Not really.

Anything 1.5 hours away will still be in the Mojave. So the same climate. Nevada public schools are not good. However, if you can swing it, the private schools are Great. The best bet is to live in vegas: low taxes and affordable real estate. Summers are hot, but it's only bad for about 3-4 months. Everything is air-conditioned. There are many things to do inside, and most parks have bright lights at night.