The buzz has become reality. NFL team owners made their voices heard this week, voting overwhelmingly in favor of approving plans to move the Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas. The team will arrive in either 2019 or 2020… and bring much more to the community than athleticism and excitement on the field.

With the news coming in the same year the Vegas Golden Knights debut as the latest NHL franchise, Sin City is suddenly proving to be a bona fide sports town. The shifting tide is a sign of validation for Las Vegas, one of the newest and fastest growing major metropolitan areas in the country. With a rich history and iconic image, it’s easy to overlook that the city is relatively young. Officially incorporated in 1911, Vegas saw dramatic growth in less than a century, developing from a remote trade outpost in the desert to one of the most in-demand travel destinations in the world.

As Las Vegas built a reputation for its spectacular resorts and casinos, its residential areas grew slowly on the outskirts of the Strip. Affordable new homes, minimal taxes and a low cost-of-living allowed Southern Nevada to quietly become one of the best places to live in the United States. As Las Vegas was saddled with the reputation of being a “transient city, families bought homes and raised their kids in Henderson, Summerlin and other communities. Loyalty for the Las Vegas valley continued to grow and as the economy developed, it made perfect sense for professional sports teams to come knocking.

So where will the Raiders play? The plan includes the promise of a brand new stadium and all signs point to a location near the south end of the Strip, just west of Interstate 15. While hotel guests will share the burden of building the stadium with a new room tax, they could be among those eagerly buying tickets to NFL games. The stadium will be the newest and most modern in the country and visiting sports fans will want to check it out, especially after placing a bet at a local casino sportsbook.

It’s quite a turn of events. Pro sports leagues are no longer shying away from a community built on the legalization of gambling – long considered a barrier to securing an NFL team. Las Vegas has become a sports town on its own terms and residents are ready to show some local pride, so expect a lot of cheers and a lot of noise during home games.

It’s interesting to note – the seasons for both hockey and football come during traditional busy periods for conferences, conventions and trade expos in Vegas. People in town for business could be taking advantage of their expense accounts to enjoy the games. It’s more money for the local economy, adding further growth and development to Southern Nevada.

Luxury Estates International (LEI) is in the middle of the excitement, establishing itself as the brokerage of choice for pro athletes moving to Las Vegas. The company is making the process as convenient, easy and seamless as possible by teaming up with SportStar Relocation, a service that helps pro athletes have all the pieces in place while moving from city to city in North America.

As the Las Vegas landscape evolves, demand for homes will continue to increase. High-rise condos on the Strip, like the Mandarin Oriental and Veer Towers, are already in hot demand by being in walking distance from where the Golden Knights will play at the T-Mobile Arena. Property values in Summerlin will also benefit from a state-of-the art hockey rink and practice complex for the team currently under construction near the Red Rock Resort. Property values around the upcoming Raiders stadium will likely rise as well.

With so many changes in store for Las Vegas, it’s important to choose a home that matches your lifestyle. Turn to Luxury Estates International to learn about the homes, condos and communities that best suit your needs.

Video credit: MANICA Architecture