About Las Vegas, NV

When many people think of Las Vegas, they think of "the Strip". Did you know that the Strip A) isn't a Strip, at least in the sense of being a simple straight line, and B) isn't even the downtown? The Las Vegas Strip is actually a complex, interweaving array of pedestrian walkways and overpasses. It's easy to get lost while walking down the strip, so it's recommended that those unfamiliar with it bring a map.

If you want to visit "downtown" Las Vegas, you're actually going to have to leave the Strip behind. Downtown and the Strip are both located on Las Vegas Boulevard, but in different parts. The Strip is located in unincorporated Paradise, running north-to-south for about four miles. Once you reach the end of the Strip, you'll have to head north for a few miles to reach the downtown. Once upon a time, downtown Vegas was pretty sleepy, but a lot of local residents are now moving in.

Everyone knows about Las Vegas's casinos and entertainment offerings, but did you know that Vegas is also a great place to raise a family? Don't let the negative stereotypes of "Sin City" discourage you. Outside of the glitzy tourist areas, there are plenty of great amenities. Schools, churches, grocery stores, there are tons of options. There are plenty of locals who spend their days doing what most Americans do: shopping, eating out, going to the doctor, or hiking at the national parks.

However, the city's school system has had trouble keeping up with the burgeoning population. Teacher salaries are on the lower side, schools are getting crowded, and many lack resources. Some neighborhoods have better school systems than others so anyone with children should consider these factors when deciding on a particular neighborhood.

Houses are affordable but prices are rising. Zillow states that median home values have risen to around $200,000. Vegas was slammed by the mortgage crisis, and the recovery has been slow. However, things are picking up with prices having risen a good 10% in just the last year. Still, compared to other places around the country, Vegas is quite reasonable. The huge sprawl and open land mean there's more room to grow.

Nevada also has the lowest taxes in America. In fact, many taxes present in other states don't even exist in Nevada. This means that people who live in the state can often save considerable sums on their tax bill. So why can Nevada get away with such low taxation? The 40 million plus tourists that visit Vegas each year creates a massive influx of cash which helps fund the schools, parks, roads, and other municipal projects.

The public transportation in Vegas is quite good. Riders can ride the bus pretty much anywhere in the city for just $5 bucks 24 hours a day. Various residential routes and different passes also exist. For those who decide to drive, finding parking in Vegas is actually quite easy, and sometimes free.

There are several great museums, such as Las Vegas Philharmonic, Las Vegas Museum of Natural History, and the Las Vegas Art Museum. Many locals also love to hang out at Container Park, an entire three story plaza built completely of shipping containers. It contains 30 locally-owned restaurants, pubs, salons, and shops. There's a treehouse playground in the middle of the park, and free family-friendly movies are shown outside on Thursday nights in the summer.

Looking to get outside? There are many scenic hiking areas just minutes away from town. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Red Rock Canyon, there's even a so-called Valley of Fire. These areas offer a wide variety of hiking difficulties, and also amazing views of Vegas and the surrounding landscapes.

At the end of the day, Vegas offers more than flashy lights and high-rolling casinos. It's a generally affordable town, and once you get off the strip, it offers many of the amenities found in most large American cities. Los Angeles is only a 4-hour drive from Vegas, and flying is easy. As a major tourist destination, Vegas is a flying hub offering plenty of cheap flights to destinations across the world. In Vegas, you can stay local, or go world-wide, whatever you choose.