days at a time at the lake by taking advantage of the multiple campgrounds and RV parks that are available. If you’re interested, I have a Las Vegas Homes For Sale with RV Parking blog section that you can immerse yourself in when you have the time.
Parks and Trails – Exploring Boulder City Local Favorites
Anyone considering moving to the Las Vegas area, and looking for a location that offers a chance to spend time out in nature, should place Boulder City high on their relocation list. Why? Because this city offers residents several beautiful parks, as well as a multitude of great hiking trails.
Parks Designed for Family Fun and Relaxation
There are well-maintained parks throughout Boulder City where you and your family can spend time together, hold a birthday party, kick a ball around, basically, enjoying the fresh air, sunshine, and scenic views.
One park worth highlighting is ABC Park, which features a playground, basketball and pickleball courts, an art center, weight room, gymnasium, and youth center. The park is also conveniently located next to the Boulder City Library.
There’s another park that’s actually the talk of the town, and this would be Hemenway Park. This is where you’ll get a glimpse of more than a few big horn sheep that often wander down to graze.
Veteran’s Memorial Park is another great place that residents frequently visit and hang out. It features a playground, splash pad, sports fields, and a BMX trail. There’s also Wilbur Square Park, which is one of the original Boulder City parks created while the Hoover Dam was under construction.
Hitting the Trails – Hiking within Boulder City
If you enjoy going out on a stroll or even hitting the trails for a good hike, then you’re going to love relocating to Boulder City. There’s something for every level and some unique trails that can make things a bit more interesting – let’s take a look at a few crowd favorites.
I’ll start with the Historic Railroad Trail that sits within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This is considered a fairly easy hike that sports amazing views of the lake. The trail leads you through several abandoned tunnels that were used during the construction era of the Hoover Dam.
Anyone wanting to pick up the pace a bit, Owl Canyon, which is considered a moderate hike, is a beautiful location to spend quality time. At one point, this area was submerged underneath Lake Mead, but as the water levels dropped, locals began using it for recreation. The rocks that form the trails feature sensational colors, creating a hot spot for photographers as well.
Hikers who like a challenge should jump on the Goldstrike Canyon trail, which travels through a breathtaking canyon where the hiker can get a glimpse of a few natural hot springs. The Colorado River, as well as the Hoover Dam, are within viewing distance while on this trail, which makes for a scenic hike.
Golf Courses – Hitting the Greens in the Las Vegas Area
For those golf enthusiasts out there who would like to make sure there’s at least one golf course in the area, you’ll be happy to know that there are actually a few in Boulder City. This includes the Boulder City Municipal Golf Course, which sports a traditional layout and has homes lining the course. There’s also Cascata Golf Club, where every hole is carved into a mountain, as well as Boulder Creek Golf Club, which is divided into three nine-hole courses – Desert Hawk, Coyote Run, and Eldorado Valley.
You can explore other golf communities in the surrounding area by heading over to our Las Vegas Golf Community Homes section.
The Boulder City Historic District – Shopping, Dining & Sightseeing
This is a charming and interesting section of Boulder City that locals frequently visit. Its history dates back to the early 1930s and was originally created for the workers who resided in the area while the Hoover Dam was under construction. That said, you’ll find many buildings that still remain from that time period.
The most notable vintage structure is the Boulder Dam Hotel, which houses a museum and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to this, there’s a multitude of antique stores, as well as family-owned and operated restaurants and boutique shops. You’ll also be able to shop and dine outside of the historic district, as there are many mainstream retailers and restaurants to choose from.
Nearby is Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum, which is a must-see. It specializes in preserving the art and history of movie special makeup effects and includes real screen-used props and creature suits.
Those who live in the area can plan a fun experience by visiting the Rail Explorers, where you ride out on pedal cars on a 4-mile stretch of railway track, with the ride heading back taking place on an actual train. They also have a neon lights tour during the evening, which is worth experiencing. The Rail Explorers is outside the Historic District, but nearby.
As you can see, there’s a whole host of fun, interesting, and exciting things to do in Boulder City that make living there rewarding. However, if you’re not sure Boulder City is your cup of tea, and you’re just exploring the Las Vegas area real estate scene, then I encourage you to take a moment to read the following post – Moving to Las Vegas? Your Guide to the Best Communities in the Area.
Exploring Homes for Sale in Boulder City, NV
If buying a home in Boulder City sounds like an attractive option, you’ll want to dive into this next section that covers neighborhoods and property types – from luxury estates overlooking Lake Mead, to condos and houses offering scenic views throughout the city.
