Westleigh

​Westleigh

By Karina Giraldo

Tucked away just east and south of Valley View and Charleston boulevards lies a charming bungalow neighborhood named Westleigh. Established in 1950, Westleigh is one of Las Vegas' first neighborhoods and boasts rows of large trees and colorful, charming homes, resulting in a uniquely landscaped neighborhood. Grass lawns, mature trees, and distinctive historic bungalow-style homes can be seen while strolling through the streets of Melville, Darmak, Douglas, and Barnard.

Westleigh is divided into five tracts with 288 homes. The majority of the homes were built in the first four tracts, which were from 1951 to1954. The fifth tract was built from 1955 to1957. Back then, the average price for a Westleigh home was approximately $13,000, with an average mortgage of $60 per month.

Houses in this neighborhood represent a transitional period between the Minimal Traditional style of the 1940s and the Ranch-style home of the 1950s and 1960s. After World War II, the government asked developers to build entire neighborhoods rather than construct single houses. As a result, the 1950s became a nation of post-WWII suburbs, and today, these neighborhoods across the U.S. are a national treasure. Common post-WWII suburbs feature: a proximity to the city center, schools, churches, a park, and a local shop that meets the needs of the residents.

Westleigh homes are small with a stucco exterior, a concrete tile roof, and a small raised porch. Most of the homes began with 1,000 to 1,100 square feet and have since seen additions; however, some have remained in their original state and still look as they did in the 1950s. Additionally, this is one of the very few Las Vegas neighborhoods that has alleys, which are used for trash pickup and as alternative entrances.

Although the neighborhood is not in the Historic Property Register, it is considered historic to Las Vegans. Some residentsare hoping to convince the Historic Preservation Commission to designate it as a landmark neighborhood.

In regards to its housing market, 10 homes were sold in the last six months with an average sales price of $119,000. Currently, only one home is for sale, which has a pending contract in place. Since Westleigh is such a desirable community to live in, a potential buyer must act fast, or fear disappointment.

As for the rental market, prices range from $700 to $1,450. There are currently two homes available for rent:

While walking through the streets at dusk, you will find people sitting on their front porches enjoying their cozy neighborhood. And if you talk to Westleigh residents, many will say they areliving in one of Las Vegas’ best neighborhoods. The sense of community is alive and well in these small subdivisions; quite often, many of the residents will have a weekend barbecue open to the neighborhood. Resident, Kate Sandoz, describes Westleigh as a “close-knit community where people look out for one another, socialize, and, when needed, take care of each other … I fell in love with the concept." Undoubtedly, you too will fall in love with it.

Current Listing:

1200 Barnard

$179,000