The historic city features a mix of renovated older houses, as well as some homes that were rebuilt from the ground up. You can easily start your home search by heading over to my New Listings for Boulder City Homes for Sale page, which will give you a good idea of what’s offered in this location.
I mentioned above that this particular city is a perfect location for anyone who’s retired. If you’re looking for a retirement community, but haven’t decided if you want to buy a home in Boulder City just yet, feel free to explore this guide I put together on 55+ Communities in Las Vegas.
Buying a Home in Boulder City with a Lake View
When it comes to properties in Boulder City, you’ll see quite a few listings for beautiful homes with fabulous lake views. These homes are spread across the hills overlooking Lake Mead, with many of them custom-built properties.
You can browse through my Boulder City Real Estate Listings page, where you’ll find these lake view properties. Be sure to view the higher-end homes as well, since they’re more likely to have the best view of the lake. Neighborhoods surrounding Lake Mead include Lake Terrace, Lake Mead View Estates, Vista del Lago, and Marina Highlands, just to name a few.
You may also notice that although there are houses with lake views, you won’t see listings for real estate located on the water’s edge. The reason for this is that the Bureau of Land Management owns the land directly surrounding Lake Mead. That said, if your heart is set on buying a home on the water as opposed to having a lake view only, then head over to our Lakefront Communities in the Las Vegas Area page, where you can sort through the waterfront property listings that are available. You can also read more in detail about the specific lake communities themselves by visiting my latest post– Discovering the Top Lake Communities in Las Vegas.
Boulder City Golf Community Homes
Along with lake view properties, there are sought-after Boulder City golf community homes that boast lovely views of the greens. Boulder City Municipal Golf Course and Boulder Creek Golf Club are the perfect place to start your search, with homes either lining the course or perfectly situated nearby. Also, take a moment to view homes that are available on our Golf Course Community Real Estate page.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for in Boulder City when it comes to a golf community, you can search other Las Vegas areas as well:
Buying a Home Within the Historic District
The Historic District I discussed above was not just designed for an afternoon out dining, shopping, and running errands; it’s also a place to reside that features multiple neighborhoods and homes. Many of these are older homes that were remodeled or include add-ons, with some houses completely rebuilt.
Because a good number of the properties were constructed when Boulder City was first placed on the map, the neighborhoods have a lot of charm and character. In addition to this, the streets are lined with trees, and the yards are well-maintained.
It’s a fabulous location to live because it’s just a short, convenient walk to local restaurants, shops, and great entertainment. If you’re interested in buying a house in Boulder City within the Historic District, contact Homes By Leslie to find out what’s available at this time.
Browse All Homes for Sale in Boulder City
If you’re not exactly sure where you’ll be buying a home in Boulder City, but you do have a price range in mind, simply explore the pages below, arranged by price. It’ll give you a chance to see home listings all throughout Boulder City within your specific budget.
- $100,000 – $200,000 Priced Homes in Boulder City
- $200,000 – $300,000 Priced Homes in Boulder City
- $300,000 – $400,000 Priced Homes in Boulder City
- $400,000 – $500,000 Priced Homes in Boulder City
- $500,000 – $600,000 Priced Homes in Boulder City
- $600,000 – $700,000 Priced Homes in Boulder City
- $700,000 – $800,000 Priced Homes in Boulder City
- $800,000 – $900,000 Priced Homes in Boulder City
- $900,000 – $1,000,000 Priced Homes in Boulder City
- Over $1,000,000 Priced Homes in Boulder City
I also wanted to mention that if you have children and your home search is focused on landing a good school district, Boulder City won’t disappoint. This city is part of the Clark County school district, which features exceptional public, private, and charter schools.
Are You Interested in Buying a Home in Boulder City?
Boulder City is certainly a wonderful place to call home. It’s a charming location to raise a family, retire in, or just set down roots in an area where the community holds on to traditional values. Also, as you read, there are plenty of activities to keep residents entertained – from a great game of golf to touring the historic Hoover Dam, or spending the day at the park. Most importantly, buying a home in Boulder City can provide you with a tranquil lake view that makes living in this city a retreat-like experience.
If you’re interested in relocating to Boulder City, you’ll benefit from pairing up with an industry expert who can provide you with the guidance you’ll need to make the right purchase for you and your family. When you’re ready to move forward on your dream home, don’t hesitate to contact me, Leslie Hoke — the area’s leading real estate market expert.
